NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
4 reportsClear category filter55,000 miles · Nov 13, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingWheels
BEFORE THIS - ENGINE REPLACED WITH VERY FEW MILES - SUBARU CLAIMED NO WARRANTY - INSURANCE PAID BASED ON TINY LEAK IN RADIATOR - CAR JUST QUIT. NEVER KNEW OF ANY LEAK - NOT WATER IN GARAGE FLOOR EVER. THEN ON 12/28/10 HAD HEARD LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN FRONT END. SUBARU SENT WRECKER (2 HRS_ 1-WAY) TO PICK UP CAR - REPLACED FRONT E…
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BEFORE THIS - ENGINE REPLACED WITH VERY FEW MILES - SUBARU CLAIMED NO WARRANTY - INSURANCE PAID BASED ON TINY LEAK IN RADIATOR - CAR JUST QUIT. NEVER KNEW OF ANY LEAK - NOT WATER IN GARAGE FLOOR EVER. THEN ON 12/28/10 HAD HEARD LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN FRONT END. SUBARU SENT WRECKER (2 HRS_ 1-WAY) TO PICK UP CAR - REPLACED FRONT END PROBLEMS. CONTINUED/CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE - TRULY A LEMON. I AM 77 - HAVE BEEN STRANDED MORE THAN 2 X'S RECENTLY - CAR JUST LOSES POWER - CK ENGINE & CRUISE LIGHTS - ALSO 10/9/12 DASH LIGHTS ON DROVE 6+ HOURS TO SERVICE IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TX. NEAREST DEALER IS 2.5 HRS AWAY 1-WAY. NEED DEALERS NO ONE ELSE WILL EVEN LOOK AT SUBARU. THIS IS TRULY THE SUBARU FROM HELL!!!!! LIMITED INCOME CANNOT BUY ANOTHER CAR BUT I SHOULD WOULD IF I COULD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552036
29,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE AN 06 SUBARU LEGACY GT.AT MY 30,000MILE CHECKUP THE REPORT STATES GOOD EXCEPT THE REAR BRAKE PADS & ROTORS WHICH IS RATED; MAY REQUIRE FOLLOW UP ATTENTION.THE REAR ROTORS WERE MACHINED. AT 37,778 MILES THE RADIO WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT SHORTING OUT. AT THIS MILEAGE MY COOLANT CAP IS NO LONGER HOLDING PRESSURE & HAS TO BE R…
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I HAVE AN 06 SUBARU LEGACY GT.AT MY 30,000MILE CHECKUP THE REPORT STATES GOOD EXCEPT THE REAR BRAKE PADS & ROTORS WHICH IS RATED; MAY REQUIRE FOLLOW UP ATTENTION.THE REAR ROTORS WERE MACHINED. AT 37,778 MILES THE RADIO WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT SHORTING OUT. AT THIS MILEAGE MY COOLANT CAP IS NO LONGER HOLDING PRESSURE & HAS TO BE REPLACED. AT 44,542MILES, THE INVOICE SAYS REPLACE REAR BRAKES AS ONLY THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED & THE REAR ROTORS WERE MACHINED 6,000MILES AGO. AT 47,560 MILES FOURTH GEAR IS GRINDING.THE INVOICE STATES; FOUND LOW/DIRTY MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID.THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AT 30,000MILES & THE FLUID LEVELS ARE TO BE CHECKED AT EVERY VISIT WHICH WAS LAST AT 47,478 MILES.TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED.AT 47,560 MILES; FOUND REAR BRAKE ROTORS WARPED EXCESSIVELY.THIS WAS NOT MENTIONED AT 44,542MILES WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AT THIS TIME AGAIN; AS THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TO THIN & WERE REPLACED. FROM 3-5-08 WHEN THE LAST MAJOR INSPECTION WAS DONE THE FRONT ROTORS WERE MARKED;MAY REQUIRE FOLLOW UP ATTENTION.ON 4-17-08 THE ROTORS ARE TOO THIN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.AT 50,129 MILES THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED.THE LEAKING INNER AXLE SEALS WAS UNNOTICED BY THE TECHNICIAN UNTIL I MENTIONED IT. THE INVOICE STATES;THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRONT INNER AXLE SEALS LEAKING. FOUND KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH FRONT AXLES CAUSED BY LACK OF GREASE DUE TO LEAKING BOOTS. THE AXLE BOOTS WERE REPLACED. AT 53,455 MILES FOUND FRONT ROTORS WARPED, RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS AS THEY WERE JUST REPLACED AT 47,560 MILES. THE CLUTCH FEELS THAT IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY,FOURTH GEAR IS GRINDING AGAIN & IS DIFFICULT TO GET INTO GEAR.WHEN SHIFTING AT TIMES, CLUTCH WILL BE COMPLETELY DISENGAGED AND VEHICLE REVS TO 5000+RPMS FOR NO REASON.I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP TO TAKE TO MY TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST FOR A 2ND OPINION; THE HOOD WASN'T CLOSED, IT WAS ONLY LATCHED.
NHTSA ODI #10237821
37,837 miles · Jun 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JUNE 24, 2008 MY 06 SUBARU LEGACY LGT WAGON SUFFERED A SERIOUS ENGINE FAILURE. MY OIL PICKUP TUBE COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE PICKUP TUBES FOR THE SUBARU LEGACY & IMPREZA MODELS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT MY OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING,…
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ON JUNE 24, 2008 MY 06 SUBARU LEGACY LGT WAGON SUFFERED A SERIOUS ENGINE FAILURE. MY OIL PICKUP TUBE COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE PICKUP TUBES FOR THE SUBARU LEGACY & IMPREZA MODELS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT MY OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP REP "TO DRIVE IT IN AND THEY WILL CHECK IT OUT". I ASKED AGAIN ARE YOU SURE ITS OK TO DRIVE AND WAS TOLD YES. LATER THAT DAY I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WAS TOLD "MY CAR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE LOOKED AT TODAY BUT I COULD COME GET IT AND BRING IT IN TOMORROW". I AGAIN ASKED WHAT WAS WRONG AND WAS TOLD "THEY PULLED A COUPLE OF CAM TIMING CODES BUT THE CAR WAS OK TO DRIVE". THEN 20 MINUTES LATER THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID "WE HAVE TO PUT YOU IN A LOANER CAR BECAUSE WE DROVE YOUR CAR INTO THE SHOP CHECKED YOUR OIL LEVEL WHICH WAS FINE, BUT WHEN WE TESTED YOUR OIL PRESSURE WE FOUND IT TO BE ZERO SO THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE, AND IF I DID I WOULD BLOW THE MOTOR". I EXPLAINED TO THE REP AGAIN BUT WHAT ABOUT ME BEING TOLD TO DRIVE IT IN HERE. AGAIN WAS TOLD "DON'T WORRY YOUR CAR CAN GO SOMETIME WITHOUT OIL BECAUSE OF THE NEW OILS TODAY & THE WAY ENGINES ARE BUILT". WITHOUT AN OIL PICKUP TUBE YOUR ENGINE HAS NO OIL PRESSURE, IN SOME SEVERE CASES THE ONLY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IS YOUR OIL LIGHT WILL FLASH THEN BOOM YOU BLEW YOUR ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTS "MY ENGINE IS FINE AND IT CAN RUN WITHOUT OIL PRESSURE FOR SOMETIME WITHOUT CAUSING ANY DAMAGE". EVERY MECHANIC I TALK TO STATES YOUR ENGINE CAN NOT LAST WITH OUT OIL, AND IT HAS CAUSED HARM TO THE ENGINE OR COMPONENTS OF MY ENGINE. SUBARU DID REPLACE THE PART UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOW I AM LEFT WITH A DAMAGE MOTOR NO EXTRA ADDED INSURANCE. SUBARU REFUSING TO EITHER REBUILD MY CURRENT MOTOR OR PUT A NEW ONE IN. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP MY CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD WITH 37000 MILES ON IT. SINCERELY, DESPERATE *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232580
36,700 miles · Jun 12, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC AN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,700.
NHTSA ODI #10230810
Official recalls
7Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
May 28, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
Jun 10, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Mar 27, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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