2011 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
167 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 120 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 44 of 167 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 47 | 28.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 46 | 27.5% |
| Engine operation | 44 | 26.3% |
| Steering behavior | 29 | 17.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 6.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 44 |
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Engine | 22 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 |
| Suspension | 17 |
Power Train: 44; Air Bags: 25; Engine: 22; Electrical System: 18; Service Brakes: 18; Unknown Or Other: 18; Exterior Lighting: 17; Suspension: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 33 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 33; 150,000 and above: 11
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 47 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 4; 2011: 11; 2012: 15; 2013: 4; 2014: 10; 2015: 13; 2016: 27; 2017: 13; 2018: 8; 2019: 25; 2020: 12; 2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2023: 6; 2024: 2; 2025: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 46 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 44 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10370360 · 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, SHE NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE BATTERY, THE STARTER, THE CABLE AND THE ECM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10372910 · 2010-12-24 (December 24, 2010)
I STARTED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AS USUAL. PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, SLOWLY LETTING FOOT OFF BRAKE, ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL. BRAKED AND PUT IN PARK TO LET ENGINE WARM FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE WITHOUT INCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10372910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355120 · 2010-09-12 (September 12, 2010)
2011 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5I CVT PREMIUM MODEL : AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS OF 60+ MPH, THE VEHICLE FEELS "WOBBLY". THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS GETTING SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, EVEN IN GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS FEELING IS VERY UNSAFE. IT CAUSES A FEELING OF LOSS OF CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE NORMAL (NO EXCESSIVE WINDS OR CROSS WINDS). THIS SEEMS NOTICEABLE TO THE PASSENGERS AS WELL. THE SWAYING HAPPENS IN RIGHT AS WELL AS LEFT DIRECTIONS. NO AMOUNT OF STEERING WHEEL CONTROL SEEMS TO COUNTER THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396563 · 2011-04-17 (April 17, 2011)
2011 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5I CVT PREMIUM MODEL : AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS OF 60+ MPH, THE VEHICLE FEELS "WOBBLY". THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS GETTING SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, EVEN ON GOOD ROAD IN GOOD CONDITIONS. I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE AWD SYSTEM. I SLOW DOWN AT TIMES WHEN I SENSE THIS AS IT MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE. IT CAUSES A FEELING OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS DURING NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS (NO EXCESSIVE WINDS OR CROSS WIND LOADING). THIS IS NOTICEABLE TO THE PASSENGERS AS WELL. THE SWAYING OR PITCHIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453229 · 2012-03-27 (March 27, 2012)
6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE STALLS, AND ROUGH IDLES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE AT STOP LIGHT OR OTHER TRAFFIC CONTROL. VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE ON HIGHWAY TWICE DISABLING POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKING. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE ISSUE. ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN, BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER 2ND TIME SAME RESULTS. 3RD TIME ISSUE WAS REPLICATED WHILE I WAS IN VEHICLE WITH TECH. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WILL ADDRESS IT. LEFT OVER WEEKEND. TUESDAY DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A POWER DRAW…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10359595 · 2010-10-07 (October 7, 2010)
SEVERE STEERING WHEEL/FRONT END SHIMMY ABOUT 60+ MPH WITH NORMAL DRIVING. PRETTY MUCH A CONSTANT OSCILLATION AT ROAD SPEED. ROAD FORCE BALANCING OF NO HELP, NOR DO NEW TIRES HAVE ANY EFFECT. FOR GOODNESS SAKE, NHTSA, PLEASE START A FORMAL INVESTIGATION OF THIS SIGNIFICANT AND PREVALENT PROBLEM...PLEASE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10411966 · 2011-07-12 (July 12, 2011)
RADIO CONTROLS ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL STOP FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY. HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS IN THE 2 1/2 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE REPORTED WITH THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL ROLL CONNECTION RECALL (SUBARU RECALL WVR-28), HOWEVER, THAT RECALL WAS FOR 2010 MY VEHICLES AND I HAVE A 2011 MY VEHICLE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 2,911 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375587 · 2011-01-11 (January 11, 2011)
DRUMMING NOISE THAT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR-END OF THE VEHICLE, CAN BE HEARD AND VIBRATIONS FELT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS AT REST OR MOVING. SUBARU OF AMERICA FACTORY AND DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECHNICIANS ARE NOT CERTAIN THAT THE ISSUE IS THE FUEL PUMP, BUT SOA FACTORY HAS INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10375587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10490077 · 2012-12-26 (December 26, 2012)
THE GAS CAP SEAL IS NOT WORKING AS IT SHOULD. IT ONLY LAST TWO YEARS WITH 40K MILES. THE VEHICLE TRIP ON TROUBLE CODE: P0456 EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM - SMALL LEAK DETECTED. IT HAPPEN 4 OUT OF 5 TIMES I FILL UP MY GAS TANK. EACH FILL UP, I VERIFY THAT THE GAS CAP IS TIGHT - CLICK A COUPLE TIMES. THE GAS CAP IS CHEAP. I CAN REPLACE IT MYSELF BUT DOES NOT LIKE SUBARU TO BECOME COVER UP LIKE TOYOTA. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490077 at NHTSA ↗