2019 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
123 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
6,125 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 123 complaints (39.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 22.0% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 49 |
| Electrical System | 35 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
Visibility/Wiper: 49; Electrical System: 35; Unknown Or Other: 20; Engine: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Steering: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 35 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 80 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2018: 2; 2019: 13; 2020: 25; 2021: 15; 2022: 14; 2023: 16; 2024: 22; 2025: 10; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 27 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 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 11269328 · 2019-10-18 (October 18, 2019)
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU LEGACY 3.6R LIMITED AND 3 MONTHS LATER WITH APPROXIMATELY 900 TOTAL MILES THE BATTERY DIED TWICE WHILE PARKED.
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11350937 · 2020-08-24 (August 24, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2019 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V218000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). HIS WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BROWN'S MANASSAS SUBARU (9018 LIBERIA AVE, MANASSAS, VA 20110) WHERE THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT'S WIFE. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER HIS WIFE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, HIS WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FAULKNER SUBARU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11350937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11186924 · 2019-03-14 (March 14, 2019)
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING A 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER MY CONTROL. I WAS IN A PANIC FOR MY SAFETY AND LIFE! AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF THIS LOSS IN SPEED CONTROL, I EITHER APPLIED MY BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR (I AM NOT SURE WHICH) AND I REGAINED CONTROL OF MY CAR'S SPEED. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I NOTICED A NUMBER OF ICONS ON MY SCREEN THAT WERE STRANGE TO ME AT THE TIME. READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL DAYS LATER, I LEARNED THAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11186924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423312 · 2021-07-03 (July 3, 2021)
I've had this occur two times. Other vehicles pulled out in front of me, and the Eyesight technology applied the brakes very, very hard. There was sufficient room between me and the vehicles that pulled out in front of me, so the very, very hard braking wasn't necessary. I would have just taken my foot of the gas peddle, and would have been fine. The problem is when the vehicle itself applies the brakes very, very hard the car behind you almost runs you over because visually there's no reason to be applying the brakes so hard.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11296888 · 2020-01-03 (January 3, 2020)
WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2018 AND IN COLD WEATHER WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS TANK . WE , AND OTHER PEOPLE, HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE . THE DEALERSHIP CALLED THIS A"DESIGN FLAW".
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11296888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11209372 · 2019-05-22 (May 22, 2019)
WHAT WE NOTICE IS A CHANGE IN RESPONSE OF THE STEERING IN SOME SITUATIONS. COMING 'OFF-CENTER' THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING FEEL AND RESPONSE ' ALMOST AS IF IT HAS A DEAD SPOT 'ON-CENTER'. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE NOTED A CHANGE IN RESPONSE AT HIGHWAY SPEED ENTERING AND EXITING CURVES. PARTICULARLY, THE STEERING HAS A NICE 'WEIGHTED' FEEL ENTERING AND MAINTAINING THROUGH THE CORNER, BUT JUST AS ONE BEGINS TO UNWIND THE STEERING AS THE ROAD STRAIGHTENS, THE STEERING CHANGES FEEL AND RESPONSE REQUIRING AN UNEXPECTED ADJUSTMENT. THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11672332 · 2025-07-09 (July 9, 2025)
CVT failed at 85,000 miles. It started slipping and squealing and had to be replaced by the dealership. The car was never driven rough, in mountainous terrain, etc. Very disappointing.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11672332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11685119 · 2025-09-04 (September 4, 2025)
My vehicle light is on keeps saying oil at temp as well as other lights are currently turn on. I took it to subaru location was informed my transmission was bad. But the car drives well just have a bunch of lights.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11685119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11701769 · 2025-11-26 (November 26, 2025)
I am reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Legacy that hesitates and nearly stalls when accelerating from a stop and is now undriveable due to stalling and shaking. I bought the car new from AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad in 2019. It has about 65,000 miles and I have driven it less than 2,000 miles since its last dealer visit in August 2025. Since around August 2025, the car has intermittently lost power under light acceleration from a stop or low speed, especially while pulling into or through intersections. Pressing the accelerator someti…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11701769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11751089 · 2026-07-17 (July 17, 2026)
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle intermittently stalled. The contact stated that seconds later, the vehicle returned to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not u…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11751089 at NHTSA ↗