Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Subaru Legacy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for service, he was informed that the front exhaust pipe was fractured. The dealer diagnosed that the front exhaust pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the front exhaust pipe was previously replaced under Subaru Campaign Number: WUJ-95 due to the failure; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I am reporting a Sudden Unintended Deceleration event in my Subaru. The vehicle grinded to a halt without driver input. The car stopped in the left lane of a major highway. We put on our hazards and called the state police for help. They were unable to get to us in time. We were hit from the rear. The car's failure created a stationary hazard that led to a high-speed rear-end collision by a Jeep and truck which caused the car to do a 360-degree spin.
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil every 3,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the oil was changed. The contact stated that the oil light illuminated whenever the oil level was extremely low. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Short Block needs to be replaced ($6,500) Yes, Scenic Subaru has the vehicle awaiting status of repairs (who is paying for service) Yes, my safety is at risk as the oil light has come on during the night when I'm alone on a deserted road. Service Department knows what the problem is - they are seeing alot fot this problem. Unknown on Inspections Yes, warning 'low oil' light came on. The oil light kept coming on. All service and maintenance done by Subaru. Now, Subaru Service Department informed that the Short Block needs to be replaced. From my research, it seems that this is a common problem with newer Subaru engines because they use a liquid engine sealant at the factory and when oil sits on the seals when the engine is not running, the sealant degrades and begins to leak. They also said there was nothing we could have done to prevent this and reiterated just how common with Subaru's. …
10/4/21 engine suddenly surges while waiting in line at bank -- thunderous roar, heavy shaking. Assumed it was transmission problem. I put it in park and removed the key to stop it. I got out of car because I was scared. Got back in after a few minutes and started it up again. It shook and roared again. Turned it off and got back out. After about half an hour I tried again, and it seemed to run normally. Afraid to drive it home, I pulled into bank parking lot and called my husband for advice. It is a risk because car could accelerate unexpectedly and hit someone Not yet seen by dealer but I plan to take it in for repair No warning indicators noticed Prior to this for some weeks, car shuddered frequently when braking
Took it for inspection was told the part that holds the engine up is rotting away and it will not pass inspection next year this is disappointing I have cars older then this and they are in better condition this vehicle was brought brand new this should not occur I could understand if it was old this car is only 8yrs old I have pics to support
I just brought this car a few months ago and i have been having alot of problem with it from engine oil low when it not to tpms light coming on and going off to now eletric parking brake locked up now i cant move my car and i work seven days a week and always maintain my cars was getting checked its really weird
Incident ~ 5:40 pm, Geneva NY Weather ~ 10 F, not snowing. Background. On or shortly after being started, the vehicle had exhibited prior incidents of extremely rapid engine acceleration not initiated by the operator. Most recently the day before. The incident: I was in the process of very slowly parking the vehicle in a narrow laneway, and positioning the vehicle behind and in line of one other, both parallel to the laneway, in a small area that had been cleared of snow, leaving the laneway open. First, I stopped the vehicle opposite of the parked vehicle's driver side door. Second, I reversed and backed up and positioned the vehicle behind that vehicle. This involved firmly stepping on the brake to stop the vehicle once well behind the parked vehicle. Third, while keeping my foot firmly pressed on the brake pedal, I moved the shift from reverse to forward. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Subaru Legacy. While driving at an unspecified rate of speed, an animal went across the driver's path. The driver veered to the right and crashed into a tree. The vehicle erupted into flames. Weeks prior to the crash, the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to various warning lights randomly flashing on the instrument panel. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to a manufacturer's recall; however, the remedy May have been insufficient and caused the failure. A police report was filed. The driver side air bag deployed with force. The driver sustained extensive abrasions to the head, a fractured right femur, four lateral fractures in the arms, fractures to the left elbow with metal plates, and burns to the back. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact made a right turn to turn into a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated and surged out of the parking space. The vehicle went over a concrete parking block, struck a guardrail, then crashed into the building behind it. Then the vehicle bounced back into the parking space. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not injured. No police report was made. The vehicle was driven to a local mechanic. The vehicle was repaired (the contact didn't know what was damaged on their vehicle). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed that they would send an official to the contact's home to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 34,630.
Engine complaints in other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Subaru Legacy, 15% of the model year's 160 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Subaru Legacy engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 Subaru Legacy, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Subaru Legacy engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.