Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% | 21,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 5% | 25,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 4% | 32,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 6% | 15,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 13% | 30,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 8% | 27,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% | 84,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 6% | 93,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% | 169,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% | 74,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 5% | 59,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 4% | 165,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% | 108,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 9% | 182,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% | 107,000 miles |
| 1998 | 7 | 6% | 254,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% | 125,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car's belt had been screeching for a few weeks. I was planning on taking my car in the next day. When i turned my car off, all the electrical went out and it started smoking on the driver's side. I got my car towed to the nearest auto shop. They replaced the battery and belt and yet the electrical was still out. When they tested the fuse, the driver's mirror caught on fire and was smoking. Thank goodness I was not driving when this occurred as that could have been scary. They replaced the fuse, but now I can't auto up / down my window. When I reached out to Subaru, they wanted $200 just to inspect it and $1,000 for a mirror replacement. I told them the situation and they didn't care. I also emailed them and never received a response. I googled this issue and other Subaru cars have had this issue and noted water coming in the mirror so now I'm frightened to get a car wash. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Door Pillar Rust, yes its available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? UNKNOWN Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Contacted Subaru of America Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?no. Both front doors have rust perforating from the inside. As you can see in the attached pictures, this is not surface rust nor an issue caused by my actions. After researching online, I found numerous similar issues reported not only with Legacy models but also with Imprezas, Outbacks, and Foresters.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that there was air noises coming into the vehicle from the vents of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that they believed the noises were coming from near the mirrors of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Hood released and blew open while doing 50 mph. After checking oil level, I closed and verified hood was latched, which it was. Driving about 2miles down road, hood blew up causing instant panic and stopping. After pulling over, I found that the hood would no longer latch. I had to use a hammer to bend the latch forward enough to have it latch again.
I was driving on the interstate going about 75 mph and suddenly my hood popped up and blocked my view. The hood cracked the windshield and was pushed back, in a way that doesn't allow it to close anymore. The hood warning light was not showing and I have driven hours earlier at highway speeds without a problem. The hood jack is snapped off. The problem has not been reproduced or looked at by my insurance, or a service center yet.
On 1-19-2020 I drove home from the store, came to a stop in my parking spot and when I went to put the car in park it suddenly accelerated as though I had hit the gas. I quickly hit the brakes 3 times but got no response and hit my fence before the car came to a stop none of my safety features (including collision avoidance) kicked in and Subaru said there was no record of any malfunction and they could not recreate the incidence. Filed claim with insurance company and getting front damage repaired, wonder why the computer does not show there was a collision...
I parked my car on a road (neighborhood) with a slight incline. I went around in front of it to look at an item for sale (smalll pink piano) in the yard. I looked at the item, then heard my car take off. I tried to run to get into it to stop it, but it was going too fast. It ended up going to the right and running into the garage of the house I was near. It hit the left hand side of the garage and continued into the garage where it was stopped by some paint cans piled up and the back of the garage. The man who lived in the house was able to squeeze into the drivers side and back it out - I drove it home (about 2 blocks). My insurance company came out and estimated the damage at about $4500, but they have not looked underneath or at the mechanics. Subaru is investigating. Pictures are too big to upload
My vehicle was involved in an accident yesterday. While pulling in to a parking spot and almost completely stopped with my foot on the brake about to place the car in park, it suddenly accelerated. The result was a front end collision with the side of a restaurant and the air bags did not deploy. I'm grateful that there were no injuries but I'm worried that there May be something seriously wrong with this vehicle and possibly others like it. I'm not sure how to start an investigation of this nature so I'm turning to your organization for guidance. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Related recalls (1)
Structure
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Legacy years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (10), 2000 (8), 1998 (7), 2010 (7) and 2014 (7) model years. Body complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Subaru Legacy body problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 19V-493 (structure, Jun 26, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Legacy body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (65 mentions), followed by the frame and members (7).
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.