Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Subaru Legacy problems

Owners filed 151 complaints about the 2010 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA between Sep 2009 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (50).

Complaints
151
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train50
  2. Engine31
  3. Air bags28
  4. Service brakes12
  5. Electrical system12
  6. Steering12
  7. Exterior lighting11
  8. Vehicle speed control8
  9. Structure7
  10. Suspension7
  11. Fuel/propulsion system4
  12. Visibility/wiper4
  13. Engine and engine cooling4
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20095
201023
20119
20121
20134
20147
20155
201616
201721
201814
201916
20203
20215
202210
20235
20243
20252
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

50 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“The contact’s wife owns a 2010 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2023Power trainODI 11543205

Engine

31 reports2 crashes
“Head gasket keeps getting blown not only that overheats after fixtures with the radiator pressure not flowing normal car been fixed more 4 times for radiator issue and now at the shop for the second time for head gasket blown and radiator issue what can I do to this point car has turned off on me on the high way due to overheating and I had to react fast In order to avoid accident”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2023EngineODI 11538282

Air bags

28 reports5 crashes1 fire10 related recalls
“Vehicle was involved in a front-end collision in which the Airbag failed to deploy. The vehicle has been considered totaled by the insurance company. A police report is available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11699124

Service brakes

12 reports
“Three identical instances. 1. Was driving down road came to stop light pushed brakes and car stalled out. 2. Was approaching roundabout pushed brakes to wait for traffic and car stalled out. 3. Was on incline at stop pressing brakes, went to push gas and car stalled out. In each instance the car dies completely. You have to take key out, put back in and turn on the vehicle again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2022Service brakes, EngineODI 11467174

Electrical system

12 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“I’m having an issue with my vehicle stalling when I brake and when I come to a stop slowly or on an incline. I haven’t had it tested at a dealership but I have read about the issue among other Subaru owners stating it is possible the torque converter in the CVT and that Subaru isn’t recalling it. I see this as a major safety concern for myself and others on the road due to its stalling out at a stop or on an incline.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2022Electrical system, EngineODI 11495725

Steering

12 reports1 related recall
“VIBRATIONS OCCUR WHEN EXCEEDING 50 MPH. THESE VIBRATIONS EXTEND TO THE STEERING WHEEL, FLOOR, AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND INCREASE AS SPEEDS BECOMING ENHANCED IN SPEEDS OVER 70MPH. NO ACCIDENTS AND REGULAR DEALER SERVICE. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE BALANCES, ALIGNMENTS AND 2 NEW SETS OF TIRES TO NO AVAIL. CAR PRESENTLY IN DEALER REPAIR FOR GREATER THAN 8 WEEKS TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2014Steering, Power train, WheelsODI 10654992
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.