Problems · NHTSA complaints

2024 Subaru Legacy problems

Owners filed 17 complaints about the 2024 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA between Dec 2023 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (5).

Complaints
17
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Forward collision avoidance5
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Visibility/wiper4
  4. Air bags3
  5. Exterior lighting2
  6. Engine1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Wheels1
  9. Other / unknown5

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
20231
20248
20254
20264

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

Forward collision avoidance

5 reports
“To start, I had to replace the engine in my 2024 Legacy that I purchased brand new in June 2024. Subaru of America handled the situation incredibly poorly, I was unable to use any warranty and I was out over 6,000 dollars. Second, my passenger airbag light has been on since September 2024. I was told to replace the sensor the whole seat rail would need replaced and would be over 1000 dollars. Apparently not covered under warranty either. Lastly, god forbid you have to drive West when the sun is going down. MULTIPLE times my vehicle has popped the “obstacle detected” while I’m traveling 75 down the interstate and spikes the brakes automatically causing a massive hazard. This is my third Subaru, but it will certainly be my last. Customer service was horrible and issues are not resolved properly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2026Air bags, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11751237

Electrical system

5 reports
“All Safety features stopped working while driving multiple times and loading feature pops up on the display screen. Speakers will go mute randomly, no sound will emit including phone calls. Automatic stop feature has engaged on the interstate multiple times, locking breaks (This is extremely dangerous) and lane assist does not recognize the difference between a lane or tar strips road patches. Will Automatically move the car into the next lane, even when a vehicle is in the lane. I have reported the issues to the dealership I bought my vehicle from. Also have cam footage of electrical issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11733299

Visibility/wiper

4 reports
“When the vehicle is off the windows will come down on their own! This has occurred on 4 difference instances. One dealership indicated the "fix" the situation; however, they never replaced the parts which were required for the fix. A second dealership would not perform a diagnostic. A third dealership indicated that that cleaned and lubricated the necessary parts. Less than a week after leaving the dealership it occurred again. This is an extreme safety risk as the vehicle becomes easily accessible to others and it also allows easy access to the Homelink garage door system. This also causes extreme damage because during one of these window occasions it was also raining outside. Date provided is the 1st occurrence continuing to occur through 2/8/2026. I can provide documentation if further needed - manufacture is aware of occurrences”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2026Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11716534

Air bags

3 reports
“Passenger Airbag does not turn on when someone who weighs 100 pounds or less occupies the front passenger seat. This issue also occurs on my 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Vin # [XXX] . IT also occurred on the loaner car the dealer gave me which was a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. I asked two Subaru dealers, Pinebelt in Lakewood, NJ and Lester Glenn in Toms River, NJ to fix the problem; but they stated that they could not adjust the passenger airbag sensor. I told Subaru of America about the problem and they have not responded or tried to address the issue. This is a serious issue that should be addressed by the NHTSA.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2025Air bagsODI 11674219

Exterior lighting

2 reports1 crash
“Headlights are horrible Not effective during rain, did not see a tree in road in time. Had a collision 5k in damages.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Exterior lightingCrash reportedODI 11761710

Engine

1 report
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.