RoadVitals

2007 Subaru Legacy

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Mar 21, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest Jan 2, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Subaru Legacy, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and electrical categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 199 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1229.3%
  • Engine922.0%
  • Electrical512.2%
  • Visibility37.3%
  • Brakes37.3%
  • Other / unspecified24.9%
  • Suspension24.9%
  • Body & structure24.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V001000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
258,813 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKA-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V003000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
111,562 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKC-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V002000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
127,547 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKB-20View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 33
Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 2024

Brake line failed unexpectedly and catastrophically while driving 2007 Subaru Legacy. Vehicle would have been covered per recall [XXX]; however, it was registered in Virginia so was not 'included' in the recall despite being exposed to comparable levels of snow and road salt in a rural southwestern part of Virginia less than 50 miles from the original recall region. Car was purchased new from a dealership in West Virginia (part of the recall region) and frequently operated in that region. Failing to include parts of Virginia that receive just as much, if not more, snow and corrosive road treatment in recall [XXX] was an error that resulted in a major safety hazard. The brake line failed at the exact location described in recall [XXX], at the 4-way connector block under the fuel-tank protector. The location of the failure is not visible during normal brake service, leading to corrosion in that location going unnoticed and unrepaired. Other substantial portions of the brake line system are polymer-coated to prevent corrosion; however, the small section at the 4-way connector block is not, permitting hazardous corrosion to the point of failure in this case. The recall notice [XXX] should be extended to include additional regions where roads are treated with corrosive salt anti-ice products so owners of these vehicles can have them inspected and/or repaired prior to an unexpected catastrophic failure as I experienced. The design of the braking system with substantial portions of polymer coated lines leads owners and repair staff to believe there is no problem with corrosion of the brake lines and no need for additional inspection or repair, and removal of the fuel-tank protector to expose the portion of the non-coated and corrosion-prone brake line system in the recall is not included as part of the standard maintenance program per the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11578758
Incident
Mar 20, 2024
Suspension
Filed Oct 25, 2021

Rear driver side wheel bearing is bad at 75,000 miles

NHTSA ID
11438076
Incident
Nov 15, 2020
Visibility
Filed Jun 22, 2021

The dash pad has deteriorated, become sticky and shinny. My daughter owns a Mazda 3 with a similar problem, Mazda had a recall and the dash pad was replaced by the dealer. This is a safety issue because the shinny finish that has formed creates glare in the inside windshield in the sunlight. It is very dangerous as it obscures vision. I have not taken the car to the dealer and have not reported it to any other authority. Its a car we recently purchased and my first step was to see if there was a recall. Like I said, the same exact issue happened to another car and it was resolved by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID
11421853
Incident
Jun 22, 2021
Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2021

VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND STREET, THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING HEAVILY AND CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE PISTONS WILL SEIZE. THE RODS WILL BREAK AND A BLOWN ENGINE WILL OCCUR.

NHTSA ID
11413090
Incident
Apr 20, 2021
Mileage
112,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 11, 2020

I HAVE RECEIVED OVER 40 NOTICES REGARDING MY 2007 SUBARU LEGACY THAT I HAVE NOT OWNED SINCE 2015. THE CAR IS SITTING IN A JUNK YARD AND I HAVE CALLED THE NUMBER ON THESE NOTICES ROUGHLY 15 TIMES AND EACH TIME I AM TOLD SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I DO NOT OWN THIS CAR. PLEASE TAKE ME OFF THIS LIST. I AM BEING HARASSED FOR A VEHICLE I HAVE NOT OWNED IN OVER 5 YEARS. PLEASE WORK ON YOUR PROCESSES SO THAT I AM NOT BEING HARASSED ANYMORE.

NHTSA ID
11374096
Incident
Nov 11, 2020
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 25, 2020
Fire reported

VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING WHILE ACCELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. FIRE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CV SHAFT BOOT, WIRE HARNESS AND TRANSMISSION. CAUSE OF FIRE IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11351123
Incident
Aug 23, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 2020

SUBARU USA AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON SPECIFIC SUBARU'S THAT IDENTIFIES THE BRAKE SYSTEM WILL FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE. THE BRAKE LINES ON MY VEHICLE THAT FALL UNDER THE RECALL HAVE FAILED AND I DID ENCOUNTER A "NO BRAKE" SITUATION. AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR OF THE RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME BACK AND CLAIMED IT WAS NOT THE BRAKE LINES THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE. I CONFIRMED AND TESTED MY CLAIM PRIOR TO BRINGING IN THE VEHICLE THAT THE ISSUE WAS 100% DUE TO THE REAR BRAKE LINE LEAKING. DOYLE FALSIFIED THE ISSUE DURING THEIR EXPLANATION INDICATING IT WAS THE FRONT CALIPER THAT WAS LEAKING, WHICH WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE MULTIPLE PICTURES THAT SHOW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE HIGHLY CORRODED REAR BRAKE LINES. I HAD INDICATED EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM IN PRINTED DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO THE DOYLE SUBARU SERVICE MANAGER. SUBARU STATED THE LEAK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11317158
Incident
Mar 9, 2020
Mileage
135,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 6, 2020

CAR SHUDDERS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. SUBARU HAS OTHER MODELS ON RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. NOTICED IT AT FIRST WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT SPACE

NHTSA ID
11297385
Incident
Dec 1, 2019
Mileage
93,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

03-97-26

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Legacy by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025600—
2024160038.3
2023102059.3
2022322054.1
2021313048.6
20201216048.8
20191233049.3
20181163056.3
20171182155.3
20161463155.7
20151593157.0
20145310053.0
20136612051.4
20129016161.8
201116716051.4
201015018052.7
20096513051.4
2008659048.2
2007Viewing339053.5
2006877050.0
20051839259.4
20044911260.9
20036015255.3
2002545052.7
2001778055.1
2000944051.2
1999943054.8
19981145054.8
19971396159.3
19961234366.3
19951812362.9
1994600041.6
1993771044.8
1992552050.2
1991783152.3
1990814258.0
1989101—
1988101—
1987101—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.