Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
11
Latest Feb 14, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
21%
of 53 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Subaru Legacy submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact stated that there was a lag in the vehicle while driving and attempting to accelerate above 65 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately, and several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The failure was intermittent; however, the failure was persistent while using the remote start feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V297000 (Electrical System) and 13V336000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
NHTSA ID
11642720
Incident
Feb 14, 2023
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Nov 25, 2024
The occupancy detection sensor module failed. Similar to the 2014 forester recall the module has failed and Subaru dealership wants $3300 to replace the module. The passenger airbag is off due to the sensor not working. Previous airbag recall has been resolved, but I am concerned that they are related.
NHTSA ID
11627248
Incident
Nov 4, 2024
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 2024
My Subaru ran perfectly fine until the water pump and cooler lines got replaced after these were replaced it was tried to be driven and the car then had no idea what gear it was in drive is drive neautral is drive and reverse does not work at all paddle shifters won’t work AT oil temp light check engine light brake light flashing cruise control light all came on and the car will only go forward and it’s making some crazy shutter noises when you start it and sometimes it shuts off after it was started.
NHTSA ID
11621344
Incident
Aug 13, 2024
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 10, 2024
Na
NHTSA ID
11582107
Incident
Apr 10, 2024
Electrical
Filed Sep 18, 2022
Brand new battery dies after letting the car sit for 3-10 days. Car draws 183mAmps of power just sitting, with no key in ignition and no doors open. This high amount of current kills the battery after letting the car sit for days. Legacy models after 2015 were recalled for this issue but not other years. This is an unacceptable product defect leaving customers stranded in potential remote locations.
NHTSA ID
11485052
Incident
Aug 10, 2022
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved an unknown transmission code. The contact was then referred to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 99,500.
NHTSA ID
11440948
Incident
Nov 18, 2020
Mileage
95,500 mi
Electrical
Filed May 19, 2020
Crash reportedFire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AND HIT A DEER THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, A WEEK AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED HER SON WAS DRIVING AGAIN WHEN HE SMELT SMOKE AND LOOKED OUT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SAW FLAMES. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY WITH THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT WITH THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSE COULD NOT BE RULED OUT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED. THE WRECKAGE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO EXAMINE WITH A THIRD-PARTY EXAMINER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.
NHTSA ID
11325170
Incident
May 5, 2020
Mileage
99,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 29, 2019
CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CUT OFF 5-10 MINUTES PRIOR. WENT TO MOVE VEHICLE, STARTED IT LIKE NORMAL, UPON PUTTING IT IN REVERSE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. HAD TO PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TAKE KEY BACK OUT AND RESTART.
NHTSA ID
11204551
Incident
Apr 20, 2019
Mileage
87,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 3, 2018
THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE AN INFERIOR SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THIS RESULTS IN A SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT NOT TO MENTION THE COST AND HASSLE OF HAVING TO CHANGE OUT THE LAMPS SO OFTEN.
NHTSA ID
11105292
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Electrical
Filed Nov 8, 2016
IM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT. SUBARU HAS IGNORED OWNERS. I WENT TO REPLACE A BULB BUT THE BULB IS BRAND NEW. THERE IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THIS 2010-2014 MODEL YEAR SUBARU.
NHTSA ID
10925083
Incident
Nov 8, 2016
Mileage
30,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Mar 19, 2015
Fire reported
EXPERIENCED STUCK DRIVER'S WINDOW LAST SUMMER IN PERIOD OF TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS (EXTREME TO MODERATE HEAT), REPORTED/SHOWN TO DEALERSHIP; SAME ISSUE THIS FEBRUARY (EXTREME TO MODERATE COLD). OTHERWISE, NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR SINCE BEGAN LEASE FALL 2014. ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2015, PARKED CAR ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE ABOUT 6:15/6:30PM. DID ERRANDS, RETURNED ABOUT 30/45 MINUTES LATER TO GET GLASSES OUT OF CENTER CONSOLE -- 7/7:15PM. THEN I LOCKED THE CAR WITH REMOTE KEY PIECE. CAR ACKNOWLEDGED WITH SOUND, LIGHTS. THIS WAS THE LAST INTERACTIVE ACTION TAKEN WITH CAR. CAR HAD BEEN IDLE FOR 30/45 MINUTES. I SAW NOTHING NEW, UNUSUAL. I RETURNED TO THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS LATER, AROUND 7AM, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 TO GET IN THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. THE REMOTE KEY SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONING; A FIRST SINCE I'D GOTTEN THE CAR. I TRIED THE CAR KEY IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR. DIDN'T WORK. AGAIN ODD. I TRIED THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR; IT WAS OPEN (AGAIN ODD; I'D LOCKED THE CAR THE PREVIOUS EVENING). I BENT INSIDE, LOOKED TOWARD THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND NOTICED THE DOOR'S MANUAL DOOR LEVER MANGLED. I WORRIED THE CAR MIGHT HAVE BEEN VANDALIZED OVERNIGHT (UNUSUAL; I LIVE IN A LOW-CRIME NEIGHBORHOOD). THERE WAS A POWERFUL, CHEMICAL-LIKE SMELL IN THE CAR. I CAME AROUND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, BENT IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. EXPERIENCED STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL AGAIN. FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT, I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, ON THE SIDE BY THE DASH AND FRONT WHEEL, WAS BURNT AND GUTTED; PART OF DASH ADJACENT BURNT. I LOOKED OUTSIDE OF THE CAR; SAW NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE. FOUND NO PERSONAL ITEMS MISSING, INCLUDING LOOSE CHANGE LEFT IN CAR FOR TOLLS/METERS. ASKED NEIGHBORS LIVING ON PART OF STREET WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED; THEY HAD NOT SEEN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION THAT MORNING OR PREVIOUS EVENING. CALLED STATE FARM TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. TOOK PICTURES 8AM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10695291
Incident
Mar 10, 2015
Mileage
19,320 mi
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own