2015 Subaru Legacy Engine Problems

I am reporting a Sudden Unintended Deceleration event in my Subaru. The vehicle grinded to a halt without driver input. The car stopped in the left lane of a major highway. We put on our hazards and called the state police for help. They were unable to get to us in time. We were hit from the rear. The car's failure created a stationary hazard that led to a high-speed rear-end collision by a Jeep and truck which caused the car to do a 360-degree spin.

NHTSA ID

11721080

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

Incident ~ 5:40 pm, Geneva NY Weather ~ 10 F, not snowing. Background. On or shortly after being started, the vehicle had exhibited prior incidents of extremely rapid engine acceleration not initiated by the operator. Most recently the day before. The incident: I was in the process of very slowly parking the vehicle in a narrow laneway, and positioning the vehicle behind and in line of one other, both parallel to the laneway, in a small area that had been cleared of snow, leaving the laneway open. First, I stopped the vehicle opposite of the parked vehicle's driver side door. Second, I reversed and backed up and positioned the vehicle behind that vehicle. This involved firmly stepping on the brake to stop the vehicle once well behind the parked vehicle. Third, while keeping my foot firmly pressed on the brake pedal, I moved the shift from reverse to forward. At that time, the front wheels were still fully turned to the left. Immediately on completing the shift to forward, my vehicle made a very rapid acceleration. My foot had remained firmly on the brake and had not touched the accelerator pedal. Despite my foot being firmly pressed on the brake pedal, my car surged forward, retracing the path that I had followed while backing up. I could hear the noise of the accelerated engine, and feel the fighting of the brake as the car surged uncontrolled for about four feet and then finally stopped. My foot had been fully depressed as hard as possible on the brake the entire time and did not touch the gas pedal at all. The owner of the parked vehicle observed the incident and expressed concern since the surge was dramatic, and stopped with the right corner of the front bumper of my car within a couple of inches of the left corner of the parked vehicle. The driver's car mat was in the correct position and did not interfere in any way with the operation of the vehicle. I did not inadvertently step on the accelerator. No warning lamps or messages. Cause Unknown.

NHTSA ID

11714652

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

Took it for inspection was told the part that holds the engine up is rotting away and it will not pass inspection next year this is disappointing I have cars older then this and they are in better condition this vehicle was brought brand new this should not occur I could understand if it was old this car is only 8yrs old I have pics to support

NHTSA ID

11583015

Incident

Apr 9, 2024

Short Block needs to be replaced ($6,500) Yes, Scenic Subaru has the vehicle awaiting status of repairs (who is paying for service) Yes, my safety is at risk as the oil light has come on during the night when I'm alone on a deserted road. Service Department knows what the problem is - they are seeing alot fot this problem. Unknown on Inspections Yes, warning 'low oil' light came on. The oil light kept coming on. All service and maintenance done by Subaru. Now, Subaru Service Department informed that the Short Block needs to be replaced. From my research, it seems that this is a common problem with newer Subaru engines because they use a liquid engine sealant at the factory and when oil sits on the seals when the engine is not running, the sealant degrades and begins to leak. They also said there was nothing we could have done to prevent this and reiterated just how common with Subaru's. Replacing the Short Block on a car with low mileage (<75,000 miles) should be paid for by Subaru as this is a known manufacturing issue. I should not have to pay for this repair. Also, Subaru said trade in value has dropped due to this issue. Please email or call me as soon as possible. [XXX] [XXX] phone [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11558622

Incident

May 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for service, he was informed that the front exhaust pipe was fractured. The dealer diagnosed that the front exhaust pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the front exhaust pipe was previously replaced under Subaru Campaign Number: WUJ-95 due to the failure; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11513171

Incident

Mar 5, 2023

Mileage

140,000 mi

I just brought this car a few months ago and i have been having alot of problem with it from engine oil low when it not to tpms light coming on and going off to now eletric parking brake locked up now i cant move my car and i work seven days a week and always maintain my cars was getting checked its really weird

NHTSA ID

11458082

Incident

Mar 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil every 3,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the oil was changed. The contact stated that the oil light illuminated whenever the oil level was extremely low. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11453642

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

10/4/21 engine suddenly surges while waiting in line at bank -- thunderous roar, heavy shaking. Assumed it was transmission problem. I put it in park and removed the key to stop it. I got out of car because I was scared. Got back in after a few minutes and started it up again. It shook and roared again. Turned it off and got back out. After about half an hour I tried again, and it seemed to run normally. Afraid to drive it home, I pulled into bank parking lot and called my husband for advice. It is a risk because car could accelerate unexpectedly and hit someone Not yet seen by dealer but I plan to take it in for repair No warning indicators noticed Prior to this for some weeks, car shuddered frequently when braking

NHTSA ID

11435708

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. THIS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE LOCAL ROAD. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WITH SENSOR AND REPLACED POSITIVE TERMINAL

NHTSA ID

11407872

Incident

Mar 18, 2021

Mileage

41,300 mi

GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM THE OWNER OF A 2014 SUBARU LEGACY ([XXX]) WHICH IS LOCATED IN UKRAINE, THERE IS A REVOCABLE COMPANY UNDER WHICH MY CAR FALLS (SERVICE CAMPAIGN: WUJ95), THE IMPORTER AND DEALERS REFUSE ME THIS, WHAT SHOULD I DO? HERE IS THE IMPORTER'S ANSWER: GOOD AFTERNOON, THIS CAMPAIGN IS FOR NORTH AMERICA ONLY. CAMPAIGNING IN OTHER REGIONS IS NOT POSSIBLE. YOURS FAITHFULLY, SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11386762

Incident

Jan 6, 2021

STRONG EXHAUST FUME SMELL INVADES CABIN WHILE IDLE, EVERYDAY AND IT'S GETTING STRONGER NO LEAKS DETECTED

NHTSA ID

11288960

Incident

Oct 5, 2019

Mileage

76,000 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ICON FLASHING. THE CARS RPM'S WERE REPEATEDLY FLUCTUATING WHEN PARKED, IN NEUTRAL, AND IN DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE ON.

NHTSA ID

11252837

Incident

Sep 3, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND SURGED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK, STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, THEN CRASHED INTO THE BUILDING BEHIND IT. THEN THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS DAMAGED ON THEIR VEHICLE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN OFFICIAL TO THE CONTACT'S HOME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,630.

NHTSA ID

11232738

Incident

Jun 17, 2019

Mileage

34,630 mi

SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2017 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT HAS INTERMITTENTLY JERKED AND SHOOK EXCESSIVELY, BUCKING LIKE A MAD HORSE. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO DEALER WHERE I WAS ASSURED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE CAR, WHILE DRIVING STARTED TO SHUT DOWN AND I NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY SPARK PLUG. CAR WAS THEN RETURNED TO ME. YET AGAIN THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND HAD I TO CRAWL LIKE A TURTLE BACK TO HOME. CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN TO DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS. NOW THE DEALER BELIEVES THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY CYLINDER (WHATEVER THAT MEANS).I HAVE NO TRUST IN THE RELIABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY. IT BE SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED EXACTLY TO THE INSTRUCTIONS PER THE MILEAGE GUIDANCE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS CONCERN TO SUBARU OF AMERICA CORPORATE OFFICE. CASE # 1-38872409282. THEIR RESPONSE IS UNFAIR. I AM NOW LEFT WITH A CAR THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FINANCIALLY.

NHTSA ID

11166624

Incident

Nov 30, 2017

Mileage

90,101 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNSPECIFIED RATE OF SPEED, AN ANIMAL WENT ACROSS THE DRIVER'S PATH. THE DRIVER VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE ABRASIONS TO THE HEAD, A FRACTURED RIGHT FEMUR, FOUR LATERAL FRACTURES IN THE ARMS, FRACTURES TO THE LEFT ELBOW WITH METAL PLATES, AND BURNS TO THE BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V502000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 15V366000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,100.

NHTSA ID

10853886

Incident

Mar 31, 2016

Mileage

25,100 mi

MAY 8TH 2015 WE PURCHASED OUR 2015 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5I PREMIUM. #1. VERY PROMINENT COOLANT SMELL FROM PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE AREA. LOOSING COOLANT. #2. 600 MILES- TRANSMISSION/ ECU /THROTTLE DELAY , A 3-5 SEC DELAY IN THE RESPONSE WHEN GOING FROM (R) INTO (D) AND THE SAME 3-5 SEC DELAY IS DUPLICATED WHEN GOING FROM A STOP TO ACCELERATING THE CAR. CONCERNING. #3 3000 MILES, LOUD WIND NOISE IS HEARD FROM ALL WINDOWS. WINDOWS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER, BUT NOISE STILL EXISTS. #4 THE GAS DOOR WILL NOT RELEASE AND CONTINUES TO GET STUCK. #5 8,500 MILES- EXCESSIVE WATER ENTERING INTO ENGINE BAY. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE BAY GETS COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH WATER. STANDING WATER IN THE BATTERY TRAY, A RIVER OF WATER RUNNING DOWN THE INNER FENDER WALLS INSIDE THE ENGINE BAY AND WATER IS ENTERING INTO THE FUSE BOX. WHEN ENGINE GETS WET IT HAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL. WATER HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOORBOARD AN IN THE SPARE TIRE AREA OF TRUNK. #6 2,200 MILES STARTING/MOTOR CONCERNS. THE CAR WILL CRANK OVER, BUT DOESN'T START. THE SECOND ATTEMPT THE CAR STARTS UP AND DIES IMMEDIATELY. 3RD ATTEMPT CAR FIRES OFF AN ASSOCIATED WITH BAD GAS SMELL/ ROUGH RUNNING. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED TO US (12/12/15), 1ST ATTEMPT THE CAR WOULDN'T START, 2ND TIME TRYING TO START THE CAR IS FIRED UP THEN DIED. 3RD ATTEMPT CAR STARTED UP RUNNING ROUGH W/ A BAD GAS ODOR. IT'S ASSOCIATED W/ BACKFIRING / POPPING SOUND THROUGH THE EXHAUST. RECENTLY HAS DEVELOPED A LOW END SOUND/KNOCK IN MOTOR BETWEEN 1800 AND 2200 RPMS. #7 11,500 MILES BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. PEDAL ISN'T HOLDING PRESSURE. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AN ASSOCIATED WITH A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.

NHTSA ID

10810556

Incident

May 20, 2015

Mileage

200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELLS, ONTO THE FUSE BOX AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, AND INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,200.

NHTSA ID

10808788

Incident

Sep 30, 2015

Mileage

11,200 mi

CAR ENGINE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STEET. CAR WAS RESTARTED BUT ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO REPLACED O2 SENSOR. CONCERN IS WHY CAR STALLED WHEN A SENSOR FAILED . ON A FREEWAY THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

10783002

Incident

Oct 15, 2015

Mileage

2,800 mi

ON APRIL 11TH WE BOUGHT OUR BRAND NEW SUBARU LEGACY IT HAD MAYBE 34 MIILES ON IT (GIVE OR TAKE) MY HUSBAND DRIVES THE CAR AND A COUPLE OF DAYS HAVING THE CAR THE RADIO/BACKUP CAMERA/PHONE SYSTEM CRASHES- IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. ON APRIL 14TH MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE CAR INTO SERVICE. NOW I AM GOING TO JUST SPEED THINGS UP PUT ALL SERVICE VISITS IN ONE EXPLANATION AS I DO NOT HAVE MANY CHARACTERS LEFT. IN THE 8 TIMES THAT WE HAVE BEEN TO SERVICE WITH LOANER CARS, THEY REPLACED THE RADIO ONCE. THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE, SO WE SENT THEM VIDEO OF IT. THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH IT SO THEY SENT TO JAPAN AND WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS A SWEET SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SERVICE SAYS THAT THERE IS NO LEAK AND THE SMELL IS NORMAL AND FINE. WE DO NOT AGREE. I HAVE HAD MANY NEW CARS AND THE ENGINE NEVER SMELLS LIKE THAT. WHEN MY HUSBAND PICKED UP THE CAR YESTERDAY FROM SERVICE THERE IS A HUGE DING IN THE BACK SIDE. MY HUSBAND DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL HE GOT HOME. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED SUBARU CORPORATE AND EVERY TIME THEY SAY, "WE HAVE TO HEAR WHAT SERVICE HAS TO SAY." IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. HOW LONG AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE?

NHTSA ID

10724952

Incident

Apr 13, 2015

Mileage

100 mi

AT 300 MILES, COMING OFF HIGHWAY, SLOWED DOWN TO 5 MPH AND WENT THRU TOLL BOOTH. I THEN STEPPED ON GAS, HAD HESITATION, NO RESPONSE THEN ACCELERATION. HAPPENED AGAIN ON 5/11/15 WHEN I HAD 900 MILES. CAME OFF HIGHWAY ON TO LOCAL STREETS. THIS TIME HAD 5-7 BIG HESITATIONS OVER 10 MINUTE PERIOD. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS MAKING A U-TURN AND CAR HESITATED THEN ACCELERATED AS I WAS MAKING U-TURN !! RETURNED CAR TO DEALER. DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL FIXED.

NHTSA ID

10716292

Incident

Apr 15, 2015

Mileage

300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, WATER STARTED TO LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSING A BURNING SMELL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,400. ..UPDATED 06-18-15 *BF UPDATED 10/3/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10702237

Incident

Dec 24, 2014

Mileage

4,400 mi

2015 LEGACY 3.6R PURCHASED 12/18/14 TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES: 1) SNOW / WATER ENTERING ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING A BURNING SMELL INSIDE CABIN AND EXTERIOR. 2) WATER LEAK INSIDE CABIN AT DRIVER FOOT WELL AREA. ENGINE BURNING SMELL: 1/7 NOTIFIED DEALER OF BURNING SMELL WHICH APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM ENGINE/UNDER CAR AND INSIDE CABIN WHILE CAR WAS IDLING. DEALER REVIEWED AND WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE. 2/23/15 RETURNED TO DEALER AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN UNABLE TO REPLICATE 2/28/15 3255 MILES - BROUGHT TO ANOTHER SUBARU DEALER; DEALER CONFIRMED SMELL IN WRITING AND CITED DUE TO "RUSTPROOF COATING FROM FACTORY ON EXHAUST". 3/3/15 - DRIVING IN ANOTHER SNOW STORM, SMELLED BURNING AGAIN, PARKED AND OPENED HOOD - DISCOVERED WATER / SNOW ALL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT; ON TOP OF BATTERY AND COVERING ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS; HAVE PICTURES. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF WATER STAINS AND RUST CORROSION ALL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ON ELECTRICAL WIRES AND THE PLASTIC WHITE FUSE CONNECTORS ARE DISCOLORED. SALT STAINS UNDERNEATH ENGINE HOOD AND ALL OVER ENGINE BODY. STANDING WATER UNDERNEATH THE BATTER CRADLE AS WELL AS SNOW. SEEMS WORSE ON LEFT SIDE THEN RIGHT BUT BOTH SIDES HAVE WATER. ENGINE HOOD IS FLUSH WITH BUMPER - DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY FIT ISSUE, HOWEVER THE ONLY WEATHER STRIP IS A SMALL PIECE ABOVE THE GRILL AREA AND DOES NOT STRETCH ACROSS AND OVER THE LIGHTS. 3/3/15 CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND DEALER - NO RESPONSE - YET. ****THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY MECHANICAL CONCERN. AT NO TIME SHOULD WATER EVER ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT*** 2) WATER LEAK IN CABIN 3/2/15 DISCOVERED WATER LEAK INSIDE CABIN - DRIVER FOOT WELL AREA. NOTIFIED SUBARU OF AMERICAN ON 3/2 AND DEALER. KNOWN ISSUES DOCUMENTED ONLINE WITH SUBARU CROSSTREK AND PRIOR LEGACY MODEL YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10692096

Incident

Jan 7, 2015

Mileage

800 mi

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE ENGINE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL IMMEDIATELY AND IT APPEARED TO BE DOWN ABOUT A QUART. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT IN THE NEXT DAY. THEY CONFIRMED THE OIL WAS DOWN ABOUT A QUART AND STARTED AN ENGINE OIL STUDY. I AM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 1200 TO HAVE THE OIL LEVEL CHECKED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2011 AND ABOVE SUBARUS. THIS ALL HAPPENED A MONTH OR SO AFTER I HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING A BURNT OIL SMELL FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. NOTHING WAS FOUND. *JS

NHTSA ID

10681898

Incident

Feb 5, 2015

Mileage

17,400 mi

UPON LOW SPEEDS TRANSMISSION HOWLS, HESITATION FOLLOWED BY FAST ACCELERATION. KEY INSERTION INTO IGNITION IS DIFFICULT AND ROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680632

Incident

Jan 2, 2015