Total Complaints
69 filings
SUBARU LEGACY · model year
69 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 15 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003SUBARULEGACY carries 69 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 LEGACY is air bags with 15 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (7) and vehicle speed control (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 15 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2003 LEGACY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
69 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 15 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| TIRES:BEAD | 1 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermark
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008,
SUSPENSION:FRONT
ON SOME PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VER
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Or
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentu
SUSPENSION:REAR
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE WATER PUMP PULLEY CENTER HOLE WAS IMPROPERLY MACHINED.
WHEELS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE AN OFF-CENTER DIAMETER.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, Hawai
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Columbi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
AIR BAGS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U
Dealer has reported rear subframe if broken. I googled this and found recall 03v153000 which seems applicable but subaru says it does not apply to my car. Problem description seems identical.
The contact's daughter owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made squeaking sounds. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear lateral link had detached from the rear subframe, and that the rear strut was leaning against the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rear subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V153000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Mileage: 160,000
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to stall and then seized. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a police officer assisted to push the vehicle out of the roadway. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he and his daughter continued to experience the failure while driving the vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to Fairway Subaru (2209 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, (864) 242-5060) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Mileage: 40,000
FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS THE FRONT BRAKES STALLED 4 TIMES ON THE HIGH WAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER, WAIT 20 MINUTES AND THE BRAKES ARE WORKING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC'S COMPUTER DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
Mileage: 116,000
THE ELECTRICAL IN MY CAR SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS FOR NOTIFICATION OF BRAKE OR ANS GO OFF AND ON. MY HEADLIGHTS WILL OCCASIONALLY BLINK TOO.
Mileage: 200,000
THE ELECTRICAL IN MY CAR SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS FOR NOTIFICATION OF BRAKE OR ANS GO OFF AND ON. MY HEADLIGHTS WILL OCCASIONALLY BLINK TOO.
Mileage: 200,000
THE ELECTRICAL IN MY CAR SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS FOR NOTIFICATION OF BRAKE OR ANS GO OFF AND ON. MY HEADLIGHTS WILL OCCASIONALLY BLINK TOO.
Mileage: 200,000
BRAKE LINE AT REAR WHEEL CONNECTOR RUSTED THROUGH AND LITERALLY BROKE A HOLE THROUGH THE VERY RUSTED METAL WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH, BUT LUCKILY THIS WAS ON EMPTY ROAD AND IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST EFFECTIVENESS AND THE USABILITY IS NOW DANGEROUS, SO IT IS PARKED AT HOME, WHILE MY REGISTRATION, TAX AND INSPECTION LIVES ARE ONLY HALF USED.
Mileage: 154,000
DEADLY DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG! AIR BAG RECALL. REPORTED ON LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL.
I HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE TO GET IT SERVICED. WHEN CALLING MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME I'D BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST AND THAT THEY ARE BOOKED OUT THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. IN THE NOTICE IT STATES THAT THIS COULD KILL ME OR MY PASSENGERS. WAITING TILL THE END OF THE YEAR DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GUSTMAN SUBARU OF APPLETON WISCONSIN.
Mileage: 143,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUDIBURG SUBARU (210 E INTERSTATE 240 SERVICE RD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73149, (844) 629-1630) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT TAKATA AIR BAGS; THEREFORE, THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN THE VEHICLE AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIM. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO POSSIBLY REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE TOWING COST. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HE WAS GETTING THE RUN AROUND AND WAS OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN SUBARU (14 HARTFORD TURNPIKE, VERNON, CT 06066, 860-406-7281) WHERE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS INSPECTED, BUT WAS NOT REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATION WAS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,800.
Mileage: 132,800
ARE THE DEALERS REQUIRED TO TURN IN THE OLD AIR BAGS THAT THEY REPLACE ON RECALL? AFTER THE DEALER "CHECKED" MY AIRBAG SERIAL NUMBER, WHICH TOOK ALL DAY, EVEN THOUGH ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS OPEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND LOOK, THE DEALER HAD ME SIGN TWO IDENTICAL PIECES OF PAPER WITH LARGE DOLLAR AMOUNTS ON THEM. THE PIECE OF PAPER I RECEIVED HAD ALL ZEROS FOR THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS, SINCE THE DEALER LIED TO ME ABOUT HAVING TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD TO CHECK THE AIRBAG, I AM SUSPICIOUS. COULD THE DEALER USE THE PAPERS I SIGNED TO CLAIM TO HAVE REPLACED THE AIRBAG, BUT NOT DONE SO??? THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM GETTING CAUGHT WOULD BE VERY LOW. I KNOW THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT REMOVED BECAUSE OF COBWEBS THAT WERE NOT DISTURBED BETWEEN THE DASH AND THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER THEY CHECKED THE SERIAL NUMBER.
Mileage: 97,000
TAKATA RECALL. I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY STATIONED OVERSEAS. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH SUBARU AMERICA FOR OVER A YEAR AT THIS POINT TRYING TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACED, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DELIVER ON THIS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE CAR AROUND SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED IN SEPT 2016. I HAVE CALLED AND EMAILED BACK AND FORTH MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO ANYTHING OR FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR PROMISES AS WELL AS TREATED ME DISRESPECTFULLY ON THE PHONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LEAK OF FLUID LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ODOR WAS MORE STRINGENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE DIAL FOR THE AIR/HEAT WAS FRACTURED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,192.
Mileage: 175,192
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LEAK OF FLUID LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ODOR WAS MORE STRINGENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE DIAL FOR THE AIR/HEAT WAS FRACTURED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,192.
Mileage: 175,192
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SUBARU OF SONORA IN SONORA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AND WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN 90 DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THIS SYSTEM SAYS MY CAR IS 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THIS IS NOT CORRECT. MY CAR IS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK AND HAS BEEN RECALLED AT LEAST ONCE. THE VIN AS ENTERED IS CORRECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.