SUBARU LEGACY · model year

2003 SUBARU LEGACY

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.

69
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

69 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
ENGINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
TIRES3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
WHEELS2
SERVICE BRAKES2
SUSPENSION2
TIRES:BEAD1

Recalls (15)

02V28200030/10/2002

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

13E06500029/11/2013

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

15V32300028/05/2015

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,

03V23200026/06/2003

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

16V36100025/05/2016

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

16V35800025/05/2016

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,

16V35900025/05/2016

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

03V15300022/04/2003

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

04V12800016/03/2004

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

02V24000013/09/2002

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.

02V23500005/09/2002

WHEELS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE AN OFF-CENTER DIAMETER.

20V00100002/01/2020

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

20V00200002/01/2020

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

20V00300002/01/2020

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,

14V76300001/12/2014

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

Recent Complaints

20230927SUSPENSION

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.

20230410SUSPENSION

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

20210810ENGINE

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

20210407SERVICE BRAKES

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

20210119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20210119FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20210119EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

20200928SERVICE BRAKES

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

20200110AIR BAGS

DEADLY DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG! AIR BAG RECALL. REPORTED ON LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL.

20190807AIR BAGS

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

20190708AIR BAGS

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.

20180816AIR BAGS

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

20180108AIR BAGS

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

20171030AIR BAGS

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.

20171005FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20171005ENGINE

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

20170821AIR BAGS

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.

20170810AIR BAGS

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.

20170310AIR BAGS

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.

20170208AIR BAGS

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.

Compare 2003SUBARULEGACY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 SUBARU LEGACY have?
The 2003 SUBARU LEGACY has 69 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 SUBARU LEGACY?
Yes, the 2003 SUBARU LEGACY has 15 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 SUBARU LEGACY?
The most-complained component for the 2003 SUBARU LEGACY is AIR BAGS with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2003 SUBARU LEGACY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.