Total Complaints
75 filings
SUBARU LEGACY · model year
75 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 13 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009SUBARULEGACY carries 75 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire, 6 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 2009 LEGACY is air bags with 30 filings, followed by engine (7) and service brakes (6). 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 13 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 2009 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
75 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 30 |
| ENGINE | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New
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,
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Ha
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, O
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New J
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, Am
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 (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 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,
Subaru puts on plastic fuel tanks, and overtime the connections that connected to the car that are metal will rub a hole into the fuel tank and caused leaking. If you park this in a garage a puddle will form any spark, such as a outlet will ignite the garage and blow up the house.
Under Subaru campaign WQK47, which supersedes an earlier campaign, 05-09 Legacy/Outback and other models are known to undergo accelerated brake line corrosion due to sub-par materials and design. Subaru of America's "fix" for this issue is to inspect the lines: if the lines are compromised, they replace them. If the lines are corroded but not yet compromised, the lines are coated with an anti-corrosion wax. This wax washes off the car and is ineffective. Subaru performed this recall work insufficiently on my vehicle, failing to identify the severity of the corrosion. They coated the lines, called it "fixed", and the brake lines later ruptured under normal driving conditions. This caused a highway near-miss at speed that could have impacted everyone on the road. Multiple Subaru dealerships in Connecticut have refused to re-inspect and repair the vehicle under the recall campaign, despite it being a known critical safety concern, and despite knowledge that the original parts and an
Under Subaru campaign WQK47, which supersedes an earlier campaign, 05-09 Legacy/Outback and other models are known to undergo accelerated brake line corrosion due to sub-par materials and design. Subaru of America's "fix" for this issue is to inspect the lines: if the lines are compromised, they replace them. If the lines are corroded but not yet compromised, the lines are coated with an anti-corrosion wax. This wax washes off the car and is ineffective. Subaru performed this recall work insufficiently on my vehicle, failing to identify the severity of the corrosion. They coated the lines, called it "fixed", and the brake lines later ruptured under normal driving conditions. This caused a highway near-miss at speed that could have impacted everyone on the road. Multiple Subaru dealerships in Connecticut have refused to re-inspect and repair the vehicle under the recall campaign, despite it being a known critical safety concern, and despite knowledge that the original parts and an
Under Subaru campaign WQK47, which supersedes an earlier campaign, 05-09 Legacy/Outback and other models are known to undergo accelerated brake line corrosion due to sub-par materials and design. Subaru of America's "fix" for this issue is to inspect the lines: if the lines are compromised, they replace them. If the lines are corroded but not yet compromised, the lines are coated with an anti-corrosion wax. This wax washes off the car and is ineffective. Subaru performed this recall work insufficiently on my vehicle, failing to identify the severity of the corrosion. They coated the lines, called it "fixed", and the brake lines later ruptured under normal driving conditions. This caused a highway near-miss at speed that could have impacted everyone on the road. Multiple Subaru dealerships in Connecticut have refused to re-inspect and repair the vehicle under the recall campaign, despite it being a known critical safety concern, and despite knowledge that the original parts and an
2009 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Parasitic Drain If vehicle is not driven every 2-4 days in winter or every 6-8 days when is warmer it will need a jump start. I looked for a recall but there isn't one for the year of my car or for the Fourth Generation 2005-2009 series. I took it to the dealer 4 times and they said there was nothing wrong the first two times. On the 3rd time they said it was my problem was that the battery was old and to prove them wrong I got one of their Subaru brand/label batteries and the same problem kept happening. I took it to one more mechanic with the same results. I keep seeing this articles on blogs online about Subaru's from multiple years and series having Parasitic Drain issues. I do have the receipts pack in boxes if need it.
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact activated the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the brake line was corroded and leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Mileage: 56,000
Passenger rear brake line corroded and burst causing loss of brake fluid. Due to the loss of brake fluid, I lost 95% of brake pressure making it very difficult to stop. Only reason I say 95% is because the brake system is designed to still function in limp mode, but still terrifying while driving. The problem was discovered by myself as I was a certified technician for over 10 years for this brand. The vehicle hasnât been looked at by anyone but myself. The brake lamp indicator did come on shortly before the line burst.
Following traffic and under heavy braking due to lead vehicle braking hard and making turn without turn signal, brake pedal went to floor and vehicle continued traveling forward resulting in rear end collision with vehicle in front. Upon inspection at dealership both rear brake lines found to be corroded badly and sever leakage from both left and right rear brake lines. Corrosion & weeping also noted by dealership body shop on both lines coming out of vehicle from under rear seat above fuel tank. The corrosion and leakage matches with recall campaign ID: 14V311000.
While driving the brakelines were affected and brakes weren't working any longer. I see online there is a recall for my specific car. The recall is for corrosion of the brake lines in specific snow states and the use of salt. I live in CT and bought the car from a private owner. I looked to see if the car was ever serviced for the recall and I am finding nothing on it. Thr exact spot indicated in the recall is exactly where the brake lines corroded so much that there is a hole now. Thanks for your time.
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the brake line ruptured with the brake pedal depressing to the floorboard. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the brake line needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (Service brakes, Hydraulic) however, the recall repair was previously serviced in 2014. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Mileage: 134,000
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON (ON DASH).
Mileage: 152,000
I HAVE A STICKY DASH. IN THE SUMMER, IT GETS HOT AND EXTREMELY SHINY TO THE POINT IT REFLECTS INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND VERY HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TALKED WITH A SUBARU DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE RECALL BUT I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS UNAFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
Mileage: 140,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT TO FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ED REILLY SUBARU (150 MANCHESTER ST, CONCORD, NH 03301) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES RECEIVED ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT AS PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT COVER THE FENDER AS THE RECALL INDICATED, TO PREVENT THE LINE FROM CORRODING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 174,000.
Mileage: 174,000
EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE WHEEL WOULD GET STUCK. MAKING IT HARD TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT.
Mileage: 136,000
WHENEVER I PARK MY CAR AND MY WHEELS ARE NOT STRAGHT, THE KEY IS HAVING HARDTIME TAKEN OUT FROM THE LOCK CYLINDER. ALSO, IF I INSERT THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE, THE KEY GETS STUCKED INSIDE AND I CAN'T TURN THE KEY, IT DOES NOT ROTATES. I GOT THE CAR IN THE MAY OF THE LAST YEAR AND IT IS HAPPENING EVERY MONTH. I SEE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON MANY SUBARU LINES BUT THE BRAND IS CHARGING $600 FOR THE REPAIR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FOR US. THANK YOU.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED A LOT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Mileage: 131,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Mileage: 131,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FIRST WEEK HE BOUGHT IT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. STEVE MOYER SUBARU (201 S CENTRE AVE, LEESPORT, PA 19533), WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SENSOR WAS REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL PREVIOUSLY BY AN UNKNOWN DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY COULD FIX IT BUT THE CONSUMER WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,800. *BF*JB
Mileage: 96,800
2009 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG ISSUE, THE AIRGBAG LIGHT CAME ON. *AS *JS
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.