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Subaru · NHTSA safety record

2019 Subaru Legacy

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 123 safety complaints about the 2019 Subaru Legacy with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the gasoline fuel system and the body structure.

The most complained-about system is visibility and the wipers, named in 49 complaints, 40% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 6,125 miles, the median across the 43 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers November 2018 to July 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

123 complaints on file

123

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 36% year on year: 9 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 14 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
VISIBILITY/WIPER 49 · 40%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35 · 28%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20 · 16%
ENGINE 6 · 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5 · 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 3%
STEERING 3 · 2%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 · 2%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 2%
VISIBILITY 2 · 2%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 1%
0 23 46

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 123.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 25.

28 21 14 7
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Subaru LEGACY, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR AWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

21V587000 · July 29, 2021

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 175,968 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V218000 · April 16, 2020

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
The risk
If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 188,207 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE

19V493000 · June 26, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUH-93.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 2,107 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire · towed

During small front end collision, car’s engine failed and car sparked a fire resulting in total loss of vehicle. California highway patrol was called and a report was filed. Insurance was contacted and conducted own investigation to rule car as a total loss. No prior warning lights or messages appeared prior to accident.

NHTSA complaint 11480464. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash

Vehicle was using the self driving feature of the Subaru Eyesight system. With the system engaged, the vehicle is supposed to accelerate and apply brakes accordingly as to keep a distance from the vehicle in front. Today, that system failed. The vehicle, with the Eyesight system engaged, accelerated right into the vehicle in front. There was no warning. The vehicle will be go for repair on 12/5/23. I have used the Eyesight system since purchasing the vehicle in 2019 with no issues, except for today. Luckily, I was driving at a very low speed but this safety concern can cause catastrophic injuries if it is not fixed.

NHTSA complaint 11557493. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash

Vehicle is equipped with Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist which includes reverse automatic braking. Vehicle was reversing towards a parked vehicle on the street and the RAB feature failed to apply the brakes and the vehicle collided with the parked vehicle. I am extremely disappointed that the safety system in this car failed to work as advertised/expected resulting in damages to both cars.

NHTSA complaint 11585165. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

towed

TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2019 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V218000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). HIS WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BROWN'S MANASSAS SUBARU (9018 LIBERIA AVE, MANASSAS, VA 20110) WHERE THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT'S WIFE. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER HIS WIFE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, HIS WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FAULKNER SUBARU BETHLEHEM (330 STOKE PARK RD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18017) WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS CORRODED AT THE ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS. THEY STATED

NHTSA complaint 11350937, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

15,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle intermittently stalled. The contact stated that seconds later, the vehicle returned to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA complaint 11751089. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The Cam Carrier has a leak due to Subaru using a cheap sealant. My car only has 80,000 miles and it is leaking. The subaru is know for this leak after researching it online. They say it is a safety issue cause the oil can fall on the exhaust making in a fire issue.

NHTSA complaint 11737655. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
driver side mirror can not be adjusted to effectively see visually car in blind spot; fortunately car saw me changing lane when it was just off rear driverside fender; did not seen in mirror or in window; 70 years used visual; blind spot light inconsistent; visual is

NHTSA complaint 11736451. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Due to a dead battery issue in 2025, I bought a new battery. A year later, the car wouldn't start & I finally got it jumped. Ran fine for 3 weeks, then wouldn't start again. I brought car back to the Interstate battery shop, who tested the alternator, which was fine, but he said the battery was appearing low. After researching this problem, I discovered there's a known issue that the battery dies due to a parasitic draw. Subaru knows there is a problem but refuses to correct the issues. The dealer I bought the car from neglected to tell me there was an existing issue and will be happy to charge me $500+ to diagnose. This is a major defect on Subaru's part, and all future buyers should be

NHTSA complaint 11728063, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Unintended acceleration, on 2 occasions. First occasion, car was in DRIVE waiting at a traffic stop and the engine radically increased it's RPM from idle to over 6000 RPM, remaining there. Braking control maintained the automobile's position. Shifting the car into neutral caused RPM to increase further. The car was shut off, restarted, and seemed to function normally. On the second occasion, which occurred later the same day, the car was off and then started, and while still in PARK with my foot on the brake immediately jumped to over 6000, remaining there. Once again the car was shut off, restarted, and seemed to work normally. It was taken directly (and slowly) to the manufacturer's

NHTSA complaint 11724063, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Legacy that hesitates and nearly stalls when accelerating from a stop and is now undriveable due to stalling and shaking. I bought the car new from AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad in 2019. It has about 65,000 miles and I have driven it less than 2,000 miles since its last dealer visit in August 2025. Since around August 2025, the car has intermittently lost power under light acceleration from a stop or low speed, especially while pulling into or through intersections. Pressing the accelerator sometimes produces very little power, the engine feels like it may stall, and traffic behind me must brake or go around me, creating a risk of a rear‑end

NHTSA complaint 11701769, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Subaru Legacy

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 10 2 —
2022 33 2 —
2021 31 3 —
2020 121 6 —
2018 117 3 —
2017 119 2 —
2016 147 3 —
2015 159 3 —
2014 53 10 —
2013 66 12 —
2012 90 16 —
2011 167 16 —
2010 150 18 1

Other 2019 Subaru models

Every Subaru on this site — 99 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst