2019 Subaru Legacy problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Legacy, most often about visibility & wipers. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
108
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Median mileage
12,663 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Visibility & Wipers is the most-reported problem area, named in 42 of 108 complaints (39%).
  • Electrical System (32) and driver assistance & safety tech (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 12,663 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries.
  • The 2019 Subaru Legacy has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 4th of 21 Subaru Legacy model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 20% more complaints than the 2018 model year (90).

2019 Subaru Legacy problems by category

  • 42 complaints
  • 32 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    20 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 2 crashes
    7 complaints
  • Engine
    6 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    5 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    2 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Visibility/wiper40
Electrical system32
Unknown or other20
Engine6
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking4
Fuel/propulsion system4
Vehicle speed control3
Service brakes2

When problems happen (mileage)

13Under 10k1110k–30k430k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2019 Subaru Legacy complaints that list mileage.

2019 Subaru Legacy recalls (3)

  • Recall 21V587000Jul 29, 2021175,968 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    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.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • Recall 20V218000Apr 16, 2020188,207 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 19V493000Jun 26, 20192,107 vehicles
    STRUCTURE

    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.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.

    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.

Recent 2019 Subaru Legacy complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 17, 202615,000 miMDEngine
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11751089 · source
  2. Filed May 13, 2026COEngine
    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 · source
  3. Filed May 8, 2026CAVisibility & Wipers
    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 · source
  4. Filed Apr 9, 2026NYOther / Unknown
    Multimedia component is not working correctly and it could cause an accident due to trying to change/control the component over and over again. It has a mind of its own. I turn it off and it turns on by itself. It switches radio stations by itself. The screen changes apps all by itself. I can't correctly use any of it anymore. I try using my phone and even though I don't want it sent to audio on the car it switches to it and then the conversation cuts in and out. I've tried…
    NHTSA complaint #11730262 · source
  5. Filed Mar 30, 2026MAElectrical 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…
    NHTSA complaint #11728063 · source
  6. Filed Mar 13, 2026NYElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11724063 · source
  7. Filed Nov 26, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11701769 · source
  8. Filed Nov 4, 2025NYEngine
    Constant battery issues. I've replaced the car battery 3 times and the car seems to be suffering from "parasitic battery drain". It took a long time to diagnose the issue and I've been to the Rye Subaru dealership 2 times already and they are still trying to fix the issue. This is my daughters car and I'm constantly waiting for a phone call to have the car jump started. She works the night shift and I'm worried about her getting stranded at night.
    NHTSA complaint #11697447 · source

Compare the 2019 Subaru Legacy with another vehicle →

Other 2019 Subaru models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology