CarRecallWatchThe 2011 Subaru Legacy has 16 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA, including 7 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Power Train (47 reports).
2011 Subaru Legacy recalls
Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Some vehicles had their passenger frontal airbag inflators replaced under an earlier recall, but the replacement inflators use the same design.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags
The ignition switch on these vehicles may have a ball spring inside that can break, weakening the switch.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode in a crash
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during deployment in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Certain Subaru vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag may explode and send metal fragments into occupants
The passenger-side front airbag inflator can degrade over time from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
Parking Brake May Fail, Letting Car Roll Away
The electronic parking brake on certain manual-transmission vehicles may not engage as intended.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments at occupants
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Wiper Motor May Overheat and Melt, Risking Fire
Contamination inside the windshield wiper motor's bottom cover can cause its internal parts to interfere with each other.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, spraying metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Most common 2011 Subaru Legacy problems
Problem areas named in the 167 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 47 |
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Engine | 22 |
| Suspension | 19 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Exterior Lighting | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
What owners report
The subframe rotted through broke as I was driving on Thruway. My mechanic confirmed it needs to be replaced and is very common in heavy winter states.
Description of the Safety Defect: The front subframe on my 2011 Subaru Legacy exhibits advanced structural corrosion with measurable material loss, concentrated primarily on the driver-side subframe. The corrosion affects a primary load-bearing structural member responsible for supporting suspension mounting points and maintaining chassis integrity. The deterioration is asymmetric, with the driver side showing severe degradation while the passenger side remains comparatively intact. This non-uniform corrosion pattern is not consistent with normal environmental exposure, age-related wear, or routine vehicle operation, and indicates a localized failure of corrosion protection or material integ
An issue has surfaced with my car that it turns off while driving. Obviously this is a serious safety hazard and likely to result in an accident. Now that it has happened, it is continuing and frequently happening. I reached out to Subaru as I saw there was a recall for my car's make and model that is causing the same issue. The issue is listed as NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V297000, described as "The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. " and affecting many Subarus, including the 2011 legacy. I believe my car is impacted given the behavior it is exhibiting. When I reached out to Subaru, they dismissed it saying it did not apply to my car and they were not willing to in
The week after purchase: The car shuts off when braking and needs to be put into park to be started again. Also the check engine light came on and I wonder if it has electrical issues.
While turning the wheel to back out of a parking spot, we heard a loud clunking sound. From that point on, while braking there were loud clunking sounds and the car pulled to the right. We brought it to our mechanic and was informed the front sub frame/ engine cradle, was completey rusted out due to corrosion from the inside. There was a mounting bolt protruding through a hole in the subframe and the suspension components were loose and damaged. They provided a photo showing the large hole and mounting bolt protruding. We were told it was unsafe to drive. We have to replace the sub frame, control arms and sway bar links. The sub frame supports these components, the engine and other parts!
2011 Subaru Legacy questions
Does the 2011 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls for the 2011 Subaru Legacy: Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel; Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags; Passenger airbag inflator may explode in a crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Legacy?
Based on 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (47), Air Bags (25), Engine (22).
How do I check if a recall on my 2011 Subaru Legacy has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.