2011 SUBARU LEGACY Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Subaru Legacy. This model year has 166 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2011 Subaru Legacy Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Considering a 2011 Subaru Legacy?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Subaru Legacy. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 47 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 28 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 25 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 19 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 18 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 17 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Subaru Legacy. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 166 most recent complaints
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 s…
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 …
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 comple…
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and driving over a speed bump, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the subframe was …
THIS CAR STALLS OUT AND JUST STOPS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DUE TO A FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH SUBARU KNEW ABOUT AND DID NOT DO A RECALL ON. THEY DID A SERVICE BULLETIN WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR WHILE IT STILL WAS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD TO …
Brakes failed due to a rusty brake line. Rear passenger side where theres a 4 way block 2 lines in 2 lines out. All 4 lines are rusted where they connect, one of the lines broke to cause a significant leak. This caused me to have very little brakes as the vehicle ran out of brake…
This 2011 Subaru Legacy would pull severely to the right when braking, nearly jerking the steering wheel out of the drivers hand. The car was taken to a private auto repair shop where it was found the motor cradle (part #50527AJ00B) was completed rusted out so the A-arm to the wh…
Front sub-frame rusted through. Local mechanic said unsafe to drive. Insurance will not cover claim because this is "prior issue" not accident related. Subaru dealership confirmed safety risk and will repair for >$3000.
While braking at lower speed the driver's side lower control arm broke out causing the car to pull very hard to the left. Both lower control arms and the subframe had to be replaced.
To Whom It May Concern: I am an owner of the Subaru 2011 Legacy AWD, VIN # [XXX], [XXX] at [XXX], Parker, Colorado, reaching out to you about a well-known and recognized toque converter issue described in the 2011 Subaru Legacy F4-2.5 L SOHC, Vehicle - Technical Service Bulleti…
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
The front subframe failed due to corrosion from the inside according to the service department. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with this condition. It only has 38,180 miles on it. It has not been driven in a reckless fashion. I have never heard of this failure in a low mileag…
Sometimes as I'm coming to a stop, such as at a red light or a stop sign, just before I stop, the car lurches and then stalls. This is an automatic transmission car, but the best way I can think of to describe what is happening is it is acting as if it is a manual transmission, …
The vehicle was diagnosed at a Subaru Dealership as having a rusted sub-frame with mounting bolt holes loose and suspension components moving freely. The vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive. (On April 8, 2022, my car suddenly made a loud clunking noise and drove very rocky). The ca…
It's a 6mt. Randomly reverse stopped working. Seems like it wants to go in reverse. But when any bit of gas pedal pressed it grinds and pops out of reverse. I have no reverse. 1st thru 6th gear works shifting wise. Shifter has some play though.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving or coming to a complete stop, the driver's side front seat would inadvertently move back and forth. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle had pr…
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2011 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHI…
FIRST THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE RPM'S WOULD SPIKE. APPARENTLY IF THE CVT TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN VARIATIONS OCCASIONS TO THE DEALER. REACHED OUT SUBARU USA. SENT VIDEO OF THE OCCURRENCE AND THEY INDICATED THEY COULD NOT CLASSIFY THE …
WHY DOES MY BREAK LIGHT KEEP FLASHING??
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2011 Subaru Legacy.
Recalls for 2011 Subaru Legacy
16 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2011 Subaru Legacy. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2011 Subaru Legacy — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2011 Subaru Legacy reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2011 Subaru Legacy has 166 NHTSA owner complaints, 7 crash-related, and 16 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (47 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Legacy?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (47 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (28 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Subaru Legacy?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2011 Subaru Legacy?▾
The 2011 Subaru Legacy has 7 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 166 total NHTSA complaints. 3 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2011 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?▾
Yes — 16 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2011 Subaru Legacy. The largest issue: PARKING BRAKE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Subaru Legacy?▾
The 2011 Subaru Legacy has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Legacy reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2011 Subaru Legacy
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.