MYRModel Year Report

2010 Subaru Legacy

◆ Worse than typical
2010 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:03:34.465Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
151
Recalls
18

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2010 151 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2010 151 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2014 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2020 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2010 151 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2015 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2019 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2021 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025

2010: 151 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199257
199378
199461
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

33% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle shakes and then stalls when coming to a rapid stop and needs to be put in park to restart. This is very dangerous. I was almost smashed into on a busy highway . The this has been going on for too long and .

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-14

Update to complaint number 11254310 summary of previous complaint: the Subaru Legacy has an issue where the vehicle will stall if the brakes are applied too firmly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-09-25

Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Subaru Legacy. While in reverse and attempting to park, the vehicle rolled down a hill and crashed into an embankment. The brakes had not engaged when applied.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-06-09

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Engine

21% · 31 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I had entered a parking space, and was slowing to come to the end of said parking space. The car rapidly accelerated, and I could not stop it with the brake. I hit the concrete at the end of the space at full speed, which stopped the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-24

Also filed under Structure

Air bags

19% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was involved in a front-end collision in which the Airbag failed to deploy. The vehicle has been considered totaled by the insurance company. A police report is available.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-11-13

Service brakes

9% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Electrical system

8% · 12 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

18 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2010Complaint volume 151 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2010-06-08Engine and engine cooling10V196000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from July 31 through December 1, 2009. A crack or split can occur in the CVT cooler hose resulting in…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on June 8, 2010. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-Subaru3 (1-800-782-2783).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2010-07-07Steering10V283000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2009 through April 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll…

    Remedy: Dealers will check lot number of the steering roll connector. The roll connector will be replaced with a new one if the lot number showed any affected range of the failure occurrence. This service…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-07-28Power train10V326000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from April 28 through June 23, 2010. Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole within…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by drilling an oil lubrication hole and, if necessary, replace the internal parts with new ones free of charge. The safety recall…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2013-02-19Exterior lighting12V602000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2013-04-22Electrical system, equipment13V061000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2016-10-25Visibility16V694000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V013000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2019-07-19Parking brake18V626000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V196000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 10V283000 · Steering
  • Recall 10V326000 · Power train
  • Recall 12V602000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V061000 · Electrical system, equipment
  • Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V694000 · Visibility
  • Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V013000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 18V626000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2010 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Subaru Legacy is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Subaru Legacy have?
18 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.