MYRModel Year Report

2011 Subaru Legacy

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:33:03.723Z

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
167
Recalls
16

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

28% 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 2011: 167 complaints 2011 167 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 2008 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 167 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 2009 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 167 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

2011: 167 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

28% · 47 reports

Most commonly citing driveline and torque converter.

Air bags

15% · 25 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2 car collision on a city street. Both cars in motion. Our car was turning left onto the main road and was hit in the left front area causing significant damage resulting in the total loss of both vehicles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-07-09

Also filed under Structure

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Subaru Legacy. While driving 75 MPH, the contact took his eyes off the road and crashed into a retaining wall. The front driver's air bag deployed and pinned his head between the driver's window and air bag.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-12

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy until 4 or 5 seconds later.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-20

Engine

13% · 22 reports
FIRE

Electrical system

11% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

01/07/2016 shortly after taking the freeway exit wife noticed the battery light turned on and power steering got heavy. All other warning light on the dash started to flicker as the passenger compartment quickly filled with smoke.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-01-31

Suspension

11% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing front.

Show complaint excerpts

2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5I CVT premium model : at highway cruising speeds of 60+ MPH, the vehicle feels "Wobbly". The car feels as though it is getting swayed from side to side, even in good road conditions. This feeling is very unsafe.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-09-12

Also filed under Steering

Safety timeline

16 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 167 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2011-10-17Visibility11V467000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from August 3, 2010, through July 1, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. 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 →

  5. 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 →

  6. 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 →

  7. 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 →

  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. 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 →

  11. 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 →

  12. 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 →

  13. 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 →

  14. 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 →

  15. 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 →

  16. 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 →

  17. 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

2011 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 47 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V326000 · Power train
  • Recall 11V467000 · Visibility
  • 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 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 2011 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Subaru Legacy is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Subaru Legacy have?
16 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.