2008 Subaru Legacy problems
The Subaru Legacy (Japanese: スバル・レガシィ, Hepburn: Subaru Regashi) is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1989. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine. The Legacy was sold as the Liberty in Australia out of deference to Legacy Australia, an organisation dedicated to caring for the families of military service veterans.
In 1996, a variant of the Legacy with heightened suspension called the Legacy Outback was introduced to compete in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle class and proved to be a sales success for Subaru. The Outback line was split into its own model in 2008, known as the Subaru Outback.
As of 2008, 3.6 million Legacy models have been built since its 1989 introduction.
Production of the Legacy ended in Japan in June 2020, with the sixth-generation Legacy being the last model produced and marketed in Japan. Subaru of America announced in an internal email that 2025 will be the last model year for the Subaru Legacy. The Subaru Outback will remain in production, after being the company's top selling model in 2023.
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Common 2008 Subaru Legacy problems
The 2008 Subaru Legacy has had several common problems reported by owners, primarily related to airbags, brakes, and electrical issues.
Airbag issues are the most prevalent, with 25 complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding airbag lights coming on despite four recalls. This suggests that the recalls may not have fully addressed the underlying issue, leaving some owners with ongoing problems.
Brake problems are another significant concern, with 10 complaints related to leaking brake fluid due to excessive corrosion.
Electrical issues are also common, with some drivers reporting parasitic battery drain, where the car's electrical system continues to draw power even when the vehicle is turned off. This can lead to a dead battery and requires repeated replacements, even with the alternator and battery replaced.
The 2008 Subaru Legacy has been recalled nine times, which is relatively high for a sedan of this age. However, the low number of complaints suggests that the recalls and repairs have been effective in addressing many of the issues.
Head gasket leaks have been a problem for some owners, particularly in the 2008 Legacy with the 2.5i engine and automatic transmission. This issue is more common in earlier generations of Subaru engines but is still a concern for some owners.
The transmission is another area where problems have been reported, particularly in older models with higher mileage. Automatic transmissions can develop issues over time, and replacing them can be a costly repair.
In summary, the 2008 Subaru Legacy has had several common problems reported by owners, primarily related to airbags, brakes, and electrical issues. While the car has been recalled nine times, some owners have reported ongoing issues, particularly with airbags, brakes, and electrical systems. It is essential to have a mechanic inspect any used car before purchasing, particularly one with a history of recalls and common problems.
What are common problems with the 2008 Subaru Legacy?
The 2008 Subaru Legacy has generated just 64 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Airbag issues take the lead at 25 complaints, with drivers reporting airbag lights coming on, despite four recalls. 10 braking complaints point to leaking brake fluid due to excessive corrosion.
Is the 2008 Subaru Legacy reliable?
They're well-built cars & generally are very reliable.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Legacy?
Top Subaru Legacy Problems
- Cooling System Problems Cause Head Gasket Failure. ...
- Subaru Front O2 Sensor Recall. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Engine Oil May Leak From Camshaft/Crankshaft Front Seals.
Is the Subaru Legacy a reliable car?
The Subaru Legacy Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 16th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $563 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Legacy.
What are common problems with the 2008 Subaru Legacy?
The 2008 Subaru Legacy has generated just 64 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Airbag issues take the lead at 25 complaints, with drivers reporting airbag lights coming on, despite four recalls. 10 braking complaints point to leaking brake fluid due to excessive corrosion.
Is the 2008 Subaru Legacy reliable?
They're well-built cars & generally are very reliable.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Legacy?
Top Subaru Legacy Problems
- Cooling System Problems Cause Head Gasket Failure. ...
- Subaru Front O2 Sensor Recall. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Engine Oil May Leak From Camshaft/Crankshaft Front Seals.
Is Subaru Legacy expensive to maintain?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Subaru Legacy is $563, compared to an average of $526 for midsize cars and $652 for all vehicle models.
2008 Subaru Legacy car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Legacy problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2008 Subaru Legacy vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2008 Subaru Legacy
The NHTSA has received 65 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Subaru Legacy. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-08
- VIN: 4S3BL676684
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The issue occurred on a 08 Subaru Legacy GT Limited while the driver was driving the car with their family on a local street around 35-40mph. Initially, while the car was stopped at a traffic light, the driver noticed that the brake pedal seems off where it seems to be depressed much deeper than usual. While coming up on a second red traffic light, the driver noticed that the pedal has to be depressed all the way down to the floor before bringing the car close to a stop while using the emergency brake to complete the stop. The driver knows that this is a major issue given the symptoms and drove to a safe spot to stop the car and inspect the issue. At this time, the brake light has also came on in the dashboard. Upon the driver's preliminary inspection, there was brake fluid leakage coming from the rear passenger wheel area and the brake fluid in the reservoir has reached the minimum line which would confirm why the brake light came on. Given the situation, the vehicle was then brought to the Subaru official dealer immediately to be dropped off for a diagnostic on the next Monday since the dealer was closed when the driver arrived. After the diagnostic by the Subaru mechanic, they confirmed with the driver's suspicious where the brake line has been broken due to corrosion to a bare metal area of the rear brake line that was supposed to be addressed by the brake line corrosion recall, WQK-047. The line was broken at one of the clip point where the brake line has no sleeve over it to protect the line from corrosion. Subaru issued a recall on this area as they know that this was a design flaw where salt used on the road from the winter might get in accelerating the corrosion of the line causing it to leak or break. This is an serious issue since the car could have crashed if the brake fails completely without any brake fluid anymore. NHTSA should intervene on this as many owners have this issue and SOA, who boast about safety, did not address the issue with the recall.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-01
- VIN: 4S3BL856X84
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I had the recall done in 2017 and I was recently driving on the highway when my brakes had no pressure, I nearly crashed my car. Pulled over and realized my brake lines were leaking from where they said it had been fixed during the recall. I called the Subaru Stealership that did the recall and they informed me when I brought the vehicle in “it showed no signs of leakage” so they sprayed “anti corrosion” on the lines. I called Subaru of America and they want me to pay $200 to diagnose the issue and pay for the repair since the lines busted from “wear and tear”. Spraying anti-corrosion does nothing when the rust has already ruined the integrity of the brake line. Subaru is trying to pull a fast one and scam their customers by spraying anti-corrosion when the lines need to be replaced instead.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-02
- VIN: 4S3BL676084
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I received my Subaru legacy from the dealer after an unrelated repair. My wife got in the car and very slowly drove through the lot to exit the dealership. She was going 5-6 mph at most and luckily after putting the car into gear she had her hand resting on the center console literally right above the hand brake. As she approached the stop sign to exit the dealership, she put her foot on the brake pedal and it went immediately straight to the floor with no resistance or application of the brakes. She immediately grabbed and pulled the hand emergency brake to stop the vehicle from entering a busy route 3 (West Chester Pike.) After nursing the car back to service at very low mph she parked the car again using the hand brake. Service looked at the car and found ruptured brake lines. The lines were the subject of a recall in 2015 and were supposedly inspected and an anticorrosive was applied.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-23
- VIN: 4S3BL616486
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: DASHBOARD HAS MELTED FROM SUN AND HEAT, HAS BECOME EXTREMELY SHINEY & STICKY, PLUS SUN & HEADLIGHTS REFLECT OFF THE WINDSCREEN.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-15
- VIN: 4S3BL616087
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I have a great suspicion that Kia has not only sold bad engined vehicles that are their own make and models but I believe they are selling used cars they buy like that as well. The car I bought has major engine problems that were hid from me at the time of the sales leading to a $5000 repair bill for a 7200$ car. I only had it for a couple weeks before it became un-drivable. Not only did they hide and lie about fact in the sales of their own cars , I have evidence showing that they are doing the same to used cars they're selling. They are barely doing the bare minimum to fix anything. They have lied to AUTOCAP on record about facts as well when I have recordings or them telling me other wise.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-23
- VIN: 99999999999
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE THE METAL OF THE PUMP HARNESS WAS SEVERLY BURNED AND MELTED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-28
- VIN: 4s3bl616287
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: There is a parasitic drain on my car battery. I have replaced the alternator and battery twice, and the car can’t hold a charge.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 4S3BL856684
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The CV axle on the passenger side caught on fire. It was the rubber boot on the inner side over the catalytic converter. There were no warnings other than the smell of smoke. Fortunately, I caught it early and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. I had been driving 25 to 40 MPH on city streets for about 5 miles before the incident.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-23
- VIN: 4S3BL626487
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 mph, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact was concerned that the brake was failing with her husband and four-month-old baby in the vehicle. The contact veered to the shoulder and turned off the vehicle. The contact’s husband inspected the vehicle and saw that there was fluid dripping near the rear passenger’s side tire, below the fuel tank. The contact’s husband then drove the vehicle back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer had performed a recall repair on the brakes on January 22, 2021. The contact was informed that anti-corrosion wax was sprayed onto the brake line connectors as part of the remedy. The manufacturer referred the contact back to the same dealer where the vehicle was repaired under recall, to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that rodents had chewed the brake line and the brake line was not part of the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not repairable. The manufacturer offered a $ 1,000 voucher for a newer vehicle. The failure mileage was 76,877.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-10-27
- VIN: 4S3BL696X83
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE BECAME AWARE OF CORROSION AROUND THE BRAKE LINE. THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT WHEN DEPRESSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-10-23
- VIN: 4S3BL616386
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TRYING TO BRAKE IT LOST THE ABILITY TO APPLY THE BRAKES ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THIS WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID IT WAS PERFORMED AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER. THE EXACT AREA PERTAINING TO THE BRAKE LINES FAILING AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL IS WHERE IT HAS FAILED. THEIR IS NO EVIDENCE OF THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED AS THE REPAIR INDICATED SPRAYING THE VEHICLE WITH ANTI CORROSION SPRAY. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT WAS EVER DONE. THIS IS FOR THE BRAKE LINES IN THE PASSENGER REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEXT TO THE GAS TANK. RECALL NUMBER THEY SAY WAS COMPLETED IS WQK-47. RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE STILL AND SUBARU HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THANK YOU
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-15
- VIN: 4S3BL676886
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I SAW THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, I TAPPED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY AND CHECKED IF MY EBRAKE WAS UP A FEW TIMES AND THE LIGHT WENT AWAY FOR A BIT BEFORE IT FINALLY STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER DOING THAT. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A SENSOR SINCE LIGHT TAPS AND BRAKING SEEMED FINE. I GUESS WHEN I WAS TAPPING AND TESTING THE BRAKES OVER AND OVER, I WAS JUST PUMPING ALL THE BRAKE FLUID OUT OF THE CORRODED BRAKE LINE IN THE BACK AND COULD BARELY STOP WHEN I ACTUALLY HAD TO USE THE BRAKES TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND I HAD TO ASSIST IN BRAKING WITH MY E-BRAKE AND ENGINE BRAKING INTO 1ST GEAR. WHEN I GOT UNDER THE CAR AND HAD SOMEONE PUMP THE BRAKES, I CAN SEE FLUID COME OUT OF A CORRODED HARD BRAKE LINE NEXT TO THE GAS TANK. LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS ONE OF THE SPOTS WHERE 2 PREVIOUS RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR BRAKE LINE CORROSION. THE RECALLS WERE TAKEN CARE OF IN 11/2013 @~89K MILES AND 09/2014 @~97K MILES BY THE DEALER. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT ~125K MILES AND HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN IN THE SUMMER FOR PAST FEW YEARS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE RECALL DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE AND STILL CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-25
- VIN: 4S3BL696683
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: DRIVING CAR AND HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES OR RANDOM CONSUMPTION OF BRAKE FLUID. PASSENGER REAR BRAKE PIPE BURST OPEN AND FAILED DUE TO CORROSION NOT ADDRESSED BY PREVIOUS RECALLS. SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL NOT HONOR REPLACEMENT AND SERVICES COST BECAUSE THE LEGACY MODEL IS NOT SPECIFIC TO THE RECALL AND OUT OF WARRANTY. SOA DID HONOR $350 CREDIT FOR REPAIRS THAT COST $1100. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-04-22
- VIN: 4S3BL696283
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: RED AIRBAG INDICATOR IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGUN COMING ON/OFF ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK THEN BECAME CONSTANT. OBSERVED PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR HAD NO LIGHTS ON(NO ILLUMINATION AT ALL) SEARCHED FORUMS AND FOUND MULTIPLE SIMILAR CASES WITH NO RESOLVE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AS A MECHANIC MYSELF I BEGAN MY OWN DIAGNOSIS, CAUSE: REMOVED OVERHEAD CONTROL PANEL AND PERFORMED ELECTRICAL TESTING ON PASSENGER AIRBAG CIRCUIT. FOUND OPEN CIRCUITS BETWEEN COMPONENT CONTACTS. CORRECTION: RETINNED CONTACTS AND ADDED SOLDER. HAVEN'T HAD AN AIRBAG LIGHT SINCE THE REPAIR.. I HAVE HEARD THE DEALER WANTS 300+$ TO REPAIR. THIS IS SUCH A COMMON AND SERIOUS ISSUE THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL... I HAVE SEEN AND PERFORMED FAR MORE TRIVIAL RECALLS. THAT SAID; IF YOU TAKE YOUR CAR TO A DECENT SUBARU OR INDEPENDENT SHOP THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THIS AND FIX IT FOR ALOT LESS THAN THE DEALER
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-30
- VIN: 4S3BL676686
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKE FLUID BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE CONTACT REFERRED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-24
- VIN: 4S3BL616787
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: THE DASH HAS MELTED LEAVING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DASH IS ALSO EXTREMELY STICKY AND SHINY. I THOUGHT IT JUST NEEDED TO BE CLEANED BUT REALIZED SHORTLY AFTER THAT WAS NOT THE CASE AND HAVE SINCE FOUND THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL PER SUBARU.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-09
- VIN: 4S3BL676186
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO SUBARU RECALL WQK-47: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, BRAKE INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING, I COULD FEEL SOMETHING WAS A BIT DIFFERENT WITH THE BRAKE PRESSURE. WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS OF THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, I NOTICED THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND ON SUBSEQUENT PUMPS OF THE BRAKES I GOT SOME PRESSURE. ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FURTHER (SLOWLY), RESULTED IN VERY LITTLE, IF ANY, BRAKING POWER. I CHECKED BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND NOTICED IT WAS BELOW THE MIN MARK. I HAD SOME BRAKE FLUID IN THE TRUNK AND FILLED IT. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A BIT FURTHER AND WAS ABLE TO RECOVER BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES BEFORE THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. THANKFULLY THIS WAS DONE WHILE ON A ROAD THAT HAD A LOW SPEED LIMIT AND THERE WEREN'T MANY VEHICLES AROUND. LOSING BRAKE POWER WHILE ON A HIGHWAY FOR INSTANCE ON A TURN WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS GOOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR LINE WAS LEAKING. I WENT IN TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE FOUR-WAY CONNECTOR MENTIONED IN THE RECALL AS WELL AS THE LINE THAT RUNS NEAR THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE CLIP HOLDS ON TO IT. THIS PART OF THE LINE IS EXPOSED JUST AS THE RECALL MENTIONS. I NOTICED THAT THE 4-WAY CONNECTOR WAS COVERED SUFFICIENTLY IN THE WAX COMPONENT THAT THE RECALL MENTIONED SHOULD BE USED BUT THE AREA WHERE THE LEAK WAS DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY WAX AT ALL THE WORK FOR THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN OCTOBER 2018, SO A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER AND THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH WHERE THE RECALL WORDING INDICATED IT COULD. IF THE LINES HAD BEEN SEALED AS INDICATED, PERHAPS THIS ISSUE WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED $1300 TO REPLACE A SINGLE BRAKE LINE. ANOTHER CONCERN IS THAT IF THAT ONE LINE WAS CORRODED ENOUGH TO LEAK, THEN THE OTHERS COULD TOO.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-14
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: VEHICLE DIES. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL OUT THERE FOR THIS REASON BUT I'M TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL BUT MY CAR IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECAL IS TALKING ABOUT
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-08-01
- VIN: 4S3BL626687
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY , BUT NOW STAYS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH IS FAULT CODE 26. MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS REPORTING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE, WHICH IS RELATED TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF COMPONENTS IN THE OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. AS THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE (PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT), SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAULTY COMPONENT(S). BEWARE- SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO FEEL THAT THE TAKATA INFLATORS IS RELATED TO THEIS ISSUSE. I HAVE HAD THIS AIRBAG ISSUE SINCE I OWENED THE SUBARU COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FIX WHEN I NO THAT THERE IS FAULT IN THE WAY THE COMPONENTS WERE WELDED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-05
- VIN: 4S3BL616587
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: HAD THE RECALL FOR BRAKES DONE & RECALL FOR AIR BAG, & CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NEVER RECIEVED POST CARD FOR ELECTRICL RECALL , HAD ALL KINDS OF WORK DONE & THE ENGINE LIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL,ETC WILL NOT TURN OFF. WHY HAVENT I RECIEVED RECALL NOTICE SO THAT I CAN BRING IT TO SUBARU DEALER, THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-10
- VIN: 4S3BL676284
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST IS TURNED ON THE RADIO NO LONGER WORKS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF TRYING TO HEAR IMPORTANT BROADCASTS IN POOR WEATHER. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE, BUT HAS BEEN POORLY ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. THIS AFFECTS MANY MODELS IN THIS YEAR RANGE. LEAVING THE CONSUMER TO PAY TO REPLACE A POORLY MADE PART TO REPEATEDLY OCCUR EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT IN SOME CASES.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-05-31
- VIN: 4S3BL626X87
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: ALL OF MY DASH LIGHTS ARE ON (STATIONARY & IN MOTION) CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS BLINKS CONSISTENTLY (STATIONARY & IN MOTION), MY CAR CRUISE CONTROL ALSO FEELS LIKE IT GOES ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY (IN MOTION), AND MY CRUISE CONTROLS ON MY STEERING DO NOT WORK (STATIONARY & IN MOTION) . ALSO MY RADIO IS CONSISTENTLY GOING ON/OFF, CHANGING STATIONS, VOLUME CONTROLS GO IN/OUT (STATIONARY & IN MOTION). ALSO MY REVIEW MIRROR DISPLAYS THE WRONG DIRECTION ON THE COMPASS, AND THE AUTO DIM AND COMPASS FEATURE IT'S SELF GOES ON/OFF CONSISTENTLY (STATIONARY & IN MOTION). UNDER THE HOOD WILL SMOKE AFTER I'VE DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR GONE UP STEEP HILLS.I READ ONLINE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES WITH THEIR SUBARU LEGACY'S AND OUTBACKS AS WELL. NOTE: THESE ISSUES HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT REGARD TO THE TYPE OF ROAD ON WITH THE EXCEPTION OF UNDER THE HOOD SMOKING. THAT ONLY HAPPENS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-16
- VIN: 4S3BL696083
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-01
- VIN: 4S3BL856384
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: "TAKATA RECALL"
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-10-01
- VIN: 4S3BL616387
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SUBURBAN SUBARU (14 HARTFORD TURNPIKE, VERNON, CT) DIAGNOSED THAT AN AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-27240483127. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,099.
2008 Subaru Legacy recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 9 recalls for different components of the 2008 Subaru Legacy.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
- Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
- Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
- Summary: SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND TURBOCHARGER-SIDE PIPE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
- Consequence: VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND, OVER TIME, COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN CRACKING THE PIPE WHICH WOULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE. AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED TO INCREASE RIGIDITY OF THE PIPE AND THE PIPE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Negative 2008 Subaru Legacy car reviews
Positive 2008 Subaru Legacy car reviews
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Purchased an 08 LGT 5m about a month ago. So far the car has been great. I give it good mpg ratings as my current truck gets about 11 mpg. I was really surprised to get ~26.8 mpg on a 360 mile trip on country roads driving somewhat spirited, this was before the motor has even broken in. I really like the solid quiet interior. The perforated leather seats are great and supportive. Clutch feel is solid thus far and is very easy to drive.
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In March 2009, I purchased a 2008 used Subaru Legacy with only 20,000 miles on it. Although I have been enjoying the car, I have noticed a ticking sound for approximately 20 seconds after turning off the engine. While the dealer has assured me that this is simply the engine cooling down, I am curious if others have experienced this issue. Despite this concern, I have found the car to be reliable and efficient. While it may not be as quiet as some other models, I am confident in my decision to purchase the Subaru Legacy.
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When I was in the market for a car last year, I had my sights set on an Acura TL. However, after a year of driving it, I realized that it wasn't the right fit for me. I decided to trade it in for a Subaru Legacy and I couldn't be happier with my decision! The Legacy's sports car handling and AWD make it perfect for the snowy Canadian winters where I live. It's the first car I've truly enjoyed driving since I sold my Miata. The acceleration is impressive, especially in sport sharp mode. Unlike my TL, the Suby is tight, predictable, and has a slight rear wheel bias, making it a joy to drive. The interior looks great and fits me well, although I did need to get an armrest extender. While Bluetooth would be a nice feature, I don't think it's necessary since I shouldn't be talking on the phone while driving anyway.
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Excellent Car. Handles well, well built, and gets better gas mileage than expected for an AWD, even in traffic. It looks sharp! This is the best car for the money. Other cars charge so much more for AWD, moonroof, leather, auto-dimming mirror, fog lights, and an on-board computer.
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The Legacy is an amazing car! It is incredibly reliable, practical, and capable. The handling is superb, allowing me to take sharp turns at 70mph with barely any body roll. The trunk is also impressively spacious, fitting 4 suitcases with ease. Even during a heavy snow/ice storm this winter, the Legacy never slipped thanks to its excellent Yokohama tires and suspension. Additionally, the engine produces a great sound when pushed to its limits. It's surprising that Subarus aren't as popular as Hondas and Toyotas, given that they are heads and tails above the competition. They truly deserve more recognition.
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Are you having problems with your 2008 Subaru Legacy?
Oda Boehm 2024-11-04
Hi there! I noticed that you've had some trouble with your previous cars, but I think the GT might be a great option for you. It has many of the features of the Audi world, but at a more affordable price. The interior is definitely better than most cars in its class, although it may not quite reach the high standards of Audi and VW. As for performance, I understand that adjusting to an automatic transmission can be difficult, but the paddle shifters can help make up for it. Even when in drive, you can quickly downshift without having to switch to manual mode. I hope this helps!
Keon O'Keefe 2024-07-06
The car had some issues that needed to be addressed. The combination key/remote was too big to fit in my pocket, and I had to program the TPMS at the dealership each time I changed my snow tire rims. Additionally, the suspension was too stiff for my liking, and wind noise was noticeable. However, I was able to trade in the car after 18 months and 17,000 miles. While the engine was loud when the car was not moving, it performed well while driving. The driver door trim and armrest had some issues, but these were easily fixed. The car was not ideal for someone who is six feet tall, but it was still a good car overall. Despite some minor issues, I was confident in my decision to trade it in.