Subaru Legacy Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some. 200 of the 1,531 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Subaru Legacy (13.1%) name the transmission, 1.0× the median share across the 139 models we track. Across the 2015–2022 cohorts with published sales, the Subaru Legacy rate is 0.13 per 1,000 sold, below the 0.28 median. The worst years are 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Transmission complaints
200
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
0.13
2015–2022 cohorts
Share of all complaints
13.1%
of 1,531 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
8
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Subaru Legacy transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline), and per 1,000 vehicles sold where a published U.S. sales figure exists. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Per 1,000 sold | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 | — | 9.2% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 | — | 3.1% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2010WORST | 50 | — | 33.3% | 3 | 10V326000 | 57 |
| 2011WORST | 47 | — | 28.1% | 0 | 10V326000 | 59 |
| 2012WORST | 34 | — | 37.8% | 1 | — | 56 |
| 2013 | 12 | — | 18.2% | 0 | — | 45 |
| 2014 | 6 | — | 11.3% | 0 | 13V336000 | 40 |
| 2015 | 15 | 0.25 | 9.4% | 1 | 15V502000 | 44 |
| 2016 | 13 | 0.2 | 9% | 1 | 15V79400015V502000 | 44 |
| 2017 | 4 | 0.08 | 3.4% | 1 | — | 39 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0.02 | 0.9% | 0 | — | 45 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0.03 | 0.8% | 0 | — | 38 |
| 2020 | 7 | 0.26 | 5.8% | 0 | 22V48500021V955000 | 70 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0.09 | 6.5% | 0 | 23V75500022V485000 | 52 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 23V755000 | 39 |
| 2023 | 0 | — | 0% | 0 | 23V75500023V647000 | 36 |
| 2024 | 0 | — | 0% | 0 | — | 20 |
| 2025 | 0 | — | 0% | 0 | — | 7 |
- Per 1,000 sold = complaints ÷ published U.S. calendar-year sales × 1,000. Calendar-year sales stand in for the model-year cohort. A dash means no published figure or fewer than 5,000 sold, too small to divide by.
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Subaru Legacy transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 200 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Subaru Legacy years to avoid for the transmission
2010 Subaru Legacy
50 transmission complaints (33.3% of the year's 150). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recall 10V326000.
2011 Subaru Legacy
47 transmission complaints (28.1% of the year's 167). Most often described: transmission repaired or replaced. Covered by transmission recall 10V326000.
2012 Subaru Legacy
34 transmission complaints (37.8% of the year's 90). Most often described: shudder or vibration.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Subaru Legacy years to avoid.
Subaru Legacy transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Subaru Legacy model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 23V755000 · 2023-11-09 · 2021–2023 models
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- 23V647000 · 2023-09-21 · 2023 models
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
- 22V485000 · 2022-07-08 · 2020–2021 models
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
- 21V955000 · 2021-12-09 · 2020 models
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
- 15V794000 · 2015-11-24 · 2016 models
Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
- 15V502000 · 2015-08-10 · 2015–2016 models
Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
- 13V336000 · 2013-08-01 · 2014 models
In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.
- 10V326000 · 2010-07-20 · 2010–2011 models
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 THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.
Which transmission does the Subaru Legacy use?
- Subaru CVT — 2010–2020 (extension years)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2010 Subaru Legacy have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 50 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Subaru Legacy, 33.3% of all 150 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (7 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 10V326000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2011 Subaru Legacy have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 47 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Subaru Legacy, 28.1% of all 167 complaints for that year. The most common description is "transmission repaired or replaced" (10 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 10V326000.
Does the 2012 Subaru Legacy have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 34 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, 37.8% of all 90 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (10 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Subaru Legacy years have the most transmission complaints?
2010 (50), 2011 (47) and 2012 (34), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so compare the per-1,000-sold column too.
What are the most common Subaru Legacy transmission problems?
In the 200 transmission complaints, owners most often describe shudder or vibration (14%), transmission repaired or replaced (13.5%) and jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (11.5%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Dividing by sales shows how often owners complain relative to how many were sold, which makes models of different sizes comparable.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Subaru Legacy model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration