AI Damage2019 Subaru Legacy: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Legacy filed 123 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and electrical system. The maker issued 343 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 123
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 343
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 41% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 4% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 2% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 2% of all complaints
- Visibility: 51 complaints (41% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 35 complaints (28% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 214.
- Engine: 6 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Forward collision avoidance: 5 complaints (4% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints (3% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- CVTnamed in 1 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 123 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 51 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 0 | 214 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 19 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 38 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Vehicle is equipped with Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist which includes reverse automatic braking. Vehicle was reversing towards a parked vehicle on the street and the RAB feature failed to apply the brakes and the vehicle collided with the parked vehicle.
Vehicle was using the self driving feature of the Subaru Eyesight system. With the system engaged, the vehicle is supposed to accelerate and apply brakes accordingly as to keep a distance from the vehicle in front. Today, that system failed.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle intermittently stalled. The contact stated that seconds later, the vehicle returned to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions.
They say it is a safety issue cause the oil can fall on the exhaust making in a fire issue.
driver side mirror can not be adjusted to effectively see visually car in blind spot; fortunately car saw me changing lane when it was just off rear driverside fender; did not seen in mirror or in window; 70 years used visual; blind spot light inconsistent; visual is
Due to a dead battery issue in 2025, I bought a new battery. A year later, the car wouldn't start & I finally got it jumped. Ran fine for 3 weeks, then wouldn't start again. I brought car back to the Interstate battery shop, who tested the alternator, which was fine, but he said the battery was appearing low.
Unintended acceleration, on 2 occasions. First occasion, car was in DRIVE waiting at a traffic stop and the engine radically increased it's RPM from idle to over 6000 RPM, remaining there. Braking control maintained the automobile's position. Shifting the car into neutral caused RPM to increase further.
I am reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Legacy that hesitates and nearly stalls when accelerating from a stop and is now undriveable due to stalling and shaking. I bought the car new from AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad in 2019.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 492 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Legacy has 73 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 123, above average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
(SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years to (8) eight years / 150,000 miles to cover certain qualifying repairs to the…
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on…
This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body
The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for…
This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
NHTSA lists 343 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Legacy?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 123. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: battery drain (16%), infotainment or screen glitches (14%), won't start (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA lists 343 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Subaru Legacy from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.