Subaru Legacy Transmission Problems by Year

Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.

200714.7 per 100K sold 2008417.7 per 100K sold 200913.2 per 100K sold 201041105.9 per 100K sold 20113377.8 per 100K sold 20122757.3 per 100K sold 20131023.6 per 100K sold 201447.7 per 100K sold 20151321.5 per 100K sold 20161116.8 per 100K sold 201736 per 100K sold 201812.5 per 100K sold 201912.9 per 100K sold 2020414.7 per 100K sold 202128.8 per 100K sold 202214.4 per 100K sold 20230no sales data 20250no sales data

What owners describe

Lost power while driving48%

Shudder14%

Delay or hesitation8%

Slipping8%

Transmission replaced6%

Hard or jerky shifting6%

Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.

Transmission and power train recalls

2023 2023
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
2023 2023
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
2021 2022
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
2016 2015
Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
2016 2015
Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

In owners' words

My car stalls when I come to a stop. It is an automatic cvt car. He happens all the time. Could cause an accident when I stop and then accelerate.
2010 Subaru Legacy owner · NHTSA complaint

Car dies when hard stopping. I took it to midas and was diagnosed with torque converter lock up. Took into subaru and was told needs a new transmission.
2010 Subaru Legacy owner · NHTSA complaint

Quick answers

Which Subaru Legacy years have transmission problems?

By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Subaru Legacy years are 2010, 2011, 2012.

What are common Subaru Legacy transmission problems?

Owners most often describe lost power while driving, shudder, delay or hesitation.

Which Subaru Legacy years have the fewest transmission complaints?

Since 2010, the Subaru Legacy years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2018, 2019, 2022.

See every problem, not just the transmission: Subaru Legacy reliability by year. How we count

Subaru Legacy transmission problems by year.