2003 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,450miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Subaru Legacy, 8% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,450 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2003 Subaru Legacy sedan. As I pick up speed you can hear an increasing wind noise coming from around the front 2 windows. At speeds of 65 MPH and above it gets really bad and it starts sounding like a ref blowing his whistle. I take many trips on the interstate and it get really bad and it gets worse if the wind is blowing. This is the only problem I had other than the transmission hesitating and shifting hard upon starting off in drive. Other than these 2 problems in is a great car.”
NHTSA complaint #10173581, filed 2006-11, 58,524 miles“When accelerating at any speed hesitates for a couple of seconds. The manufacturer indicated that the problem could not be fixed because it was a characteristic of the vehicle. The consumer feels that this problem will cause damage to the engine and transmission over time.”
NHTSA complaint #10079900, filed 2004-08, 3,800 miles“When the recall was performed on the transmission, the dealer broke the transmission pan bolt, which caused fluid to leak out, consumer stated transmission may have internal damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10001926, filed 2003-01, 50 miles“2003 Subaru outback developed a problem where the vehicle would experience hesitation upon acceleration and the check engine light would illuminate. ***no answer required*** the vehicle lunged while in motion without the gas pedal being applied, the consumer had difficulty with the automatic shifting, lack of power upon acceleration, and on occasion an extremely loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when shifting, braking, or disengaging the cruise control with the brake pedal. The rotors were resurfaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10130208, filed 2005-07Related recalls
- 02V282000Oct 30, 2002Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2001–2003, Outback 2001–2003, Impreza 2002–2003 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10234828May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10141537May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Legacy
16 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology