2003 Subaru Legacy Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Subaru Legacy, 8% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1 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.
“For the second time (see my first report), my 2003 Subaru Legacy wagon suddenly accelerated while I was sitting at a stop light. I stood on the brake and put the transmission into neutral until the engine stopped revving.”
NHTSA complaint #10167691, filed 2006-09, 40,330 miles“I have a 2003 Subaru Legacy sedan. When the vehicle is in drive and you are sitting at a traffic light or stop sign,for no apparent reason the RPM's increase by 200 to 330 RPM's and the vehicle lunges forward. This is a constant on-going problem and I have to very careful when pulling into my garage to make sure I don't run the vehicle through the back wall of the garage. I reported this to the dealer on 2 occasions. The dealer stated that this is normal engine operation . The dealer stated that the engine's computer determines what the RPM's should be according to the electrical demand. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162515, filed 2006-07, 1 miles“The speedometer/odometer is not accurate. I have checked it with radar, GPS and multiple measured miles with a stop watch and have consistently calculated an 8-10% inaccuracy. For example when the car is traveling at what the speedometer reads as 60 MPH, the radar,GPS and the measured mile all indicate a speed of 54-55 MPH. The dealer has never tested my vehicle other than driving it next to another vehicle and comparing the speeds. This is obviously not accurate . I have voiced my complaint numerous time to the dealer and to the factory. The factory authorized the speed sensors to be changed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10148154, filed 2006-01, 1 miles“Vehicle continues to accelerate while breaking. This incident has happend five times since new car purchase on april 29, 2003. Car towed twice. In last incident upon approching traffic light, busy intersection, car unexpectedly accelerated as I tried to come to a stop. Rolled up off road and hit sign to avoid driver in front.”
NHTSA complaint #10023728, filed 2003-06“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
- 04V128000Mar 16, 2004On certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2001–2004, Outback 2001–2004, Impreza 2002–2004
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 4 | 3% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 3 | 6% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 8% |
| 2006 | 30 | 34% |
| 2005 | 15 | 8% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 12% |
| 2000 | 10 | 11% |
| 1999 | 12 | 13% |
| 1998 | 10 | 9% |
| 1997 | 9 | 6% |
| 1996 | 7 | 6% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
| 1993 | 4 | 5% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Legacy
16 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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 31, 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