2008 Subaru Legacy Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 14%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Subaru Legacy, 14% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are 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.
“Red airbag indicator in instrument cluster begun coming on/off once or twice a week then became constant. Observed passenger airbag indicator had no lights on(no illumination at all) searched forums and found multiple similar cases with no resolve from the dealership. As a mechanic myself I began my own diagnosis, cause: removed overhead control panel and performed electrical testing on passenger airbag circuit. Found open circuits between component contacts. Correction: retinned contacts and added solder. Haven't had an airbag light since the repair.. …”
NHTSA complaint #11298303, filed 2020-01, 109,345 miles“All of my dash lights are on (stationary & in motion) cruise control lights blinks consistently (stationary & in motion), my car cruise control also feels like it goes on and off constantly (in motion), and my cruise controls on my steering do not work (stationary & in motion) . Also my radio is consistently going on/off, changing stations, volume controls go in/out (stationary & in motion). Also my review mirror displays the wrong direction on the compass, and the auto dim and compass feature it's self goes on/off consistently (stationary & in motion). …”
NHTSA complaint #11099062, filed 2018-05, 95,000 miles“I brought my car to the local repair shop when my airbag light on the dashboard was coming on intermittently. Unfortunately I had to take the car to the dealership for them to diagnose the problem. When I called bertera Subaru I made the first appointment they had available, which was two weeks from when I was calling. I dropped my car off on my scheduled appointment on july 10th at 10:30 am. Bertera informed me that my car should be ready for the end of the day. At 4:00 pm bertera called to tell me that they were unable to take a look at my car and would not get to it for the rest of the day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10734347, filed 2015-07, 74,500 miles“When the rear window defrost is turned on the radio no longer works. I believe this to be a safety concern in the event of trying to hear important broadcasts in poor weather. This is a well known issue, but has been poorly addressed by Subaru. This affects many models in this year range. Leaving the consumer to pay to replace a poorly made part to repeatedly occur even after replacement in some cases.”
NHTSA complaint #11170679, filed 2019-01, 109,000 miles“Airbag warning light on the dashboard comes on intermittently when starting the vehicle (fault code 26 - passenger air bag indicator failure) many other Subaru owners reporting this exact same issue, which is related to faulty soldering of components in the overhead map light console. As this is a critical safety issue (passenger airbag may not deploy in an accident), Subaru should issue a recall to repair or replace the faulty component(s).”
NHTSA complaint #10865325, filed 2016-05, 89,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2005–2014, Outback 2005–2014, WRX 2008–2014 +3 more
- 16V738000Oct 13, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2007–2009, Impreza 2008–2014, Forester 2009–2013 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026This 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…
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026This 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…
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026This 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…
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026This 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…
- 11030560Mar 26, 2026This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant…
- 11030567Mar 16, 2026This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the…
- 11030561Mar 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the use of aftermarket services or tools for programming immobilizer keys/fobs.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 29% |
| 2023 | 1 | 10% |
| 2022 | 3 | 9% |
| 2021 | 5 | 16% |
| 2020 | 15 | 12% |
| 2019 | 35 | 28% |
| 2018 | 40 | 34% |
| 2017 | 30 | 25% |
| 2016 | 51 | 35% |
| 2015 | 37 | 23% |
| 2014 | 11 | 21% |
| 2013 | 6 | 9% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 11% |
| 2010 | 12 | 8% |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% |
| 2008 | 9 | 14% |
| 2007 | 5 | 15% |
| 2006 | 17 | 20% |
| 2005 | 25 | 14% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 8% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 21 | 17% |
| 1995 | 20 | 11% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Legacy
25 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsTires
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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