2009 Subaru Legacy Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Subaru Legacy, 11% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Two weeks before this incident, the vehicle's oil was changed. Then, on saturday, july 5, 2014, I was traveling on the I-465n onramp from I-70e in indianapolis and upon accelerating experienced engine power loss and a loud knocking sound when the engine rpms exceed 2,500. The vehicle was taken to dreyer & reinbold in greenwood where I learned the vehicle only had 0.7 quarts of oil in it and now needs the short block, gasket set, and oil pump replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10609131, filed 2014-07, 124,132 miles“Car was kept up with timely, oil changes always taken care of. Warranty still on the car but dealership refusing to pay since car wasn't serviced there. At 90,000 miles on the four lane, out of nowhere, rod broke and I had catastrophic engine failure. The car was in motion and shut off, had to pull over on side of four lane going 55 MPH when car shut off, and car refused to start again. At no time was I given any forewarning about the engine having failure. Since the dealership is no help, I still owe 9,000 on the car so I am going to have to pay for a new engine at about 4,000 dollars.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10850382, filed 2016-03, 90,000 miles“Was driving on my road to go home and the dash board warning lights came on and heard a loud knocking sound. Pulled over immediately. Found out the engine blew a rod, cause is unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10476941, filed 2012-09, 115,000 miles“Car has been owned for 2.5 years and has been driving well. There have not been any cel or other warning light problem indications. Car has had routine maintenance, recalls and last synthetic oil change was done at van bortel Subaru, victor, ny on 11/28/14 (67,433 miles). On 12/23/14 in the evening, following a 7 hour highway trip, car abruptly developed a loud engine knock with vibrations and was choking for gas. On 12/24/14, car was brought into my local mechanic who determined there was a major internal engine failure and the car was inoperable. Vanbortel Subaru service dept. …”
NHTSA complaint #10672263, filed 2015-01, 68,390 miles“The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed a lot of oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11339907, filed 2020-07, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- 11027083Dec 8, 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11017452Apr 22, 2025This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
- 11016224Mar 24, 2025The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
- 11008282Sep 27, 2024This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 11008281Sep 26, 2024This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
- 11008267Sep 17, 2024This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter.
- 11006934Aug 5, 2024The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
- 11005608Jul 11, 2024This thermo control valve video contains information on the replacement of thermo control valve.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 50% |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 6 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 9% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 23 | 14% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 18 | 27% |
| 2012 | 23 | 26% |
| 2011 | 22 | 13% |
| 2010 | 31 | 21% |
| 2009 | 7 | 11% |
| 2008 | 4 | 6% |
| 2007 | 7 | 21% |
| 2006 | 16 | 18% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 4 | 7% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Subaru Legacy
31 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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