2010 Subaru Legacy Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 21%of 150 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,552miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Subaru Legacy, 21% of the 150 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,552 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The problem is with the torque converter failing and the dealership wants me to pay $2,100 which I'm not doing and it's an ongoing problem with subarus with CVT transmissions which makes its stall when pressing on the brake when it happens to me every single day now ever since the dealership looked at it last.”
NHTSA complaint #10945573, filed 2017-01, 201,567 miles“I put my foot on the brake at an intersection (came to a hard stop) after deceleration and the engine hesitated, then stalled/stopped completely. I must put the car in park and restart the engine to remedy the stall. This has occurred 4 times in the last week. In two situations, the vehicle behind me had started to accelerate, but my vehicle was not in motion because I must put the car in '(p)ark' to restart the car. This is a safety hazard because the car stops so abruptly.”
NHTSA complaint #10966219, filed 2017-03, 100,800 miles“While crossing a busy street I was forced to brake hard and quickly because the car ahead of me suddenly stopped. My Subaru's engine then stalled. I was almost hit from both the rear end and from the side because I couldn't start my car fast enough. The dealership indicates that this is due to a bad torque converter on the CVT transmission. This is a known issue with the 2010 Legacy, but they will not and the NHTSA won't force them to do a recall. However, my car is 16,000 miles outside the extended warranty they established when they found out about the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11221402, filed 2019-06, 116,000 miles“I had entered a parking space, and was slowing to come to the end of said parking space. The car rapidly accelerated, and I could not stop it with the brake. I hit the concrete at the end of the space at full speed, which stopped the car. I noticed that the impact had slipped the gear into neutral. When I turned the car back on, it registered that it was in cruise control. I have never used cruise control on any this or any other vehicle. I have bruising from the seat belt, and neck pain from the impact. …”
NHTSA complaint #10627863, filed 2014-08, 40,000 miles“Per service bulletin # 16-90-13, the car will stall when coming to an abrupt stop. Part of the time, the vehicle will stall when coming to a normal stop as well. This happened once while city driving when a light went from red to green as we were approaching. We were down to under 5 MPH and went to accelerate again to continue with the flow of traffic. Before I could release the brake, the car stalled and almost caused us to get rear ended. So that along with the inconvenience and danger of dying at stops will push us into performing this costly repair asap. …”
NHTSA complaint #10957563, filed 2017-02, 188,250 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 2010 Subaru Legacy
50 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 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