2011 Subaru Legacy Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year describe two dominant themes: a CVT torque converter problem that makes the car shudder or shut off as it comes to a stop, and headlights that burn out repeatedly. Both tend to appear in the middle-to-higher mileage range, with the stalling reports coming mostly above about 70,000 miles and often worsening gradually rather than appearing suddenly. Airbag warning lights with the passenger seat occupied, subframe and suspension noise, and ignition or battery-drain electrical faults also recur.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   CVT shudder and engine shut-off when stopping

   • 51 complaints (31%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (41 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners describe the car shuddering, bucking or cutting out as it slows to a stop at lights, stop signs and off-ramps, sometimes with the engine revving or RPMs dropping unexpectedly first. Many say a dealer or independent shop traced it to the torque converter and quoted a replacement or a remanufactured CVT. Several owners report the repair fell outside an extended warranty period they had not been told about, and some dealers described the shudder as normal or could not reproduce it. Mostly reported between roughly 70,000 and 150,000 miles, often worsening gradually; a few owners noticed jerky operation at very low mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive the car through several full stops and a slow rolling stop, feeling for shudder or a dip in RPMs; ask for service records showing whether the torque converter or CVT was ever replaced. A service bulletin covers remanufactured CVT replacement parts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving my vehicle on a highway once reaching the acceleration speed of 65-75 the car sounds as if the gears are slipping and squeal once it kicks in. Stopped at dealership on our way back to our home state. They tested and recommended replacing the CVT. This apparently had an extended warranty in 2017. Will my car still be covered. We have 113k on the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11318813, filed 2020-03, 113,243 miles

   “Engine shudders and stalls while breaking due to torque converter/transmission issues with the CVT transmission. This is a serious safety issue! Subaru refuse to repair my car saying that I had just missed the extended warranty period that they told no one about.”

   NHTSA complaint #11130251, filed 2018-09, 132,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag light shows off with someone seated

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the passenger airbag indicator intermittently reading off even with an adult in the seat, sometimes resolving when the occupant shifts weight or the seat is re-zeroed. Dealers performed weight-sensor calibration or replacement in some cases, and one owner was told a wiring harness needed replacing. Several complaints reference the passenger inflator recall campaigns and parts availability. Spread across the mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to about 170,000.

   Recall 20V001000Recall 20V002000Recall 20V003000Recall 19V007000Recall 19V008000Recall 19V009000Recall 18V012000Recall 17V014000Recall 16V358000

   What to check: Sit in the passenger seat with the ignition on and confirm the indicator reads on; ask whether the passenger inflator recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have owned my Legacy since '14 and my brother owned it before that. He rarely had passengers ride with him and since I've owned it the few passengers I've had have always been heavier than me. (I usually did all the driving). About a year and a half ago, I took a road trip with a friend and he did most of the driving. We started noticing that when I was in the passenger seat the airbag light for the passenger side would say off. I tried adjusting my seat and changing positions and occasionally I could get it to turn back on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11372495, filed 2020-11, 85,000 miles

   “Passenger air bag sensor indicator light will intermittently show indicator as off with occupant in passenger seat (weight approx. 110 pounds). Passenger removes all weight from seat and reapplies weight in same position and/or reset procedure detailed in manual performed and sensor will usually come back on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10480628, filed 2012-10, 28,193 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights burning out repeatedly

   • 16 complaints (10%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2023

   Complaints describe low-beam headlights failing again and again, sometimes both within a short period, leaving drivers with only high beams and daytime running lights. Owners link it to excessive draw through the wiring and report dealers replacing bulbs, with labor costs varying widely; one owner notes Subaru extended a warranty on the bulbs. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 150,000 miles, and in one case within a few years of new.

   Recall 12V602000

   What to check: Check both low beams work and ask how recently bulbs were replaced; keep the extended bulb warranty letter in mind if the car is still within its terms.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was warned by other drivers that my tail lights were out several times. Clock and saved radio stations went out and now brought the car in for yearly inspection and major oil leak from gasket. 16,000 miles on this car. Never have I had so many problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #11399636, filed 2021-03, 16,000 miles

   “I have a 2011 Subaru Legacy le 3.6r, and the headlights keep burning out. I work an hour away from my home and had to drive most of the way without headlamps because the 2nd one blew on the way home. With only high beams and daytime runner lamps, it was very dangerous and scary. I've only had the car for 2 years and have had to replace the headlamps twice already. In researching the problem, it appears that the headlamps draw too much power from the wiring/electronic board that eventually overheats the headlamps causing them to burn out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10655144, filed 2014-11, 50,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Wobble or vague steering at highway speed

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • median 8,750 mi at 1.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2025

   Complaints describe the car feeling wobbly or swaying side to side above about 50-60 mph on good roads, with the driver unable to correct it through the wheel. Some owners also report strut noise and vibration over rough surfaces. Alignments were performed in at least one case without resolving it. Reported from very low mileage (a few hundred to 18,000 miles) as well as in used examples.

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed on a straight stretch and note any sway or vibration; ask whether struts, mounts and alignment have been checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving over even the slightest rough road, not potholes or large bumps, but surfaces that seem to be just rough or slightly rippled maybe, it varies from different surfaces, the struts shake and cause a loud vibrating noise as if they are loose. I have experienced this in other cars and the problem was a broken strut mount. When replaced it was fixed . I can't get the Subaru mechanics to experience this while they drive the car. I have been told the struts mounts have been checked and are tight. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10918954, filed 2016-10, 16,000 miles

   “Dash trouble lights flashing constantly on and off check engine, brake failure, all wheel drive failure, cruise control failure, temperature light, oil warning light, engine not engaging when gas pedal depressed. Car wobbles side to side at speeds greater than 60 MPH, steering wheel excessive vibration. Currently in repair for over one week. Appears dealership can not correct. When originally reported to service advisor he stated to bring in the car in one week. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10413445, filed 2011-07, 1,500 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Horn sounding on its own, steering wheel controls failing

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the horn honking by itself while turning or accelerating, and steering-wheel audio buttons working intermittently or not at all. Dealers identified the steering wheel electrical connector or roll connector as the cause and replaced it in at least one case; owners note similarity to an earlier steering-column recall for the previous model year. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 150,000 miles.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock and press the horn and audio buttons to confirm they behave; ask whether the steering wheel connector has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Radio controls on left side of steering wheel stop functioning intermittently. Has happened on 2 occasions in the 2 1/2 months I have owned the vehicle. The symptoms are similar to those reported with the steering column electrical roll connection recall (Subaru recall wvr-28), however, that recall was for 2010 my vehicles and I have a 2011 my vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10411966, filed 2011-07, 2,911 miles

   “Horn sounds unintentionally possibly similar/ related to campaign 10v283000 from previous model year. Horn sounds when I am turning the wheel and accelerating, especially when going from a stop, up a hill, or harder acceleration. Occasionally when going straight, especially over speed bumps. Horn also sounds when I hit the rim of the steering wheel with my fist.”

   NHTSA complaint #11366301, filed 2020-10, 115,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection include a slow-stop test drive to check for CVT shudder or stalling, and confirm the open airbag inflator recalls have been completed. Service records showing torque converter or CVT work and recent headlight bulb replacement are worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.