Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Subaru Legacy has 14 NHTSA engine complaints and 1 engine-related recall.
14
Complaints
1
Recalls
0
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
02V240000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE WATER PUMP PULLEY CENTER HOLE WAS IMPROPERLY MACHINED.
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 22, 2017 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR W... |
| Aug 1, 2017 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to... |
| Jan 7, 2014 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ... |
| Oct 1, 2010 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *TR |
| Dec 13, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | VEHICLE HAD COOLANT FLUSH IN DEC 2007 (39,924 MILES). COOLANT LEAKED AFTER THIS SERVICE. IN JAN 20... |
| Dec 4, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. WILL ... |
| Oct 1, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | BOTH HEAD GASKETS BLOWN ON A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY WITH ABOUT 54,000 MILES AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY ... |
| Jul 20, 2007 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | CAR HAS 78,000 MILES. DURING REG OIL CHANGE IT WAS DISCOVERED ;HAT MY HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING OIL. ... |
| Jan 10, 2007 | ENGINE | BLOWN HEADGASKETS. *TR |
| Aug 1, 2005 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | NOTICED THE SMELL OF COOLANT WHEN EXITING THE CAR AFTER DRIVING. I INVESTIGATED THIS AND FOUND A SMA... |
| Apr 1, 2005 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2003 SUBARU LEGACY IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. *MR COOLANT LEAKED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE DESIGN. ... |
| Feb 2, 2005 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | NOTICED PINGING NOISE FROM ENGINE. SUBARU REPLACED BLOCK. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, HAD PINGING NOISE AGA... |
| Oct 5, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | THE CAR HESITATED STARTING UP, BUT DROVE OK TO POST OFFICE ( 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE). WHEN LEAVING T... |
| Jul 26, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. SUDDENLY I HAD NOTHING, NO POWER TO DO ANYTHING. THEN THE TRANSMISSION F... |