My 2008 Subaru legacy 2.5 I, has a problem with the drive-by-wire. When I start the car after driving it just fine, the car gas pedal will no accelerate. This happens in motion or stationary. The car just revs up to 2200 RPM's. This can also happen when your driving. The car check engine light and cruise control light flashes. The car will not accelerate.
2008 Subaru Legacy cruise control problems
severe 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
2crashes
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
This has been happening for several weeks. When driving with my foot on the accelerator and when I take my foot off and start to brake, there is a slight acceleration just as I start applying the brake. It happens quite often and I had gotten used to it but one day when I was a passenger and my wife was driving and noticed it. The next time I drove it, I noticed it. It seems to be doing it…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2008 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 35,060 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Subaru/Legacy.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.