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ProblemsByVinFile / 2011-SUBARU-LEGACYNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2011 · Subaru
Subaru Legacy problems
1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 166 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
Reliability score
6.6 / 10
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Legacy?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru legacy. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the horn activated independently without warning. The contact stated that the symptom was like NHTSA campaign number: 10v283000 (steering). The vehicle was driven to webster…
I started vehicle in driveway as usual. Put vehicle in reverse, slowly letting foot off brake, engine began to sputter and sounded like it was about to stall. Braked and put in park to let engine warm for a few more minutes. I proceeded to drive without incident.
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File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
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An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from april 28 through june 23, 2010
If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop alerting the driver of a problem. If the sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will eventually break and this condition will lead to vehicle power loss, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by drilling an oil lubrication hole and, if necessary, replace the internal parts with new ones free of charge. The safety recall began on july 28, 2010. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 outback and legacy vehicles manufactured from august 3, 2010, through july 1, 2011
The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2011. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Subaru Legacy reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Subaru Legacy has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2011 Subaru Legacy?
The 2011 Subaru Legacy is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Subaru Legacy?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 46 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 115,197 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 115,197 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Legacy has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Subaru Legacy?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 166 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Subaru/Legacy.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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