"THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF REPROGRAMMING FILES TO OPTIMIZE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) OPERATION AND ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING CUSTOMER CONCERNS: ENGINE RPM FLARE (SHARP RPM INCREASE WHEN CVT DOWNSHIFTS) WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL ON UPHILL GRADES CANCELLATION OF CRUISE CONTROL AS A RESULT OF RPM FLARE (DRIVER MUST RESET DESIRED VEHICLE SPEED). THIS NEW LOGIC CHANGES THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM OPERATION TO AVOID UNEXPECTED CANCELLATION. "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Subaru Legacy cruise control problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
2crashes
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is recalling certain 2015 model year Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Subaru Impreza (4Door and 5Door) and Subaru XV Crosstrek vehicles and certain 2016MY Subaru WRX vehicles equipped with a Driver Assist System. The programming of the Driver Assist System will not detect a fault in one of the associated system components. In the event of Brake Lamp Switch (BLS) failure, the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) correctly detects the BLS failure, but the Driver Assist System will be delayed in detecting the BLS failure. Therefore, it will take longer for the multi information display to inform the driver of a malfunction. In addition, VDC will not receive the brake reques
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
As I pulled up behind a car that was stopped at a stop sign, I took my foot off the gas pedal, and put it on the brake pedal. The moment i put my foot on the brake pedal, my car surged forward. I had a moment to think, and I confirmed that my foot was on the brake pedal, I had felt the brakes trying to resist the surge. I put the car into neutral, and it jerked to a stop. No one was hurt, I…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 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 7 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 33,675 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/2015/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.