This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Subaru Legacy powertrain problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2015 Subaru Legacy vehicles report a cluster of serious powertrain problems. The most severe: CVT transmission failures at low mileage (36,000–48,000 miles) with no warning signs. One owner's transmission began shuddering and grinding, entered limp mode, and required an $11,000 replacement—Subaru's own TSB 16-107-17R identifies valve body defects as the root cause. That owner fell just outside the warranty extension time window despite being well under the mileage limit, and Subaru Corporate would not communicate directly about the case.
Beyond catastrophic failure, owners report intermittent jerking and bucking that persists across multiple dealer visits with no lasting fix. Rough idling at stops, spontaneous stalling, and transmission howling occur alongside transmission oil temperature warnings that flash despite normal fluid temperatures. One owner reported unintended acceleration while parked, with the vehicle crashing into a tree.
Separately, both rear wheel bearings failed prematurely on one vehicle—at 36,000 and 44,000 miles—with dealer and manufacturer offering no explanation. A dealer-attributed CVT design flaw causes abrupt, unsafe throttle response: no power at initial input, then sudden violent acceleration. Subaru's warranty extension acknowledges CVT defects affecting 2010–2015 Legacy models, but the company refused to disclose failure-rate data to owners.
Same Subaru Legacy powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Sudden Failure / Chain Slip
Transmission fails suddenly at low mileage with no warning signs. Typically begins with shuddering, slipping, and metallic grinding noises, then enters limp mode. Vehicle becomes unsafe to operate; unable to climb inclines or maintain normal power delivery. Valve body failure cited as initiator per Subaru TSB 16-107-17R, leading to CVT chain slip.
When: 48,000 miles; 2015 model with dealer-only service history and no CVT fluid changes
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden onset shuddering and slipping; Metallic grinding noises; Limp mode engagement; Severe loss of power on inclines; No prior warning lights or symptoms
Codes mentioned: P0841, P0700, C1431
Repairs/costs cited: Remanufactured CVT replacement quoted at $11,000 by authorized dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru CVT Warranty Extension (TSB 16-107-17R) covers 2010-2015 Legacy models for known defects; 100,000-mile coverage but 10-year time limit. Vehicle fell outside 10-year window despite being under mileage threshold. Subaru Corporate contacted dealer with decision but did not communicate directly with owner. Multiple follow-up attempts from owner went unanswered.
Transmission Shuddering, Jerking, and Intermittent Stalling
Intermittent jerking and severe shaking (described as bucking) that persists across multiple dealer visits despite claimed repairs. Vehicle intermittently shuts down while driving, requiring towing. Dealer initially blamed spark plug, then suspected faulty cylinder. Problem recurs after each service visit. Vehicle properly maintained per schedule.
When: Since November 2017 (timing not specified for 2015 model year, but problem is recurring and ongoing)
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent jerking and excessive shaking; Bucking sensation while driving; Engine shutdown while in motion; Severe loss of power (car crawls); Problem persists after multiple dealer visits
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits with attempted spark plug replacement and cylinder diagnostics; no lasting resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reported to Subaru Corporate (Case #1-38872409282). Owner reports Subaru's response as unfair.
Transmission Oil Temperature and Brake Lights Flashing Without Check Engine Light
AT (transmission) oil temperature and brake warning lights flash intermittently with no corresponding check engine light. Causes loss of power and cruise control disengagement even though fluid and oil temperatures are not actually elevated. Problem is intermittent and clears after vehicle shutdown and restart. Multiple owners report this issue with no resolution from dealership.
Symptoms owners cite: AT oil temperature warning light flashing; Brake light flashing; Loss of power while driving; Cruise control disengagement; No check engine light present; No actual temperature elevation; Intermittent occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose due to intermittent nature
Abrupt Throttle Tip-In Response
Uneven throttle response from CVT transmission—initial throttle input produces no response, then sudden aggressive acceleration on further input. Dealer attributes to CVT transmission design. Unsafe in parking situations and low-speed maneuvering.
Symptoms owners cite: Initial throttle depression produces no power delivery; Subsequent input causes sudden aggressive acceleration; Unsafe in tight parking spaces; Unpredictable power delivery
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is normal CVT transmission design characteristic
Transmission Slipping
Transmission slips during operation. Reported alongside other transmission symptoms.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slip
Rough Idling After Coming to Stop / Near-Stall Condition
Transmission idles roughly after vehicle comes to a complete stop, with sensation that transmission will stall. RPMs return to normal briefly when brake is slightly released, then rough idling resumes.
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle at stop; Near-stall sensation; Temporary RPM recovery when brake released; Recurring rough idle
Transmission-Related Check Engine Light and RPM Fluctuation
Check engine light and cruise control icon flash together. RPM fluctuation occurs repeatedly whether parked, in neutral, or in drive with brake applied.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on; Cruise control icon flashing; Repeated RPM fluctuation in all conditions
Transmission Howl and Hesitation with Fast Acceleration
Transmission emits howling noise at low speeds, followed by hesitation and then sudden fast acceleration. Separate issue noted: key insertion into ignition is difficult and rough.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission howling at low speeds; Hesitation in acceleration; Sudden fast acceleration after hesitation; Difficult and rough key insertion
Transmission Stalling
Vehicle stalled on city street. Root cause identified as transmission-related.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete stalling while driving
Rear Wheel Bearing Premature Wear
Both rear wheel bearings failed at relatively low mileage. Right rear bearing replaced at approximately 36,000 miles after hearing unusual noise at highway speeds. Left rear bearing replaced at approximately 44,000 miles after similar symptoms. No clear explanation provided by dealership or manufacturer for premature failure of both bearings.
When: Right rear: 36,000 miles; Left rear: 44,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unusual noises from rear end at highway speeds; Both rear wheel bearings failed prematurely
Repairs/costs cited: Rear wheel bearings replaced at dealership (cost not stated)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America and dealership provided no reasonable explanation for premature bilateral wheel bearing failure
Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle accelerated on its own while parked at a school. Car went up an embankment and struck a tree, causing extensive damage. This represents a serious safety hazard.
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended acceleration while parked; Vehicle traveled without driver input
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Right rear wheel bearing had to be replaced at approximately 36,000 miles. Now the left rear wheel bearing has had to be replaced at approximately 44,000 miles. Both situations occurred when unusual noises were heard from the rear end of the car at highway speeds. The dealership making the repairs and Subaru of america have not provided any reasonable explanation for why both wheel bearings…
battery drainage problem, transmission jerking
Transmission slips, gas cap does not close/open properly and "sticks." constant buzzing sound from windows even after they were replaced and the moonroof will not close properly when pressing the button for the first time. The moonroof will close and then open again.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 118,143 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.