Vehicle proceeded from a stop at intersection when it unexpectedly decelerated and holding the brakes down seem to do nothing, tried turning corner at next stop sign to maybe slow it down and hit utility pole and parked car in driveway. A resident that was outside on porch by stop sign said they heard it just loud exceleration. This was a short street block in a residential area. No warnings,…
2018 Subaru Legacy cruise control problems
severe 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
2crashes
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Subaru Legacy we track for cruise control problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Our recent purchase of a 2018 Subaru legacy has left us with a very unhappy realization. We have a Subaru outback and like the car but very unhappy with the cruise. We did not realize the cruise control advances 1 or 5 MPH rather than the conventional cruise of 1 MPH. We have found this feature to be not only on Subaru but many other makes of vehicles. From researching online and talking to…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2018/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.