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The name of this SUV says it all. The Subaru Legacy is the manufacturer’s flagship vehicle.
Introduced way back in 1989, the Japanese manufacturer has sold millions of cars. It is no longer sold in Japan or Australia, but the seventh-generation Legacy, launched in 2020, is holding its own in North America and other countries.
But this doesn’t mean there are problems or that all Legacy owners are 100% happy.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2019 2020 2022
Contents
- 1| NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Subaru Legacy
- 2| Most Common Problems with the 2021 Subaru Legacy
- 3| 2021 Subaru Legacy Windshield Cracking Problems
- 4| 2021 Subaru Legacy Electrical System Problems
- 5| 2021 Subaru Legacy Back Over Prevention & Forward Collision Problems
- 6| What to do if your 2021 Subaru Legacy is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights
- 7| Complaint Data
Don’t be stuck with a lemon. You have legal rights to cash, return or buyback.
The law makes Subaru pay legal fees.
We've fixed thousands of lemon problems. Message or call 877-795-3666 today.
NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Subaru Legacy
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Electrical System | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Structure:body | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | |
| Visibility:windshield |
Lemberg Law reported on problems and top complaints about the 2020 Subaru Legacy a while back. One of the biggest issues we highlighted was problems with windshield cracking. It’s disheartening to find that this is the biggest problem with the 2021 model.
What makes it worse is that this issue is the primary one that shows up in complaints to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2020, 60 of the 77 complaints to NHTSA reflect problems with windshield cracking. They show up under 3 categories, Unknown or Other, Visibility, and Visibility/Wiper.
In 2019, 46 of the 60 complaints to NHTSA relate to windshield cracking. In 2018, 28 of 62 complaints focus on windshield cracking. Several others complain about the glass sunroof shattering.
The other factor is that complaints to NHTSA emerge over time. For example, only 28 of the 77 complaints about the 2020 model were made in 2020. A total of 15 complaints about the 2019 model date from 2018 and 2019.
Most Common Problems with the 2021 Subaru Legacy
The most common problem reported to NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Legacy relates to windshield cracking. It is also a problem and top complaint about the 2021 Subaru Ascent as we reported in this article.
Electrical system issues are also highlighted along with forward-collision avoidance and back-over prevention.
2021 Subaru Legacy Windshield Cracking Problems
So far, there are 6 complaints about windshield cracking. There is little doubt that these will increase over time.
Complaints all tell a very similar story of spontaneous cracking in a variety of circumstances. One complaint states that this has happened twice.
“My safety and that of my family is at risk because this glass breaks easily and I feel unsafe driving it while working to get it fixed AGAIN. There are known windshield problems with recent Forester, Outback, and Legacy models and pending litigation, but not on 2021 model years yet.”
Another serious complaint is that windshield cracks interfere with the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance. The issue is that it may malfunction while driving and the integrity of the windshield may be compromised.
“I brought the car to the Subaru dealership and they said it was not covered under warranty even though the car only has 6,000 miles on it. The Subaru dealership said they took pictures of the windshield and submitted them to Subaru of America. Subaru of America will not replace the windshield. According to Subaru when the windshield is replaced the Eyesight Driver Assistance must be recalibrated adding an additional expense.”
And the cracking continues.
2021 Subaru Legacy Electrical System Problems
The 2 electrical system problems reported to NHTSA relate to a battery and an issue with the infotainment system of the car.
The infotainment system reportedly switches off randomly. When this happens it also turns off the car’s safety features. “Subaru has already replaced the head unit under warranty, but the problem continues.”
The car with a battery problem was a 2021 Subaru Legacy that only had 690 miles on the clock. But, according to the complaint, the reason was, “I don’t drive enough, and I should keep my key at least 30 feet away when the keys are in the house because that can silently drain the battery.”
The owner’s response: “I had not left any lights on or had done anything to drain the battery prior to this occurring. I drove to the gas station with no problem, upon restarting after getting gas, no power, the car was dead. I couldn’t even move the shifter knob into neutral.”
No solution is noted in the NHTSA file.
2021 Subaru Legacy Back Over Prevention & Forward Collision Problems
The back-over prevention issue involves the rearview camera freezing. No warning light illuminated. After resetting the camera via the Internet, the owner took the car to the dealer who found no issues. But the failure happened several more times.
Even after a software update, the failure recurs. When the dealer couldn’t duplicate the failure the manufacturer said they would “either ship a head unit to the dealer for the repair of the vehicle or they would buy back the vehicle.” But they changed their minds when the dealer wasn’t able to duplicate the problem.
This is why it’s a good idea to work through a good lemon lawyer like Lemberg Law. We negotiate on your behalf at no cost.
What to do if your 2021 Subaru Legacy is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights
We have no way of knowing how many Subaru vehicles have been found to be lemons, but if you think you’ve bought one of them call the Lemberg Law Helpline as soon as possible.
We specialize in lemon law cases and have helped many clients by negotiating with the manufacturer on their behalf. Possibilities include trade-ins, a buyback, or a cash settlement.
Complaint Data
| Category | Seat Belts |
| Date | Feb 17, 2023 |
| State | WI |
| Description | The buckle stopped working without cause. Car is only a couple years old and my child attempted to buckle themselves only to find out it didn't lock after trying to buckle in. I took car to subaru dealership and was told that they had no idea why it stopped working and it was not repairable. They attempted to fix it but couldn't figure it out. Thus I could not use this seat in my car due to the danger of not being able to have a passenger buckled. This is scary as there was no reason that the belt no longer buckled and concerns me that the other buckles may be defective, especially if we were to get into a car accident knowing that there's a chance that the buckle may not work. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Jul 15, 2022 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | Three times within a 1 year period, the windshield cracked without an object hitting it. First time in july, 2021, second time in september, 2021, and third time in june, 2022. After the first time, I had the windshield replaced at my own expense. The second time, subaru completed the replacement at no cost. The third time, subaru completed the replacement but refused to pay for it, claiming that an object likely hit the windshield. However, the crack occurred overnight while the car was in my driveway. I believe the windshield is obviously defective and I should be remunerated for at least the last replacement and any future such replacements. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jun 22, 2022 |
| State | CO |
| Description | Spontaneous windshield crack. Parked the car at night and there was nothing wrong with the windshield. Next day I go to drive and there is a seven inch crack starting mid way up the screen on the passenger side. There is no sign of an impact and the crack is very wide. I can get a finger nail inside the crack. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Jun 02, 2022 |
| State | MA |
| Description | The car's aeb system keeps mistaking steam from the street (such as sewer covers or construction sites) for a physical object and will activate. It has stopped my car in the middle of the street two days ago (5/31/22) and I was almost rear-ended by the car behind me. The warning system will also engage for no reason in most city driving conditions when there is no danger. It mistakes merging with cars with an imminent crash. I do not trust the system and now disable it whenever I drive as it is more likely to cause an accident than to prevent one. This has been a problem since I purchased the car. I contacted the dealer on 5/31/22 but have not heard back. |
| Category | Structure:body, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Mar 21, 2022 |
| State | CT |
| Description | The trunk does not stay open leading to sudden closing on body and head for anyone trying to use the trunk. Leading to a concussion and multiple injuries. Dealership said to place a complaint as there has not yet been a recall for this issue. There is no warning prior to this issue occurring. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Mar 09, 2022 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | I was driving down the road and I heard a sound, and then saw a 5 inch horizontal crack, starting at the left side of the windshield and then it turned 1 inch up.... It was just above the inspection sticker. I did not hear anything hit but heard a sound. Both surfaces, inside and outside of the glass are smooth. I cannot feel any crack but can see it. I had my defroster on and it was sporadically raining and sleeting. I will be getting it repaired. Through subaru's "goodwill program" vehicle was repaired. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Jan 27, 2022 |
| State | MO |
| Description | -purchased a subaru legacy in april 2021. Windshield cracked in may 2021, thought it was a fluke. Worked with insurance company to replace it with a subaru windshield at an authorized glass replacement business. Windshield cracked again in jan. 2022. Haven't owned this a year yet. -my safety and that of my family is at risk because this glass breaks easily and I feel unsafe driving it while working to get it fixed again. -there are known windshield problems with recent forester, outback, and legacy models and pending litigation, but not on 2021 model years yet. |
| Category | Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking |
| Date | Jan 11, 2022 |
| State | WA |
| Description | The contact owns a 2021 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing out of the garage, the rearview camera froze. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife was able to reset the rearview camera with the assistance of his daughter who looked up the information on the internet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who completed a 504-software update; however, the failure reoccurred twice while the contact was driving from the dealer to his residence. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would either ship a head unit to the dealer for the repair of the vehicle or they would buy back the vehicle. The manufacturer followed up with the contact and informed him that they would not assist as the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 20v766000 (back over prevention) however, the vehicle year was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Dec 10, 2021 |
| State | NH |
| Description | The component that failed is the windshield. The windshield has a 14 inch stress crack. The crack suddenly appeared, there was no impact. The crack interferes with the subaru eyesight driver assistance. The subaru eyesight driver assistance could malfunction while driving. The integrity of the windshield has been compromised. I brought the car to the subaru dealership and they said it was not covered under warranty even though the car only has 6,000 miles on it. The subaru dealership said they took pictures of the windshield and submitted them to subaru of america. Subaru of america will not replace the windshield. According to subaru when the windshield is replaced the eyesight driver assistance must be recalibrated adding an additional expense. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Nov 18, 2021 |
| State | CT |
| Description | Info screen froze and didn't come back of for 5 minutes while driving |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Oct 07, 2021 |
| State | MI |
| Description | Windshield spontaneously cracked while using defrost function on 9/9/2021. Crack started from bottom center of windshield, at the ceramic defrost line, below rubber seal. Crack approximately 6 inches long. Called subaru within minutes and directed to take to dealership to have photo taken and submitted to subaru for warranty work. Visited dealership and photos taken on 9/13/2021. Have been told by dealership multiple times still waiting on subaru to approve the warranty work. Since then the crack has continued to spread and now goes up approximately 2/3rd of the windshield bottom towards top. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Oct 01, 2021 |
| State | MI |
| Description | Battery died completely, left me stranded at a gas station. I had to call and get a jump. I've had the car 9 weeks, it only has 690 miles on it. No warning lights prior, did notice a slightly longer crank a couple days prior. I was told by the dealer that I don't drive enough, and I should keep my key at least 30 feet away when the keys are in the house, because that can silently drain the battery. I had not left any lights on or had done anything to drain the battery prior to this occurring. I drove to the gas station with no problem, upon restarting after getting gas, no power, car was dead. I couldn't even move the shifter knob into neutral. |
| Category | Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Sep 12, 2021 |
| State | NC |
| Description | There seems to be an issue with the infotainment system. The system will randomly turn off which also turns off the safety features. I would like to associate this while carplay is in use, but I have witnessed it happen without carplay. Subaru has already replaced the head unit under warranty, but the problem continues. For the cost of the car, this should not be an issue. |
| Category | Visibility:windshield |
| Date | Jun 10, 2021 |
| State | CO |
| Description | The contact owns 2021 subaru legacy. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed a crack on the passenger's side of the front windshield that expanded to the center of the windshield. The contact was unsure what caused the crack in the windshield. The contact reached out to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle would not be repaired unless the contact paid for the glass warranty. The vehicle was not inspected nor diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,100. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 07, 2021 |
| State | NY |
| Description | On january 7, 2020 at approximately 8am, I was driving my car which had been warmed up and driving for approximately 15-20 minutes when my windshield spontaneously cracked on the drivers side about 8 inches off center. There was no vehicle in front of me at the time and no visible or audible debris that could have struck the windshield. The crack was about 8 inches long and ran vertically up the windshield. Further inspection showed that the crack appears to have started below the windshield wiper where the glass meets the plastic, a location which would make it nearly impossible for any debris to make contact with the windshield. The crack has now spread to about 14 inches long and now running diagonally towards the passenger side. Weather was about 30 and sunny. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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