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2003 Subaru Legacy

The Verdict

84 Smooth Ride

The 2003 Subaru Legacy has 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (21 complaints) and electrical (17 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 84/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Subaru Legacy, consider the 2025 model year which has 90% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 90% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Subaru Legacy dashboard →

84

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 5

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

03V232000 SUSPENSION:FRONT

ON SOME PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MI...

Risk

IF THE TRANSVERSE LINK WERE TO BREAK DUE TO RUSTING, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL APPLY ANTI-RUST MATERIAL TO THE LEFT FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Reported Apr 11, 2026

02V240000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE WATER PUMP PULLEY CENTER HOLE WAS IMPROPERLY MACHINED.

Risk

IN SOME INSTANCES, THE INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN THE INNER WALL OF THE PULLEY CENTER HOLE AND THE WATER PUMP DRIVE SHAFT WAS NOT AS TIGHT AS SPECIFIED IN THE DRAWING SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESUL...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FR...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

16V361000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Ida...

Risk

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-48...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

14V763000 AIR BAGS

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious...

Remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's...

Reported Jan 12, 2014

02V235000 WHEELS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE AN OFF-CENTER DIAMETER.

Risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE EVENTUAL LOOSENING OF THE WHEEL HUB-NUTS DURING VEHICLE USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL 4 ALUMINUM WHEELS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE...

Reported May 9, 2002

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200050792213
20013674312
20021853285
200315417215
20047325122
20054229435711
200622919316
2007731391
200813113065
20091393292
2010308393835
20114011463139
2012215142327
2013152172111
20141912355
2015689353611
2016676511110
20176843574
201861536140
201975234101
20209321556
2021162832
2022280310
202370300
202471700
202501140

By Category

Engine
21
Electrical
17
Body
15
Transmission
5
Brakes
4

By Severity

1
17
2
41
4
4

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

Dealer has reported rear subframe if broken. I googled this and found recall 03v153000 which seems applicable but subaru says it does not apply to my car. Problem description seems identical.

34mo ago
Body 1

The contact's daughter owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made squeaking sounds. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear lateral link had detached from the rear subframe, and that the rear strut was leaning against the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rear subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V153000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

39mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to stall and then seized. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a police officer assisted to push the vehicle out of the roadway. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he and his daughter continued to experience the failure while driving the vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to Fairway Subaru (2209 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, (864) 242-5060) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

60mo ago
Brakes 2

FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS THE FRONT BRAKES STALLED 4 TIMES ON THE HIGH WAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER, WAIT 20 MINUTES AND THE BRAKES ARE WORKING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC'S COMPUTER DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

64mo ago
Engine 2

THE ELECTRICAL IN MY CAR SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS FOR NOTIFICATION OF BRAKE OR ANS GO OFF AND ON. MY HEADLIGHTS WILL OCCASIONALLY BLINK TOO.

66mo ago
Brakes 1

BRAKE LINE AT REAR WHEEL CONNECTOR RUSTED THROUGH AND LITERALLY BROKE A HOLE THROUGH THE VERY RUSTED METAL WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH, BUT LUCKILY THIS WAS ON EMPTY ROAD AND IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST EFFECTIVENESS AND THE USABILITY IS NOW DANGEROUS, SO IT IS PARKED AT HOME, WHILE MY REGISTRATION, TAX AND INSPECTION LIVES ARE ONLY HALF USED.

70mo ago
Electrical 2

DEADLY DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG! AIR BAG RECALL. REPORTED ON LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL.

79mo ago
Electrical 1

I HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE TO GET IT SERVICED. WHEN CALLING MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME I'D BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST AND THAT THEY ARE BOOKED OUT THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. IN THE NOTICE IT STATES THAT THIS COULD KILL ME OR MY PASSENGERS. WAITING TILL THE END OF THE YEAR DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GUSTMAN SUBARU OF APPLETON WISCONSIN.

84mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUDIBURG SUBARU (210 E INTERSTATE 240 SERVICE RD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73149, (844) 629-1630) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT TAKATA AIR BAGS; THEREFORE, THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN THE VEHICLE AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIM. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO POSSIBLY REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE TOWING COST. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HE WAS GETTING THE RUN AROUND AND WAS OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

85mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN SUBARU (14 HARTFORD TURNPIKE, VERNON, CT 06066, 860-406-7281) WHERE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS INSPECTED, BUT WAS NOT REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATION WAS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,800.

96mo ago
Electrical 2

ARE THE DEALERS REQUIRED TO TURN IN THE OLD AIR BAGS THAT THEY REPLACE ON RECALL? AFTER THE DEALER "CHECKED" MY AIRBAG SERIAL NUMBER, WHICH TOOK ALL DAY, EVEN THOUGH ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS OPEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND LOOK, THE DEALER HAD ME SIGN TWO IDENTICAL PIECES OF PAPER WITH LARGE DOLLAR AMOUNTS ON THEM. THE PIECE OF PAPER I RECEIVED HAD ALL ZEROS FOR THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS, SINCE THE DEALER LIED TO ME ABOUT HAVING TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD TO CHECK THE AIRBAG, I AM SUSPICIOUS. COULD THE DEALER USE THE PAPERS I SIGNED TO CLAIM TO HAVE REPLACED THE AIRBAG, BUT NOT DONE SO??? THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM GETTING CAUGHT WOULD BE VERY LOW. I KNOW THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT REMOVED BECAUSE OF COBWEBS THAT WERE NOT DISTURBED BETWEEN THE DASH AND THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER THEY CHECKED THE SERIAL NUMBER.

103mo ago
Electrical 2

TAKATA RECALL. I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY STATIONED OVERSEAS. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH SUBARU AMERICA FOR OVER A YEAR AT THIS POINT TRYING TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACED, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DELIVER ON THIS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE CAR AROUND SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED IN SEPT 2016. I HAVE CALLED AND EMAILED BACK AND FORTH MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO ANYTHING OR FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR PROMISES AS WELL AS TREATED ME DISRESPECTFULLY ON THE PHONE.

106mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LEAK OF FLUID LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ODOR WAS MORE STRINGENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE DIAL FOR THE AIR/HEAT WAS FRACTURED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,192.

106mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SUBARU OF SONORA IN SONORA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AND WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN 90 DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

108mo ago
Electrical 2

THIS SYSTEM SAYS MY CAR IS 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THIS IS NOT CORRECT. MY CAR IS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK AND HAS BEEN RECALLED AT LEAST ONCE. THE VIN AS ENTERED IS CORRECT.

108mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

113mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

114mo ago
Electrical 1

TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER RESPONDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE AND STILL NO NEW AIRBAG, DEALERSHIP CAN'T TELL ME WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

116mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

117mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

117mo ago

62 total

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