2011 Subaru Legacy: check engine light

Filed Oct 19, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · NY

The week after purchase: The car shuts off when braking and needs to be put into park to be started again. Also the check engine light came on and I wonder if it has electrical issues.

Filed Apr 25, 2021 · Transmission · 138,000 miles · NJ

First the vehicle started with a screeching noise and the RPM's would spike. Apparently if the CVT transmission slipping. I took the vehicle in variations occasions to the dealer. Reached out subaru USA. Sent video of the occurrence and they indicated they could not classify the occurrence and found it inconclusive. I notice it would occur in temperatures lower then 45 degrees fahrenheit. Months later the vehicle started flashing various warning lights such as check engine, cruise control, vehicle dynamics control. Took the car to local dealer and was diagnosed as a oxygen sensor. But what started occurring after the repair was startling and dangerous. The vehicle now started stalling out when I pressed on the brakes to stop. On long drives this would not occur. It often happens when driving locally and stopping at intersections. What I learned to and implemented was as the stalling was starting to occur you would get a jittering from the vehicle I would shift the car to neutral and the car would not stall. This is neither the norm or safe, but safer then stalling in an intersection with vehicles coming at you. This issue still continues to occur. I have not bothered with the dealer nor subaru because my last issue with the transmission was never resolved, I'm able to counter the stalling but my wife who has to go out with my 1yr old son and 10 yr daughter is scared to use the vehicle because if it was to stall in an intersection as she is trying to cross in the vehicle a major accident can occur. Please help and investigate this issue that I am sure it is happening to other subaru owners. Thank you

Filed Oct 2, 2020 · Transmission · 169,000 miles · ID

Engine stalling when depressing brakes dash lights all coming on no cruise control no traction control at oil light check engine light. Dangerous in driving this car.subaru will not help fix

Filed Aug 24, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 24,350 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

I had a 2011 subaru legacy2.5;at 1130 am,I was pulling into a parking space at a local convenience store near us that we often go to,when suddenly on turning right into the space I heard the engine "rev"at a fast speed even though I had lifted my foot from the accelerator.(I used to drive a manual shift,and it reminded me of the sound an engine would make when trying to upshift too fast between gears)before I could react the car surged forward into the space,and I was barely able to slam the brake before it covered the 6 to 8 feet and hit a guard post,crumbling the front end to where the engine is bent and the car a total loss. The airbags did not deploy.(fortunate,as when I returned home I found the letter from subaru that my car was part of the takata recall)interestingly,the engine still started and the car was drive-able ,despite the radiator being cracked in half(we were able to park it after having it towed). I looked up the symptoms I experienced and feel that there may have been issues with the electronic throttle control mechanism or the app(which senses the position of the accelerator ,as I am sure you know)my check engine light never went on.the car had acted as if it had idling issues a couple of times but not with regularity, and it had never stalled or displayed any other warning of this. I had just driven the car about 7 miles before this happened. I will never buy another subaru;I have had other cars with troubles in the past but this is by far the most dangerous.I am just thanking the lord that the airbags didn't deploy and we weren't crushed(my 17 year old daughter was in the passenger seat).and,the car only had 24,350 miles on it! Practically new condition!sad,because I really liked this car.

Filed Nov 20, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · OH

Vehicle was stopped at a red light. Upon light acceleration, check engine light came on (and stayed on), parking brake light began to blink, cruise control indicator began to blink, and traction control light came on and stayed on. Driver did not detect any slippage. Authorized subaru dealer found no problem with oil control valve (ocv) despite computer code indicating potential problem with that part. Dealer, however, indicated oil flush, rather than simply an oil change, was necessary despite less than 5,000 miles since previous oil change. Dealer asserted that oil level was not low, however. Cause of what triggered the indicators to be set off remains unclear.

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 1,500 miles · CA

Dash trouble lights flashing constantly on and off check engine, brake failure, all wheel drive failure, cruise control failure, temperature light, oil warning light, engine not engaging when gas pedal depressed. Car wobbles side to side at speeds greater than 60 MPH, steering wheel excessive vibration. Currently in repair for over one week. Appears dealership can not correct. When originally reported to service advisor he stated to bring in the car in one week. Took car in immediately per owners manual and he then stated he could not release car back to me because it was unsafe to drive. This is a new vehicle with 1500 miles.

Filed Dec 13, 2010 · Electrical · 100 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2011 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH in snowy conditions, she noticed the check engine and ABS lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that she needed to replace battery, the starter, the cable and the ECM. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100. The VIN was unavailable.