I own a 2018 Subaru Legacy and have experienced four separate failures of the driver's side interior door handle. Each time, the handle becomes loose, as though disconnected from the release mechanism, preventing me from opening the door from inside. The door can still be opened from outside. I have paid for three previous repairs at two different independent repair shops. Parts were replaced during these repairs, yet the same problem continues to occur. I have receipts documenting all three repairs and can provide copies upon request. This is a serious safety concern. When the engine is off and the power windows cannot be operated, I cannot lower the driver's side window to reach the exterior door handle. This leaves me unable to exit normally through the driver's door. In an emergency, accident, fire, or loss of electrical power, this could prevent me from escaping the vehicle quickly. I recently learned of Subaru Technical Service Bulletin 07-217-23, which includes the 2018 Legacy and addresses a potentially related problem with the interior door-handle cable connection. The exact cause of my repeated failures has not been determined. The problem has been addressed by independent repair shops but continues to return. No warning lights or dashboard messages appeared before the failures. After four failures and three repairs, I believe this warrants a safety investigation. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this is a recurring manufacturer defect that could place other Subaru owners at risk.
Subaru Legacy door locks problems
45 of the 3,184 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe doors won't lock, open or latch, most of them for the 1990 model year.
- owner complaints
- 45
- worst model year
- 1990
- typical mileage
- 90,105
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Subaru sudden acceleration – Garage Accident [XXX] [XXX] – before noon, wet, rainy day: [XXX] returning from grocery shopping - car suddenly accelerated from near stop as she was about to enter garage, the car hit the garage brick wall. When she put her foot on the brake, the car suddenly accelerated. I have security video showing this sudden acceleration (.mp4, the federal safety agency doesn't accept). After accident, car drives well - all lights work - hood opens and locks. Substantial car damage to bumper and adjoining parts - wood trim damaged, garage bricks cracked and pushed in, garage door would not close. [XXX] Wed – took Subaru in for unexpected sudden acceleration on braking – [XXX] – test drive with Gary – Problem unexpected with Subarus – electronic control – no manual linkage (some transmission linkage with shift lever). Sent me home – no charge. [XXX] – Subaru sudden acceleration on braking while car cold – today at Trexlertown after haircut. Happened previously within week. Called Subaru 855‑399‑3787; INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Door locks either don't unlock or lock. They must be done manually. This caused a problem with a child in the back seat. You cannot get the door unlocked from the outside using the remote. We have complained to subaru and they will not fix under warranty. The car was stationary, parking lot. This is a continual problem
Fuel door would not open at gas station. Tried many times. Drove home. Put car in garage. Had to hit door with hand and pry open while releasing latch in car.
My car door power door locks stopped working, rear wiper stopped working, rear brake lights and running lights stopped working, also radio stopped working. Upon investigation I found that the wiring harness on both sides of my rear lift gate had torn and shorted out. This is a dangerous shortcoming on this car, the wires are so short and placed under constant tension that they rip themselves apart.
This 2005 subaru legacy is a station wagon with power door locks, the back lift gate wiring harness on the passenger side has torn the electrical wires within the flexible boot mounted on the top of the car between the body and the rear hatch. As a result it is no longer possible to lock and secure the rear hatch back door of the station wagon. The wires within the wiring harness are just to short and have ripped themselves apart in addition the rear high mount brake light is also no longer functioning.
Under warranty had three head gaskets on 2000 legacy 2.5l (38,000, 55,000, 75,600 miles respectively). At 97,000 mile spark plug blew out of #2 cyclinder. Subaru blamed me since I replaced the plugs at 65,000. I paid $1700 at lynnes subaru in arpil to replace left side head with new one. At 99,500 mile I am seeing the coolant starting to drop in reservoir. Only 400 miles left on 100k head warranty for right side and 10k mile on warranty for new head. The car is sitting until I get it into dealer. Besides headgaskets, catalytic converter, rear wiper motor, door locks and under dash wiring have all failed. This is a lemon. Can I prosecute under the nj lemon law? Is there any other forum to get subaru to repair or buy back vehcile?
The vehicle's door locks experienced the defect stated in recall 90 v 184 000 but it's VIN was outside of the remedy scope. The dealership refused to repair the door.
I have a 1990 subaru legacy. Each time I try to exit the car the doors lock automatically. It has automatic door locks that are accuated by pushing the drivers door lock. I have had the lock apart and the problem with all 4 of my door is that a single spring in the lock mechanism is responsible for having the inside door handle return to the closed position and to have the lock buyyon stay open. The handle is attached to the bottom half of the spring and that part of the sping keeps the door lock open. Well, the door lock portion of the spring is worn out and every time you use the door handle from the inside, the weak half of the lock spring closes the lock. I am a battalion chief for a local fire department and I can only imagine what kind of a problem one might have trying to get out of this car in a hurry. I have contacted subaru with no relief. The local dealership says it is a common problem in the 1990 - 1994 models. Our local parts houses have also said that it is a problem. I have other owners that say the same. It is $200.00 a door to repair. Please contact me on this. Thanks [xxx][xxx]or[xxx]. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
When opening the door using the inside handle, upon release of the door handle the locking mechanism is triggered which causes all of the doors to lock and the driver's door lock is jammed in the locked position. The driver's door is only supposed to lock upon closing when the outer door handle is engaged *and* the door has been locked. When the door lock is jammed it remains locked upon closing without engaging the outer door handle.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Torque of latch screws on front doors may loosen over time due to a gap between the latch base plate and inner door panel under the screw head.
- Risk
- The affected door may not be opened from inside,preventing exit from that door.
- Remedy
- Replace front door latch screws with "lock-tight" screws.
Recall number 90V184000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Legacy door locks
Which Subaru Legacy years have doors won't lock, open or latch problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1990 (26 complaints), 1991 (10 complaints) and 2005 (2 complaints).
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