Subaru Legacy harsh shifting problems

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Body, Suspension · MI

While turning the wheel to back out of a parking spot, we heard a loud clunking sound. From that point on, while braking there were loud clunking sounds and the car pulled to the right. We brought it to our mechanic and was informed the front sub frame/ engine cradle, was completey rusted out due to corrosion from the inside. There was a mounting bolt protruding through a hole in the subframe and the suspension components were loose and damaged. They provided a photo showing the large hole and mounting bolt protruding. We were told it was unsafe to drive. We have to replace the sub frame, control arms and sway bar links. The sub frame supports these components, the engine and other parts!

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · OH

While driving the vehicle, there was a loud "clunk" from the front-end. After that, during turns there is a lot of scraping, banging and popping noises. During braking, the car veers toward the right. The car is very unstable going around bends and on/off ramps. I took it to a mechanic and was told the front subframe on my vehicle has rusted out to the point he can put his fist through some of the holes. He contacted a dealer to get a price on a replacement and was told they have been waiting over 9 months for that particular part and there is currently no ETA for it. I contacted several other dealers and was told the part has been on backorder since January or February with no ETA. All the dealers I talked with said they are waiting on 10 or more. Based on that information, this seems to be a common problem with this model that may warrant some investigation and/or action to prompt Subaru to make the part available and possibly replace them via a recall. I really like this car and don't want to lose it over a $600 part not being available.

Filed May 25, 2022 · Suspension · SC

The vehicle was diagnosed at a Subaru Dealership as having a rusted sub-frame with mounting bolt holes loose and suspension components moving freely. The vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive. (On April 8, 2022, my car suddenly made a loud clunking noise and drove very rocky). The car had not given any previous warning signals of this problem.

Filed Jun 5, 2018 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · NJ

2010 subaru legacy ' gray car has rough down shifting as it comes to a stop. It vibrates or clunks like forgetting to push in the clutch if the car had a stick shift. Car stalls periodically. Other times the rpms drop and engine seems to recover without stalling. When shifting from reverse to forward of forward to reverse the car chatters and vibrates. This type of chatter has occurred in all situations, but seems to be happen more when he front wheels are turned and the brake is depressed. While backing out of parking space, then turning to go. Car has stalled a number of times. Happens when slowing down or changing gear. Frd to rev. All are random occurrences. The problem is getting worse and worse. There are more stalls and getting closer and closer together. This is the second time and for this issue. A repair was done under warranty maybe 18 months ago. I am brining it back to subaru today. This is the same symptoms last time (68k miles) I waited too long and car became not drivable. This is a known issue with CVT transmission in this car and must be recalled.

Filed Dec 15, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 200 miles · WA

May 8th 2015 we purchased our 2015 subaru legacy 2.5i premium. #1. Very prominent coolant smell from passenger side engine area. Loosing coolant. #2. 600 miles- transmission/ ecu /throttle delay , a 3-5 sec delay in the response when going from (r) into (d) and the same 3-5 sec delay is duplicated when going from a stop to accelerating the car. Concerning. #3 3000 miles, loud wind noise is heard from all windows. Windows were replaced by dealer, but noise still exists. #4 the gas door will not release and continues to get stuck. #5 8,500 miles- excessive water entering into engine bay. While driving the engine bay gets completely soaked with water. Standing water in the battery tray, a river of water running down the inner fender walls inside the engine bay and water is entering into the fuse box. When engine gets wet it has a burning electrical smell. Water has also been found on the drivers side floorboard an in the spare tire area of trunk. #6 2,200 miles starting/motor concerns. The car will crank over, but doesn't start. The second attempt the car starts up and dies immediately. 3rd attempt car fires off an associated with bad gas smell/ rough running. The most recent time this happened to us (12/12/15), 1st attempt the car wouldn't start, 2nd time trying to start the car is fired up then died. 3rd attempt car started up running rough w/ a bad gas odor. It's associated w/ backfiring / popping sound through the exhaust. Recently has developed a low end sound/knock in motor between 1800 and 2200 rpms. #7 11,500 miles brake pedal goes to floor. Pedal isn't holding pressure. Vehicle pulls to the right an associated with a clunking sound coming from the right front wheel.

Filed Jun 17, 2015 · Suspension · 5,443 miles · IL

While driving over rutted roads between 10-15 MPH the front of the vehicle makes a thumping/clunking noise. The noise is coming from the front suspension and after driving a loaner that was the same model and year I know this is not normal operation. Three service departments have said the noise is either non-existent or normal. Furthermore the car violently reacts to any road imperfections and bounces on smooth roads.

Filed Oct 15, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 26,000 miles · NY

I have been having problem with my 2011 subaru legacy for over eight months, my car would just stop in the middle of the street without any warning, I took the car to the service center, after several tries they decided to replace the transmission with a remanufacturing one my car still having trouble, whenever I start the vehicle and move from park to reverse, its a hard shift and the car shakes like its going to stall, also from reverse to drive, I have taking my car back and they told me that's normal, there is nothing normal about that, when I bought the car brand new that problem never existed, my car have 32, 800 miles now, everytime I take my car I loose a day from work, please help!

Filed Jun 23, 2008 · Engine · 47,600 miles · AZ · fire

Wife was driving the car on the freeway and the power steering went out. We thought that a belt had broken or something. She was on her way to the mechanic when it seemed as though the car would not accelerate and was making a loud clunking noise in the engine bay, all of the gauges stopped working. The ABS, sport shift and e-brake lights on the dash all turned on each time she stopped. The car died just past an intersection and was pushed into the open area of a parking lot. Since it was hot she, my daughter and my dog all got out and went into the shade of some nearby trees. Within 5 minutes a bystander pointed out that there was a fire underneath the car and the fire department was called. They arrived within the next 10 minutes and the car was completely engulfed in flames. The fire chief said that it was a complete loss and that they have no idea what might have caused it.

Filed May 22, 2008 · Suspension · 160,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 subaru outback. While backing out of the driveway at approximately 5 MPH, the contact heard a clunking and rubbing noise. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger side coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The current and failure mileages were 160,000. Updated 06/09/08 *bf the consumer was told his vehicle identifaction number was not included in the recall # 01v216000. Updated

Filed Mar 18, 2003 · Suspension · PA

Consumer heard "clunking" noise coming from rear of the vehicle while driving. Dealer discovered that the shock leaked which caused the vehicle to bottom out.