Subaru Legacy loss of power problems

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Transmission · CO

On September 19, 2026, at approximately 93,500 miles, my vehicle suddenly lost drive power while I was driving in active traffic at about 22 to 23 mph (based on scan tool freeze frame data). Another vehicle was close behind me, and the sudden loss of propulsion created a real risk of a rear-end collision. I was able to get off the road and drive home at reduced power. The next day the vehicle would not engage Drive or Reverse and was inoperable. Component: The CVT (automatic transmission) failed. The vehicle is currently at a Subaru dealer and is available for inspection at this time. Warning signs: There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms before the failure. Multiple warning lamps came on at the moment power was lost and were photographed at 93,504 miles. Confirmation: A scan at 93,512 miles showed permanent codes P0700 and P0730. A Subaru dealer confirmed an internal transmission fault and recommended full CVT replacement. Inspection: The dealer inspected and diagnosed the vehicle. Subaru of America was notified through Customer Advocacy and declined assistance in writing on October 2, 2026, citing the vehicle being outside powertrain warranty and having no service history with a Subaru retailer. Subaru did not physically inspect the transmission. No police report was made because there was no crash. Maintenance: The CVT fluid was serviced on April 9, 2026 at 79,148 miles at an independent shop. The fluid was inspected and found in good condition, as documented in a photo, and was replaced anyway as preventive maintenance. Subaru's schedule lists CVT fluid as inspect-only under normal driving conditions. Subaru technical service bulletins that may relate to this transmission include 16-158-26, 16-132-20R, 16-154-25R and 18-241-26. Cause: UNKNOWN. My best assessment is an internal CVT failure that occurred without warning while driving.

Filed Jun 20, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · KY

While driving there is a loss of power, the battery fails, electronic components shut down and car stops. Has happened intermittently. Replaced battery. This is a significant safety issue happened on freeway near exit ramp, in parking lot in driveway, everything cuts out. Opened hood and seems to be battery terminal connector. Recall was issued for certain Subaru models but not legacy. No warning, just cuts off. Is not a standard battery terminal connector. Had to secure battery down with cable ties.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine · CT

Vehicle: 2021 Subaru Legacy Base 2.5i Mileage:~65,000 miles My engine suddenly began making loud internal knocking/tapping noises with no warning lights, no overheating, and no prior symptoms. The vehicle immediately became unsafe to operate. I had it towed to a Subaru dealership, where technicians confirmed the noise was coming from inside the engine and recommended a full engine replacement. The failure happened without any warning indicators, misfires, overheating, or oil pressure warnings. All diagnostics (including compression and leakdown) were clean, and the vehicle has been properly maintained. Subaru of America acknowledged the internal failure but only offered $1,000 goodwill toward a multi‑thousand‑dollar engine replacement. This appears to be a premature internal engine failure on the FB25 engine, which may indicate a defect. A sudden internal engine failure at highway speeds could lead to loss of power, stalling, or inability to accelerate, creating a safety hazard for the driver and surrounding traffic. I am filing this complaint because this type of unexpected internal engine failure at relatively low mileage may represent a pattern and should be tracked for potential investigation.

Filed Nov 26, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

I am reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Legacy that hesitates and nearly stalls when accelerating from a stop and is now undriveable due to stalling and shaking. I bought the car new from AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad in 2019. It has about 65,000 miles and I have driven it less than 2,000 miles since its last dealer visit in August 2025. Since around August 2025, the car has intermittently lost power under light acceleration from a stop or low speed, especially while pulling into or through intersections. Pressing the accelerator sometimes produces very little power, the engine feels like it may stall, and traffic behind me must brake or go around me, creating a risk of a rear‑end collision in intersections. In August 2025 I took the car to AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad and reported that the symptoms seemed like a fuel pump problem (my independent mechanic agreed). The dealer kept the car for about two weeks, experienced the hard‑starting/turn‑over issue, but did not test or replace the fuel pump. They performed other services, charged me $1,956.21, and returned the vehicle without fixing the safety issue, even though they later acknowledged the fuel pump is covered under an extended warranty. One day after picking the car up, the same hesitation and loss of power recurred in an intersection. On November 26, 2025, the car again became disabled: it cranks, briefly starts roughly, shakes, and then stalls, and will not stay running. I believe this is a defective low‑pressure fuel pump or related fuel system component, similar to known Subaru fuel pump defects that can cause stalling and loss of power. No crash or injuries yet, but there have been near‑misses due to unexpected loss of power in traffic.

Filed Jul 8, 2023 · Electrical · WA

I've own a 2016 Subaru Legacy Limited 3.6, for coming on 2 years. In the last 3 months I've had to replace my battery twice. The last being a red top battery costing $300+ and only lasted 2 days. The first incident that was most disruptive was, driving home in rush hour traffic when I lost all power, radio cut out, all lights on dash go out, my car begins to sputter and there is no power steering. Once traffic rolled to a stop it dies and wouldn't turn back over, couldn't pull my key from the ignition, roll the windows up, and once in park I couldn't change to neutral. It was very dangerous due to traffic, and I was stuck on a bridge that was a main arterial, with no emergency flashers. Had to have the city law enforcement call to get my car removed from the roadway. Had it towed to the dealership I purchased it from. The next day they told me my battery was dead and I needed a new one. Tested my alternator and that test good. Then again it died under the same symptoms as it did the first time. Leaving me stranded on a busy highway, at 10 at night. All of my symptoms were directly related to my a/c being on and sitting too long without driving, at idle or stop and go traffic and progrssively got to being a main battery drain. My key ittermediately wont pull from the ignition, steering wheel wont lock in place. My windows will randomly not roll up, but bounce down and stop halfway and lock temporarily in that position. I believe its all electrical problems or voltage issues. None the less... if there is no way to repair this, than it should be a recall..... because it's a serious problem with no solution and Subaru is fully aware of it.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Engine · MA

AT 26,469 miles the harmonic balancer separated into two pieces while driving causing sudden loss of power steering. I contacted Subaru for assistance with this know problem. They refused a free repair. I have been a Master ASE mechanic for over 25 years at a dealership and know repairs of this type are usually done in house under a goodwill policy, otherwise swept under the rug so there is no recall. I went to the local dealer here and the tech there said he use to do the repair almost everyday. the same thing happened to my housemates at some time and he doesn't remember the details. This is a serious problem and there should be a recall as it could result in death given the circumstances the driver is driving in.

Filed May 31, 2023 · Electrical · MS

Replaced battery but still all dash lights come on I lose power and it dies. I can jump start it and it stay but all lights stay on. New starter, new alternator, I just don't know what it is. Only code that comes up is P0420

Filed Oct 9, 2022 · Transmission · MI

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) chain may slip and/or break. the federal safety agency recall 21V955000 Subaru recall WRK21 A software issue in the transmission control unit (TCU) may allow the continuously variable transmission to engage before the drive chain is properly secured, the automaker says. This could result in the chain slipping and breaking, leading to a loss of power and a risk of a crash. Component has not been inspected by the manufacturer. the federal safety agency reported this recall Dec. 9th, 2021. Received Subaru recall notice in mail Feb. 2022, stating the remedy is expected to be available in April 2022. I have contacted the Subaru dealer 3 times since April 2022 and each time they say "waiting for parts, we will notify you". It is now Oct. 9th, 2022 with no response or resolve. Driving 10 months since the federal safety agency reported this issue should be considered a huge safety violation by the manufacturer.

Filed Apr 5, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · MD

Drove on a straight stretch of interstate at 75 MPH in a sunny afternoon on a 400 mile trip with fuel tank between 1/8 and 1/4 full. The engine suddenly lost power. Pressed the gas to rev up the engine but still no power moving forward. Had to pull over to the shoulder and stopped the car. That was a pretty dangerous situation since it happened without any warnings. Tried to restart the car but failed. The starter turns but engine will not start. Attempted several times over the period of 30 - 40 minutes to no avail. Had to call a tow truck to a shop near by. Once unloaded (about 2 hours later) from the truck, the technician hooked on instruments to check. The electricals (alternator, battery) were fine. Then restarting the engine worked. Shortly after, the low fuel warning light came on. Not confident of continuing the trip, stayed in the town overnight. Checked the internet forums the next day and read similar experiences by some subaru owners and realized that it could be related to low-fuel. Went to fill up the gas tank and was able to continue to drive close to 100 miles to destination without problem. Noted when filling up, the tank had at least 2.5 gal of fuel left when the incident happened. Car has 65k on the meter. It was bought new and maintained on-schedule. No accidents or mods.

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · Acceleration · 6,000 miles · CA

Traveling approximately 50 MPH all the warning lights displayed and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder. Unable to put it in park. Turned it off and on a couple of times before it would go into park. Drove it to the dealer but it wouldn't go more than 30 MPH. This has happened three times after having this vehicle for less than six months.