Subaru Legacy misfire problems

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 Sep 3, 2025 · Engine · 1,500 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a misfire with a rattling sound coming from behind the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, and a field tech engineer was sent to inspect the vehicle. The contact was informed that the scavenger pump turbo and catalytic converter were replaced; however, after retrieving the vehicle, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 1,500.

Filed Jan 8, 2020 · Engine · 98,000 miles · NY

Car initially began to stall every time the car would come to a rest on an incline, then began to stall while turning (most often while turning right at low speeds) and then additionally began stalling when shifting from drive to reverse to back into parking spaces. This progression occurred over the period of less than a month. I called dealership to have it serviced. Before I could get an appointment from the dealer, the engine began causing the car to make a bucking motion on the highway to the point I had to pull off and drive it under 10 miles an hour to a safe location off the road. Since the initial dealer couldn't get me in (due to servicing numerous airbag and wiper recalls) I went to a different dealer who diagnosed the problem as misfiring cylinders 1,2, and 3. The engine had have these cylinders re-machined, the engine was rebuilt, and the car given a tune-up. This made the bucking stop, but the stalling persisted- but was more intermittent. A month later I brought it back to the dealer who said the stalling was due to the computer not communicating with the engine properly- and they performed a "re-learn to system" and said the car tested as designed. It is still intermittently stalling on inclines and when shifting into reverse. Total repairs have amounted to over $4000 between the tow, initial engine/cylinder repair attempt, engine rebuild, and subsequent repairs. It seems to be unfixable- and I am not the only subaru owner complaining of it. I have heard from legacy and outback owners with similar stall issues (but none have reported the bucking issue that happened on 7/5/19.

Filed Jan 17, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · CO

Extended crank issue - I've had an extended crank issue with my car for the last 10 months. The car has been taken to the subaru dealership where it was purchased 3 time. The car spent 30 days in the shop due to this problem. The car is having a very hard time starting after it's been sitting for a few hours. And sometimes not starting at all, when it does eventually start it's cranking for an additional 10-30 seconds. One it does start the engine knocks and runs rough until it warm, then goes away. When the car was at the dealership, I was informed that the extended crank is a known issue for the year I have. I was told the computer system in the car needs to be replaced in order to fix the problem. I representative from subaru came out to the dealership to look at my car and 2 others same year make and model that were having the same problem. The representative deemed it "normal" he said " nothing I can do until a recall gets approved" and "subaru needs to fix bugs in the system". He also said that while the car has the extended crank issue it is putting more wear and tear on the engine and it would soon need to be replaced. I was then sent on my way because, they couldn't do anything for me. Needless to say the car is still having issues because of the extended crank, nothing has been resolved.

Filed Jul 17, 2013 · Transmission · 32,410 miles · PA

When parked on a steep down slope, I attempted to back up in order that I could leave an outdoor concert where I had parked off road.. The transmission would not engage in reverse even after several attempts from park, neutral or reverse and kept drifting forward. I tried to engage reverse with the foot brake and emergency brake on and it still would not engage. The transmission stayed in drive and would only go forward no matter what I did. The car moved 1 foot forward when it was in park, emergency brake was on and the car was turned off. When it did that, it left the distance between my car and the lexus in front of me only around 6 inches. I had no other option but to wait for the driver of the other car to arrive and drive away before I could leave. It was late at night and I was parked in a field in a county park, in another incident, I was stopped at a red light on an uphill. When the light turned green, I attempted to go forward but the car drifted backwards and nearly crashed into the car behind me. I had my foot on the brake when the light was red, but took it off the brake to accelerate the gas. The car rolled backward and nearly hit the car behind me. The transmission finally engaged after revving the engine strong and bucked forward. This car has the CVT transmission and other symptoms of the transmission problem are lurching, bucking from a rolling stop and rough idling. The local subaru dealer inspected my car and said the transmission was operating normally and that the hill assist button would solve the problem. We do not believe the dealer's story based upon the hundreds of posts of subaru transmission problems and are pursuing a replacement transmission. This is definitely a safety issue as drifting backwards or forwards without any control of the car will just result in a crash sooner or later. I no longer feel safe driving this car!

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 13,000 miles · CT

6 speed manual transmission. Vehicle stalls, and rough idles intermittently while at stop light or other traffic control. Vehicle also stalled while on highway twice disabling power steering, and power braking. Brought back to dealer and they were unable to replicate issue. Issue occurred again, brought back to dealer 2nd time same results. 3rd time issue was replicated while I was in vehicle with tech. Technician stated that they will address it. Left over weekend. Tuesday dealer notified me that the vehicle was experiencing a power draw after the window or electronic brake were used, and the factory advised that the computer would need to be "re-flashed" but currently, there is no re-flash program developed, and there is no time line as to when it would be. Contacted subaru america cust. Serv. District manager test drove and was unable to replicate. So as far as the dealer and subaru are concerned, there is no issue. Vehicle still stalls intermittently. Filed complaint with ct dvm lemon law, and now with the federal safety agency.

Filed Jul 31, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 15,000 miles · TN

Immediately following heavy rain storms, my 2005 subaru legacy wagon had problems starting and running. The engine 'stutters' or 'misfires' until the battery is disconnected and left for approximately 10 minutes, then reconnected. I have taken the car in to the subaru dealer on approximately four occasions for this problem, where ecu codes have been cleared, and I have been informed that the problem was solved. It invariably returns with the next rainstorm. I am concerned that this problem could emerge while driving in rainy conditions, leading to an immediate loss of power and control of the vehicle.

Filed Feb 16, 2004 · Fuel system · 135,000 miles · VA

Driveability concern: there is a valve guide movement on the cylinders that lead to very heavy carbon deposits on valves and intake/combustion chambers. The valve guide wear occurs because the heads are made of aluminum. Under load, the engine will not shift into high gear, misfires randomly, check engine light comes on and the car "bucks." this is very dangerous on the highway because the car is unable to accelerate and it "bucks." the gas mileage is very poor (17 mpg). My garage (works exclusively on japanese cars) they see similar problems on many subaru models and years.

Filed May 16, 2003 · Engine · 83 miles · VA

Subaru 1996 engine defect in which exhaust valve guides prematurely fail around 70-90000 miles, falling into the engine area and causing misfiring and other engine damage.

Filed Jun 3, 2002 · Fuel system · MN

Car purchased march 2000. In june took car in for service reported it was periodically running roughly. Checked it and stated "there was no problem". The car continued to do this off and on. Received recall notice in oct. 2000. Brought car into dealer 10/20/00 to perform service re: recall wxv-79 ECM. Brought car in for service 01/12/01. Reported car still running rough and also on occasion get a strong raw gas smell. Also reported transmission didn't seem to engage correctly (probably related to rough idle problem). Dealer checked and stated couldn't duplicate problelm. 4/03/01 brought car in for service, still wasn't running very well. 7/03/01 check engine light came on and it was obvious a fuel injector (#2) had gone bad, had 15058 miles on car. Car began to run rough on an intermittent basis again. 12/12/01 brought car into dealer and reported the car again would occasionally have a raw fuel smell. Dealer could not duplicate. 3/4/02 brought car in for service, reported car continued to run poorly and could still smell raw gas. Dealer stated "all is normal". 3/19 02 again brought car in and reported fuel smell, and that the engine obviously was missing. No engine light had come on. Checked and found #4 fuel injector had failed, replaced this. Car continued to run roughly. Continued to miss and hesitiate when excelerating. 4/14/02 car excelerated on its own, started car, with feet on clutch and brake, and the car excelerated to 6000 RPM, turned car off. Restared and the car sounded awful and engine light came on. Brought car in 4/15/02 and explained the problem. Dealer checked and replaced #1 fuel injector, hmmmm, what a suprise. Dealer stated they were unable to duplicate the acceleration problem. Car continues to run roughly on an intermitent basis. Scheduled to bring into dealer on 6/4/02. Supposedly a computer problem. I am very concerned re: the safetly and reliability of this car. There is obviously a major problem.