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!
Subaru Legacy pulling problems
21 of the 3,183 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe pulls to one side, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 1998
- typical mileage
- 28,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20181
- 20172
- 20151
- 20141
- 20132
- 20121
- 20112
- 20103
- 20051
- 20041
- 19991
- 19984
- 19971
Often reported together
Ball joint 3Harsh shifting 2Knocking 2No deployment 2Won't start 1Water leak 1Transmission failure 1Slipping 1
What owners say
The front subframe and engine cradle broke while driving (corrosion). Car began swaying and brakes were affected. Car pulled hard to the right when applying minor pressure to brakes on highway immediately after hearing the part break. The car only has 110,000 miles on it and according to the repair shop and dealership this is an increasingly common problem for the car make and model for this specific part.
While driving heard a loud crunching noise coming from front driveside wheel area car was hard to control took it to mechanic and found out subframe is rotted and Control arm pulled right out of the subframe
Front subframe has rotted away in several spots. This makes the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. With possible wheel loss or control of steering. Problem has been confirmed by independent repair shop during state inspection. No warning lights are on or possible for this issue. Issue was first noticed from noise coming from front of vehicle like rocks bouncing around, followed by strong pulling to the right when braking.
When vehicle goes over 50 miles an hour, pulls to the left.
I had an accident with my 2017 subaru legacy and initially saw a deer to my left and tried to steer slightly right. Next thing I know the cops are there and took me to hospital. They said the car went over an embankment. It had massive damage and after two months in shop, still pulls to the right. I never received a recall on this car but it was sending me messages through starlink saying there was a power steering problem. I will try to attach that screen shot. Also the dealer that sold us the car has been no help at all. The car was driving and in motion. No air bags deployed either.
While driving our 2010 subaru legacy which we had purchased brand new and has currently 95,000 miles it started making a loud crunching noise coming from the front center wheel area and pulled hard to the left when breaking. We took it to our mechanic and a certified subaru repair shop and they both informed us that it's a totally lost and not worth repairing that the undercarriage is rotted, specifically an issue with the left traverse link area. This is extactly the same issue subaru has had in the past with older models. We called subaru and there are no recalls yet.
My mechanic told me there was a recall on older legacy's like 2010-2012 about the brake lines. He went on to check my brake lines (with my car on a lift) and saw they were completely rusted out and swollen. Also, for some reason when I'm driving, my car pulls to one side or the other, specifically on the highway. I cannot drive straight or let go of the steering wheel or else it'll pull me off the road. My mechanic has already looked everything over and said everything was good. So I'm not sure where the problem is but it's with the steering.
After purchasing my vehicle in november, my steering felt off in december. A couple weeks later my tire pressure light came on. I took my car in for service and there was a nail in my tire. Subaru repaired the tired. Upon leaving subaru, steering continued to feel off . Pulling to one side constantly. I took the car in to subaru again for a wheel alignment on january 23rd. They confirmed it was out of alignment and fixed it. The car drove great for 2 weeks and again it is off. Car is extremely hard to keep in the lane; if it is windy it is even worse. No matter if I am going under 30 or on the highway. The steering wheel does not align with the wheels again. I have driven the same route to work each day m-f for 5 years. There are no pot holes. It is a short commute however I am starting to feel unsafe driving. Do I take in the car again? I love the car but either the tire is bad or the alignment/steering is bad.
The car dangerously wanders all over the road sometimes even into another lane and requires constant steering correction. The dealer aligned the steering but no improvement. Many others have the same problem and subaru won't fix, says it's normal.
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
- Risk
- The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Recall number 16V292000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
- Risk
- If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQI-45.
Recall number 13V194000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from february 16, 2009 through april 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle's steering wheel may develop stress cracks and eventually break. If this were to happen certain electrical components may not operate as intended.
- Risk
- Possible circuits affected are the driver's frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control and radio functions increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will check lot number of the steering roll connector. The roll connector will be replaced with a new one if the lot number showed any affected range of the failure occurrence. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on july 7, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 10V283000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A casting flaw in the right front bearing housing could result in loss of steering if the casting flaw should exist in the tie-rod arm.
- Risk
- This casting flaw could cause grease leakage, front wheel bearing failure due to loss of grease, or loss of steering due to tie-rod end separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace all front bearing housings with a lot number of of15.
Recall number 00V391000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The left-side steering knuckle arm was incorrectly assembled.
- Risk
- This condition could result in a loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the torque on the left side tie-rod end castle nut and install a new cotter pin.
Recall number 00V091000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Legacy pulling
Which Subaru Legacy years have pulls to one side problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (4 complaints), 2010 (3 complaints) and 2011 (2 complaints).
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