- The problem
- On certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines, the water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined.
- The risk
- In some instances, the interference fit between the inner wall of the pulley center hole and the water pump drive shaft was not as tight as specified in the drawing specification. This could result in the water pump pulley dislodging from the water pump shaft, which can cause severe engine damage/seizure during vehicle usage.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the water pump. Owner notification began september 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Engine & cooling
2003 Subaru Legacy Engine problems
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2003 Subaru Legacy's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 23% of all its complaints, most recently on August 10, 2021. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine recalls for the 2003 Subaru Legacy
Engine complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to stall and then seized. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a police officer assisted to push the vehicle out of the roadway. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he and his daughter continued to experience...
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the failure while driving the vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to Fairway Subaru (2209 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, (864) 242-5060) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru legacy. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor within the vehicle without warning. In addition, the contact observed a leak of fluid located under the front passenger side of the hood. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact mentioned that the odor was more stringent when the vehicle was idling. The dial for the air/heat was fractured and could not be turned off. The failure mileage was approximately 175,192.
BLOWN HEADGASKETS. *TR
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the contact smelled a strong gasoline odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *TR
Noticed the smell of coolant when exiting the car after driving. I investigated this and found a small coolant leak coming from the back of the left cylinder head. The car is a 2003 subaru legacy gt w/ the 2.5L engine. I have owned the car since new,and had the first few services performed @ the dealer purchased,and even had a trans recall repair performed there as well.The car had around 65000 mi. On it when the leak was first noticed by me not the dealership,even though it is a known issue as told by a service...
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rep when I questioned them on it. It took several visits to get info from them on this because they "didnt want to reveal too much info" to me,the consumer.Apparently if subarus coolant additive was added before 100,000 mi. And documented @ a certified service center,subaru would cover the bill for a new cylinder head gasket, if not then it would not be covered. My question is if the additive was so important for the head gasket to survive being run then why wasnt it added at the factory or dealer before sale,and whose job was it to tell the consumers that it needed to be added.The bill is around 1200$ and from my research and observations of vehicles w the same motor (i work in the auto body repair business) this happens to most fairly early in the engines life.I think that this needs to be addressed by subaru the manufacturer,and result in a total recall and repair of this problem.They have already lost me as a customer, and actually the last time I tried contact w them theyre response was "we will remove you from our contact list". *Tr
Vehicle had coolant flush in dec 2007 (39,924 miles). Coolant leaked after this service. In jan 2008 (40,912 miles) subaru dealer put additive in coolant to seal leak and indicated manufacturer extended drivetrain warranty for this model. In dec 08 coolant leaked. Head gasket replaced 6 weeks after warranty expired (46,457 miles). There was no extension to the drivetrain warranty despite being told such by service advisor (apparently that ended in 2002). Subaru did pay for all by $500 of work. Subaru also indicated they would not guarantee the drive train belt from failing and recommended replacement at my cost. *Tr
Took vehicle in for regular maintenance and it was discovered that my head gasket is leaking. Will need to repair for $1,200-1,500. *Tr
Both head gaskets blown on a 2003 subaru legacy with about 54,000 miles and regularly maintained by the dealer car just 6 weeks out of warranty. *Tr
Car has 78,000 miles. During reg oil change it was discovered ;hat my head gaskets are leaking oil. If not repaired will crack my heads. Cost is $2,2oo-$2,400. This seems very premature for such a serious, expensive repair to be needed. Of course warranty ran out @ 75,000 miles. Didn't extend warranty because in the past I have found that they never cover what breaks. *Tr
2003 Subaru legacy is leaking anti-freeze. *Mr coolant leaked due to a defective engine design. The aluminum block and head did not contract together causing the problem. *Sc *jb
Noticed pinging noise from engine. Subaru replaced block. About a year later, had pinging noise again, and car was stalling after cold night, first thing in the morning. Subaru said they didn't notice any problem, but I have a feeling I'll be getting another block in a year or so.*Ak
The car hesitated starting up, but drove ok to post office ( 5 miles from my house). When leaving the post office, the car stalls. It then started up, and then stalled again as it entered the highway. Had to physically get out of the car, unscrew the gas cap and start car in traffic. It died 500 feet later. I was able to steer the car to the edge of the road , where I unscrewed the gas cap and waited for 5 minutes. I got the car to start long enough to pull into the nearest store parking lot. It stalled...
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again. Car wouldn't start at all. Went into store and shopped. Came out and unscrewed gas cap. Car started , then stalled. Repeated this three times until the car finally ran. Was able to drive 7 miles and park the car at my office. It never started up again. *La
The car suddenly stalled. Suddenly I had nothing, no power to do anything. Then the transmission froze and I was in the middle of a freeway off ramp. I got out and motioned people around me. I took a deep breath. The car eventually unfroze and after several tries started up long enough for me to pull over. I took another deep breath, pulled towards the parking area but the car died before I pulled in. After a few minutes parked, it started up weakly and I was able to get it going. So I decided to take a...
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chance (thinking it was something odd and wouldn't happen again) and pulled back into traffic. It stalled just before I merged into 70 mile an hour traffic. I felt absolutely terrified. By the grace of god, I was able to coast to the shoulder. I waited a few minutes, got it to start again and backed up to a safer place, trembling so hard I could hardly drive. *La
Subaru Legacy engine complaints by year
Legacy engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data