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Electrical system

Subaru Legacy Electrical problems by year

422 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Legacy's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Electrical complaints by model year

YearElectrical complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20245000
20231000
20223000
20215000
202015000
201935000
201840001
201730000
201651000
201537220
201411101
20136002
20124002
201119002
201012212
20094002
20089002
20075002
200617221
200525101
20041000
20033000
20022000
20011000
20006010
19992000
19988001
199717001
199621001
199519000
19941000
19933000
19923000
19881000

Electrical recalls

Latest Legacy electrical complaints

2017 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

Since the battery replacement settlement I've had 3 batteries die from my car being off, the latest battery replacement was 3/2026. I can't tell what my milage is since the battery is so dead that none of the displays turn on when I hit the start button

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11762314
2018 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

The vehicle on board video entertainment display has stopped working properly. It does not allow any input to the touch screen. And the only way to regain some functionality is by pressing the steering wheel source button. However it works intermittently. And this causes Driver Distraction while driving.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11749001
2020 Subaru LegacySteeringElectrical system

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 Incident Steering · Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11745403
2018 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

The factory Harman Kardon Starlink touchscreen infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy has experienced severe touchscreen delamination. The display has developed widespread bubbling beneath the glass and now generates repeated "ghost touches" without any driver input. The system activates buttons, changes screens, opens menus, and performs functions on its own while the vehicle is being driven. These unintended inputs create a driver distraction and make it difficult to use navigation, audio, and vehicle...

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information functions safely. This appears to be a known and widespread issue affecting 2018 Subaru Legacy vehicles equipped with Harman Kardon Starlink head units. The problem is caused by touchscreen delamination and continues to worsen over time. Subaru of America was contacted regarding the defect but declined assistance. The vehicle currently has approximately 117,000 miles. The issue is not the result of damage, misuse, or modification of the vehicle. I am submitting this complaint because the touchscreen operates without driver input and creates a distraction while driving.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11745323
2018 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemLights

The computer screen has an issue where there is bubbling in the lamination causing the screen to go nuts and become a distracting hazard that you can not shut off. It's a known Subaru Legacy issue and should be a recall. A new screen is $2000 plus, which is not feasable for the average person to pay and it's become a safety hazard, ect.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11745102
2016 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemDriver assistance

The factory touchscreen infotainment system is experiencing severe screen delamination (internal adhesive failure). This defect causes uncontrollable 'ghost touching,' where the screen registers phantom inputs. The system cycles through radio stations, changes audio sources, and changes navigation without driver input, causing an extreme, sudden driver distraction. Furthermore, the system frequently freezes and crashes, which completely disables the backup camera display. This prevents a clear view behind the...

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vehicle and creates a severe safety hazard for pedestrians. The dealer confirmed the issue. Contacted Subaru of America and they are unwilling to assist at all with fixing the issue, leaving the customer to pay full price to replace the screen. Does not seem like a fair business practice.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Back over preventionNHTSA 11742852
2016 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11741718
2018 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

Ghost touch issues with infotainment system (as with many other Subaru models). Cannot use radio, Bluetooth or any screen functions.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11733981
2023 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

All electronic instrument panels failed to power on upon ignition. Vehicle was drive-able, but all key information provided by instrument panel was not available: such as actual speed, gear selection, engine RPMs, backup cameras. Additionally, infotainment system was not available either, so none of vehicle controls that reside on the displays were available. This condition persisted thru the length of drive.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11733553
2024 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemBrakesDriver assistance

All Safety features stopped working while driving multiple times and loading feature pops up on the display screen. Speakers will go mute randomly, no sound will emit including phone calls. Automatic stop feature has engaged on the interstate multiple times, locking breaks (This is extremely dangerous) and lane assist does not recognize the difference between a lane or tar strips road patches. Will Automatically move the car into the next lane, even when a vehicle is in the lane. I have reported the issues to the dealership I bought my vehicle from. Also have cam footage of electrical issues.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11733299
2019 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

Due to a dead battery issue in 2025, I bought a new battery. A year later, the car wouldn't start & I finally got it jumped. Ran fine for 3 weeks, then wouldn't start again. I brought car back to the Interstate battery shop, who tested the alternator, which was fine, but he said the battery was appearing low. After researching this problem, I discovered there's a known issue that the battery dies due to a parasitic draw. Subaru knows there is a problem but refuses to correct the issues. The dealer I bought the...

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car from neglected to tell me there was an existing issue and will be happy to charge me $500+ to diagnose. This is a major defect on Subaru's part, and all future buyers should be aware of it!

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11728063
2019 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Unintended acceleration, on 2 occasions. First occasion, car was in DRIVE waiting at a traffic stop and the engine radically increased it's RPM from idle to over 6000 RPM, remaining there. Braking control maintained the automobile's position. Shifting the car into neutral caused RPM to increase further. The car was shut off, restarted, and seemed to function normally. On the second occasion, which occurred later the same day, the car was off and then started, and while still in PARK with my foot on the brake...

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immediately jumped to over 6000, remaining there. Once again the car was shut off, restarted, and seemed to work normally. It was taken directly (and slowly) to the manufacturer's service center at my local Subaru dealership. They have not been able to re-create the problem as of this date.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11724063
2016 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

Battery continuously dies, likely due to a parasitic drain, and it is extremely hard-taking up to 15 to 20 minutes to open the car door using the the wierd key you slide out of the key fob. As a woman, it is very dangerous when my battery dies and I am in a dark parking lot and I can't even get inside the car and lock the door for safety. Been happening for years lastest time was today 02/17/2026. For some reason, the class action suit said I was not a class member for the same problem.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11718682
2017 Subaru LegacyElectrical system

The battery has died several times and had to be replaced over the years due to a likely slow drain issue that Subaru is well aware of and was part of a class action suit against them.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11713928
2018 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemDriver assistance

The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Legacy experiences "ghost touch," where the screen registers inputs without driver interaction and becomes unresponsive. While driving, the screen changes settings on its own and distracts the driver. As a result of the touchscreen malfunction, critical safety features including Blind Spot Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance became disabled. This directly impacted safe vehicle operation. The issue was diagnosed by an authorized Subaru dealership, which confirmed the...

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head unit is defective and requires replacement. Subaru previously issued a warranty extension for this known defect. Subaru of America denied goodwill assistance despite the safety-related nature of the defect.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Lane departureNHTSA 11712979

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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