repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2009 Subaru LegacyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 65 owner complaints about the 2009 Subaru Legacy, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 13 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-311 the manufacturer reports only 45% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 31, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Subaru Legacy has problems
65 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
31Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
7Engine1 crash/fire/injury
6Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
5Structure
4Electrical system
3Visibility/wiper
3Service brakes, hydraulic
2Power train
2Exterior lighting
109 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 31 | 2 |
| Engine | 7 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 10 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
13 recalls
2009 Subaru Legacy recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Ignition: switch
Risk. The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash.
Show 9 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Electrical system
Risk. If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.
no report yet
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
54kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 20 air bags complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.
4under 30k miles19under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Legacy year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Legacy median. How we score
'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Subaru Legacy safety ratings
2009 Subaru Legacy 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Legacy owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FIRST WEEK HE BOUGHT IT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. STEVE MOYER SUBARU (201 S CENTRE AVE, LEESPORT, PA 19533), WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT…
TAKATA RECALL -- SUBARU WILL NOT TELL ME IF MY CAR HAS A TAKATA AIRBAG, BUT ONLY THAT I AM NOT CURRENTLY ON THE RECALL LIST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V026000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALDEMAN SUBARU,…
Own a 2009 Legacy?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.