| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2008 Subaru Legacy repairs by problem area
Engine (34%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (27%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (10%)
Other (4%)
Chart based on 184 repairs.
2008 Subaru Legacy engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (5%)
$1000 - $2499 (10%)
$500 - $999 (15%)
$100 - $499 (31%)
< $100 (39%)
Chart based on 59 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Subaru Legacy
Engine not specified
| 58280 mi | muffler noise, baffles in muffler vibrating, replaced one muffler, then 2nd of twin mufflers same problem. found catalytic converter disintegrating blowing chunks into mufflers. Manufacturer eventually replacd 2nd mufflr +catalytic convert |
2008 Subaru Legacy 4dr Wagon
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 65100 mi | Front catalytic convertor failed and was replaced. Evidence it had be welded several times to correct the issue. Mass air flow sensor needed cleaning. |
| 65720 mi C $900 |
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve failed and required replacement |
| 73780 mi C $590 |
Power steering belt needed tightening and power steering fluid changed. Lower radiator hose clamp was leaking and replaced at the same time. |
2008 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD
| 67200 mi US $180 |
The O2 sensor tripped the check engine light after a trip to Virginia. It is the second time we have had to replace an O2 sensor after a long trip. |
| 110300 mi US $350 |
We had to replace the MAC sensor. The problem was indicated by the "check engine" light, poor performance and poor gas mileage. |
| 135000 mi US $3400 |
Intermittent Check Engine Light warning. Misfire on cylinders 1 and 4, poor performance including running rough, poor gas mileage and backfiring, compression was leaking from Cylinder 4 into Cylinder 1. Replaced head gaskets and valves. |
| 165000 mi US $200 |
Repair exhaust leak. |
| 186000 mi US $1900 |
The turbo went out. The car was towed to the shop who replaced the turbo. Unfortunately, during the test drive metal shavings were thrown into the engine. The engine is not repairable. |
| 108000 mi US $1000 |
Catastrophic turbo failure. Turbo replaced. |
| 40000 mi US $250 |
air intake manifold gasket changed-in cold weather the check engine light would come on due to shrinkage of the gaskets and entrance of unmeasured air-replaced with aftermarket,more elastic in low temp gaskets with no further issues. |
| 106000 mi US $200 |
Car/fuel pump stop working due to loss of electrical power-faulty contact under a seat. Contact was only partially made from factory,never pushed until the end/click.Contact reestablished with resolution of problem. |
| 197000 mi US $4500 |
engine failed completely,replaced with used JDM engine |
| 68700 mi US $554 |
Intake Manifold Gaskets were faulty. Spark plugs were changed out for the 60K service |
| 66000 mi US $505 |
Replaced the worn-out clutch with the OEM STi clutch and flywheel due to them being more robust than the stock OEM LGT spec.B parts. |
2008 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 46300 mi | Timing Belt Idler Pulley seized and caused major engine damage. Cylinder head send to machine shop, new valves, water pump, timing belt, etc. Took over a month to get repaired due to Subaru not wanting to honor the warranty. |
| 86976 mi US $3100 |
transmission mount |
| 101341 mi US $1100 |
radiator hoses replacement, firming up a little. There was no sign of impending failure so it was strictly preventative. |
| 66000 mi US $200 |
Variable Valve Solenoid replaced |
| 91500 mi US $120 |
Leak from cam and crank seals. Replaced cam and crank seals. |
| 104000 mi US $687 |
radiator seam failed causing coolant to leak |
| 63860 mi C $80 |
Replace serpentine belt |
| 65720 mi C $302 |
Welded on a new exhaust hanger, $74. |
| 68200 mi C $735 |
Replace center of exhaust system Y at indy shop because dealer refused to do it. Replaced charcoal canister because car would not start after refueling. After repair went to gas station filled up. No change, utter failure of diagnosis and repair by dealer. Returned and some gas plus vacuum line replaced. Still no good. |
| 68300 mi C $1150 |
dealer kept car provided free loaner and fixed fuel system. Took two additional visits to previous report. |
2008 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 85000 mi | Random stumbling on acceleration. Replaced O2 sensors but problem persisted. |
| 58900 mi C $300 |
Rough idle on cold startup. Failed emissions test. Cleaned injectors and throttle body. |
| 65800 mi | Oil was leaking slowly making a mess on my driveway. Turns out it was a recall. Dealer replaced turbo tube free of charge. |
| 120900 mi C $400 |
Cylinder 3 misfire. Ignition coil pack was the cause... replaced both as well as all four spark plugs for good measure. Rough idle when 0 degrees celcius or colder right after blue engine temp light turned off. Intake manifold o-rings shrink when cold, allowing unmetered air into cylinder and runs lean. Replaced with larger OEM o-rings (part# #14035AA492). |
| 124000 mi C $600 |
Cylinder 2 misfire. Replaced ignition coil on remaining 3 cylinders. |
| 132060 mi C $220 |
Cylinder 2 misfire on warm restart. Replaced fuel injector. |
| 137020 mi | Oil supply pipe to the turbocharger corroded and leaked oil. Related to Subaru recall # WVF-16 (transport cda# 2008333). |
| 153140 mi | Emissions error P2443. Secondary air valve stuck in the closed position. |
| 20000 mi | During previous clutch repair, dealership broke two turbocharger heat shields and various attaching bolts. Mechanic at the dealer didn't feel like putting the parts back on. |
2008 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 37000 mi | small continuous oil leak; dealer believed drain plug was warped. wasn't sure if it was previous owner-caused or if it was the subaru recall. easy fix. |
| 17500 mi | Harsh/delayed shifts between 2nd and 3rd gears. Repair was covered under Subaru service bulletin (16-72-07) via South Coast Subaru Dealership in Costa Mesa, CA. |
| 10000 mi | Check engine light came on but no codes found at shop, everything seems fine. |
2008 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 150000 mi US $2000 |
The head gaskets have a an oil leak and they need to remove the hg to put in a new seal between the head gaskets and engine block. This will cost $2500 at Subaru dealer and about $1500 to 2000 at an independent shop. I have not done it yet. |
2008 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 42000 mi | Replaced 02 sensors, also had routine maintenance done while in the shop. Great service, even loaned us a new car, can't say much good about the selling dealer. All service was performed by another dealer of the same brand auto. Replaced cat sensor |
| 67000 mi | Bad head gaskets Had to replace a bad catalytic converter. |
| 35000 mi US $500 |
Basic 35000 mile maintenance; transmission jerking at stops, computer "retrain" of transmission |
| 79700 mi | After cv boot axle replacement car vibrates while stopped but in drive. Attempts made to clean sensors causing low idle when in drive but stopped. Attempts failed to fix problem. |
| 66300 mi | Computer reported P0240 (catalyst below efficiency) error code. After returning a 2nd time to verify the error, they replaced the front cat, air/fuel mixture sensor, and oxygen sensor. |
| 130000 mi US $140 |
Rusted section of exhaust pipe replaced. Car is from the east coast. |
| 147000 mi US $1196 |
Replaced radiator & related parts (water pump, hoses, etc). $1000+- (part of another repair) Resealed the engine. Head gasket leak was the primary problem. $2092 |
| 73300 mi US $160 |
The heat shield under the engine rusted and was making a bad rattle sound. Local Subaru mechanic replaced it and noise went away. |
| 23800 mi | Oil was leaking slowly from the oil pan seal. Balise Subaru resealed the oil pan with super three bond. I was under the car checking things out as I do on occasion, to identify potential problems. |
| 29000 mi | A few very small pin holes(porous)on the underside of the engine short block. Due to a factory defect in the engine casting. Minimal oil seepage, never added, between 3000 mile oil changes. Dealer replaced short block. |
| 1000 mi | Asked to check rough idle and slight miss at low rpm. Could not duplicate. Seems powertrain management was reprogrammed for '08 and changes driveability. |
| 26000 mi | Car has an intermittant miss or stumble on very low rpm, light acceleration and seems to shift into overdrive too soon (around 25-29mph) and it also has a bucking/bumping when rolling in traffic at very low speeds (under 5mph or less) & has rough upshifts |
| 31000 mi | Erratic shifts and annoying jerky downshifts usually on hard braking (automatic). Outcome: Transmission fluid and filter were changed and the powertrain control's learning was reset. But the Subaru rep also said this behavior was normal. |
| 78000 mi | Engine shuts off while driving |
| 91760 mi C $550 |
Leaking rocker cover gasket |
| 2000 mi | Check engine warning light and ABS light came on. |
| 3000 mi | CEL lit, replaced sensor. |
| 62500 mi US $130 |
Engine sensor light on. They say it was due to gas cap being loose. Hope it doesn't happen again. |
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