Subaru Legacy common problems
Owners of 2015–2025 Subaru Legacy vehicles have filed 877 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported system is visibility (67% of categorised reports). Below is every reported problem area, ranked by real complaint volume, with recall and crash context — useful if you're researching this model before buying used.
- 877
- Owner complaints
- 27
- Recall campaigns
- 49
- Crash-related reports
- 23
- Injury reports
Most reported problem areas
By share of categorised NHTSA complaints across all 11 model years. Each links to what that system covers and its recall history.
How to read this before buying
Complaint volume is not the same as failure rate. A model that sold in large numbers, or one that has been on sale for many years, accumulates more complaints without necessarily being less reliable. Use these figures to learn which systems to inspect, not to rank one model against another.
The single most useful next step is to check the specific vehicle's recalls by VIN — a recall repair is free at any franchised dealer, but only if it has actually been done.
Recent safety events
Full timeline- Recall2020 legacy
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Recall2021 legacy
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Recall2022 legacy
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Recall2021 legacy
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall2022 legacy
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Recall2023 legacy
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Frequently asked
- What are the most common Subaru Legacy problems?
- Across 877 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2015–2025 Subaru Legacy vehicles, the most reported systems are visibility (67%), engine & cooling (24%), steering (6%).
- Which Subaru Legacy model year has the most complaints?
- In our index, the 2015 Subaru Legacy has the most owner complaints, with 159 filed.
- Are Subaru Legacy problems dangerous?
- Of the 877 complaints on record, 49 mention a crash, 9 mention a fire and 23 mention an injury. Complaint counts are not a failure rate — check the specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN.
Problems by model year
The 2015 accounts for the most complaints (159). Open any year for its full complaint and recall report.
Where this comes from
Every figure is aggregated from consumer complaints filed directly with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not forums, reviews or estimates. Component grouping uses our published taxonomy.