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1987-2025 · 39 model years

Subaru Legacy Problems by year

Owners have filed 3,229 complaints about the Subaru Legacy across 39 model years, and it has 83 recalls. The 1995 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (186), while 1987, 1988, 1989 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the electrical system.

Most complaints for its age1995186 complaints · 2 recallsSee the 1995
Complaints
3,229
Recalls
83
Crashes
290
Fires
50
Injuries
193
Deaths
4

Legacy complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20256000Engine & coolingA
202417011Driver assistanceB
202310220AirbagsA
202234241Visibility & wipersC
202132310AirbagsB
2020121611Visibility & wipersD
2019123321Visibility & wipersD
2018118371Electrical systemC
20171192101Visibility & wipersC
2016147390Electrical systemD
20151603153Visibility & wipersD
2014531042AirbagsC
2013661260Engine & coolingC
2012901670Transmission & drivetrainD
20111671672Transmission & drivetrainD
201015118101Transmission & drivetrainD
2009651331AirbagsC
200865931AirbagsC
200733914AirbagsB
200687761Acceleration & cruise controlC
20051849114Engine & coolingF
2004491150AirbagsC
2003621540AirbagsC
200258561Engine & coolingC
2001808122Fuel systemC
200094482Wheels & tiresC
1999973181Transmission & drivetrainD
19981165172Engine & coolingD
19971436183Engine & coolingD
19961294274AirbagsD
19951862353AirbagsF
199461054Seats & seat beltsC
1993791101Engine & coolingC
199261260Seats & seat beltsB
199179340Body, doors & structureC
199084452Body, doors & structureC
19891000BrakesA
19881000Electrical systemA
19871000Engine & coolingA

Most common Legacy problems

Subaru Legacy recalls 83

Latest Legacy complaints

2018 Subaru LegacyBody, doors & structure

I own a 2018 Subaru Legacy and have experienced four separate failures of the driver's side interior door handle. Each time, the handle becomes loose, as though disconnected from the release mechanism, preventing me from opening the door from inside. The door can still be opened from outside. I have paid for three previous repairs at two different independent repair shops. Parts were replaced during these repairs, yet the same problem continues to occur. I have receipts documenting all three repairs and can...

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provide copies upon request. This is a serious safety concern. When the engine is off and the power windows cannot be operated, I cannot lower the driver's side window to reach the exterior door handle. This leaves me unable to exit normally through the driver's door. In an emergency, accident, fire, or loss of electrical power, this could prevent me from escaping the vehicle quickly. I recently learned of Subaru Technical Service Bulletin 07-217-23, which includes the 2018 Legacy and addresses a potentially related problem with the interior door-handle cable connection. The exact cause of my repeated failures has not been determined. The problem has been addressed by independent repair shops but continues to return. No warning lights or dashboard messages appeared before the failures. After four failures and three repairs, I believe this warrants a safety investigation. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this is a recurring manufacturer defect that could place other Subaru owners at risk.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11776263
2021 Subaru LegacyBrakesCrash

Vehicle was being slowly accelerated in preparation to park. The car was moving slowly up a rocky driveway. Upon application of brake, vehicle accelerated and lunged into structure. Vehicle did come to a stop but not before collision. No airbags deployed either. Vehicle radio was on at the time. Damage to structure and to vehicle.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Service brakesNHTSA 11775604
2010 Subaru LegacyLights

This is my car, no problem. The problem are these other vehicles with these high beam looking lights. I believe it's LED lights, they are too bright! On a dark one lane road the road in front of me dissappears. I have to completely halt and wait for the vehicle with these lights to pass to see the road. Please regulate these lights to avoid any more accidents due to these lights.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11774359
2015 Subaru LegacyOther & unknown

My 201 5 Subaru Legacy has approximately 49.000 miles. It suffered a drivetrain failure and was towed to a Subaru dealership. The dealership found metal shavings chunks in the CVT/transmission fluid and diagnosed an internal CVT failure requiring replacement. The dealership also diagnosed a front differential failure. I'm reporting this because I'm concerned about the possibility of an unexpected drivetrain failure during operation and want the failure documented. I was going 70 miles an hour down the highway and BOOM! It felt like a bomb hit my car. I don't want anyone in that kind of danger.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11769072
2022 Subaru LegacyTransmission & drivetrain

On September 19, 2026, at approximately 93,500 miles, my vehicle suddenly lost drive power while I was driving in active traffic at about 22 to 23 mph (based on scan tool freeze frame data). Another vehicle was close behind me, and the sudden loss of propulsion created a real risk of a rear-end collision. I was able to get off the road and drive home at reduced power. The next day the vehicle would not engage Drive or Reverse and was inoperable. Component: The CVT (automatic transmission) failed. The vehicle is...

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currently at a Subaru dealer and is available for inspection at this time. Warning signs: There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms before the failure. Multiple warning lamps came on at the moment power was lost and were photographed at 93,504 miles. Confirmation: A scan at 93,512 miles showed permanent codes P0700 and P0730. A Subaru dealer confirmed an internal transmission fault and recommended full CVT replacement. Inspection: The dealer inspected and diagnosed the vehicle. Subaru of America was notified through Customer Advocacy and declined assistance in writing on October 2, 2026, citing the vehicle being outside powertrain warranty and having no service history with a Subaru retailer. Subaru did not physically inspect the transmission. No police report was made because there was no crash. Maintenance: The CVT fluid was serviced on April 9, 2026 at 79,148 miles at an independent shop. The fluid was inspected and found in good condition, as documented in a photo, and was replaced anyway as preventive maintenance. Subaru's schedule lists CVT fluid as inspect-only under normal driving conditions. Subaru technical service bulletins that may relate to this transmission include 16-158-26, 16-132-20R, 16-154-25R and 18-241-26. Cause: UNKNOWN. My best assessment is an internal CVT failure that occurred without warning while driving.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11768627
2022 Subaru LegacyAirbagsBrakesDriver assistanceCrash1 injury

The vehicle engaged the automatic braking system also known as phantom breaking while there was no objects on the roadway at the time of the incident it was 5:15 a.m. dark and light rain when approaching a curve on the road driving approximately 30 mph the system engaged and applied the brakes in the curve which in turn put the t legal into a slide causing a vehicle crash. Furthermore the airbags did not deploy the police officers were very dumbfounded with the amount of damage and also the speed in which occurred I obtained back injuries and also hit my head

Filed Incident Air bags · Service brakes · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11767677

Questions about the Subaru Legacy

Which Subaru Legacy years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 1995 (186), 2005 (184), 2011 (167). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 1995 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Subaru Legacy years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1987, 1988, 1989 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Legacy years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Subaru Legacy problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (458), electrical system (422), airbags (406) most often.

How many recalls does the Subaru Legacy have?

NHTSA lists 83 recalls across all Subaru Legacy model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

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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