Subaru Legacy years to avoid
More than twice the Legacy's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Subaru Legacy years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Subaru Legacy complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Subaru Legacy problems
All model years combined.
- Engine463
- Electrical426
- Airbags398
- Transmission370
- Visibility366
- Brakes309
- Fuel system217
- Acceleration207
- Body149
- Suspension142
- Seat belts136
- Steering123
Most reported problems on the Subaru Legacy
Subaru Legacy problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | - | 6 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | - | 17 | Driver assistance | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2023 | - | 10 | Airbags | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2022 | 85 | 34 | Visibility | 2 | 4 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2021 | 87 | 32 | Airbags | 3 | 1 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2020 | 55 | 121 | Visibility | 6,000 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 57 | 123 | Visibility | 6,125 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 59 | 117 | Electrical | 20,900 | 3 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 59 | 119 | Visibility | 31,000 | 2 | 10 | |
| 2016 | 51 | 147 | Electrical | 35,000 | 3 | 9 | |
| 2015 | 46 | 160 | Visibility | 17,140 | 3 | 15 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 75 | 53 | Airbags | 30,567 | 10 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 70 | 66 | Engine | 30,000 | 12 | 6 | |
| 2012 | 62 | 90 | Transmission | 88,000 | 16 | 7 | |
| 2011 | 41 | 167 | Transmission | 78,000 | 16 | 7 | Avoid |
| 2010 | 44 | 151 | Transmission | 70,000 | 18 | 10 | |
| 2009 | 72 | 65 | Airbags | 74,972 | 13 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 72 | 65 | Airbags | 79,634 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 77 | 33 | Airbags | 70,000 | 9 | 1 | Fewest complaints |
| 2006 | 63 | 87 | Acceleration | 100,000 | 7 | 6 | |
| 2005 | 37 | 184 | Engine | 74,000 | 9 | 11 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 75 | 49 | Airbags | 85,000 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2003 | 73 | 60 | Airbags | 79,800 | 14 | 4 | |
| 2002 | 76 | 54 | Fuel system | 68,000 | 4 | 5 | |
| 2001 | 66 | 77 | Fuel system | 62,540 | 7 | 11 | |
| 2000 | - | 94 | Engine | 99,500 | 3 | 8 | |
| 1999 | - | 94 | Transmission | 101,000 | 3 | 18 | |
| 1998 | - | 114 | Engine | 108,096 | 4 | 17 | |
| 1997 | - | 139 | Engine | 92,000 | 5 | 18 | |
| 1996 | - | 123 | Airbags | 90,000 | 3 | 26 | |
| 1995 | - | 181 | Airbags | 166,116 | 2 | 33 | |
| 1994 | - | 60 | Seat belts | 125,000 | 0 | 5 | |
| 1993 | - | 77 | Engine | 1 | 9 | ||
| 1992 | - | 55 | Seat belts | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1991 | - | 78 | Seat belts | 3 | 3 | ||
| 1990 | - | 81 | Body | 4 | 4 |
Recalls 81
Compare the Legacy
Legacy vs Honda AccordLegacy vs Ford FusionLegacy vs Chevrolet MalibuLegacy vs Toyota CamryLegacy vs Hyundai SonataLegacy vs Nissan AltimaLegacy vs Volkswagen PassatLegacy vs Kia OptimaLegacy vs Mazda MAZDA6
Questions about the Subaru Legacy
What years of the Subaru Legacy should you avoid?
2005, 2011 and 2015. Each has more than twice the Subaru Legacy's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2005 alone has 184, mostly about engine and brakes.
What is the best year for a used Subaru Legacy?
2021, 2007 and 2022 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (32, 33 and 34).
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Legacy?
Engine, with 463 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (426) and airbags (398).
How many recalls does the Subaru Legacy have?
81 recalls between 1990 and 2025. The 2010 model year has the most, with 18.
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