Subaru Legacy: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 26 model years of the Subaru Legacy on record, 2020 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about unknown or other). 2010 has the most recall campaigns (18). 2022 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (5).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ENGINE | 26 MPG |
| 2024 | 0 | 17 | 2 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 26 MPG |
| 2023 | 2 | 10 | 2 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 MPG |
| 2022 | 2 | 34 | 5 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | 27 MPG |
| 2021 | 3 | 31 | 1 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 27 MPG |
| 2020 | 6 | 40 | 1 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 27 MPG |
| 2019 | 3 | 40 | 2 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2018 | 3 | 40 | 3 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2017 | 2 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2016 | 3 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2015 | 3 | 40 | 4 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2014 | 10 | 40 | 3 | AIR BAGS | 27 MPG |
| 2013 | 12 | 40 | 3 | ENGINE | 27 MPG |
| 2012 | 16 | 40 | 2 | POWER TRAIN | 25 MPG |
| 2011 | 16 | 40 | 1 | POWER TRAIN | 25 MPG |
| 2010 | 18 | 40 | 3 | POWER TRAIN | 26 MPG |
| 2009 | 13 | 40 | 1 | AIR BAGS | 20 MPG |
| 2008 | 9 | 40 | 2 | AIR BAGS | 20 MPG |
| 2007 | 9 | 33 | 5 | AIR BAGS | 20 MPG |
| 2006 | 7 | 40 | 0 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 23 MPG |
| 2005 | 9 | 40 | 4 | SERVICE BRAKES | 23 MPG |
| 2004 | 11 | 40 | 2 | AIR BAGS | 21 MPG |
| 2003 | 15 | 40 | 3 | AIR BAGS | 21 MPG |
| 2002 | 5 | 40 | 5 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 21 MPG |
| 2001 | 8 | 40 | 3 | FUEL SYSTEM | 21 MPG |
| 2000 | 4 | 40 | 4 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 21 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Subaru LegacyQuestions
- Which Subaru Legacy year has the most complaints?
- Of 26 model years of the Subaru Legacy on record, 2020 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about unknown or other).
- Which Subaru Legacy year has the most recalls?
- 2010 has the most recall campaigns (18).
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.