Subaru Legacy problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Legacy from 1990 to 2025: 3,182 owner complaints and 211 recalls across 36 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2005 (184), 1995 (182), 2011 (167). Best fuel economy: 30 mpg combined (2025).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 4 | 81 | 22 | |
| 1991 | 3 | 78 | 22 | |
| 1992 | 2 | 55 | 23 | |
| 1993 | 1 | 77 | 23 | |
| 1994 | 0 | 60 | 23 | |
| 1995 | 2 | 182 | 24 | |
| 1996 | 3 | 123 | 25 | |
| 1997 | 5 | 139 | 24 | |
| 1998 | 4 | 114 | 24 | |
| 1999 | 3 | 94 | 22 | |
| 2000 | 3 | 94 | 21 | |
| 2001 | 7 | 77 | 21 | |
| 2002 | 4 | 54 | 21 | |
| 2003 | 14 | 60 | 22 | |
| 2004 | 10 | 49 | 21 | |
| 2005 | 9 | 184 | 23 | |
| 2006 | 7 | 87 | 23 | |
| 2007 | 9 | 33 | 23 | |
| 2008 | 9 | 65 | 22 | |
| 2009 | 13 | 65 | 22 | |
| 2010 | 18 | 150 | 26 | |
| 2011 | 16 | 167 | 25 | |
| 2012 | 16 | 90 | 25 | |
| 2013 | 12 | 66 | 27 | |
| 2014 | 10 | 53 | 27 | |
| 2015 | 3 | 160 | 29 | |
| 2016 | 3 | 147 | 29 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 119 | 29 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 117 | 29 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 123 | 29 | |
| 2020 | 6 | 121 | 30 | |
| 2021 | 3 | 31 | 30 | |
| 2022 | 2 | 34 | 30 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 10 | 30 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 17 | 30 | |
| 2025 | 0 | 6 | 30 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Subaru Legacy.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
What is the worst year for the Subaru Legacy?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2005 (184), 1995 (182), 2011 (167).
How many recalls has the Subaru Legacy had?
Across 1990–2025, NHTSA lists 211 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).