Subaru Legacy Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru Legacy model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (31) and the 2011 the most (167).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
6 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 26–30 |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 26–30 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
17 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 26–30 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
31 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
33 | 9 | Air bags | — | 20–23 |
| 2022 | 34 | 2 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
53 | 10 | Air bags | 5★ | 20–27 |
| 2008 | 65 | 9 | Air bags | — | 20–22 |
| 2009 | 65 | 13 | Air bags | — | 20–22 |
| 2013 | 66 | 12 | Engine | 5★ | 20–27 |
| 2006 | 87 | 7 | Vehicle speed control | — | 19–23 |
| 2012 | 90 | 16 | Power train | — | 20–25 |
| 2018 | 117 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2017 | 119 | 2 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2020 | 121 | 6 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2019 | 123 | 3 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2016 | 147 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
150 | 18 | Power train | — | 20–26 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
159 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
167 | 16 | Power train | 4★ | 20–25 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru Legacy years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2011 Subaru Legacy: 167 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 47 (28%); Air bags 25 (15%); Engine 22 (13%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,000 miles. 16 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Subaru Legacy: 159 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 37 (23%); Visibility/wiper 36 (23%); Engine 23 (14%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 17,140 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Subaru Legacy: 150 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 50 (33%); Engine 31 (21%); Air bags 28 (19%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 18 recall campaigns listed.
The Subaru Legacy years with the fewest complaints
2021 Subaru Legacy: 31 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 6 (19%); Electrical system 5 (16%); Visibility/wiper 5 (16%).
Reports mention 1 injury. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Subaru Legacy: 33 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 12 (36%); Engine 7 (21%); Electrical system 5 (15%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 4 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Subaru Legacy: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 14 (26%); Electrical system 11 (21%); Structure 7 (13%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 30,567 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru Legacy owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 34 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 121 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6,000 |
| 2019 | 123 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6,125 |
| 2018 | 117 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 20,900 |
| 2017 | 119 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 31,000 |
| 2016 | 147 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2015 | 159 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 17,140 |
| 2014 | 53 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 30,567 |
| 2013 | 66 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2012 | 90 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 88,000 |
| 2011 | 167 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2010 | 150 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 70,000 |
| 2009 | 65 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 74,972 |
| 2008 | 65 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 79,634 |
| 2007 | 33 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2006 | 87 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 100,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru Legacy recalls
- Accessory Puddle Light may Short-circuit (2010–2011 model years; 633,842 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2012; 12V602000)
- Windshield Wiper Motor Bottom Cover may Melt (2010–2014 model years; 592,647 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V694000)
- Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion (2005–2009 model years; 461,338 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2014; 14V311000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2014 model years; 452,630 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V009000)
- Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture (2003–2008 model years; 432,016 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V323000)
All 81 Subaru Legacy recall campaigns · Subaru Legacy problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru Legacy years FAQ
Which Subaru Legacy year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (31). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru Legacy years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2011, 2015 and 2010 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru Legacy problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (309 of 1,660 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru Legacy have?
NHTSA lists 81 recall campaigns covering the Subaru Legacy. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru Legacy recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.