2006 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
2006 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:46:03.206Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
87
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2006 87 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2006 87 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2014 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2020 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2006 87 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2015 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2019 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2021 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025

2006: 87 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199257
199378
199461
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Vehicle speed control

34% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

Show complaint excerpts

While driving in traffic all of a sudden the gas pedal stops working, the check engine light illuminates the cruise control light illuminates but the pedal has no effect on the engine the car slows very quickly and comes close to causing an...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-30

Electrical system

20% · 17 reports
CRASHINJURY

Engine

18% · 16 reports

Air bags

15% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact rented a 2006 Subaru Legacy. While driving 55 MPH, the contact struck a moose. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-03-03

Fuel/propulsion system

14% · 12 reports

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2013-05-30Service brakes, hydraulic13V110000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is…

  2. R
    2014-07-23Service brakes, hydraulic14V311000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax.

  3. R
    2015-06-17Air bags15V323000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015.

  4. R
    2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  5. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  6. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

  7. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V110000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 15V323000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V003000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2006 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Legacy have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.