2008 Subaru Legacy
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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 81 |
| 1991 | 78 |
| 1992 | 55 |
| 1993 | 77 |
| 1994 | 60 |
| 1995 | 182 |
| 1996 | 123 |
| 1997 | 139 |
| 1998 | 114 |
| 1999 | 94 |
| 2000 | 94 |
| 2001 | 77 |
| 2002 | 54 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2005 | 182 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 65 |
| 2010 | 150 |
| 2011 | 167 |
| 2012 | 90 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 159 |
| 2016 | 145 |
| 2017 | 118 |
| 2018 | 116 |
| 2019 | 122 |
| 2020 | 121 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
38% of complaints: air bags — 25 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN TURNING ON INTERMITTENTLY AS IS DESCRIBED BY MANY 2008 SUBARU LEGACY AND OUTBACK OWNERS ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150112
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ODI report, 20180316
17% of complaints: service brakes — 11 distinct reports on file.
14% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
ON SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH, I WAS TURNING AROUND IN A DRIVEWAY, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD NO TIME TO REACT, EXCEPT TO TRY TO USE MY BRAKE. WHAT STOPPED ME WAS HITTING A TREE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110509
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100407
MY WIFE WAS GRADUALLY PULLING OUT OF A DRIVE UP WINDOW AT A BANK, WHERE THERE IS @ 30 FEET BEFORE SHE GOT TO THE ROAD AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, NEEDING TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES WITH ALL HER STRENGTH, SLIDING SIDEWAYS...
NHTSA ODI report, 20120703
6% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The CV axle on the passenger side caught on fire. It was the rubber boot on the inner side over the catalytic converter. There were no warnings other than the smell of smoke.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210608
SAFETY TIMELINE
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND T
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE. AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED TO INCREASE RIGIDITY OF THE PIPE AND THE PIPE ASSEMBLY WILL
Campaign 08V460000 — check if this car was fixed
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, Illino
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 obse
Campaign 13V110000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V311000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V323000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Campaign 16V738000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (25 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V460000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V110000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V738000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Subaru Legacy have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.