2009 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
46% of complaints: air bags — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO HOLD HER FIRMLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20101104
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130607
11% of complaints: engine — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKING BEFORE DECELERATING. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140305
WAS DRIVING ON MY ROAD TO GO HOME AND THE DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. FOUND OUT THE ENGINE BLEW A ROD, CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120924
9% of complaints: service brakes — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
Following traffic and under heavy braking due to lead vehicle braking hard and making turn without turn signal, brake pedal went to floor and vehicle continued traveling forward resulting in rear end collision with vehicle in front.
NHTSA ODI report, 20211104
Under Subaru campaign WQK47, which supersedes an earlier campaign, 05-09 Legacy/Outback and other models are known to undergo accelerated brake line corrosion due to sub-par materials and design.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240831
6% of complaints: structure — 4 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
MY 2009 SUBARU LEGACY'S DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY MELTED. NOW IT IS A GLOSSY SOFT MATERIAL AND EVERY TIME THE SUN GLARES FROM THE FRONT, IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOW.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180131
6% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
2009 Subaru Legacy 2.5I Parasitic Drain If vehicle is not driven every 2-4 days in winter or every 6-8 days when is warmer it will need a jump start.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240825
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2009 SUBARU LEGACY. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190520
SAFETY TIMELINE
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. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.
Campaign 16V358000 — 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 replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.
Campaign 17V026000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
Campaign 17V014000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 18V012000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 18V014000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 18V013000 — 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
2009 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V110000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V358000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V738000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V026000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V014000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V012000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V014000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V013000 (air bags) 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 2009 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Legacy have?
13 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.