MYRModel Year Report

2009 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
2009 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:53:19.798Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
65
Recalls
13

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

48% 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 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 65 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 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 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 65 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 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 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 65 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

2009: 65 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.

Air bags

48% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2010-11-04

On April 14TH I was involved in a chain reaction accident on the I90 in amherst, New York. My 2009 Subaru Legacy was the last car of three involved. I incurred significant front end damage of at least $9,000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-05-03

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, 2013-06-07

Service brakes

14% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
Show 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, 2021-11-04

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, 2024-08-31

Engine

11% · 7 reports
FIRE
Show 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, 2014-03-05

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-24

Structure

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing body.

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, 2018-01-31

Electrical system

6% · 4 reports
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, 2024-08-25

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, 2019-05-20

Safety timeline

13 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-12-16Electrical system16V738000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-03-06Air bags17V026000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V014000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V013000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V110000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V738000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 17V026000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V014000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V013000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 48% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Legacy have?
13 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.