MYRModel Year Report

2016 Subaru Legacy

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:32:29.587Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
147
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

35% 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 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2016 147 2017: 119 complaints 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 2008 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2016 147 2017: 119 complaints 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 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2016 147 2017: 119 complaints 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

2016: 147 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.

Electrical system

35% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.

Show complaint excerpts

The infotainment screen would do random cycling through source, maps and other functions all without the driver’s input. Also the screen would just randomly freeze and become insensitive to touch inputs.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-12

Battery dies really fast and ended up doing a replacement right after moving from Idaho to utah and losing a bolt and had to use a wrench from my late husbands toolbag in the trunk to keep it on the positive terminal I do believe after just having...

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-27

Battery has failed twice in a matter of a year. Both batteries were top of the line and no reason can be seen for failure. I see that there are a great deal of the same sort of complaints listed here and Subaru should be well aware of this issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-16

Visibility/wiper

12% · 17 reports

Steering

11% · 16 reports
CRASH

Power train

9% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

There was a recall for my 2016 Subaru Legacy transmission issue (CVT), I got a letter from Subaru on 9/23/2018 which extended warranty for 2016-2017 Legacy/Outback CVT from 5 years/60000 miles to 10 years/100000 miles, started from 9/30/2019.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-08

Vehicle speed control

6% · 9 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. While reversing the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-11

Also filed under Service brakes

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2015-08-28Power train15V502000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2015-12-10Power train15V794000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015.

    Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 147 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2016-05-13Steering16V292000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 52 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility/wiper: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V502000 · Power train
  • Recall 15V794000 · Power train
  • Recall 16V292000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Subaru Legacy is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have?
3 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.