2016 Subaru Legacy

◆ Worse than typical

2016 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:12:52.637Z

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 PER YEAR

2016: 145 complaints

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34%

34% of complaints: electrical system — 49 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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, 20231116

VISIBILITY/WIPER 12%

12% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 17 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20230908

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file.

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, 20180711

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20150828 — power train

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.

Campaign 15V502000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151210 — power train

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.

Campaign 15V794000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 145

R 20160513 — steering

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.

Campaign 16V292000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture