MYRModel Year Report

Subaru Legacy — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to avoid, 10 to watch and 8 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid3 years

Caution10 years

Best bets8 years

Complaint history

1987: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1987 1988: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1989: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1990: 81 complaints, Recommended 1991: 78 complaints, Recommended 1992: 57 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 78 complaints, Recommended 1994: 61 complaints, Recommended 1995: 182 complaints, Avoid 1996: 123 complaints, Caution 1997: 139 complaints, Caution 1997 1998: 114 complaints, Caution 1999: 94 complaints, Recommended 2000: 94 complaints, Recommended 2001: 77 complaints, Recommended 2002: 54 complaints, Recommended 2003: 60 complaints, Recommended 2004: 49 complaints, Recommended 2005: 184 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 87 complaints, Recommended 2007: 33 complaints, Recommended 2008: 65 complaints, Recommended 2009: 65 complaints, Recommended 2010: 150 complaints, Caution 2011: 167 complaints, Avoid 2012: 90 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 66 complaints, Recommended 2014: 53 complaints, Recommended 2015: 160 complaints, Caution 2016: 147 complaints, Caution 2017: 119 complaints, Caution 2017 2018: 117 complaints, Caution 2019: 123 complaints, Caution 2020: 121 complaints, Caution 2021: 31 complaints, Recommended 2022: 34 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2024: 17 complaints, Not enough data 2025: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2005 · 184
1987: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1987 1988: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1989: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1990: 81 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 78 complaints, Recommended 1992: 57 complaints, Recommended 1993: 78 complaints, Recommended 1993 1994: 61 complaints, Recommended 1995: 182 complaints, Avoid 1996: 123 complaints, Caution 1996 1997: 139 complaints, Caution 1998: 114 complaints, Caution 1999: 94 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 94 complaints, Recommended 2001: 77 complaints, Recommended 2002: 54 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 60 complaints, Recommended 2004: 49 complaints, Recommended 2005: 184 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 87 complaints, Recommended 2007: 33 complaints, Recommended 2008: 65 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 65 complaints, Recommended 2010: 150 complaints, Caution 2011: 167 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 90 complaints, Recommended 2013: 66 complaints, Recommended 2014: 53 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 160 complaints, Caution 2016: 147 complaints, Caution 2017: 119 complaints, Caution 2017 2018: 117 complaints, Caution 2019: 123 complaints, Caution 2020: 121 complaints, Caution 2020 2021: 31 complaints, Recommended 2022: 34 complaints, Recommended 2023: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2023 2024: 17 complaints, Not enough data 2025: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2005 · 184
1987: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1987 1988: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1989: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1989 1990: 81 complaints, Recommended 1991: 78 complaints, Recommended 1991 1992: 57 complaints, Recommended 1993: 78 complaints, Recommended 1993 1994: 61 complaints, Recommended 1995: 182 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 123 complaints, Caution 1997: 139 complaints, Caution 1997 1998: 114 complaints, Caution 1999: 94 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 94 complaints, Recommended 2001: 77 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 54 complaints, Recommended 2003: 60 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 49 complaints, Recommended 2005: 184 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 87 complaints, Recommended 2007: 33 complaints, Recommended 2007 2008: 65 complaints, Recommended 2009: 65 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 150 complaints, Caution 2011: 167 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 90 complaints, Recommended 2013: 66 complaints, Recommended 2013 2014: 53 complaints, Recommended 2015: 160 complaints, Caution 2015 2016: 147 complaints, Caution 2017: 119 complaints, Caution 2017 2018: 117 complaints, Caution 2019: 123 complaints, Caution 2019 2020: 121 complaints, Caution 2021: 31 complaints, Recommended 2021 2022: 34 complaints, Recommended 2023: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2023 2024: 17 complaints, Not enough data 2025: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2025 2005 · 184
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2025 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2024 ○ Not enough data 17 Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2023 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2022 ▲ Recommended 34 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2021 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2020 ◆ Caution 121 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2019 ◆ Caution 123 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2018 ◆ Caution 117 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2017 ◆ Caution 119 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2016 ◆ Caution 147 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2015 ◆ Caution 160 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2014 ▲ Recommended 53 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2013 ● Recommended 66 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2012 ● Recommended 90 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2011 ■ Avoid 167 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2010 ◆ Caution 150 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ● Recommended 65 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2008 ● Recommended 65 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 ▲ Recommended 33 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ● Recommended 87 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2005 ■ Avoid 184 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2004 ▲ Recommended 49 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ▲ Recommended 60 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2002 ▲ Recommended 54 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 77 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ● Recommended 94 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999 ● Recommended 94 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1998 ◆ Caution 114 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1997 ◆ Caution 139 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1996 ◆ Caution 123 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1995 ■ Avoid 182 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1994 ● Recommended 61 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1993 ● Recommended 78 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1992 ▲ Recommended 57 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1991 ● Recommended 78 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1990 ● Recommended 81 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1989 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1988 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

83

recalls on file across every Subaru Legacy model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Subaru models