What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Subaru Legacy

Typical pattern

12.9% of complaints about the 2016 Subaru Legacy came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (51 complaints), typically at 5.4 yr or about 52,000 miles.

Complaints
194
Median age at failure
4.4 yr
Median mileage
35,000 n=113
Crash / fire / tow
6.7% of reports
Safety recalls
3 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
51 reports · 52,000 mi
5.4 yr
0%
Other
41 reports · 35,000 mi
4.3 yr
0%
Visibility / wipers
17 reports · 40,000 mi
3.3 yr
0%
Steering
16 reports · 20,500 mi
4.1 yr
6.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V292000 2016-05-11 Do not drive
Steering:column

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

15V794000 2015-11-24
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

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. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

15V502000 2015-08-10
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

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.

If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

In owners’ own words

Other 5,000 mi 1 mo in service
THE HEADREST ANGLE IS COMPLETELY UNCOMFORTABLE. IT WILL CAUSE PEOPLE DO ACCIDENT, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DRIVE WITH EASE.
Other 1,000 mi 4 mo in service
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THREE EPISODES STARTING FROM AUGUST 2015. (DELIVERY MONTH OF CAR). WAS SLOWING DOWN,FOOT LIGHTLY ON BRAKE AT ENTRANCE GATE TO MY COMMUNITY,WHEN ENGINE SURGED AND CAR STARTED ACCELERATING. STOMPED HARD ON BRAKE TO STOP FORWARD MOTION. LASTED ONLY A FEW SECONDS AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL. OTHER 2 TIMES ALMOST IDENTICAL CIRCUMSTANCES. HAVE FIRST APPT. WITH SUBARU OM FEB. 2 2016.
Other 30 mi 6 mo in service
WE PICKED UP A BRAND NEW SUBARU LEGACY YESTERDAY AND DROVE IT APPROXIMATELY 75 HOME LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. AFTER I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELLING EAST THERE WAS A TERRIBLE, BLINDING GLARE COMING OFF THE INFOTAINMENT/CLIMATE CONTROL AREA. IT IS COVERED WITH A VERY GLOSSY MATERIAL. SOME GLARE ALSO CAME OFF THE SILVER TRIM ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE GLOVEBOX, AND TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER CONSOLE, BUT THE WORST IS THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN. I WAS BLINDED, DISTRACTED, AND ENDED UP WITH A BLINDING MIGRAINE. CAN'T SUBARU COME UP WITH A NON-GLARE FILM FOR THIS?
Steering 12 mi 2 mo in service
EYESIGHT PACKAGES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WITH LANE-DEPARTURE AND AUTO-BRAKING DOESN'T WORK. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX.

Other Legacy model years

20222020201920182017201620152013201220112010200920082006200520042003200120001998

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