Owners have filed 193 complaints
about the 2016 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 33 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 82
Against the median year of the Subaru Legacy. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 40
7.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 92
54% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
1513.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
108.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1412.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
3732.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2723.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
43.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
21.8%
150,000+ miles
43.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2015peak 8Aug 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2016 Subaru Legacy
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2016 Subaru Legacy
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20223951,793 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, a connector for the electronic parking brake (EPB) could disconnect. If this happens, you won't be able to apply the parking brake and the vehicle could roll away. If this happens and the parking brake is set, you won't be able release it. Note: This problem will cause the brake warning lamp to turn on or flash. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that moves unexpectedly could increase the risk of an injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: Subaru will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the adapter cord connector for the electronic parking brake, and if necessary, install an additional retaining clip. To reduce the safety risk, Subaru recommends that you should park the vehicle in a flat location and leave the transmission in gear whenever possible until the recall repairs have been completed. Additionally, when parking uphill, the front wheels should be turned away from the curb and the shift lever should be placed into first gear. When parking downhill, the front wheels should be turned into the curb and the shift lever should be placed into reverse gear.
Recall 20162073,494 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, steering column components may not have been manufactured to specification and therefore may not engage correctly, which could result in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering column. Note: In the interim, owners are advised to not drive their vehicle until an inspection of the steering column has been completed.
Recall 2015555185 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the nuts securing the propeller shaft to the rear differential may have not been tightened to specification during assembly and could loosen over time. This could cause the propeller shaft to come loose from the rear differential, which would result in excessive noise and may contact and eventually damage the fuel tank, which may result in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect the nuts fastening the propeller shaft to the rear differential and tighten or replace the nuts and bolts as necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 17,000 milesSetauket, NYCrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
The contact owned a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated crashing a small tree causing the contact to reverse the vehicle. When placed in reverse the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was damage done to both the tree and other vehicle. The vehicle was towed and deemed total. A police report was filed. The contact had received a bruise on their knee and sought out medical attention. The contact dealer was not made aware of the falure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.
NHTSA complaint #11461769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesJohnstown, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space and pressing the brake pedal the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and continued to drive forward causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a pole. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified. The failure mileage was 28,000.
NHTSA complaint #11440603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,217 milesCrestline, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON 1-19-2020 I DROVE HOME FROM THE STORE, CAME TO A STOP IN MY PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS THOUGH I HAD HIT THE GAS. I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKES 3 TIMES BUT GOT NO RESPONSE AND HIT MY FENCE BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP NONE OF MY SAFETY FEATURES (INCLUDING COLLISION AVOIDANCE) KICKED IN AND SUBARU SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ANY MALFUNCTION AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE INCIDENCE. FILED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY AND GETTING FRONT DAMAGE REPAIRED, WONDER WHY THE COMPUTER DOES NOT SHOW THERE WAS A COLLISION...
NHTSA complaint #11308355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesBaldwinsville, NYCrash
TIRES
OUCH!! MARCH 20, 2019!!!
NHTSA complaint #11203026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesBaldwinsville, NYCrash
CHILD SEAT
OUCH!! MARCH 20, 2019!!!
NHTSA complaint #11203026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesAlsip, ILCrash
STEERING
MAY OF 2017 I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON 294. AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE CURVE THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN BACK. I STOP AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITH NO INCIDENT. I CALLED SIS IT'S A D ASKED IF WAS A SAFETY RECALL. I WAS TOLD NO. I THEN HAD THEM TO THE CAR TO SUBARU OF AMERICA IN ORLAND PARK IL. WHEN THE CAR WAS FROSTED TOLD I WAS TOLD THE CAR WOULD BE FIX IT WAS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. SUBARU OF AMERICA THEN CONTACTED ME SAYING THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT SO IT WOULDN'T BE FIXED. ONCE THEY FOUND OUT I WAS BLACK. I FILED A BETTER BUSINESS REPORT SUBARU STILL DENIED THE CLAIM TELLING TO USE MY INSURANCE MY INSUWPULDNT PAY SAID IT DEFECT PART. SUBARU FAILED TO EXAMINE THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM BEFORE DENYING THE CLAIM. SUBARU IMMEDIATELY BLAMED ME BUT NEVER CHECKING THE PROBLEM. ONCE I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK. IT WAS IN WORST CONDITION. THE CAR CANE BACK IN WORST CONDITIONS BUMPER PEELING FENDER SMASHED. I WAS TOLD THAT WAS MY FAULT THE CAR CAME BACK WORST. THAT INTERFERED WITH THE OTHER THINGS IN WARRANTY BEING REPAIRED L WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BIG C. IN 2017 NOW BACK TO OK HEALTH I CAN PROCEED WITH PROCESS. I RENTED CARS FOR A YEAR AND THEN EVENTUALLY BROUGHT ONE. I NEED SUBARU TO REPAIR THE CAR I WANT TO KEEP IT.
NHTSA complaint #11193110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Colorado Springs, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While traveling approximately 70 mph, my 2016 Subaru Legacy experienced a sudden drivetrain failure. The vehicle made a loud bang, immediately lost acceleration/power, and approximately five seconds later the front drivetrain locked, causing the tires to skid and leaving a long skid mark. The engine remained running. After stopping, the vehicle would not move forward and felt as if it was stuck in Park, but it could roll backward. This occurred without warning and created a dangerous highway situation
NHTSA complaint #11754212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The factory touchscreen infotainment system is experiencing severe screen delamination (internal adhesive failure). This defect causes uncontrollable 'ghost touching,' where the screen registers phantom inputs. The system cycles through radio stations, changes audio sources, and changes navigation without driver input, causing an extreme, sudden driver distraction. Furthermore, the system frequently freezes and crashes, which completely disables the backup camera display. This prevents a clear view behind the vehicle and creates a severe safety hazard for pedestrians. The dealer confirmed the issue. Contacted Subaru of America and they are unwilling to assist at all with fixing the issue, leaving the customer to pay full price to replace the screen. Does not seem like a fair business practice.
NHTSA complaint #11742852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The factory touchscreen infotainment system is experiencing severe screen delamination (internal adhesive failure). This defect causes uncontrollable 'ghost touching,' where the screen registers phantom inputs. The system cycles through radio stations, changes audio sources, and changes navigation without driver input, causing an extreme, sudden driver distraction. Furthermore, the system frequently freezes and crashes, which completely disables the backup camera display. This prevents a clear view behind the vehicle and creates a severe safety hazard for pedestrians. The dealer confirmed the issue. Contacted Subaru of America and they are unwilling to assist at all with fixing the issue, leaving the customer to pay full price to replace the screen. Does not seem like a fair business practice.
NHTSA complaint #11742852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liverpool, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly.
NHTSA complaint #11741718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liverpool, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly.
NHTSA complaint #11741718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pomona, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery continuously dies, likely due to a parasitic drain, and it is extremely hard-taking up to 15 to 20 minutes to open the car door using the the wierd key you slide out of the key fob. As a woman, it is very dangerous when my battery dies and I am in a dark parking lot and I can't even get inside the car and lock the door for safety. Been happening for years lastest time was today 02/17/2026. For some reason, the class action suit said I was not a class member for the same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11718682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highland Park, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR! On Friday, September 12, 2025 at 3:32 p.m., I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park. As I started to turn the car into the parking space, my car surged forward without my pressing on the gas pedal. I pressed on the brake, and the car came to a stop.
NHTSA complaint #11686981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highland Park, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR! On Friday, September 12, 2025 at 3:32 p.m., I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park. As I started to turn the car into the parking space, my car surged forward without my pressing on the gas pedal. I pressed on the brake, and the car came to a stop.
NHTSA complaint #11686981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leesburg, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unable to remove key when turning the engine off. Eventually works after several tries of turning the engine on and off.
NHTSA complaint #11684179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leesburg, VA
ENGINE
Sometimes when starting from a stop or slowing down to make a turn the engine revs up like I was pushing the gas pedal. When this happens ( 4 times in the last 6 months) luckily I was covering the break to slow down or going very slow from a stop. Each time I was turning left or right. I was able to push the shifter into neural. After applying the breaks the engine slows down
NHTSA complaint #11684180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Curwensville, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
Parking Brake harness is defaulty.
NHTSA complaint #11678223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Clemente, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car battery dies after the vehicle sits for longer periods (approximately 2 weeks or more?). Roadside assistance has tested battery twice after jumping the vehicle and stated the battery is still healthy. Various Subara owners report similar situations in online forums, and the culprit seems to be a design flaw where the DCM module is trying to connect with the obsolete 3G cellular network, causing a parasitic battery drain.
NHTSA complaint #11674386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.
NHTSA complaint #11648634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.
NHTSA complaint #11648634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.
NHTSA complaint #11648634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Old Bridge, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving on highway and engine failed light came on, along with low fuel sign. Engine shut off. Luckily I was able to safely pull over. The Dealer determined that the low fuel sensor failed thus shutoff the engine. Shutting engine off on a highway is dangerous and life threatening event. Need a different strategy to warn the driver with a time to safely pull over. It cost me over $1,500 to get the part repalce.
NHTSA complaint #11647892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atchison, KS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is an active recall for Subaru vehicles. The recall is for emissions number WUB-87 for 2015-2018MY Legacy and Outback 2.5L. My car is a 2016 Subaru Legacy and it has the exact problem listed in the recall, but is not included. The front end exhaust is defective as described in the recall.
NHTSA complaint #11634136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 184,000 milesShawnee, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that while the check engine light remained illuminated the horn failed to function as designed. The contact stated that after the check engine warning light issue was resolved the horn returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the failure was a known issue and advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle until the check engine warning light issue was resolved. The failure mileage was 184,000.
NHTSA complaint #11630170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 184,000 milesShawnee, KS
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that while the check engine light remained illuminated the horn failed to function as designed. The contact stated that after the check engine warning light issue was resolved the horn returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the failure was a known issue and advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle until the check engine warning light issue was resolved. The failure mileage was 184,000.
NHTSA complaint #11630170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Slowing to pull into parking spot and car accelerates and hits what is in front of vehicle. Has happened at least four times. Last time 11/5/2024
NHTSA complaint #11623875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
Slowing to pull into parking spot and car accelerates and hits what is in front of vehicle. Has happened at least four times. Last time 11/5/2024
NHTSA complaint #11623875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Slowing to pull into parking spot and car accelerates and hits what is in front of vehicle. Has happened at least four times. Last time 11/5/2024
NHTSA complaint #11623875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MD
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I went to the store with an intact and unblemished windshield. After returning to the vehicle, a crack in the passenger side of the windshield appeared with no chip or damage visible. After only a day, this cracked had tripled in length with weekly crackling sounds. This is a known issue with Subarus and the manufacturer is trying to be selective with repairs. My vehicle has the EyeSight system and will cost me $1100.00 to repair because it's $700.00 to calibrate the system after glass repair..
NHTSA complaint #11604581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roy, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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 left the emergency room and was quite ill. The battery acid started to corrode the cables and everything along with it. Including the back seat, that had a seatbelt that got ripped accidentally when removing a babyseat from the car,
NHTSA complaint #11585553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaverton, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11555483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.