Subaru

Legacy

Compact Cars · model years 1990 to 2025

Includes Legacy, Legacy 4WD, Legacy 4WD Turbo and 8 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 189 Legacy trims All Subaru cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 6, below this model's typical 29; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2010. complaints: 150, about 2.5x this model's typical 59; recalls: 18, about 6x this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Subaru Legacy
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
1990	8Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	4	81	0	no data	LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 20%, STRUCTURE 20%, POWER TRAIN 15%
complaints: 81, below this model's typical 117 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	10Gas	20	no data	$3,100	3	78	0	no data	SEAT BELTS 18%, POWER TRAIN 15%, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 13%
complaints: 78, below this model's typical 147 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	12Gas	20	no data	$3,100	2	55	0	no data	SEAT BELTS 35%, STRUCTURE 11%, POWER TRAIN 8%
complaints: 55, below this model's typical 176 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	11Gas	21	no data	$2,950	1	77	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%, SEAT BELTS 15%, AIR BAGS 12%
complaints: 77, below this model's typical 161 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	11Gas	21	no data	$2,950	0	60	0	no data	SEAT BELTS 40%, AIR BAGS 8%, POWER TRAIN 8%
complaints: 60, below this model's typical 161 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	8Gas	22.5	no data	$2,775	2	182	0	no data	AIR BAGS 22%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 182, about 1.6x this model's typical 117 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 29 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	9Gas	22	no data	$2,850	3	123	0	no data	AIR BAGS 15%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%
complaints: 123, below this model's typical 132 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 56 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	10Gas	23	no data	$2,700	5	139	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 139, below this model's typical 147 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 45 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	10Gas	23	no data	$2,700	4	114	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%, POWER TRAIN 9%, AIR BAGS 7%
complaints: 114, below this model's typical 147 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 51 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	8Gas	21.5	no data	$2,900	3	94	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 16%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 11%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%
complaints: 94, below this model's typical 117 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 58 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	4Gas	21	no data	$2,950	3	94	0	no data	TIRES 15%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, POWER TRAIN 12%
complaints: 94, about 1.6x this model's typical 59 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	5Gas	21	no data	$2,950	7	77	0	no data	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 20%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%
complaints: 77, above this model's typical 73 recalls: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 31 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	6Gas	21	no data	$2,950	4	54	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%
complaints: 54, below this model's typical 88 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	8Gas	21	no data	$3,375	9	184	0	no data	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%, SERVICE BRAKES 9%
complaints: 184, about 1.6x this model's typical 117 recalls: 9, about 3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 8 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	8Gas	21	no data	$3,350	7	87	0	no data	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, ENGINE 12%
complaints: 87, below this model's typical 117 recalls: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 21 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	9Gas	21	no data	$3,650	9	33	0	no data	AIR BAGS 27%, ENGINE 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 33, below this model's typical 132 recalls: 9, about 3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 43 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	6Gas	20.5	no data	$3,750	9	65	0	no data	AIR BAGS 31%, SERVICE BRAKES 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 65, below this model's typical 88 recalls: 9, about 3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 38 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	6Gas	20.5	no data	$3,750	13	65	0	no data	AIR BAGS 41%, ENGINE 9%, SERVICE BRAKES 8%
complaints: 65, below this model's typical 88 recalls: 13, about 4.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	4Gas	21.5	no data	$2,975	18	150	0	220	POWER TRAIN 23%, ENGINE 14%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 150, about 2.5x this model's typical 59 recalls: 18, about 6x this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	4Gas	21.5	no data	$2,975	16	167	0	240	POWER TRAIN 20%, AIR BAGS 11%, ENGINE 9%
complaints: 167, about 2.8x this model's typical 59 recalls: 16, about 5.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	4Gas	21.5	no data	$2,975	16	90	1	221	POWER TRAIN 29%, ENGINE 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10%
complaints: 90, about 1.5x this model's typical 59 recalls: 16, about 5.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 Score: 17 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	3Gas	24	173	$2,600	12	66	0	294	ENGINE 22%, AIR BAGS 17%, POWER TRAIN 14%
complaints: 66, about 1.5x this model's typical 44 recalls: 12, about 4x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 20 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	3Gas	24	173	$2,600	10	53	0	233	AIR BAGS 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, STRUCTURE 10%
complaints: 53, above this model's typical 44 recalls: 10, about 3.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 28 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	2Gas	26	216	$2,425	3	160	1 (1 open)	328	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, VISIBILITY/WIPER 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 160, about 5.5x this model's typical 29 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 7 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	2Gas	26	216	$2,425	3	147	1 (1 open)	295	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21%, VISIBILITY/WIPER 9%
complaints: 147, about 5.1x this model's typical 29 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 NHTSA advised parking the 2016 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	2Gas	26	216	$2,425	2	119	1 (1 open)	246	VISIBILITY/WIPER 24%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%
complaints: 119, about 4.1x this model's typical 29 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2017 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	2Gas	26	216	$2,425	3	117	0	226	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, VISIBILITY/WIPER 15%
complaints: 117, about 4x this model's typical 29 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	26	216	$2,425	3	123	0	201	VISIBILITY/WIPER 35%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 123, about 4.2x this model's typical 29 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 25 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	2Gas	28.5	221	$2,200	6	121	0	274	VISIBILITY/WIPER 40%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 121, about 4.2x this model's typical 29 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 4 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Gas	28.5	221	$2,200	3	31	0	216	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17%, AIR BAGS 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 31, above this model's typical 29 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	2Gas	28.5	221	$2,200	2	34	0	180	VISIBILITY/WIPER 36%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 9%
complaints: 34, above this model's typical 29 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Gas	28	221	$2,250	2	10	0	152	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 30%, AIR BAGS 20%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 20%
complaints: 10, below this model's typical 29 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	2Gas	28	221	$2,250	0	17	0	117	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19%
complaints: 17, below this model's typical 29 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	2Gas	28	221	$2,425	0	6	0	77	ENGINE 30%, AIR BAGS 10%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%
complaints: 6, below this model's typical 29 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 91 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1990: 20.5 to 2025: 28

Owner complaints1990: 81 to 2025: 6

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Subaru Legacy to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.