2016 Subaru Legacy Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 Legacy years
The 2016 Subaru Legacy has a Complaint Index of 80 and ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 147 complaints, 3 recalls (1 do-not-drive), and 9 crashes, with Electrical System issues making up 35% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 147
- Recalls
- 3
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 9 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2016 Subaru Legacy problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System51 (35%)
- Other42 (29%)
- Visibility & Wipers18 (12%)
- Engine17 (12%)
- Steering16 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (9%)
- Brakes9 (6%)
- Structure & Body8 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or reversing, sometimes crashing into trees, poles, or other vehicles despite pressing the brake.
- Some drivers describe brakes failing to stop the vehicle in normal driving situations, resulting in rear-end or forward collisions.
- Side impact air bags reportedly failed to deploy during a side-impact collision, leading to injury.
- Some owners say the Eyesight adaptive cruise control and auto-braking system did not function as expected.
- A seat belt was reported as not properly restraining an occupant during a rear-end collision.
- Power steering was reported to fail suddenly while cornering, with the steering unable to turn back.
2016 Subaru Legacy recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V292000May 11, 2016Steering48,819 vehiclesDo 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.
Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
- NHTSA 15V794000Nov 24, 2015Transmission & Powertrain3,251 vehicles
Power train:driveline:differential unit
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.
Risk: 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.
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. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
- NHTSA 15V502000Aug 10, 2015Transmission & Powertrain2,893 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
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.
2016 Subaru Legacy fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,525
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Subaru Legacy reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Legacy ranks 4th worst among 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 80, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Legacy years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, accounting for 35% of the 147 complaints filed with NHTSA, at a median mileage of 51,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Legacy, including one do-not-drive steering column recall (campaign 16V292000) and two transmission-related recalls.
- How does the 2016 Legacy compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 80 is higher than the 2014 Legacy's 20 (Best verdict) and the 2021 Legacy's 13 (Best verdict), placing 2016 among the worse years for reported problems.