2019 Subaru Legacy Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 Subaru Legacy has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Windshield cracking (41% of complaints) and electrical issues (28%) dominate the 123 owner complaints, alongside 3 recalls including two fuel pump campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Legacy years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 123
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 Subaru Legacy problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers51 (41%)
- Electrical System35 (28%)
- Other20 (16%)
- Engine9 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (5%)
- Fuel System5 (4%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
- Steering3 (2%)
- Structure & Body3 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Windshields crack spontaneously, often starting at the bottom corner and running upward, sometimes noticed after parking overnight or using the defroster.
- Some windshield cracks appeared within weeks of purchase or by a few thousand miles, with no evidence of a stone strike.
- Steering wheel reportedly turns or pulls on its own at low and moderate speeds without warning lights illuminating.
- Check engine and other dashboard warning lights have come on and recurred even after dealer computer reprogramming.
- Owners using the EyeSight driver-assist system reported it failed to brake as expected, in one case accelerating into the vehicle ahead and in another failing to stop during reverse automatic braking.
2019 Subaru Legacy recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System175,968 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
- NHTSA 20V218000Apr 16, 2020Fuel System188,207 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
- NHTSA 19V493000Jun 26, 2019Structure & Body2,107 vehicles
Structure
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUH-93.
2019 Subaru Legacy fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 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.
2019 compared with other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Subaru Legacy reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 Legacy a Complaint Index of 65, ranking it 8th worst among 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Legacy years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Legacy?
- Visibility & Wipers issues, mainly windshield cracking, account for 41% of complaints, and Electrical System issues account for 28%, with a median failure mileage of 900 miles for electrical complaints.
- Does the 2019 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Legacy, including two separate fuel pump recalls and one for improperly applied spot welds affecting body strength.
- How does the 2019 Legacy compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 65 is lower than Avoid-rated years like 2015 (100) and 2010 (95), but higher than Good and Best years such as 2021 (15) and 2023 (0).