Subaru Legacy problems
The Subaru Legacy (Japanese: スバル・レガシィ, Hepburn: Subaru Regashi) is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1989. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine. The Legacy was sold as the Liberty in Australia out of deference to Legacy Australia, an organisation dedicated to caring for the families of military service veterans.
In 1996, a variant of the Legacy with heightened suspension called the Legacy Outback was introduced to compete in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle class and proved to be a sales success for Subaru. The Outback line was split into its own model in 2008, known as the Subaru Outback.
As of 2008, 3.6 million Legacy models have been built since its 1989 introduction.
Production of the Legacy ended in Japan in June 2020, with the sixth-generation Legacy being the last model produced and marketed in Japan. Subaru of America announced in an internal email that 2025 will be the last model year for the Subaru Legacy. The Subaru Outback will remain in production, after being the company's top selling model in 2023.
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Subaru Legacy model years
Common Subaru Legacy problems
The Subaru Legacy is a popular mid-sized sedan known for its dependability and excellent safety features. However, like any vehicle, it can experience certain issues. Here are some common problems reported by Subaru Legacy owners:
- CVT Transmission Problems: Older models of the Subaru Legacy, particularly those with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), have been reported to experience rumbling, stalling, and sudden stopping. A growling noise from the engine upon acceleration can also be a warning sign of a Subaru Legacy transmission problem. Fluid seepage, a pause after pressing on the gas, and the engine revving without accelerating are other notable red flags.
- Torque Converter Problems: The torque converter, which converts energy produced by the engine and sends it to the transmission, can cause slipping transmission at low speed, poor fuel economy, and various noises from the engine. These problems can be traced back to low or dirty transmission fluid, loose torque converter bolts, and worn clutches.
- Hood Latch Problems: Many Subaru Legacy owners have reported issues with the hood latch, which can become loose while driving at highway speeds. This can cause the hood to bob up and down, obstructing the driver's view of the road and potentially cracking or breaking the windshield.
- Excessive Oil Consumption: Some Subaru Legacy models, particularly those from 2010 to 2014, have been reported to consume excessive oil. Drivers have noted that the engine uses about a quart of oil every 1200 miles, which can increase maintenance costs and potentially harm the engine.
- Faulty Airbags: Some Subaru Legacy owners have reported issues with the airbags, which can fail to deploy in the event of a collision. This can pose a significant safety risk to the vehicle's occupants.
- Eyesight Faults: The Subaru Legacy's Eyesight system, which uses cameras and sensors to monitor the road and assist with braking and steering, can experience faults and fail to function properly. This can reduce the vehicle's safety features and make it more difficult to drive.
- Unintended Acceleration: Some Subaru Legacy owners have reported issues with unintended acceleration, where the vehicle suddenly speeds up without the driver's input. This can pose a significant safety risk and make it difficult to control the vehicle.
- Glitchy Infotainment System: The Subaru Legacy's infotainment system, which includes the radio, navigation, and climate control, can experience glitches and malfunctions. This can make it difficult to use the system and reduce the vehicle's functionality.
- Melting Dashboard: Some Subaru Legacy owners have reported issues with the dashboard melting, particularly in models from 2010 to 2012. This can create an offensive chemical smell and obstruct the driver's view of the road.
- Transmission Problems: Transmission issues have been reported in various Subaru Legacy models, including shuddering, vibrating, and stalling. These problems can be expensive to repair and pose a significant safety risk.
It is important to note that while these issues have been reported by some Subaru Legacy owners, they do not necessarily affect all vehicles of this make and model. Prospective buyers should do their own research and consider factors such as the vehicle's age, mileage, and maintenance history when making a purchasing decision.
Do Subaru Legacys have problems?
Subaru Legacy Reliability Problems. Legacy owners have made 266 complaints over 32 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 10th in overall reliability out of 17 Subaru models , with real engine and lights concerns.
Is a Subaru Legacy a reliable vehicle?
The Subaru Legacy Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 16th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $563 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Legacy.
What is the average life of a Subaru Legacy?
200,000 miles
Legacy: The Subaru Legacy is a midsize sedan known for its reliability and durability. With proper maintenance, Legacy models can easily last well beyond 200,000 miles, providing years of dependable service.
What are the best years for Subaru Legacy?
For the most reliable Subaru Legacy year in this lineup, we recommend picking up the 2006 and 2007 model years due to their excellent reliability ratings and fuel economy. Both 2006 and 2007 Subaru Legacy models received the “Seal of Awesome” award from CarComplaints.com.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Subaru Legacy years
We have researched Subaru problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Subaru Legacy cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Subaru Legacy model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Subaru Legacy model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Subaru Legacy years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Subaru Legacy car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Subaru Legacy , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Subaru Legacy vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Legacy model years
A total of 285 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Legacy model years
There were a total of 48 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Legacy model years
There were a total of 194 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Legacy model years
There were a total of 4 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 3211 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Subaru Legacy . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Subaru Legacy vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Subaru Legacy 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-11-12
- VIN: 4S3BWGP61M3
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Subaru has failed to remedy recall on airbags.
Subaru Legacy 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-11-03
- VIN: 4S3BWAB60M3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: ODS sensor recall still not fixed/remedy available, used heat for first time since i purchased the car, minor cracks in the windshield, car radio/monitors randomly go black, reverse camera won’t work, restarts on there own after a while
Subaru Legacy 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-30
- VIN: 4S3BNAF68J3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My car stereo has gone crazy causing major distractions while driving. Hands free calling doesn’t work, in fact it calls random people on my call list. The screen dances and changes screens all by itself causing major distraction and it has almost caused an accident by the distraction. I’ve read that this issue is a known manufacturing issue and a class action lawsuit was brought against Subaru. I called Subaru and they have refused to give me a warranty radio even thou my dealer confirmed my radio is suffering from the De-lamination issue that’s well known problem with my car.
Subaru Legacy 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 4S3BMCA68E3
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My Subaru ran perfectly fine until the water pump and cooler lines got replaced after these were replaced it was tried to be driven and the car then had no idea what gear it was in drive is drive neautral is drive and reverse does not work at all paddle shifters won’t work AT oil temp light check engine light brake light flashing cruise control light all came on and the car will only go forward and it’s making some crazy shutter noises when you start it and sometimes it shuts off after it was started.
Subaru Legacy 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 4S3BNAC69H3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The mirror drivers side mirror wiggles. I. The even of a battery failure the electrical brake may fail
Subaru Legacy 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-11
- VIN: 4S3BWAD65R3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Warning light on infotainment screen for Eyesight and Transmission Oil issues. Warning from MySubaru System via website. Warning on Infotainment screen while using CarPlay "There was a problem loading this content." Contacted Subaru of America Britt Senior Customer Service Advocate telling them dealer is not making appointment to fix car and no response. Car is clearly having electrical issues. On previous trip to dealerships service was told some cars seem to have issue near train lines and have sporadic electronic issues. Car has had hazard lights flash upon start up on several times. Subaru of America is not taking this seriously. In my honest opinion someone is going to be seriously hurt or killed because of SOA refusal to fix this issue with 2024 Legacy.
Subaru Legacy 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2021-04-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-06
- VIN: 4S3BNAC65H3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The key frequently gets stuck in the ignition. It takes several attempts to release the key. Turning the wheel to ensure the wheel isn’t locked and turning the ignition/car on does not help release the key from ignition.
Subaru Legacy 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-04
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and driving over a speed bump, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the subframe was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000. The VIN was not available.
Subaru Legacy 2005
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-03
- VIN: 4S3BL686456
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, while braking for a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear passenger side brake line had corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired by the dealer since the dealer stated the vehicle was not registered in the listed states on the recall notification. The failure mileage was 229,126. Parts distribution disconnect.
Subaru Legacy 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-26
- VIN: 4S3BWAC65L3
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Subaru Legacy 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-23
- VIN: 4S3BNBL67F3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owned a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact opened and closed the trunk, triggering the alarm system. The alarm system failed to deactivate immediately. The vehicle then failed to restart as needed, and the "Shift to Park" message was displayed while the transmission was in park(P). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the brake fuse was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact replaced the brake fuse for a second time, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed. The contact later sold the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Subaru Legacy 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-18
- VIN: 4S3BWAD65R3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CarPlay Infotainment system built into vehicle and advertised on Subaru.Com as works "perfectly" is showing this message "There was a problem loading this content". Subaru website: The centerpiece of the updated Legacy interior is the available 11.6-inch STARLINK multimedia touchscreen. The stunning big-screen interface makes it easy and intuitive to customize options and delivers SEAMLESS CONTROL of the wireless Apple CarPlay". This is FALSE ADVERTISING. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. The entire infotainment screen which controls things like HVAC is freezing up for no reason.
Subaru Legacy 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-13
- VIN: 4S3BNAS62K3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Radio is delaminating and causing random calls and radio changes while driving. Serious safety issue. Subaru covered a portion of the replacement but entire cost should be covered due to it being an obvious manufacturer defect.
Subaru Legacy 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-10
- VIN: 4S3BNAH64F3
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5 engine. Fuel gauge is inaccurate. My daughter was on the highway when it ran out of fuel. Had car towed to a independent shop. They said that the fuel gauges is a problem for Subaru 's and that they had seen it before on other Subaru's.
Subaru Legacy 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-31
- VIN: 4S3BL676196
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Under Subaru campaign WQK47, which supersedes an earlier campaign, 05-09 Legacy/Outback and other models are known to undergo accelerated brake line corrosion due to sub-par materials and design. Subaru of America's "fix" for this issue is to inspect the lines: if the lines are compromised, they replace them. If the lines are corroded but not yet compromised, the lines are coated with an anti-corrosion wax. This wax washes off the car and is ineffective. Subaru performed this recall work insufficiently on my vehicle, failing to identify the severity of the corrosion. They coated the lines, called it "fixed", and the brake lines later ruptured under normal driving conditions. This caused a highway near-miss at speed that could have impacted everyone on the road. Multiple Subaru dealerships in Connecticut have refused to re-inspect and repair the vehicle under the recall campaign, despite it being a known critical safety concern, and despite knowledge that the original parts and anti-corrosion application are sub-par. They insist that because the ineffective recall campaign was already "completed", they bear no further responsibility for the design compromises and sub-par materials that are the root cause of this issue. Additionally: Under Subaru bulletin 12-197-16R the dashboard of 05-09 Subaru Legacy/Outback models is known to become sticky and melt. While this might initially be considered a cosmetic issue, the melted surface is DRAMATICALLY reflective. The hump over the gauge cluster melts first, causing a huge, intense sun glare reflection in the windscreen directly ahead of the driver. I own two 05-09 Subaru Legacies; this issue is present in both. Subaru of America has rejected my replacement claims on both cars because the cutoff date for their open recall has expired. This is a major and constantly worsening safety issue that severely limits driver visibility. Because it developed slowly, it was not a safety concern until after closure of the recall.
Latest 5 recalls Subaru Legacy
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 219 recalls for different components of the Subaru Legacy.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Subaru Legacy 2021
- Report Received Date: 2024-03-22
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
- Model: Subaru Legacy 2020
- Report Received Date: 2024-03-22
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
- Model: Subaru Legacy 2022
- Report Received Date: 2024-03-22
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
- Model: Subaru Legacy 2022
- Report Received Date: 2023-11-09
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
- Model: Subaru Legacy 2021
- Report Received Date: 2023-11-09
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Latest negative Subaru Legacy car reviews
Latest positive Subaru Legacy car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2013
Hey there! I've been driving the 2013 Limited PZEV model for almost a week now, and I have to say, it's been awesome! After my 2000 Impreza was totaled in a hit & run, I test drove a 2.5 2012 Limited before trying the 2013 2.5 Limited - and let me tell you, they are worlds apart. The DOHC CVT changes in the 2013 model make a huge difference to the pick up and make the 2.5i engine feel much more capable. Plus, the interior space is great, the hands-free feature works like a charm, and the voice activation is very handy. I've been using Bluetooth audio streaming and it works really well too. Commuting on the peninsula <-> San Francisco, I am currently seeing about 24MPG with fairly hard driving, and I think EPA numbers are fair. With AWD and the options on the Limited model, it's hard to beat the value! Thanks for listening.
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Vehicle year: 2005
Congratulations on your new Legacy GT wagon! It sounds like you did your research and made a great choice. The Subaru really stands out with its impressive performance and handling, especially compared to other wagons in its price range. While other options may have had nice interiors, the Legacy GT offers a great balance of quality and affordability. It's great to hear that you're enjoying the car's exterior and interior design, as well as its quiet ride and exciting performance on twisty roads. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
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Vehicle year: 2001
I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with this car. I purchased it specifically for winter driving in NJ and it was absolutely fantastic during the brutal winters of 2002-4. I have noticed a couple of quirks, such as the occasional burning smell coming from the vents after bad weather driving (which I think might be an AWD thing) and a whistling windshield in high crosswinds when all windows are rolled up. However, I've found that these are common Subaru quirks and, while they can be annoying, they are mostly sporadic and shouldn't deter anyone from buying this car. I hope this information is helpful to you!
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Vehicle year: 2001
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's great to hear that you've had a solid car that has served you well. It's impressive that you were able to get such good gas mileage with some simple modifications. It's also good to know that the car ran well for a long time. Thank you for the heads up about the head gasket issues and the importance of clean transmission fluid. We appreciate your input!
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Vehicle year: 2005
I just had to give this car a proper review because it has been such a solid, reliable, and fast car at a steal of a price for the last 5 years. It's almost like other companies are trying to artificially bring down the rating, but there's no way around it.
Are you having problems with your Subaru Legacy?
Leif McGlynn 2025-11-13
Vehicle year: 2005
First-time Subaru buyers, please be aware. Even if you are on a tight budget, my cousin insisted that I should buy a used Subaru. I went ahead and did some research. In fact, there are so many of them around here, but not many older Legacies. Well, after two weeks of looking for an affordable one from a private seller who kept the car up to date with all repairs and all receipts since 2006 till 2013, I guess I might have to fix things from the past 5 years. The car runs pretty well when I test drove it, and I knew it needed a little work to be in 97% condition. I replaced the rear struts, all brake pads and rotors, spark plugs, oil pan gasket on both sides, oil change, air and cabin filters, cleaned mass air flow and throttle body, and CV axles. Now, I went to the dealer to get a recall fixed, and then they told me I have a leak on the head gasket and need to fix the control arm bushings. The labor for gasket repair is $2300!! The mechanic requires to take the engine out for them to access the gasket. It will cost $450 for control arm bushings. All this costs more than what I paid for the car! Plus, it needs balancing and/or alignment. Please, please, please check for that leak, even if it's not on the ground. The drip could be hanging from the oil filter, or if the car has way too many oil spots on the bottom, just run away as fast as you can. The only good thing I can say about my car is that it runs fine, the radio is not bad if you still listen to music on CDs, the driver's seat is a little stiff, but you can set it to the right position for your comfort. I do love the black leather! And last but not least, never jump into a GT. They are even worse than the non-turbo ones.
Brooks Hansen 2025-11-11
Vehicle year: 2007
The car performs as expected and I am generally pleased. However, it is important to note that in case of a warranty issue, Subaru of America may require copies of receipts for oil changes and may demand that all turbo engines be serviced as shown under severe service conditions, regardless of how you drive. This may seem contradictory to what the service manual states. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase an extended service contract for the turbo. It is advisable to research Subaru forums on warranty issues and read about the experiences of other customers. With the added cost of the service contract, it may be worth considering other AWD makes as a better purchase option.
Marlon Conn 2025-11-09
Vehicle year: 2001
I have been using synthetic oil every 5K since new, but unfortunately, my engine has developed a knocking noise since 70,000km, which has been diagnosed as a 'bad bottom end'. Despite my efforts, I have not been able to get it fixed yet. The dealership claims that the area 'rep' has to inspect all warranty claims over $800 in value, and he is in the neighbourhood once every 3 months. However, it has been 5 months now, and I have driven 16,000 km since then, and I am still waiting to get my car fixed. I am confident in my decision to take Subaru to small claims court in May and will be selling my car as soon as possible. Despite the fuel economy being down roughly 40% from new, I am hopeful that this issue will be resolved soon.
Eloy Schuppe 2025-11-06
Vehicle year: 2000
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to say that I'm really impressed with your Legacy L wagon - it's amazing that you've had the original clutch for so long! I'm glad to hear that it's been a reliable car for you, especially in the snow. It sounds like you've had to do some maintenance on it, but overall it's held up really well. I can understand your concerns about fuel mileage, though. It's great that your daughter will be learning to drive with this car - it's a great way to pass on the reliability to the next generation!
Jett Upton 2025-11-04
Vehicle year: 1999
Hey there! When I bought my 1999 Subaru (with only 70,000 miles), my friends raved about how reliable they are and how great they are in the snow. However, I did run into a common headgasket problem that no one mentioned. Subarus are infamous for their head gasket problems in the 2.5L engines. At first, my car was fine, but after a week or so, it started overheating and I had to regularly add coolant even though there were no leaks. After investigating, I've determined it is the headgasket, which will cost me a minimum of $1,000. If you find that you are losing coolant through your coolant reserve tank, chances are exhaust it building up pressure in your radiator causing the coolant to back up into the reserve. Hope this helps!