1990-2024 model years · 6,490+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
Choose a year to request this visual. Trim and engine are optional; omitted trim is Not specified.
According to Au7o's analysis of 6,490+ owner reports, the 1990-2024 Subaru Legacy has 18 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are EJ25 Head Gasket Failure ($1,600-$3,000 repair), CVT Transmission Failure ($200-$8,000 repair), FB25 Engine Oil Consumption ($0-$4,500 repair), Interference engine: neglected timing belt destroys valves ($500-$4,000 repair), Recall 16V694000: Windshield Wiper Motor Can Overheat and Melt Its Bottom Cover (Fire Risk), Recall WRN-23: Loose Driveshaft Center Support Bolts on 2023 Legacy, EJ25 DOHC (Phase I) internal head gasket failure ($1,500-$2,800 repair) and Thermo Control Valve Failure Causing Check Engine Light, Poor Heater Performance, and Possible Overheating ($1,200-$2,200 repair). The most commonly reported issue is EJ25 Head Gasket Failure with 3,800 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or .
According to Au7o's analysis of 6,490+ owner reports, the 1990-2024 Subaru Legacy has 18 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: EJ25 Head Gasket Failure, CVT Transmission Failure, FB25 Engine Oil Consumption. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1990-2024 Subaru Legacy has 18 known issues documented across 6,490+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: EJ25 Head Gasket Failure and CVT Transmission Failure and FB25 Engine Oil Consumption and Interference engine: neglected timing belt destroys valves and Recall 16V694000: Windshield Wiper Motor Can Overheat and Melt Its Bottom Cover (Fire Risk) and Recall WRN-23: Loose Driveshaft Center Support Bolts on 2023 Legacy and EJ25 DOHC (Phase I) internal head gasket failure and Thermo Control Valve Failure Causing Check Engine Light, Poor Heater Performance, and Possible Overheating. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Subaru Legacy issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, EJ25 Head Gasket Failure, typically costs $1,600-$3,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Subaru Legacy. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1990-2024 Subaru Legacy with 18 documented issues documented across 6,490+ owner reports.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
+ 3 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The 2.5L EJ25 engine in 2000-2009 Legacys suffers from the same head gasket failure that plagues all EJ25-equipped Subarus. The composite gaskets degrade, causing external oil and coolant leaks at the head-to-block mating surfaces. The Legacy's higher-mileage highway use means ma… Repairs typically run $1,600-$3,000. Severity: high.
The 2010+ Legacy uses the Lineartronic CVT (TR690 for 2.5L, TR580 for 2.5i base) which has widespread reports of premature failure, typically between 80,000-140,000 miles. Failures include chain stretch, torque converter shudder, valve body malfunction, and complete transmission… Repairs typically run $200-$8,000. Severity: high.
The 2010-2016 Legacy 2.5i uses the FB25 engine which is affected by the same oil consumption issue as other FB25-equipped Subarus. Defective piston rings allow excessive oil to bypass into the combustion chamber. The Legacy's higher average speeds mean oil consumption can be even… Repairs typically run $0-$4,500. Severity: high.
The DOHC EJ25 and the 1997-and-later SOHC EJ boxers are interference designs - if the rubber timing belt breaks or jumps teeth, the pistons strike open valves and bend them, often ruining the heads. (The pre-1997 SOHC EJ22 is non-interference; the change to interference on the SO… Repairs typically run $500-$4,000. Severity: high.
Subaru recalled 2010-2014 Legacy sedans built between November 26, 2008 and June 7, 2013 because of a defect inside the windshield wiper motor. Contamination inside the wiper motor's bottom cover can let components within the cover interfere with each other. If something blocks t… Severity: high.
If you drive a 2023 Subaru Legacy, this is one to check your VIN against. Subaru of America reported to NHTSA that the bolts securing the driveshaft's center support can loosen in service. The failure mode is not a slow wear-out — once those bolts lose their clamp load, the front… Severity: high.
The first 2.5L boxer in the Legacy, the EJ25D DOHC (Phase I), used a composite head gasket that fails internally around the 100,000-mile mark. Unlike the later external-leak variant, this failure lets coolant and combustion gases mix, causing loss of compression, coolant in the o… Repairs typically run $1,500-$2,800. Severity: high.
Multiple owners of 7th-generation Legacy models have reported failure of the electronically controlled thermo control valve used in the FB25 cooling system. When the valve sticks or its internal position sensor fails, the car may illuminate the check engine light, lose cabin heat… Repairs typically run $1,200-$2,200. Severity: high.
A well-documented issue on late-model Subaru vehicles including the Legacy involves parasitic battery drain tied to the Data Communication Module (DCM), telematics hardware, or related control modules not going to sleep properly. Owners report dead batteries after the vehicle sit… Repairs typically run $250-$1,200. Severity: medium.
Owners of current-generation Legacy models have reported brake pulsation, steering wheel shake, or vibration during moderate braking, sometimes at relatively low mileage. The condition is commonly attributed to front rotor thickness variation or uneven pad deposits rather than a… Repairs typically run $350-$900. Severity: medium.
Owners of 2021-2024 Legacy models frequently report windshields that crack from small stone impacts or develop long cracks quickly, often near the camera area. Because the windshield is integrated with the EyeSight driver-assistance system, replacement is more expensive than conv… Repairs typically run $900-$1,800. Severity: medium.
Automatic-transmission Legacys use an electronically controlled transfer clutch (governed by the Duty C solenoid) to send torque to the rear wheels. When the clutch pack sticks engaged or the Duty C solenoid gets dirty/sticky, the AWD stays locked on dry pavement and cannot relie… Repairs typically run $300-$2,500. Severity: medium.
2021-2023 Legacy sedans are among the vehicles Subaru recalled under campaign WRQ-23. The defect is a weld on the park/neutral start interlock switch — the inhibitor switch — that was not made adequately, allowing water to enter the switch body and cause the switch to fail. A Leg… Severity: medium.
The large center touchscreen used in the current Legacy has generated many owner complaints for lagging, freezing, random reboots, black screens, and unstable Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connections. In some cases climate and vehicle settings become difficult to access because man… Repairs typically run $0-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The Legacy's front hubs use tapered roller bearings that require correct axle-nut preload. On these cars they are a common wear item: an improperly torqued axle nut, high mileage, or water intrusion leads to a growing hum/roar that rises with road speed and changes when loading t… Repairs typically run $250-$550. Severity: medium.
Later single-layer graphite-coated head gaskets on the SOHC 2.5L and 2.2L boxers develop small EXTERNAL coolant seeps, typically at the left cylinder head, as the coating chips near 100,000 miles. Owners often smell coolant or top off the reservoir before seeing a puddle. Subaru… Repairs typically run $1,200-$2,200. Severity: medium.
Early Legacys used federally mandated motorized passive shoulder belts that ride a track along the door frame, driven by a small motor and triggered by door-jamb switches. With age these jam mid-travel, slip off the track, or stop moving entirely as the drive cable frays, the tra… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.
2010-2019 Legacys develop annoying clunking or rattling from the front suspension, particularly over small bumps, rough roads, and during low-speed turns. The primary causes are worn front stabilizer bar end links and deteriorated strut top mounts. The stabilizer end link ball jo… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: low.
