Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2008 Subaru Legacy
The 2008 Subaru Legacy is a reliable choice with a few notable issues, mostly related to airbags and brakes. Recalls focus heavily on airbag inflator defects, while complaints highlight airbag, brake, and electrical problems. Ensure previous recalls have been addressed when considering a purchase.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Subaru Legacy has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 65 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V001000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V002000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V003000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V297000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V738000 Power Relay may Fail Allowing Air Pump to Overheat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V323000 Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V311000 Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V110000 Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V460000 ENGINE OIL SUPPLY PIPE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 25 complaints
- Service Brakes 11 complaints
- Electrical System 9 complaints
- Power Train 6 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
- Engine 4 complaints
Of the 65 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 65 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Airbag inflator defects
How to check: Confirm recall service is completed for airbags.
Brake line corrosion
How to check: Inspect brake lines for rust or leaks.
Ignition switch failure
How to check: Turn ignition and check for startup issues.
Oil supply pipe assembly issues
How to check: Inspect engine for oil leaks near turbo.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual noises from engine.
Red flag: Loud knocking or hissing
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights
- 03
Low-speed maneuvers
What to check: Test brakes for smooth operation.
Red flag: Squealing or vibration
- 04
City driving
What to check: Check electrical controls function smoothly.
Red flag: Unresponsive or erratic controls
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure engine accelerates smoothly without hesitating.
Red flag: Engine hesitation or stuttering
- 06
Braking from high speed
What to check: Feel for consistent braking performance.
Red flag: Brake pedal feels soft or spongy
- 07
Parking
What to check: Engage steering wheel lock and test ignition.
Red flag: Steering lock doesn't engage
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag recall been addressed?
- Were the brakes inspected recently?
- Any electrical problems in the past?
- Has the oil supply pipe been checked?
- What maintenance has been done recently?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Maintenance history log
- Brake service receipts
- Title and registration
- Vehicle history report
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Subaru Legacy at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2008 Subaru Legacy? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.