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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Subaru Legacy has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 147 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Subaru Legacy, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Subaru Legacy owner complaints

Owners have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Legacy, describing incidents dated October 9, 2015 to September 8, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 51 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 41 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 18 complaints
  • Steering 16 complaints
  • Power Train 13 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 9 complaints

Of the 147 complaints on file, 9 report a crash; across all 147 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11763779 · Filed

    The infotainment screen would do random cycling through source, maps and other functions all without the driver’s input. Also the screen would just randomly freeze and become insensitive to touch inputs. The steering wheel controls for the infotainment randomly malfunctions. The most concerting…

  • ODI #11754212 · Filed

    While traveling approximately 70 mph, my 2016 Subaru Legacy experienced a sudden drivetrain failure. The vehicle made a loud bang, immediately lost acceleration/power, and approximately five seconds later the front drivetrain locked, causing the tires to skid and leaving a long skid mark. The engine…

  • ODI #11742852 · Filed

    The factory touchscreen infotainment system is experiencing severe screen delamination (internal adhesive failure). This defect causes uncontrollable 'ghost touching,' where the screen registers phantom inputs. The system cycles through radio stations, changes audio sources, and changes navigation…

Read all 147 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Subaru Legacy in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Loss of Steering Ability

NHTSA #16V292000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2016 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 48,819 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WTD-65 · Owners notified May 13, 2016 · Vehicles built February 29, 2016 – May 6, 2016 (per NHTSA)

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Subaru dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Drive Shaft May Detach From Differential

NHTSA #15V794000 · Power Train — Driveline — Driveshaft · NHTSA notice

Reported November 24, 2015 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 3,251 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.43% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WQV-57 · Owners notified December 10, 2015 · Vehicles built October 24, 2015 – November 16, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Transmission Oil Leak

NHTSA #15V502000 · Power Train — Driveline — Driveshaft · NHTSA notice

Reported August 10, 2015 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 2,893 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WQU-56 · Owners notified August 28, 2015 · Vehicles built July 3, 2015 – July 25, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Subaru Legacy model years

Check your 2016 Subaru Legacy VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru Legacy at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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