Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Subaru Legacy
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Subaru Legacy has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 147 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #16V292000 Loss of Steering Ability NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V794000 Drive Shaft May Detach From Differential NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V502000 Transmission Oil Leak NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 51 complaints
- Unknown or Other 41 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 17 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Subaru Legacy faces several safety recalls and high complaint counts related to the electrical system. Recalls focus on critical issues like steering and drivetrain components, indicating potential reliability concerns. Common failures and costly repairs, especially related to electrical and powertrain components, suggest higher than average maintenance costs over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 40,000–60,000 miles | $200–$800 | very common |
| steering system | 20,000–40,000 miles | No reliable estimate | common |
| drivetrain | 50,000–70,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| wipers | 30,000–50,000 miles | $50–$200 | occasional |
| braking system | 40,000–60,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake pad replacement at 50,000 miles
- Battery replacement at 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles
- Alignment check annually
- Coolant replacement at 90,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel responsiveness issues
- Transmission fluid leaks
- Unresponsive electronic components
- Odd noises from drivetrain
- Wiper malfunction during rain
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Subaru Legacy at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.