Subaru Legacy years to avoid
The Subaru Legacy years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2018, 1996, 1998, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2006, 2003, 2004 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1989 is the cleanest year on record.
4,154
Total complaints
83
Recall campaigns
1987–2025
Years covered
16
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Legacy years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | High complaints + open investigation | 248 | |
| 2011 | High complaint rate | 234 | |
| 2015 | High complaints + open investigation | 232 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 230 | |
| 2010 | High complaint rate | 218 | |
| 2016 | High complaints + open investigation | 192 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 179 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 161 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 161 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 155 | |
| 2020 | High complaint rate | 143 | |
| 2019 | High complaint rate | 142 | |
| 2017 | High complaints + open investigation | 140 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 135 | |
| 2003 | Open safety investigation | 69 | |
| 2004 | Open safety investigation | 55 |
Every Legacy year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 26 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 41 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 43 | 3 | |
| 2020avoid | 143 | 6 | |
| 2019avoid | 142 | 3 | |
| 2018avoid | 161 | 3 | |
| 2017avoid | 140 | 2 | |
| 2016avoid | 192 | 3 | |
| 2015avoid | 232 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 73 | 10 | |
| 2013 | 84 | 12 | |
| 2012 | 119 | 16 | |
| 2011avoid | 234 | 16 | |
| 2010avoid | 218 | 18 | |
| 2009 | 75 | 13 | |
| 2008 | 83 | 9 | |
| 2007 | 45 | 9 | |
| 2006avoid | 135 | 7 | |
| 2005avoid | 248 | 9 | |
| 2004avoid | 55 | 11 | |
| 2003avoid | 69 | 15 | |
| 2002 | 71 | 5 | |
| 2001 | 90 | 8 | |
| 2000 | 119 | 4 | |
| 1999 | 119 | 3 | |
| 1998avoid | 155 | 5 | |
| 1997avoid | 179 | 6 | |
| 1996avoid | 161 | 4 | |
| 1995avoid | 230 | 2 | |
| 1994 | 67 | 0 | |
| 1993 | 90 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 66 | 2 | |
| 1991 | 121 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 103 | 4 | |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Subaru Legacy years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Legacy years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2018, 1996, 1998, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2006, 2003, 2004. The cleanest year on record is 1989.
What is the best year for the Subaru Legacy?
By complaint volume, 1989 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Legacy years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Subaru Legacy have?
Across all model years, the Legacy has 83 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,154 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.