Legacy (7th)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
U4
2.4L 4-cyl / 560 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
U5
2.5L 4-cyl / 182 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Subaru Legacy regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (8)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia navigation. The August 2020 over-the-air software update may have timed out without completing the installation, corrupting the data, and causing the rearview display to shutoff intermittently. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt.
All Generations
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy problems?
The 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy has accumulated 208 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Electrical System, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Subaru Legacy engine is most reliable?
The 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy a good used car?
The 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 208 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy have?
The 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy has 208 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy?
There are 8 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Subaru Legacy?
Before buying a used Subaru Legacy, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Electrical System, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Legacy?
The 2025 Subaru Legacy received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (10.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 208 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.