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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-SUBARU-LEGACYNHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Subaru
2009 Subaru Legacy problems
The 2009 Subaru Legacy has 9 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 65 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Subaru Legacy has 65 NHTSA owner complaints and 13 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 28 complaints, typically surfacing around 54,463 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
9
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Legacy?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average
13 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Subaru Legacy? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 28 owner reports
· tends to show around 54,463 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
brakes — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 121,250 mi · ~$450 to fix
engine — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 89,646 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
body — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 76,256 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 54,463 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 13 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 2.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Legacy· body
I was driving on a local highway at around 55 MPH which is just under the posted 65 MPH limit. Suddenly the hood opens and slams into the windshield. It scared the heck out of me, but I was able to maintain control and pull over despite the surrounding traffic. It could have…
I was driving my 2009 Subaru legacy sedan on a rural highway on my usual daily commute to work. It was december 18, 2019 in montana, so cold, but not unusually cold, and it was sunny . I was driving for about 50 minutes, and was probably going around 65-70mph, when I heard a…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru legacy. The contact stated that during routine matinencance, the private mechanic stated that there was corrosion on both sides of the control arms and oil pan. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and…
Takata airbags-- incident not mv related-- beaurucratic issue. I have received no help getting my airbags replaced. Tried several dealers. Their lies do not match up. Getting the run around. Very upset. Unacceptable service or lack there of, really.
Had a problem with your 2009 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 2.0 out of 10 based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Subaru Legacy has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Subaru Legacy?
The 2009 Subaru Legacy is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average; 13 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Subaru Legacy?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 28 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,463 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Subaru Legacy a good used car to buy?
It scores 2.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 65 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 54,463 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Subaru Legacy?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,463 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 54,463 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Legacy has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Subaru Legacy?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 65 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Subaru/Legacy.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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