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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-SUBARU-LEGACYNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2016 Subaru Legacy problems
The 2016 Subaru Legacy has 145 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 Subaru Legacy has 145 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 47 complaints, typically surfacing around 65,176 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Legacy?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
3 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★5/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 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
electrical — 47 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,176 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 16 owner reports
· tends to show around 43,257 mi · ~$700 to fix
visibility — 15 owner reports
· tends to show around 47,589 mi · ~$350 to fix
powertrain — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 33,885 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 43,257 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 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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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 Legacy· body
Child safety lock on rear passenger door got stuck upon activation for the first time. Unable to unlock it. The door can only be opened manually from outside. Goodyear tires eagle ls 2 225/50-18 are completely dry rotten . The ride is terrible and unsafe.
Experienced difficulty removing key from ignition after vehicle is stopped and engine turned off. Issue recurs frequent but randomly. Sometimes it require several attempts to restart and shut-off engine before key would release from ignition. Vehicle was returned to dealer for…
On 2019-11-30 while driving on highway, the driver heard a sudden sound and a crack appeared on the windshield. The crack appeared to originate from the center bottom of the windshield, rise upward about a foot, then toward passenger side a few inches. Over the course of the…
Battery draining problem the requires a new battery to be installed Original batter 2016 Car would not start in February 2019 and required replacement Car would not start in January 2021 and required replacement Car would not start in December 2021 and required jumping
Had a problem with your 2016 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.
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 145 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Subaru Legacy is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
The 2016 Subaru Legacy is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 3 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 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 47 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,176 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 2016 Subaru Legacy a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 145 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 65,176 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 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 47 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,176 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,176 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 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 145 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Subaru/Legacy.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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