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ProblemsByVin Index / 2016-SUBARU-LEGACY / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2016 Subaru Legacy owner complaints

145 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

steering 4 complaints shown

16 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/28/2020 58,814 mi ODI #11385364.0

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 repair and faulty part in shifter assembly replaced.

12/19/2019 ODI #11290031.0

Key will not remove from ignition when turning off car. Progressively got more frequent. Only way to remove the key is to move the car or to shift back in forth from park to drive. Part had to be replaced

12/06/2019 55,000 mi ODI #11287462.0

Unable to remove key from ignition when vehicle is in park-engine/car turns off except radio/lights. Have to restart car put into reverse, back into park, then turn off car.

11/13/2019 31,000 mi ODI #11279802.0

Having difficulty removing key from ignition when vehicle is in park - car will turn off but cannot remove the key without much difficulty, restarting jiggling with force - fear of key breaking in ignition

visibility 4 complaints shown

15 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
12/24/2019 20,400 mi ODI #11291014.0

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 next few days the crack became longer toward passenger side, while parked overnight. On 2019-12-03 vehicle owner called soa to notify them of the potential defect occurrence with the windshield, and was provided a case number for warranty claim/defect. Vehicle was driven to local Subaru dealer in zip code 32609 for inspection, and to have them take pictures to be sent to soa for review, referencing the case number. Dealer said they thought the crack was from an impact event, and recommended a local body shop for own

12/20/2015 ODI #10811326.0

High gloss navigation screen and high gloss finish on vents reflect sun at certain angles and result in sun being reflected into drivers eyes causing a blinding condition. This happens when driving during daylight when sun is out. This is a severe and significant safety issue. I have driven subarus for years and just got the 2016 legacy. Have never had this problem with any other vehicle. Have to put a towel over area when sun is out to drive without being blinded.

12/01/2017 ODI #11051697.0

Within a month of purchasing brand new, my 2016 legacy developed a massive crack at the bottom of the windshield near the defrost. I replaced the windshield with a new Subaru windshield only to have it crack again in a different place within a few months. I contacted Subaru as there is a known problem with the windshields on the early 2016 models and they refused to assist.

11/30/2020 44,000 mi ODI #11377138.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Subaru legacy. The contact stated that the windshield was cracked near the windshield wiper. Carter Subaru shoreline (17225 aurora ave n, seattle, wa 98133; (206) 542-1166) was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

electrical 4 complaints shown

47 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/21/2021 ODI #11444634.0

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

12/14/2022 ODI #11497468.0

Battery died because of a drain problem. I had to replace 2 batteries in one year and ten months. How many batteries must I replaced before Subaru does a recall? Is there anything you can do?

12/11/2024 184,000 mi ODI #11630170.0

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that while the check engine light remained illuminated the horn failed to function as designed. The contact stated that after the check engine warning light issue was resolved the horn returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the failure was a known issue and advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle until the check engine warning light issue was resolved. The failure mileage was 184,000.

11/16/2023 ODI #11555483.0

Battery has failed twice in a matter of a year. Both batteries were top of the line and no reason can be seen for failure. I see that there are a great deal of the same sort of complaints listed here and Subaru should be well aware of this issue.

body 2 complaints shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/29/2018 55,000 mi ODI #11163946.0

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.

11/11/2020 74,424 mi ODI #11374078.0

The child safety lock on the rear passenger's side will not disengage. It happened suddenly (unknown). You can't open the door from the inside, but you can open it from the outside. This is a safety issue because passengers could not get out of the door if an accident were to occur. The vehicle was stationary. The actuator needs to be replaced. After searching online recently there are a number of people who have this issue with their Subaru.

powertrain 2 complaints shown

12 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/14/2022 ODI #11497377.0

I had a transmission failure on my 2016 Subaru Legacy and there were no warning signs before this incident occurred. I was on a road trip driving at highway speeds and suddenly without warning I heard a loud bang. Then the "at oil temp" light came on, then the "check engine light", smelled something burning and also felt some slipping in the transmission. I pulled over as soon as I could. I towed it to the nearest dealer and they diagnosed the problem as being a bad valve body based on the code "P0712: Transmission Temperature Sensor Circuit Low" without test driving the vehicle. The valve body was replaced. Since my car's mileage was outside the extended warranty for this issue, Subaru only contributed half the cost of the repair. After the completion of the repair, the dealer told me th

11/14/2016 ODI #10925875.0

When shifting from reverse to drive there is an extended delay and application of throttle causes a severe lurching of the car which can cause an accident.

other 1 complaint shown

12/22/2019 25,000 mi ODI #11290688.0

Key will not remove from ignition when turning off car. Progressively got more frequent. Only way to remove the key is to move the car or to shift back in forth from park to drive.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

8 total in this category · severe · avg repair $600 · see cruise control cluster analysis →
11/16/2021 28,000 mi Crash ODI #11440603.0

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space and pressing the brake pedal the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and continued to drive forward causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a pole. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified. The failure mileage was 28,000.

seatbelts 1 complaint shown

11/15/2018 59,000 mi Crash ODI #11151830.0

I was driving straight in stop and go traffic on a main town road. And was rear ended at under 20 MPH. My head hit the steering wheel and I was wearing my seat belt. I do not feel that the seat belt kept properly restrained me.

engine 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
11/10/2021 ODI #11440040.0

Car battery has discharged on three occasions within the passed 6 months. There is no warning that the battery is failing, turn car off and go to turn on next day and it won’t start. The battery is one yr old and mechanic gave it passing mark when he checked it. When I researched internet to gather more info I found the class action lawsuit describing my problem on other Subarus and felt it should be documented.

Showing 300 of 145 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Subaru/Legacy#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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