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Subaru Legacy — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Subaru Legacy model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
39
Years to Avoid
2020, 2015, 2013
Best Years
1999, 1998, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987
2025
10 complaints0 recalls153 TSBs
2024
30 complaints0 recalls237 TSBs
2023
12 complaints2 recalls323 TSBs
2022
46 complaints2 recalls382 TSBs
2021
43 complaints3 recalls460 TSBs
2020Avoid
143 complaints6 recalls595 TSBs
2019
143 complaints3 recalls430 TSBs
2018
165 complaints3 recalls445 TSBs
2017
141 complaints2 recalls1 invest.394 TSBs
2016
194 complaints3 recalls1 invest.468 TSBs
2015Avoid
233 complaints3 recalls1 invest.527 TSBs
2014
73 complaints10 recalls371 TSBs
2013Avoid
84 complaints12 recalls503 TSBs
2012
119 complaints16 recalls1 invest.333 TSBs
2011
236 complaints16 recalls350 TSBs
2010
218 complaints18 recalls321 TSBs
2009
75 complaints13 recalls202 TSBs
2008
83 complaints9 recalls212 TSBs
2007
45 complaints9 recalls208 TSBs
2006
135 complaints7 recalls217 TSBs
2005
250 complaints9 recalls2 invest.270 TSBs
2004
55 complaints11 recalls2 invest.202 TSBs
2003
69 complaints15 recalls2 invest.208 TSBs
2002
71 complaints5 recalls159 TSBs
2001
90 complaints8 recalls155 TSBs
2000
119 complaints4 recalls93 TSBs
1999Best Year
119 complaints3 recalls39 TSBs
1998Best Year
155 complaints5 recalls26 TSBs
1997
179 complaints6 recalls1 invest.38 TSBs
1996
161 complaints4 recalls3 invest.33 TSBs
1995
230 complaints2 recalls3 invest.31 TSBs
1994Best Year
67 complaints0 recalls15 TSBs
1993Best Year
90 complaints1 recalls15 TSBs
1992Best Year
66 complaints2 recalls14 TSBs
1991Best Year
121 complaints3 recalls1 invest.14 TSBs
1990Best Year
103 complaints4 recalls2 invest.14 TSBs
1989Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.10 TSBs
1988Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.10 TSBs
1987Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.10 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Subaru Legacy Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2020, 2015, 2013 Subaru Legacy are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Subaru Legacy, consider the 1999, 1998, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

39 model years analyzed