The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Legacy · 2015

2015 Subaru Legacy. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index153100 = average car
Complaints90NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold60,447U.S. model year
Per 100K sold149complaints
Year rank#11 of 13#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (AV-S6)AWD25 / 32 / 28Regular$2,200
3.6L 6-cylAuto (AV-S6)AWD20 / 27 / 22Regular$2,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,500 and 43,400 miles. Median 16,100, from 104 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical11,8002,900–41,00016
Wipers & visibility9,5002,400–26,50029
Engine17,400800–76,00015
Transmission & drivetrain90,10040,000–155,0009
Speed control32,0007,200–74,00011

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Wipers & visibility30%
Electrical19%
Engine11%
Fuel or ev drive system11%
Speed control9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1601537011

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 16V251000 Apr 2016 Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

    Risk. Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.

  • 15V502000 Aug 2015 Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

    Risk. If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 15V366000 Jun 2015 Forward Collision Avoidance / Crash Imminent Braking

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

    Risk. If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 527

Subaru filed 527 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This Service Information bulletin announces a material change to the engine accessory drive /…
  • This bulletin announces part information for new Active Valve Control System (AVCS) oil…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2012221147,127Engine
2013482642,291Engine
2014372152,270Airbags
20151539060,447Wipers & visibility
2016865665,306Wipers & visibility
2017764449,837Wipers & visibility
20181416240,109Wipers & visibility

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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