The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Legacy · 2016

2016 Subaru Legacy. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index86100 = average car
Complaints56NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold65,306U.S. model year
Per 100K sold86complaints
Year rank#5 of 13#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (AV-S6)AWD26 / 35 / 29Regular$2,150
3.6L 6-cylAuto (AV-S6)AWD20 / 28 / 23Regular$2,700

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 14,500 and 56,900 miles. Median 35,000, from 81 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical51,00035,100–65,00018
Wipers & visibility36,60021,200–65,20012
Steering19,2002,900–49,80012
Transmission & drivetrain14,500400–38,90010
Speed control35,00010,000–65,0007

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 & visibility20%
Steering18%
Transmission & drivetrain12%
Electrical11%
Brakes9%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
14790307

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 16V292000 May 2016 Steering / Column

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

    Risk. The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. 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 ar

  • 15V794000 Nov 2015 Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

    Risk. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 468

Subaru filed 468 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Subaru of america, inc

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
2013482642,291Engine
2014372152,270Airbags
20151539060,447Wipers & visibility
2016865665,306Wipers & visibility
2017764449,837Wipers & visibility
20181416240,109Wipers & visibility
20191866935,063Wipers & 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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