The Lemon Index2021 Subaru Legacy.
The 2021 Subaru Legacy is about average by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 102, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about wipers & visibility, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 27 to 30 mpg combined. The best Subaru Legacy year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 31 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Legacy year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Recalls 3
- airbags 2024
A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 460 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you encounter a customer complaint of a white residue build up on the rear door partition…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2150–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
recall not fixed yet, what happens if a car hits me & the passenger airbags donât work? unsafe, doesnât seem like itâs being fixed in a timely manner
2021 Subaru Legacy owner · NHTSA complaint 11594923
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 102; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Legacy year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Legacy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wipers & visibility (21%), airbags (21%) and automatic emergency braking (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Legacy get?
27 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Subaru Legacy safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Subaru Legacy cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Subaru Legacy have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Legacy year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works