The Lemon Index2023 Subaru Legacy.
The 2023 Subaru Legacy has too few complaints to score: 10 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 26 to 30 mpg combined. The best Subaru Legacy year is 2012.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 10 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Legacy year. 2023 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 2
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
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 323 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 $2150–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2023 Subaru Legacy reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2023 Subaru Legacy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (40%), airbags (20%) and visibility (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Legacy have?
2 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Subaru Legacy get?
26 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 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 2023 Subaru Legacy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2023 Subaru Legacy cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Subaru Legacy have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Legacy year is better than the 2023?
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