AI Damage2016 Subaru Legacy: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Subaru Legacy filed 147 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and visibility. The maker issued 318 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 147
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 318
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 35% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 12% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 51 complaints (35% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 158.
- Visibility: 18 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Steering: 16 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Powertrain: 13 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Vehicle speed control: 9 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- CVTnamed in 4 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 147 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 51 | 0 | 158 |
| Visibility | 18 | 0 | 10 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 13 | 1 | 35 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 19 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 | 8 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy. There was damage done to both the tree and other vehicle. The vehicle was towed and deemed total. A police report was filed. The contact had received a bruise on their knee and sought out medical attention. The contact dealer was not made aware of the falure.
The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space and pressing the brake pedal the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and continued to drive forward causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a pole. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken.
I quickly hit the brakes 3 times but got no response and hit my fence before the car came to a stop none of my safety features (including collision avoidance) kicked in and subaru said there was no record of any malfunction and they could not recreate the incidence.
As I was going through the curve the power steering light came on the car wouldn't turn back. I stop and was able to pull the car off the road with no incident. I called sis it's a d asked if was a safety recall. I was told no. I then had them to the car to subaru of america in orland park il.
My head hit the steering wheel and I was wearing my seat belt. I do not feel that the seat belt kept properly restrained me.
The side impact air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact received a mild concussion from the impact and moderate head pain, which required medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to bill rapp subaru ([address], syracuse, ny) where it was deemed operable.
The brakes did not work and I was not going so fast that I couldn't have had a smooth stop.
The infotainment screen would do random cycling through source, maps and other functions all without the driver’s input. Also the screen would just randomly freeze and become insensitive to touch inputs. The steering wheel controls for the infotainment randomly malfunctions.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 434 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Legacy has 73 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 147, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body
The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from…
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
NHTSA lists 318 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, visibility, steering. Total complaints: 147. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: battery drain (10%), infotainment or screen glitches (7%), warning lights, check engine (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA lists 318 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Subaru Legacy from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.