2016 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
146 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
35,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 81 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 146 complaints (33.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 35 | 24.0% |
| Braking behavior | 19 | 13.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 9.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 49 |
| Unknown Or Other | 41 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 17 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
Electrical System: 49; Unknown Or Other: 41; Visibility/Wiper: 17; Steering: 16; Power Train: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Service Brakes: 8; Engine: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 28 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 28; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (28). 65 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2015: 3; 2016: 11; 2017: 15; 2018: 8; 2019: 19; 2020: 20; 2021: 27; 2022: 15; 2023: 12; 2024: 4; 2025: 8; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 35 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11015151 · 2017-08-14 (August 14, 2017)
EYE SITE SAFETY MAIN WIRING HARNESS RODENT DAMAGE HARNESS INSERTION MADE WITH SOYBEAN SO ITS MADE OF FOOD HAPPENED PARKED IN DRIVEWAY
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11015151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11083321 · 2018-04-04 (April 4, 2018)
WIRES AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MADE OF SOY BASED MATERIALS THAT ATTRACT RODENTS SQUIRRELS CHIPMUNKS AND CATS APPARENTLY AND HAVE BEEN CHEWED; THE HARNESS WAS DESTROYED AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THIS AND TO POWER STEERING LINE, EXHAUST HOSES AND OTHER WIRING AND PARTS WITH SOY EXIST. THE MANUFACTURER STATES THERE IS NO REMEDY OTHER THAN TO REPLACE WITH THE SAME MATERIALS. WE ARE CONCERNED NOT ONLY FOR FINANCIAL REASONS BUT PARTICULARLY SAFETY ISSUES. WHEN I TURNED ON THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS FLASHING INCLUD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11083321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789608 · 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)
EYESIGHT PACKAGES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WITH LANE-DEPARTURE AND AUTO-BRAKING DOESN'T WORK. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX.
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823304 · 2016-01-31 (January 31, 2016)
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THREE EPISODES STARTING FROM AUGUST 2015. (DELIVERY MONTH OF CAR). WAS SLOWING DOWN,FOOT LIGHTLY ON BRAKE AT ENTRANCE GATE TO MY COMMUNITY,WHEN ENGINE SURGED AND CAR STARTED ACCELERATING. STOMPED HARD ON BRAKE TO STOP FORWARD MOTION. LASTED ONLY A FEW SECONDS AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL. OTHER 2 TIMES ALMOST IDENTICAL CIRCUMSTANCES. HAVE FIRST APPT. WITH SUBARU OM FEB. 2 2016.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10875555 · 2016-06-21 (June 21, 2016)
FOLLOWING ARE TWO MAIN ISSUES, CAUSALITY/CORRELATION UNCERTAIN. AFTER THE "SUBARU EYESIGHT" FAILED FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES WHILE UNDERWAY (DASHBOARD CLUSTER LIT UP IN NUMEROUS PLACES, TOO), THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM RESET WHILE DRIVING. THEREAFTER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO "BUCK (E.G. LURCH FORWARD SEVERAL INCHES WITH A LOT OF FORCE)" WHEN THE VEHICLE'S CVT WAS IN "DRIVE" AND I WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AT NORMAL PRESSURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT SIX TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR DAYS, AND I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED. THE "BUCK" IS SO SEVERE THAT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10925875 · 2016-11-14 (November 14, 2016)
WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THERE IS AN EXTENDED DELAY AND APPLICATION OF THROTTLE CAUSES A SEVERE LURCHING OF THE CAR WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10925875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10864756 · 2016-05-13 (May 13, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VEERING RIGHT AND LEFT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO DIAGNOSIS AND NO REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V292000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10864756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870686 · 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. ...UPDATED 6/30/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497377 · 2022-12-14 (December 14, 2022)
I had a transmission failure on my 2016 Subaru Legacy and there were no warning signs before this incident occurred. I was on a road trip driving at highway speeds and suddenly without warning I heard a loud bang. Then the "at oil temp" light came on, then the "check engine light", smelled something burning and also felt some slipping in the transmission. I pulled over as soon as I could. I towed it to the nearest dealer and they diagnosed the problem as being a bad valve body based on the code "P0712: Transmission Temperature Sensor Circuit L…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11497377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406551 · 2021-04-05 (April 5, 2021)
DROVE ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH IN A SUNNY AFTERNOON ON A 400 MILE TRIP WITH FUEL TANK BETWEEN 1/8 AND 1/4 FULL. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. PRESSED THE GAS TO REV UP THE ENGINE BUT STILL NO POWER MOVING FORWARD. HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED THE CAR. THAT WAS A PRETTY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE IT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT FAILED. THE STARTER TURNS BUT ENGINE WILL NOT START. ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PERIOD OF 30 - 40 MINUTES TO NO AVAIL. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406551 at NHTSA ↗