2016 Subaru Legacy: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2016 / subaru / legacy
known issues	6 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-23)
complaints	147 on file (2015-10-09 → 2026-09-12)
recalls	3
investigations	1
fars	14 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Ignition key won't release from park positionELECTRICAL SYSTEM33 complaints2019-07 → 2025-08subaru-legacy-2016-key-wont-release-park

11317153 THE SWITCH THAT THE KEY GOES INTO WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK. PLEASE MAKE THEM RECALL THIS AND FIX IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE
11254808 FAILURE OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN SHIFTER IS IN THE PARK POSITION
11339444 KEY INTERMITTENTLY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN CAR IS IN PARK AND ENGINE TURNED OFF (BUT ELECTRIC IS STILL ON SINCE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED TO "OFF"). IF LEFT UNRESOLVED, THE BATTERY WILL EVENTUALLY DIE

Windshield cracking without impact damageVISIBILITY/WIPER16 complaints2016-03 → 2024-07subaru-legacy-2016-windshield-spontaneous-crack

11243439 MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A CRACK WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR A WEEK. NO DEBRIS WAS FOUND AROUND THE VEHICLE. LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED WITH THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDED 1 FOOT DOWN AND 1.5 FEET ACROSS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE
10995673 ONE MORNING AFTER BEING PARKED ALL NIGHT, WE NOTICED A SIX INCH CRACK APPEARED ONE DAY IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HALF WAY UP AT THE PASSENGER SIDE EDGE AND EXTENDING TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE. THERE IS NO IMPACT OR CHIP SITE IN THE WINDSHIELD
11425028 A 6-inch crack suddenly appeared in the lower driver's side area of the windshield starting from the very edge in the black area. It follows the exact pattern of multiple other windshield crack complaints in this model year

CVT and transmission failurePOWER TRAIN8 complaints2016-11 → 2026-08subaru-legacy-2016-cvt-transmission-failure

10925875 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
11754212 While traveling approximately 70 mph, my 2016 Subaru Legacy experienced a sudden drivetrain failure. The vehicle made a loud bang, immediately lost acceleration/power, and approximately five seconds later the front drivetrain locked, causing the tires to skid
11497377 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

Steering veers off-center without inputSTEERING5 complaints2016-04 → 2023-06subaru-legacy-2016-steering-veering-loss

10870686 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
10864756 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
11527329 Steering did not return to neutral position after making a right turn, steering wanted to continue on right turn. I was able to pull it back to straight position with some needed force

Battery drain from parasitic electrical drawELECTRICAL SYSTEM27 complaints2021-05 → 2026-06subaru-legacy-2016-battery-parasitic-drain

11741718 Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly
11497468 BATTERY DIED BECAUSE OF A DRAIN PROBLEM. I HAD TO REPLACE 2 BATTERIES IN ONE YEAR AND TEN MONTHS. HOW MANY BATTERIES MUST I REPLACED BEFORE SUBARU DOES A RECALL? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO?
11423137 Battery fully discharges when vehicle sits idle for more than 2 to 3 days. Car does not start. I changed the battery twice in 6 months time and have checked alternator which is okay

Unintended acceleration at low speed or parkingVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 complaints2016-01 → 2025-09subaru-legacy-2016-low-speed-unintended-accel

11686981 THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR! On Friday, September 12, 2025 at 3:32 p.m., I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park. As I started to turn the car into the parking space, my car surged forward without my pressing on the gas pedal
10823304 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
11110715 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH THE DRIVEWAY BARRIERS AND CRASHED INTO A TREE

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
147	2015-10-09	2026-09-12	9	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:51; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:41; VISIBILITY/WIPER:17; STEERING:16; POWER TRAIN:13

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
15V794000	24/11/2015	POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT	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.	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.	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.
16V292000	11/05/2016	STEERING:COLUMN	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.	The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.	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 are advised not to drive their vehicles.
15V502000	10/08/2015	POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT	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.	If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
EA21002	open	Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2021-09-17	·	·	From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	14	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2016 Subaru Legacy vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/subaru/legacy

@misc{wrenchpro_2016_subaru_legacy_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2016 Subaru Legacy},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/subaru/legacy}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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