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2016 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2016 Subaru Legacy carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering driveshaft and column. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Ignition key won't release from park position.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Campaign #15V794000 · Nov 24, 2015

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

STEERING:COLUMN

Campaign #16V292000 · Nov 5, 2016

Issue: 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.

Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Campaign #15V502000 · Oct 8, 2015

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Subaru Legacy.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    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 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Ignition key won't release from park position

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

33 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2025-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11317153
“FAILURE OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN SHIFTER IS IN THE PARK POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11254808
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11339444

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield cracking without impact damage

VISIBILITY/WIPER

16 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2024-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11243439
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10995673
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11425028

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT and transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2026-08

“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 report, NHTSA ODI #10925875
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11754212
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11497377

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering veers off-center without input

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2023-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10870686
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864756
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527329

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Battery drain from parasitic electrical draw

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

27 NHTSA complaints · 2021-05 → 2026-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11741718
“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?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11497468
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423137

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration at low speed or parking

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

11 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2025-09

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11686981
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10823304
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11110715

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

14 crashes 1990–2024

How the 14 occupant deaths break down

11

driver deaths

3

passenger deaths

14

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2015 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

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. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Subaru Legacy reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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