Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Impreza vs Subaru Legacy
How the Subaru Impreza and Subaru Legacy compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Subaru Impreza vs Subaru Legacy: The Impreza averages 62.4 complaints per year with 25 recalls, while the Legacy averages 72.4 complaints with 24 recalls. Both have visibility and electrical issues, but the Impreza has 1 death and the Legacy has 0. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Impreza or Subaru Legacy more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that has averaged about 62 complaints per year over the past decade, with 25 recalls. Owner complaints often center on visibility and wiper problems, exterior lighting, and electrical glitches, including reports of stalling, windshield cracking, and dash failures. While many issues are annoying rather than dangerous, the Impreza has been linked to 28 crash-related complaints and 1 death, so a thorough inspection is wise.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a midsize sedan with a slightly higher complaint rate—about 72 per year—and 24 recalls. Its most common trouble spots are visibility/wiper, electrical system, and unknown/other issues, with owner reports of sun visor inadequacy, infotainment glitches, and unintended acceleration. The Legacy has 36 crash-related complaints but 0 deaths, suggesting that while problems occur, outcomes may differ.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Impreza | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 624 Better | 724 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 | 24 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 28 Better | 36 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 62.4 Better | 72.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 | 14 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Subaru Impreza
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER176
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING164
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER100
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM61
- 05ENGINE42
Owners report spontaneous windshield cracking from the defroster area, sometimes requiring multiple replacements, and some say the car loses power or stalls when making turns. These issues can impair visibility and create safety risks, so check the windshield for cracks and test-drive for stalling.
Complaints include headlights that fail to adequately illuminate the road at night and steering that feels loose or causes the car to jerk side to side. Poor lighting and vague steering can make night driving and emergency maneuvers more difficult.
Reports describe the entire dashboard going out, warning messages to stop driving, and even a fire caused by a defective battery. Electrical faults can disable safety systems and lead to costly repairs or dangerous situations.
Some owners report stalling when making turns, which can be unpredictable and hazardous in traffic. This pattern suggests potential fuel or sensor issues that should be diagnosed before purchase.
“JULY 09 2021 REPORTED TO SUBARU EL PASO AT TIME OF FIRST MAINTENANCE (6000 MILES) VEHICLE LOSSES POWER AND STALLS WHEN MAKING TURNS, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE MAKING A LEFT TURN. TECHNICIAN SAID COUDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO FURTER ACTION WAS NEEDED. HOWEV…”
“Front windshield spontaneous cracking from defroster area in a "J" shape. This is the second windshield since new to do this (2021 model). Available for inspection. The first windshield was inspected and replaced by Subaru at their cost minus eyesight recalib…”
Subaru Legacy
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER207
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM185
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER161
- 04ENGINE39
- 05STEERING35
Owners complain that the sun visor is too short and narrow to block glare, and that windshields crack easily from small road debris. These issues can compromise driver visibility and lead to expensive glass replacements.
Infotainment problems are common, such as muting phone calls and displaying warning lights for Eyesight and transmission oil. These glitches can distract the driver and may indicate underlying software or sensor faults.
Reports include windows rolling down on their own when the vehicle is off, which can leave the car vulnerable to theft or rain damage. This points to possible body control module or switch failures.
There are complaints of unintended acceleration and premature engine failure requiring replacement. These are serious safety and cost concerns that warrant a pre-purchase inspection and service history review.
“Safety Hazard: Subaru Sun Visor I own a 2022 Subaru Legacy, the first new car I've ever owned. The visor (to protect eyes from the sun) is too short and not wide enough. The seat is raised as high as it will go. I CAN'T position myself to protect my eyes from…”
“In 2022, a piece of small gravel fell off the back of a dump truck, bounced off the road, and struck the windshield of my 2022 Subaru Legacy. Based on past experience with other vehicles, this should have resulted in a round or star-shaped crack to the glass…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Subaru Impreza — 25 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
The risk: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the control arm as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
The risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is W…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this rec…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Impreza vehicles. The brake light switch may be improperly adjusted and illuminate the brake lights without application of the brake pedal. The vehicle may also allow drivers to start and shift the transmission out of the PARK position with…
The risk: An unintentional brake light illumination can fail to alert other motorists of actual brake application. A vehicle that shifts out of the park position unexpectedly can allow the vehicle to rollaway. Either of these scenarios can increase…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the gap between the brake light switch and stopper, adjusting the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 23, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at…
Subaru Legacy — 24 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
The risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Suba…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Buyer analysis
Subaru Impreza or Subaru Legacy: which should you buy?
The Impreza has a lower average annual complaint rate (62.4 vs. 72.4) and fewer crash-related complaints (28 vs. 36), but it also has 1 death compared to none for the Legacy. In practice, both have similar recall counts, but the Legacy's higher complaint volume suggests more frequent owner-reported issues, while the Impreza's single death highlights that some incidents can be severe.
Key differences
- The Impreza has fewer complaints per year (62.4) than the Legacy (72.4), but the Impreza has 1 death while the Legacy has 0.
- Impreza owners frequently report stalling and windshield cracking, while Legacy owners more often mention sun visor inadequacy and infotainment glitches.
- The Legacy has more electrical system complaints (185 vs. 61) and more unknown/other issues (161 vs. 100), suggesting a broader range of annoyances.
- Both have similar recall counts (25 vs. 24), but the Legacy's recalls include repeated park/neutral start interlock issues, which could affect starting safety.
- Inspect the windshield for cracks, especially near the defroster area, and check for any signs of previous replacements.
- Test-drive at night to evaluate headlight illumination and listen for any stalling or power loss when making turns.
- Check the sun visor for adequate coverage and test the infotainment system for phone muting or warning light glitches.
- Verify that windows do not roll down on their own when the car is off, and ask about any unintended acceleration incidents.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the windshield, electrical system, and engine for the specific issues noted.
- Test-drive in various conditions, including night driving and turning, to check for stalling or lighting problems.
- For the Legacy, test the infotainment and window controls thoroughly, and for the Impreza, check the dashboard and battery.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any major components like the engine or transmission have been replaced.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Subaru Impreza | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6 |
| 2024 | 32 | 17 |
| 2023 | 4 | 10 |
| 2022 | 13 | 33 |
| 2021 | 14 | 31 |
| 2020 | 85 | 121 |
| 2019 | 194 | 123 |
| 2018 | 151 | 117 |
| 2017 | 125 | 119 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Subaru Impreza or Subaru Legacy in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Impreza vs Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Impreza total complaints
- 624
- Subaru Legacy total complaints
- 724
- Subaru Impreza total recalls
- 25
- Subaru Legacy total recalls
- 24
- Subaru Impreza avg complaints/year
- 62.4
- Subaru Legacy avg complaints/year
- 72.4
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru Impreza top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Subaru Legacy top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER