Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Outback vs Subaru Legacy
How the Subaru Outback 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 Outback vs Subaru Legacy: The Outback has 4526 complaints over 10 years (avg 453/yr) while the Legacy has 566 (avg 57/yr). Outback owners frequently report shattered moon roofs and battery failures; Legacy owners face window drops and engine knocking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Outback or Subaru Legacy more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback, a popular wagon/SUV, has a high complaint rate of about 453 per year over the last decade, with visibility/wiper and electrical issues dominating. Owners report shattered moon roofs and easily cracked windshields, as well as battery failures that strand drivers. The sheer volume suggests these are common frustrations for owners.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy sedan has far fewer complaints, averaging about 57 per year. Its top issues are also visibility/wiper and electrical, but with less intensity. Owners describe windows rolling down on their own and battery deaths, but the overall pattern is less severe than the Outback.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Outback | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,526 | 566 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 | 21 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 130 | 24 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 452.6 | 56.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 77 | 10 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 Outback
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER1,449
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,417
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER862
- 04VISIBILITY242
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE214
Owners report moon roofs shattering spontaneously within days of ownership and windshields cracking from small pebbles, with replacement delays of months. This suggests fragile glass that can fail without impact.
Battery systems fail to hold charge, causing complete no-starts and stranding, even on low-mileage vehicles. The Eyesight system also becomes inoperable, disabling driver assists.
Some owners report HVAC systems heating to dangerous levels (over 100°F) even when turned off, and fixed-height passenger seats positioned too high, creating crash-compatibility concerns.
“The moon roof shattered. Have not even had the vehicle two days yet. It was fine yesterday (5/26/2023). Went out this afternoon (5/27/2023) and found the moon roof completely shattered and fractured. There is a hole near the rear center and fractures covering…”
“WINDSHIELD CRACKED EASILY WITH A SMALL PEBBLE ON 2/2023 MIDWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. SIZE WAS ABOUT QUARTER/ .25 CENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 1 MONTH OLD. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED IN APRIL 2023 BECAUSE TOOK 2 MONTHS TO GET A NEW WINDSHIELD.…”
Subaru Legacy
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER189
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM129
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER118
- 04ENGINE30
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE25
Windows roll down on their own when the vehicle is off, a recurring issue that dealers sometimes fail to fix. Windshields also develop stress cracks without impact, interfering with Eyesight.
Batteries die prematurely, leaving owners stranded, even on nearly new cars with low miles. The heater and Eyesight system may fail simultaneously in cold weather.
Engines can develop loud knocking/tapping noises without warning, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. The thermo control valve may fail, requiring costly repairs (over $2,000) not covered for rebuilt-title cars.
“When the vehicle is off the windows will come down on their own! This has occurred on 4 difference instances. One dealership indicated the "fix" the situation; however, they never replaced the parts which were required for the fix. A second dealership would n…”
“The component that failed is the windshield. The windshield has a 14 inch stress crack. The crack suddenly appeared, there was no impact. The crack interferes with the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance. The Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance could malfunction…”
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 Outback — 26 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. (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. 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.
Subaru Legacy — 21 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 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
The risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner not…
Buyer analysis
Subaru Outback or Subaru Legacy: which should you buy?
The Subaru Legacy has far fewer complaints per year (57 vs 453), indicating a lower likelihood of encountering problems. In practice, Legacy owners face less frequent glass and electrical failures, making it a more predictable choice for reliability.
Key differences
- Outback has 8x more complaints per year than Legacy, with glass failures (moon roof shattering, windshield cracking) being a standout issue.
- Legacy owners report windows rolling down on their own, a unique quirk not seen in Outback complaints.
- Outback electrical failures often involve the battery and Eyesight, while Legacy also has engine knocking and thermo control valve failures.
- Both share similar recall subjects (driveshaft, transmission park interlock), but Outback has more recalls overall (26 vs 21).
- Inspect the moon roof for cracks or signs of stress, and check the windshield for any chips or cracks, as these are common failure points.
- Test the battery and starting system; ask if the battery has been replaced, as premature failure is a known issue.
- Check that all windows operate correctly and do not roll down when the car is off; ask about any previous window-related repairs.
- Listen for engine knocking or tapping noises during a test drive, and verify the thermo control valve has been inspected or replaced if the car has over 60k miles.
Before you buy
- Ask for service records showing any moon roof or windshield replacements on the Outback.
- Test the Eyesight system on both vehicles to ensure it activates and stays on.
- On the Legacy, operate each window switch and then lock the car to see if any window drops.
- Check the battery age and condition; request a load test if possible.
- Review the recall history for both vehicles and confirm any open recalls have been completed.
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 Outback | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 62 | 6 |
| 2024 | 2 | 15 |
| 2023 | 84 | 10 |
| 2022 | 451 | 31 |
| 2021 | 290 | 31 |
| 2020 | 889 | 120 |
| 2019 | 1026 | 122 |
| 2018 | 800 | 113 |
| 2017 | 914 | 118 |
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 Outback or Subaru Legacy in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Outback vs Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback total complaints
- 4,526
- Subaru Legacy total complaints
- 566
- Subaru Outback total recalls
- 26
- Subaru Legacy total recalls
- 21
- Subaru Outback avg complaints/year
- 452.6
- Subaru Legacy avg complaints/year
- 56.6
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Outback top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Subaru Legacy top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER