Subaru · Legacy · 2016
2016 Subaru Legacy
3
Recalls
143
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Subaru Legacy has 3 recalls and 143 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: electrical system (35 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Subaru Legacy page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 35 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Subaru Legacy currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 143 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are electrical system (35), unknown or other (18), visibility/wiper (14).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Subaru Legacy
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 143
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 16V292000May 11, 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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V794000November 24, 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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V502000August 10, 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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
143 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 17, 2026
Battery continuously dies, likely due to a parasitic drain, and it is extremely hard-taking up to 15 to 20 minutes to open the car door using the the wierd key you slide out of the key fob. As a woman, it is very dangerous when my battery dies and I am in a dark parking lot and ...
Preview excerpt
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 12, 2025
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. I pressed on ...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 30, 2025
Unable to remove key when turning the engine off. Eventually works after several tries of turning the engine on and off.
ENGINE
Jul 16, 2025
Sometimes when starting from a stop or slowing down to make a turn the engine revs up like I was pushing the gas pedal. When this happens ( 4 times in the last 6 months) luckily I was covering the break to slow down or going very slow from a stop. Each time I was turning left or ...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 16, 2025
Car battery dies after the vehicle sits for longer periods (approximately 2 weeks or more?). Roadside assistance has tested battery twice after jumping the vehicle and stated the battery is still healthy. Various Subara owners report similar situations in online forums, and the...
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SERVICE BRAKES
May 2, 2025
Parking Brake harness is defaulty.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
Mar 17, 2025
purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing ...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 4, 2025
There is an active recall for Subaru vehicles. The recall is for emissions number WUB-87 for 2015-2018MY Legacy and Outback 2.5L. My car is a 2016 Subaru Legacy and it has the exact problem listed in the recall, but is not included. The front end exhaust is defective as describe...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that while the check engine light remained illuminated the horn failed to function as designed. The contact stated that aft...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 5, 2024
Slowing to pull into parking spot and car accelerates and hits what is in front of vehicle. Has happened at least four times. Last time 11/5/2024
Showing 10 recent complaints from 143 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Legacy Years
2017 Subaru LegacyCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r118c2015 Subaru LegacyCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r159c2018 Subaru LegacyCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r111c2014 Subaru LegacyCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.10r53c2019 Subaru LegacyCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r120c2013 Subaru LegacyCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.12r66c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have?
The 2016 Subaru Legacy has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA has received 143 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Subaru Legacy.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
The 2016 Subaru Legacy received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Subaru Legacy are electrical system (35 reports), unknown or other (18 reports), visibility/wiper (14 reports).
Does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2016 Subaru Legacy. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.