2016 Subaru Legacy Problems
Compared with other Subaru Legacy years
More complaints than typical for this model
69/100 1.6× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.6× that of a typical Subaru Legacy year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 37 of its 147 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported problem: Ignition key will not release in park (26 complaints, median 49,500 mi).
- 1 recall with a do-not-drive warning, 3 in total. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2014
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 147filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles, 81 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 31 do-not-drive
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl AWD · 26 city / 35 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Subaru Legacy (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2016 Legacy most often report a key that will not come out of the ignition after shifting into park, a symptom complaints link to the shifter assembly, and a windshield that cracks or chips with little or no apparent impact. A third recurring theme is erratic low-speed behavior — lurching, delayed engagement between reverse and drive, and reports of unintended acceleration — alongside occasional infotainment lockups and battery drain.
- Electrical system
Ignition key will not release in park
- 26 complaints (18%)
- median 49,500 mi at 4.4 yrs old (18 state mileage)
- filed 2019–2023
Owners describe turning the engine off with the car in park and finding the key will not turn all the way to the lock position or come out. Many say they cycle the shifter through drive, neutral and back to park, sometimes repeatedly or forcefully, before the key releases; a few note the radio and lights stay on and the battery can drain when it is left that way. Some complaints state the dealer replaced a faulty part in the shifter assembly or shift lever plate, while others say they were quoted a repair cost or told the condition was not covered. Typically reported between roughly 30,000 and 60,000 miles, though a few appear earlier; the problem tends to recur intermittently and then more consistently.
What to check: With the engine off and the car in park, try removing the key several times and see whether it releases cleanly without jiggling the shifter. Ask the seller whether the shifter assembly or park-range switch has been replaced, and check that interior lights and the radio shut off with the key out.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I am not able to remove the key from the ignition when after I park my car and this happen every other day since I started to have this issue.. I have to drive up and down and change the parking mode to different other modes using the gear stick and switch it back to parking mode in order to release the key. It takes me several attempt s of doing this to release the key from ignition.”
NHTSA complaint #11404005, filed 2021-03, 33,000 miles“The 2016 Subaru Legacy ignition keeps jamming the key after the driver has stopped the vehicle and placed it in park. The key remains jammed and becomes difficult for the driver to remove. Keep in mind the tires are straight when the vehicle is parked and the key is not bent. This incident has occurred several times this month and has never occurred prior.”
NHTSA complaint #11372419, filed 2020-10, 48,000 miles - Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield cracks or chips easily
- 18 complaints (12%)
- median 42,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
- filed 2016–2024
Complaints describe cracks appearing from the lower edge, near the wipers, or at the passenger side with no visible impact point, often noticed after the car sat parked. Others report a single sharp hit from road gravel producing chips or a spreading crack, and several owners say a replacement windshield cracked again in the same spot. Dealers are described as checking whether the VIN was covered by a campaign, and in most cases the repair was handled as a replacement or paid by the owner. Spread fairly evenly from under 10,000 miles to well past 100,000 miles; many reports involve the car stationary or parked overnight.
What to check: Inspect the glass along the lower edge and near the wiper bases in good light for hairline cracks or starred chips, and ask whether the windshield has been replaced and when.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Chip in the windshield in my direct line of sight, I am not aware of anything hitting the windshield to cause it. I purchased vehicle used only 3 months ago. When I purchased it the dealership had mentioned that they had just replaced the windshield. So the new windshield was only 3 months old.”
NHTSA complaint #11399247, filed 2021-03, 67,000 miles“I bought the car as a dealer car (they told me it was registered to a manager as a test car). It had 4,810 miles when I bought it. I have driven the car just over 300 miles. When I test drive it, it made a sound like a stone hit the windshield. Then almost every time I have driven it since, including three times today, it made the same exact sound. I was driving both in city traffic (red light to red light) and on a toll road with limited traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10849849, filed 2016-03, 5,000 miles - Vehicle speed control
Reports of unintended acceleration
- 9 complaints (6%)
- median 30,108 mi at 5.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2026
A number of complaints describe the car accelerating on its own while parking, pulling into a driveway, or slowing for a gate, with the brake pedal pressed and no effect, sometimes ending in a low-speed impact. Owners say dealers could not reproduce the condition or found no stored fault codes, and in several cases the cause was not determined. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few hundred miles to around 80,000; several incidents happened at parking-lot or driveway speeds.
What to check: Test the brakes and throttle response at very low speed in an open area, and ask the seller whether any throttle or engine control software updates have been applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On 1-19-2020 I drove home from the store, came to a stop in my parking spot and when I went to put the car in park it suddenly accelerated as though I had hit the gas. I quickly hit the brakes 3 times but got no response and hit my fence before the car came to a stop none of my safety features (including collision avoidance) kicked in and Subaru said there was no record of any malfunction and they could not recreate the incidence. …”
NHTSA complaint #11308355, filed 2020-02, 32,217 miles“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. Stomped hard on brake to stop forward motion. Lasted only a few seconds and went back to normal. Other 2 times almost identical circumstances. Have first appt. With Subaru om feb. 2 2016.”
NHTSA complaint #10823304, filed 2016-01, 1,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Lurching and delayed engagement at low speed
- 7 complaints (5%)
- median 1,250 mi at 0.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- filed 2016–2023
Owners describe the car hesitating when shifted between reverse and drive, drifting before the transmission engages and then moving with a jolt. Several report idle speed rising and falling at a stop or while creeping, so the car surges forward even with the driver's foot off the accelerator; some link it to cold starts on the 3.6L engine. Complaints mention dealers unable to duplicate the behavior or updating and resetting software without a lasting change. Often reported at very low mileage, including within the first few thousand miles, and in both cold and warm conditions.
What to check: On a test drive, shift slowly between reverse and drive on a slight incline and note any delay or jolt, and watch the idle at a full stop. Ask whether the CVT control valve body or its software has been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Following are two main issues, causality/correlation uncertain. After the Subaru eyesight failed for about two minutes while underway (dashboard cluster lit up in numerous places, too), the eyesight system reset while driving. Thereafter, the vehicle began to buck (e.g. Lurch forward several inches with a lot of force) when the vehicle's CVT was in drive and I was stopped with the brake depressed at normal pressure. This has happened about six times in the last four days, and I am extremely concerned. …”
NHTSA complaint #10875555, filed 2016-06, 2,000 miles“3.6 liter 6-cyl engine surges after a cold start. When the car is started, the idle speed is high. When the car is put into gear, as the brakes are released and the car begins to move, the idle speed drops. If the car is brought to a stop or a very low (creeping) speed, the idle speed increases, causing the car to lurch. Foot never touches accelerator pedal at all. This behavior causes the car to move unexpectedly after it is brought to a stop by the brakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10862438, filed 2016-05, 100 miles
Buying note. Check the ignition key release and the windshield carefully on a test drive, since those are the two most frequently described items, and ask for service records covering shifter, software and battery work. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a slow-speed drive and a scan for stored codes can help confirm how the car behaves.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 147 consumer complaints for the 2016 Subaru Legacy. 81 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,000 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 468 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 14 Subaru Legacy model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 69 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system51 35%
- Other or unknown42 29%
- Steering16 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain13 8.8%
- Vehicle speed control9 6.1%
- Brakes8 5.4%
- Engine7 4.8%
- Body and structure6 4.1%
- Fuel system3 2.0%
Also reported: Wheels (3), Air bags (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Electronic stability control (2), Seat belts (2), Seats (2), Suspension (2), Tires (2), Engine cooling (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Lane departure (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I had to change my battery already as it wouldn't charge or start the car. Two fuses have been replaced. Also while driving, the computer display screen blinks, freezes or has gone blank. At times, I get an alert while driving that tells me 2 or 3 hours since vehicle ignition. These events seem to occur on long road trips with multiple short stops for refueling. If I stop the car and keep it off of around 15 minutes then restart the car, the screen will begin working again. The date entered on this claim is the battery change date.”
NHTSA complaint #11416663, filed 2021-05, 80,000 milesOther or unknown: “In the less than two years I have owned my vehicle, I have had to replace the windshield once (when it was less than a year old) and repaired cracks 3 times, the latest being today. All damages were done by gravel picked off the road, and not in construction zones. Not only have I never had any problems with my previous vehicle driving down the same roads, in the same state of repair, but neither have my parents in 20+ years of driving 5 different makes/models on the same roads. …”
NHTSA complaint #11033064, filed 2017-10, 25,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The windshield cracked about 1inch for no reason, driving off of the lot after purchasing my used Subaru Legacy. The next day, another crack appeared while driving slow speeds on a flat roadway. The second crack is located in a new location, and spans about 2-2.5 ft'about 3/4 the length of the entire windshield. After researching, I came across a lawsuit currently filed against Subaru america for this very issue'easily cracked windshields for these years and models.”
NHTSA complaint #11329831, filed 2020-06, 60,000 milesSteering: “May of 2017 I was driving north bound on 294. As I was going through the curve the power steering light came on the car wouldn't turn back. I stop and was able to pull the car off the road with no incident. I called sis it's a d asked if was a safety recall. I was told no. I then had them to the car to Subaru of america in orland park il. When the car was frosted told I was told the car would be fix it was common problem with the power steering motor. Subaru of america then contacted me saying the car was involved in accident so it wouldn't be fixed. Once they found out I was black. …”
NHTSA complaint #11193110, filed 2019-04, 18,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 81 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,000 and 55,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Subaru Legacy. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Subaru Legacy version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Legacy AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | CVT | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Steering › ColumnCovers: Subaru Legacy 2016–2017, Outback 2015–2017
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…
- 15V794000Nov 24, 2015Power train › Driveline › Differential unitCovers: Subaru Legacy 2016, Outback 2016
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…
- 15V502000Aug 10, 2015Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Subaru Legacy 2015–2016, Outback 2015–2016
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.
Recall details for the 2016 Subaru Legacy → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 468 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026Electrical system. This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
Other model years of the Subaru Legacy
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 1,500 | 0 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 17 | — | 0 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 10 | 1,025 | 2 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 34 | 8,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 38 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 31 | 5,150 | 3 | 5 | 30 | 26 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2020 | 121 | 5,900 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 123 | 6,125 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 71 · More | Stable |
| 2018 | 117 | 20,450 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2017 | 119 | 31,000 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 147 | 35,000 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 160 | 16,070 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 87 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 53 | 30,284 | 10 | 5 | 24 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 66 | 30,000 | 12 | 5 | 24 | 44 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 90 | 87,500 | 16 | — | 22 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 167 | 77,000 | 16 | 4 | 22 | 75 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 150 | 70,000 | 18 | — | 22 | 79 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 65 | 72,486 | 13 | — | 21 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 65 | 78,256 | 9 | — | 21 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 33 | 65,392 | 9 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 87 | 98,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 184 | 74,000 | 9 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 49 | 85,000 | 10 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 60 | 79,800 | 14 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 54 | 66,750 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 77 | 62,540 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 94 | 94,815 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 94 | 101,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 114 | 108,048 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 139 | 92,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 123 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 182 | 166,116 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 60 | 125,000 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 77 | 114,385 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 55 | 124,900 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 78 | 149,630 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 81 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru Legacy model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Owners of the 2016 Legacy most often report a key that will not come out of the ignition after shifting into park, a symptom complaints link to the shifter assembly, and a windshield that cracks or chips with little or no apparent impact. The issues reported most often: Ignition key will not release in park; Windshield cracks or chips easily; Reports of unintended acceleration.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have?
NHTSA recorded 147 consumer complaints for the 2016 Subaru Legacy as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Subaru Legacy is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 51 complaints (35% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 42.
Has the 2016 Subaru Legacy been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Subaru Legacy do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Subaru Legacy 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru Legacy get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Subaru Legacy (Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Subaru Legacy reported?
Among the 81 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,000 miles and the middle half falls between 17,000 and 55,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.