2016 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 9%of 147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Subaru Legacy, 9% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In less than 36,000 miles it developed a grinding noise that can be felt above 50 MPH. Dealer found a problem with the auto transmission. It will being replaced under warranty. Strange, I thought Subaru is known for better transmission. In the same car the cd player stopped working and making noise similar to what you hear when a cd is being ejected. Dealer changed it under warranty. I received a recall letter on dcm software in the car & I took car to the dealer. However, this recall is not listed on web. Why?”
NHTSA complaint #11020451, filed 2017-08, 35,500 miles“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. The buck is so severe that the first time it happened, I felt like I was rear-ended. …”
NHTSA complaint #10875555, filed 2016-06, 2,000 miles“Cvt transmission is failing after the recommended service interval for fluid changes in the CVT, front differential and rear differential. Failure at 64,800 at freeway speeds on 12/28/2018. Had vehicle towed to Subaru dealership and they performed a cleaning of carbon build up and checked the fluid levels and reset everything. Subaru claimed the computer was erased because the car wouldn't start once and had been charged. Dealership declared everything was correct and roadworthy. …”
NHTSA complaint #11164462, filed 2019-01, 64,810 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“When the car is stationary and shifted into park and ignition turned off, the key becomes stuck in the accessory position and key is not able to be removed. Exterior lighting and interior electronics remain on. Subaru is aware of this shift plate sensor malfunction is present in 2016 Legacy and 2017 forrester models, as far as I know, but have not recalled them. In order to remove key, the vehicle must be turned back on and the gear shift slammed into park, usually multiple times, to allow for the ignition to be fully turned off and the key to be removed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11362273, filed 2020-10, 49,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V794000Nov 24, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2016, Outback 2016
- 15V502000Aug 10, 2015Subaru 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…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2015–2016, Outback 2015–2016
Related service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This 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…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Legacy
51 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology