Here Are The Subaru Legacy Years To Avoid
With a reputation as the go-to car brand for outdoor enthusiasts, Subaru has a long history of consistency and reliability. If you are looking for a vehicle that offers tremendous value, Subaru is undoubtedly worth looking into.
The Subaru Legacy is one of the longest-running lineups by the Japanese automaker. Many drivers consider the Legacy as a good, drama-free car that excels in safety features.
But is the Subaru Legacy a reliable car?
In general, the Legacy is an overall reliable model. However, if reliability is at the top of your list, there are some years that you may want to avoid. Today, we give some of the worst Subaru Legacy years to avoid and some models that are safe to buy used.
Which Subaru Legacy Years To Avoid?
The Subaru Legacy has been around for quite some time and has remained consistent over the years. Admittedly, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Subaru Legacy year with severe reliability issues. However, there are several model years that you have to think twice before buying as used.
The following are the Subaru Legacy years to avoid:
- 2009 Subaru Legacy
- 2010 Subaru Legacy
- 2011 Subaru Legacy
- 2015 Subaru Legacy
- 2018 Subaru Legacy
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2009 Subaru Legacy
According to the guys at CarComplaints, the 2009 Subaru Legacy is the worst year of the long-running sedan lineup. Although it has fewer complaints than in other years, it has the ultimate car problem - engine failure.
Based on the reviews of many users, the 2009 Legacy suffered from engine failure, and it’s made worse by the fact that it came out of nowhere. Before failing, the car made loud knocking noises and vibrations. Adding to the frustration, the engine has to be replaced, which costs a whopping $5,000, and it typically happens at the low mileage of 75k.
Another problem that plagued this Legacy year is the head gasket leak. This is yet another expensive repair since the whole engine needs to be removed to repair the head gasket. Expect to pay around $1,600 to fix this issue, which typically happens at approximately 140k miles.
The 2009 Legacy may have fewer problems but has higher repair costs, and the issues appear at lower mileage.
2010 Subaru Legacy
The following year is a whole lot better for Legacy, but the 2010 model also has its fair share of problems.
Perhaps the most prominent issue with the 2010 Subaru Legacy is its faulty headlights. While the bulbs do die out eventually, the problem was somehow worse with the 2010 Legacy, and owners have to replace the bulbs regularly - very annoying and inconvenient.
Another significant problem that started with the 2010 Legacy is the issues with the CVT transmission system. Drivers have noticed that when they drive or stop quickly, the Legacy will shudder, vibrate, and eventually stall. Unfortunately, many owners have experienced this after the warranty, meaning they must pay about $2,000 for repairs
2011 Subaru Legacy
The 2011 Legacy is a rehash of the 2010 model based on its reliability issues.
Making a return is the annoying issue of headlights burning out. Many owners have reported that the 2011 Legacy’s headlights burned out quickly. Some reported six months, while others had to replace them as often as every three weeks. This is an abnormal occurrence because headlight bulbs last for years. Some people theorized that the car’s electrical system might send too much voltage to the lights.
The 2011 Legacy also suffered from transmission system issues. Although the complaints are noticeably fewer, some users reported that the CVT transmission had failed them. Not to the same extent as in 2010, but it’s still worth mentioning since the repair bill can be as high as $7,600.
2015 Subaru Legacy
The 2015 Subaru Legacy is one of the worst Subaru Legacy years to avoid, mainly due to the number of complaints from CarComplaints.com. However, it’s also worth pointing out that the website gave the 2015 Legacy the “Awesome” approval.
The most common complaint about the 2015 Legacy is the excessive wind noise. If you drive over 40 miles, you’ll hear the wind noise from the small triangle window. This issue that rears its ugly head as early as 950 miles is an extreme annoyance to the driver.
Another main concern is the engine burning smell that happens pretty early as well, around 650 miles. Drivers of the 2015 Legacy have noticed a burnt smell that turned out to be burning oil. One user reported that water covered the entire engine bay - a safety and mechanical risk.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE SUBARU LEGACY
Which years of the Subaru Legacy are the most reliable? Let’s take a look so you can make the most informed car buying decision.
2018 Subaru Legacy
The 2018 Subaru Legacy is far from a problematic car. In fact, it has improved many aspects of its predecessors and fixed many of its previous reliability issues. However, we have to include it on our list of the Subaru Legacy years to avoid due to several problems (a testament to the Legacy’s overall quality).
One prevalent complaint about the 2018 Legacy is the infotainment system errors. Owners have reported that the radio controls and display screen would freeze and sometimes refuse to turn off even after shutting down the vehicle. Fortunately, Subaru knows about this issue, and it’s covered by warranty.
Which Subaru Legacy Models are Safe to Buy Used?
The Subaru Legacy line is an excellent choice for pre-owned vehicle purchases. However, if you’re looking for the best Legacy versions, here are our recommendations:
2014 Subaru Legacy
The 2014 Subaru Legacy received high marks across the board, including reliability. Consumer Reports gave the 2014 Legacy a reliability score of 5 out of 5. In addition, JD Power rated the 2014 legacy a respectable 84⁄100 in quality and reliability.
On top of that, the 2014 Legacy offers many desirable safety features, making it one of the most reliable Legacy years.
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2020 Subaru Legacy
If you’re in the market for a reasonably new Legacy, the 2020 model year is a solid choice. In the 2020 model, many problems of the Legacy line have been addressed. Now you have a spacious interior, enhanced safety features, and tech upgrades.
Although it only has a reliability rating of 3 out of 5 according to Consumer Reports, the 2020 Legacy scores big on many of the reliability trouble spots.
Common Subaru Legacy Problems
Like many Subaru models, the Legacy is a fairly reliable vehicle. However, there are several reliability issues of the Legacy that any potential buyer should know:
- Excessive oil consumption: Several model years of the Legacy have struggled with excessive oil consumption. Some frustrated owners claimed they had to top up the oil after only 2,000-5,000 miles. In some cases, consumption is even worse during winter months.
- Headlights were burning out: This issue was prevalent with the 2010-2011 Legacy models. Many owners stated that their vehicle’s headlights would burn out within six months or earlier. This is frustrating because these headlights are supposed to last for years. Some experts theorized that this is an issue with the electrical system.
- Failed oxygen sensors: The 2000-2006 Legacy models have reportedly struggled with faulty oxygen sensors as they tend to crack and fail. This also causes the check engine light to illuminate. Without a working oxygen sensor, you may experience symptoms like poor fuel efficiency and engine misfires.
- Infotainment problems: The more recent Legacy models, especially 2018, were reportedly prone to infotainment issues. According to reports, the infotainment screen would freeze or refuse to shut down even after killing the engine.
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