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2016 Subaru Legacy Recalls & Complaints

3

open safety recalls on record

Critical

193 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.19 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Critical15V794000

Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, raises the risk of a fire.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Critical16V292000 Do not drive

Steering:Column

The loss of steering ability would raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Critical15V502000

Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Complaint volume

193 this model-year 7 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

12Crashes
0Fires
3Injuries
0Deaths

Across 193 complaints. Severity Index 0.19.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Electrical System49 · 25%Unknown Or Other41 · 21%Visibility/Wiper17 · 9%Steering16 · 8%Power Train12 · 6%Vehicle Speed Control9 · 5%Service Brakes8 · 4%Engine7 · 4%
  1. Electrical System — 49 reports
  2. Unknown Or Other — 41 reports
  3. Visibility/Wiper — 17 reports
  4. Steering — 16 reports
  5. Power Train — 12 reports
  6. Vehicle Speed Control — 9 reports
  7. Service Brakes — 8 reports
  8. Engine — 7 reports
  9. Structure:Body — 6 reports
  10. Wheels — 3 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

1995 (2) · 1996 (4) · 1997 (6) · 1998 (5) · 1999 (3) · 2000 (4) · 2001 (8) · 2002 (5) · 2003 (15) · 2004 (11) · 2005 (9) · 2006 (7) · 2007 (9) · 2008 (9) · 2009 (13) · 2010 (18) · 2011 (16) · 2012 (16) · 2013 (12) · 2014 (10) · 2015 (3) · 2016 · 2017 (2) · 2018 (3) · 2019 (3) · 2020 (6) · 2021 (3) · 2022 (2) · 2023 (2) · 2024 · 2025

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.