2016 Subaru Legacy

147 complaints on file, page 1 of 8.

1. Filed Sep 12, 2026Failure Sep 8, 2026Clinton, MDCamera

   The infotainment screen would do random cycling through source, maps and other functions all without the driver’s input. Also the screen would just randomly freeze and become insensitive to touch inputs. The steering wheel controls for the infotainment randomly malfunctions. The most concerting thing is when placed in reverse, the camera display is very delayed or doesn’t come on at all. These events happens quite often.

   NHTSA complaint 11763779
2. Filed Aug 1, 2026Failure Aug 1, 2026Colorado Springs, COUnknown or other

   While traveling approximately 70 mph, my 2016 Subaru Legacy experienced a sudden drivetrain failure. The vehicle made a loud bang, immediately lost acceleration/power, and approximately five seconds later the front drivetrain locked, causing the tires to skid and leaving a long skid mark. The engine remained running. After stopping, the vehicle would not move forward and felt as if it was stuck in Park, but it could roll backward. This occurred without warning and created a dangerous highway situation

   NHTSA complaint 11754212
3. Filed Jun 8, 2026Failure Jun 2, 2026Lancaster, PARearview system braking, Electrical system

   The factory touchscreen infotainment system is experiencing severe screen delamination (internal adhesive failure). This defect causes uncontrollable 'ghost touching,' where the screen registers phantom inputs. The system cycles through radio stations, changes audio sources, and changes navigation without driver input, causing an extreme, sudden driver distraction. Furthermore, the system frequently freezes and crashes, which completely disables the backup camera display. This prevents a clear view behind the vehicle and creates a severe safety hazard for pedestrians. The dealer confirmed the issue. Contacted Subaru of America and they are unwilling to assist at all with fixing the issue, leaving the customer to pay full price to replace the screen. Does not seem like a fair business practice.

   NHTSA complaint 11742852
4. Filed Jun 3, 2026Failure Jun 4, 2025Liverpool, NYElectrical system, Unknown or other

   Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly.

   NHTSA complaint 11741718
5. Filed Feb 18, 2026Failure Feb 17, 2026Pomona, CAElectrical system

   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 I can't even get inside the car and lock the door for safety. Been happening for years lastest time was today 02/17/2026. For some reason, the class action suit said I was not a class member for the same problem.

   NHTSA complaint 11718682
6. Filed Sep 12, 2025Failure Sep 12, 2025Highland Park, ILUnknown or other, Vehicle speed control

   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 the brake, and the car came to a stop.

   NHTSA complaint 11686981
7. Filed Aug 31, 2025Failure Jul 16, 2025Leesburg, VAEngine

   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 right. I was able to push the shifter into neural. After applying the breaks the engine slows down

   NHTSA complaint 11684180
8. Filed Aug 31, 2025Failure Aug 30, 2025Leesburg, VAUnknown or other

   Unable to remove key when turning the engine off. Eventually works after several tries of turning the engine on and off.

   NHTSA complaint 11684179
9. Filed Aug 4, 2025Failure May 2, 2025Curwensville, PAService brakes

   Parking Brake harness is defaulty.

   NHTSA complaint 11678223
10. Filed Jul 17, 2025Failure Jun 16, 2025San Clemente, CAElectrical system

    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 culprit seems to be a design flaw where the DCM module is trying to connect with the obsolete 3G cellular network, causing a parasitic battery drain.

    NHTSA complaint 11674386
11. Filed Mar 17, 2025Failure Mar 17, 2025Kansas City, MOAdaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, Warning

    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 wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.

    NHTSA complaint 11648634
12. Filed Mar 12, 2025Failure Dec 13, 2019Old Bridge, NJFuel/propulsion system

    I was driving on highway and engine failed light came on, along with low fuel sign. Engine shut off. Luckily I was able to safely pull over. The Dealer determined that the low fuel sensor failed thus shutoff the engine. Shutting engine off on a highway is dangerous and life threatening event. Need a different strategy to warn the driver with a time to safely pull over. It cost me over $1,500 to get the part repalce.

    NHTSA complaint 11647892
13. Filed Jan 5, 2025Failure Jan 4, 2025Atchison, KSUnknown or other

    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 described in the recall.

    NHTSA complaint 11634136
14. Filed Dec 11, 2024Failure Dec 10, 2024184,000 milesShawnee, KSElectrical system, Engine

    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 after the check engine warning light issue was resolved the horn returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the failure was a known issue and advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle until the check engine warning light issue was resolved. The failure mileage was 184,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11630170
15. Filed Nov 6, 2024Failure Nov 5, 2024Johnstown, PAFuel/propulsion system, Service brakes, Unknown or other

    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

    NHTSA complaint 11623875
16. Filed Jul 25, 2024Failure Jun 6, 2024Clinton, MDVisibility/wiper

    I went to the store with an intact and unblemished windshield. After returning to the vehicle, a crack in the passenger side of the windshield appeared with no chip or damage visible. After only a day, this cracked had tripled in length with weekly crackling sounds. This is a known issue with Subarus and the manufacturer is trying to be selective with repairs. My vehicle has the EyeSight system and will cost me $1100.00 to repair because it's $700.00 to calibrate the system after glass repair..

    NHTSA complaint 11604581
17. Filed Apr 27, 2024Failure Mar 18, 2021Roy, UT12v/24v/48v battery

    Battery dies really fast and ended up doing a replacement right after moving from Idaho to utah and losing a bolt and had to use a wrench from my late husbands toolbag in the trunk to keep it on the positive terminal I do believe after just having left the emergency room and was quite ill. The battery acid started to corrode the cables and everything along with it. Including the back seat, that had a seatbelt that got ripped accidentally when removing a babyseat from the car,

    NHTSA complaint 11585553
18. Filed Nov 16, 2023Failure Oct 12, 2023Beaverton, ORElectrical system

    Battery has failed twice in a matter of a year. Both batteries were top of the line and no reason can be seen for failure. I see that there are a great deal of the same sort of complaints listed here and Subaru should be well aware of this issue.

    NHTSA complaint 11555483
19. Filed Sep 8, 2023Failure Feb 15, 2023Shrewsbury, PAPower train

    There was a recall for my 2016 Subaru Legacy transmission issue (CVT), I got a letter from Subaru on 9/23/2018 which extended warranty for 2016-2017 Legacy/Outback CVT from 5 years/60000 miles to 10 years/100000 miles, started from 9/30/2019. The transmission of my Subaru started making noise half year ago which was still under warranty, at that time I didn't think it was a big deal and totally forgot the letter from Subaru, however, the noise is aloud and unbearable now, the mileages of my car is about 5000 miles exceeding 100000 miles warranty, which I need to pay $8200 to replace transmission per Subaru client service USA. After browsing online, I have noticed that the issue of CVT on Subaru Legacy is common, in this case, Subaru should replace such defective CVT for free, at least for the part.

    NHTSA complaint 11543478
20. Filed Aug 16, 2023Failure Aug 7, 202335,000 milesTuckahoe, NYVehicle speed control

    The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle accelerated at high-speed without warning, causing the vehicle to drive over a curb and into oncoming traffic. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact was able to regain control and stopped the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and case was filed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 35,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11538928