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2016 Subaru Legacy problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2016 Subaru Legacy. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 15% of relevant complaints.
Better than 94% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 21 of 147 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Legacy concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (15%). For comparison, the 2015 scores 31% and the 2017 scores 10%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2016 compares with other Subaru Legacy years
Of the 13 Subaru Legacy years with enough complaints to score, the 2016 is the 6th-best on engine and transmission share (15%). The worst is the 2012 (66%), the best the 2022 (3%). By volume, the 2016 drew 147 complaints (21 drivetrain), against 159 for the 2015 and 119 for the 2017.
Subaru Legacy years to avoid and best years →
2010 Legacy problems · 2011 Legacy problems · 2012 Legacy problems · 2013 Legacy problems · 2014 Legacy problems · 2015 Legacy problems · 2016 · 2017 Legacy problems · 2018 Legacy problems · 2019 Legacy problems · 2020 Legacy problems · 2021 Legacy problems · 2022 Legacy problems
The rest of the picture on the 2016 Subaru Legacy
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 21 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2016 Subaru Legacy powertrain recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2016 Subaru Legacy involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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…
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.
Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
1 other recall on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2016 Subaru Legacy? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 21 of 147 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Legacy concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (15%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2016 Subaru Legacy is electrical system: 51 of 147 complaints (35%) name it, followed by visibility/wiper (17) and steering (16). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 15% of the relevant total.
Is the 2016 Subaru Legacy reliable?
On the engine and transmission, nothing stands out: 15% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain, below the 33% line where we call a signal elevated. That is better than 94% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Subaru Legacy years we score, it ranks 6th-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2016 Subaru Legacy involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total: 15V794000 (power train: driveline: driveshaft), 15V502000 (power train: driveline: driveshaft). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Subaru Legacy years are better?
Among the Subaru Legacy years we track, the 2022 (3%), the 2019 (9%) and the 2020 (9%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (15%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/subaru-legacy
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.