NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 160 owner complaints for the 2015 Subaru Legacy. Most complaints involve electrical system (37) and visibility/wiper (36). The EPA rates it 23–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Legacy model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 129 |
| 1997 | 143 |
| 1998 | 116 |
| 1999 | 97 |
| 2000 | 94 |
| 2001 | 80 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2005 | 184 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 65 |
| 2010 | 150 |
| 2011 | 167 |
| 2012 | 90 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 160 |
| 2016 | 147 |
| 2017 | 119 |
| 2018 | 117 |
| 2019 | 123 |
| 2020 | 121 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 6 |
“I have had several battery issues that I just believed to be bad luck and would get a new battery under warranty but it has gotten worse lately. It led me to look online and I notice I am not nearly the only one as this complaint has been brought up my numerous people. It is in regards to my 2015 Subaru legacy and how I’m not certain if my car will start if I make a few short trips where I’m “in and out” of the car more than 3 times in a short period of time. There is definitely a parasitic draw issue from the vehicle and it is a safety concern in not knowing if your vehicle is going to start or if you’ll need a jump or worse be stranded. With the amount of complaints on this issue I would have thought there would be a recall. I know there are safety bulletins but nothing that the dealer or Subaru themselves will address. I have also signed up for the battery settlement case but have not heard back in regards to this. I am really wanting to know if there is a solution because I’ve read a lot of reviews where this is happening in newer models also. It needs to be addressed and a resolution should be offered because it is happening to A LOT of Subarus. My other…”
“My windshield cracked when I used the washer fluid. It cracked from the bottom where the VIN number is and continued across the windshield. I went to the Subaru dealer in Portage Indiana, to have it fixed under the extended warranty I received from Subaru for faulty windshields the dealer told me that it cracked in the wrong spot, and would not be covered. The dealer agreed that the windshield crack was not from any type of impact.”
“I am reporting a Sudden Unintended Deceleration event in my Subaru. The vehicle grinded to a halt without driver input. The car stopped in the left lane of a major highway. We put on our hazards and called the state police for help. They were unable to get to us in time. We were hit from the rear. The car's failure created a stationary hazard that led to a high-speed rear-end collision by a Jeep and truck which caused the car to do a 360-degree spin.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy AWD Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,200 | 302 |
| Legacy AWD Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 387 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 160 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (37), visibility/wiper (36), engine (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2015 Subaru Legacy at 23–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Subaru Legacy 5 out of 5 stars overall.