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Research · Large Cars

2023 Subaru LegacyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2023 Subaru Legacy. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
26–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2023
Owner complaints
10
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: park

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Power trainReported Nov 9, 2023NHTSA 23V755000

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.

Power trainReported Sep 21, 2023NHTSA 23V647000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2023 – May 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance2
  2. Air bags2
  3. Electrical system1
  4. Visibility/wiper1
  5. Visibility1
  6. Other / unknown3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Legacy model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996129
1997143
1998116
199997
200094
200180
200258
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports1 crash
“This issue started on the trip back from Nashville. Upon cold start in the morning the center console display won't start. This affected infotainment, climate, eyesight, cruise etc. The system didn't work during the entire trip of 3 5 hours and inability to operate climate control caused the car to build up fog on all windows reducing visibility significantly at times. Turning ignition off, lock-unlock sequences didn't help the issue. The system booted normally after it sat locked for few hours upon arrival. A visit to dealer didn't find any issues. The usual comment the car needed software update, which I couldn't verify.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2025Forward collision avoidanceODI 11645800

Air bags

2 reports1 crash
“i was traveling into work in Boston and a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup hit me broadside (drivers side wheel, rear door). My air bags (driver front or side) did not deploy and my car was determined to be a total wreck by my insurance company. I was bruised and out of work for a couple of days but was a fortunate to walk away from this accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11642913

Electrical system

1 report
“All electronic instrument panels failed to power on upon ignition. Vehicle was drive-able, but all key information provided by instrument panel was not available: such as actual speed, gear selection, engine RPMs, backup cameras. Additionally, infotainment system was not available either, so none of vehicle controls that reside on the displays were available. This condition persisted thru the length of drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2026Electrical systemODI 11733553
All 2023 Legacy problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Legacy AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150295
Legacy AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233126$2,450337
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 18425
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2023 Legacy questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Legacy have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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.

What are the most common 2023 Subaru Legacy problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (2), air bags (2), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Subaru Legacy get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Subaru Legacy at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Subaru Legacy?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Subaru Legacy 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026