The most-reported Legacy run is 4S3BC633XP9 (1993 builds) with 11 complaints, 7.3× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 17% of reports; 2009 is the worst model year at 2.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 83 recall campaigns for Legacy model years 1990–2023.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru Legacy has 1,871 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Legacy complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4S3BC633XP9•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 4S3BG6857V7•••••• | 1997 | 2 | — | |
| 4S3BK6356S7•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 4S3BG6854W7•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 4S3BNAN64K3•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 4S3BNAF66H3•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| 4S3BMBC64B3•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 4S3BNAF6XK3•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 4S3BNAN6XH3•••••• | 2017 | 3 | — | |
| 4S3BG6853W7•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| 4S3BK6357S6•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 4S3BK6358S7•••••• | 1995 | — | — |
Each of the other 1,859 Legacy runs has 6 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 165 Legacy VINs so far, most often 2025, 2024, 2019 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru Legacy the gap between build years is 2×: a 2009 car draws 2.2 complaints per run, a 2014 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 5 | — | |
| 2024 | 17 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 10 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 34 | 30 | 4 | |
| 2021 | 31 | 23 | — | |
| 2020 | 120 | 62 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 122 | 63 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 114 | 63 | 6 | |
| 2017 | 116 | 60 | 10 | |
| 2016 | 140 | 88 | 6 | |
| 2015 | 150 | 101 | 15 | |
| 2014 | 47 | 43 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 60 | 46 | 6 | |
| 2012 | 82 | 63 | 7 | |
| 2011 | 150 | 104 | 6 | |
| 2010 | 129 | 102 | 8 | |
| 2009 | 56 | 26 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 58 | 44 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 29 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 71 | 50 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 2009 at 2.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2014 at 1.1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 17% of everything Subaru Legacy owners report: Electrical System, 381 of 2,751 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 | 19 | |
| Air Bags | 119 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 10 | 4 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 | 6 | |
| Visibility/wiper | — | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 40 | 1 | |
| Engine | 10 | 7 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 8 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 83 recall campaigns on the Subaru Legacy; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2014. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 20V001000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2014 |
| 20V003000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2014 |
| 20V002000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2014 |
| 19V297000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 2005–2014 |
| 15V323000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2008 |
| 19V008000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2010–2014 |
20V001000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2003: 17 years on the road before the recall.
The Legacy against its rivals
The Legacy draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Volkswagen Jetta 2.9, the Volvo S60 2.6 and the Toyota Mirai 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Legacy | 2,751 | 1,871 | 8.7% | |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 8,400 | 2,851 | 4.7% | |
| Volvo S60 | 1,045 | 402 | 4.7% | |
| Toyota Mirai | 29 | 20 | 13.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,751 reports on the Subaru Legacy, 8.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru Legacy | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,751 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 238 (8.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 40 (1.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 165 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 50% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru Legacy share of that is 2,751 complaints over 1,871 runs, 0.25% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru Legacy VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,751 NHTSA complaints from 1,871 Legacy runs and 83 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Legacy production run has the most complaints?
4S3BC633XP9, a 1993 build, with 11 complaints. The typical Legacy run has 1.5.
Which Legacy years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2009 is heaviest at 2.2 complaints per run and 2014 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Legacy get more complaints than the Volkswagen Jetta?
No: 1.5 complaints per production run for the Legacy against 2.9 for the Volkswagen Jetta.
How many Legacy complaints involve a crash?
8.7% of 2,751 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 40 involved a fire.
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