Subaru Legacy 4th generation (2003–2009)
Generation-specific owner insights from 24+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2003–2009 Legacy?
545
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2003–2009
73
recall campaigns
air bags
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners are passionate about this generation, frequently calling it their favorite era of Subaru design and praising the GT models as "sweet rides" and "sleepers." However, the consensus is clear: these are not low-cost vehicles to own.
17 problems reported (5 very frequent, 6 recurrent, 6 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentHead gasket failure on naturally aspirated 2.5L engines
Owners consistently cite this as the primary concern, with replacement costs estimated at $1500-2000 and engines typically needing removal.
- Very frequentOil consumption on higher-mileage engines
Rings gumming up with carbon is cited as the main cause; one owner reported burning 1 quart per 1000 miles.
- Very frequentTiming belt and water pump needing replacement by age or mileage
Due at 105k miles or by age regardless of low mileage; failure is catastrophic.
+ 14 more issuesShow fewer
- Very frequentBanjo bolt oil filters clogging and starving the turbo
A well-known issue on 2005-2008 turbo models; removal is widely recommended.
- Very frequentCatted uppipe breaking down and sending debris into the turbo
Affects 2005-2006 models; Subaru removed the cat in 2007.
- RecurrentTurbo failure around 150k miles
Owners budget for replacement and often upgrade to a VF52.
- RecurrentIntercooler end tank separation
Plastic end tanks on the TMIC are known to fail.
- RecurrentLower control arm bushings wearing prematurely
Requires whole control arm replacement, roughly $300 each plus labor.
- RecurrentRear trailing arm bushings failing
Causes rear-end side-to-side movement over bumps and uneven tire wear.
- RecurrentSteering rack leaks
Multiple owners report needing replacement at around $1000.
- RecurrentRadiator failure
Plastic end tanks fail; replacement is relatively cheap.
- IsolatedRough idle from sticking EGR valve
One owner reported this as the fix.
- IsolatedValve cover gasket leaks causing oil on spark plugs
Mentioned as a thing to check.
- IsolatedRear hatch wiring harness wear on wagons
From opening and closing the hatch.
- IsolatedDrive-by-wire throttle issues causing idle problems
One owner with a 2007 GT reported idle problems traced to the electronic throttle system.
- IsolatedRust bubbling from fenders
Cited as an early cancer sign in this generation.
- IsolatedDashboard becoming sticky
One owner asked if this generation was affected.
The version owners recommend
The 2005-2006 Legacy GT wagon with a 5-speed manual is the most coveted configuration, though owners note these are getting hard to find and prices are climbing. The Spec B is mentioned as desirable but no consensus forms on it. For naturally aspirated models, the 2.5i is described as stout and reliable if maintained. Owners generally steer buyers toward 2007 and later GT models, saying Subaru "ironed out some kinks": the 2007+ cars came with a catless uppipe from the factory, and 2009 models received additional fixes like the improved oil pickup.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the 2013 Chevy Impala, 2011 Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, 2009 Honda Accord and 1998 Jeep Wrangler.
Is a 2003–2009 Legacy right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owners are passionate about this generation, frequently calling it their favorite era of Subaru design and praising the GT models as "sweet rides" and "sleepers." However, the consensus is clear: these are not low-cost vehicles to own. Owners repeatedly describe them as requiring routine, often costly maintenance as they age: turbo models especially demand attention to oil lines, filters, and intercoolers. Later model years (2007-2009) are generally viewed as having ironed out early kinks, with the 2005 model year singled out as having unique parts and more pronounced issues. Despite the maintenance burden, owners consistently say they would choose a well-kept Legacy GT over newer, more mundane alternatives.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners cross-shopping against the Chevy Impala and Toyota Corolla overwhelmingly prefer the Legacy GT for driving enjoyment, calling it a "total sleeper" and stating there is "no scenario" where they would rather drive the Impala. The Legacy is acknowledged as thirstier on fuel and more expensive to maintain than these competitors. Against the Honda Accord, one owner was considering trading a problematic Accord for a Legacy GT wagon, though another noted the Accord's oil burning was unusual for a Honda. The Toyota Corolla was considered as a cheaper, more economical alternative, but the specific example had transmission issues. The Jeep Wrangler comparison was about fuel economy, with the Legacy being a significant improvement.
Recommended configurations
For the GT, owners recommend 2007 or later model years for the factory improvements (catless uppipe, aux port, better daily drivability). The 2009 GT is specifically praised for already having the catless uppipe and fixed oil pickup that were problem areas on 2005-2006 cars. For naturally aspirated models, the 2.5i is considered reliable with proper maintenance, and the 3.0R is mentioned as having no head gasket issues. The 2005 model year is specifically cautioned against due to unique, hard-to-find parts and more pronounced stumbling issues.
General recommendations
Owners advise that this generation is best suited to someone handy with tools or with budget for ongoing maintenance. A documented service history is repeatedly emphasized as critical: timing belt and water pump service around 100-105k miles is a must, and head gaskets on naturally aspirated models are a known concern. Pre-purchase inspections are strongly recommended, and owners warn against dealers who refuse them. For turbo models, reliability modifications are widely recommended: removing banjo bolt filters, replacing the catted uppipe on 2005-2006 cars, and adding an air-oil separator. Owners caution that age matters as much as mileage: rubber and plastic degrade, and cars that sat for long periods will need attention. Rust is a concern, especially in northern climates, with fender bubbling being an early sign.
Remarks
Owners note that the 2005 model year has several unique parts not interchangeable with 2006-2009 cars, including airbag indicators and seat airbags. The 2009 GT is considered the most refined of the turbo models, with factory fixes for earlier problem areas. California-emissions 2004-2005 cars have a rare engine variant that is harder and more expensive to replace. One owner reported finding protective plastic still on scuff plates after 200,000 km, which was met with humor about it being "the secret to Subbie longevity." A thread about unexplained health symptoms from US-made Subarus was dismissed by other owners, who attributed any issues to mold, animal droppings, or other accumulated contaminants rather than the manufacturing plant. Owners describe the cars as easy to work on, with the alternator being a 15-minute job and engine removal for head gaskets being manageable. Analysis based on approximately 24 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 65 | 13 | air bags |
| 2008 | 65 | 9 | air bags |
| 2007 | 33 | 9 | air bags |
| 2006 | 87 | 7 | vehicle speed control |
| 2005 | 184 | 9 | service brakes |
| 2004 | 49 | 11 | air bags |
| 2003 | 62 | 15 | air bags |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 20V002000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 20V001000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 20V003000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2009 · electrical system:ignition:switchcampaign 19V297000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V014000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V013000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V012000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V014000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V026000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2009 · electrical systemcampaign 16V738000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
2009 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 14V311000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V358000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
15 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.