2022 Subaru Legacy: common problems and reliability

The 2022 Subaru Legacy has 31 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system. Owners most often flag poor fuel economy — described as significantly worse than epa estimates and segment competitors, affecting all models. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2022 model year

31
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
2
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2022 Subaru Legacy vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

visibility/wiper
16
electrical system
3
vehicle speed control
2
forward collision avoidance
2
lane departure
2

Recalls affecting the 2022 Legacy

power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch

Campaign 23V755000

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.

air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

Campaign 24V227000

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front pas…

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term owner reports for older generations (pre-2010) frequently praise the 3.0R and 3.6R flat-six engines for smoothness and potential longevity, with some examples cited as reaching over 200,000 and even

  • Poor fuel economy — described as significantly worse than EPA estimates and segment competitors, affecting all models. Frequency: very frequent.
  • CVT transmission reliability concerns — early failures, especially in models from approximately 2014-2015; jerky behavior when cold; requires diligent fluid service. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Infotainment system problems — laggy, unresponsive touchscreen (particularly in models with large screens); system crashes; screen delamination in 2015-2019 models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Engine issues (varies by generation) — head gasket failures on older models (pre-2010); oil pan leaks on newer turbo models; isolated catastrophic engine failures. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Excessive corrosion/rust — severe rust on rear wheel arches, strut towers, and sills on older models, especially in regions using road salt. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Legacy.

Typical used price

Used Legacy listings typically run $11,500–$22,749 across 2003 to 2025 model years.

Other Legacy model years

2019 Legacy2017 Legacy2014 Legacy2012 Legacy2009 Legacy2008 Legacy2007 Legacy2006 Legacy2005 Legacy2004 Legacy2003 Legacy2002 Legacy2001 Legacy1998 Legacy1997 Legacy1996 Legacy
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