2016 Subaru Legacy Safety Report
2016 Subaru Legacy: Excellent Crash Test Scores, but Persistent Electrical and Unintended Acceleration Complaints, Plus Three Recalls
AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Subaru Legacy
Reliability Score
The 2016 Subaru Legacy receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
Known Issues for the 2016 Subaru Legacy
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Subaru Legacy:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parasitic Battery Drain Battery continuously dies, often after sitting for short periods, requiring frequent jumps or replacements. Reported by numerous owners, leading to stranding. |
Medium | Common | variable miles |
| Unintended Acceleration Vehicle surges forward unexpectedly while braking or at low speeds, leading to crashes and near-misses. |
High | Occasional | variable miles |
| Steering Column Malfunction Steering column may not have been manufactured correctly, potentially leading to a loss of steering ability. Subject to recall. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
| Driveshaft Detachment/Leak Driveshaft may detach or transmission oil may leak onto the exhaust, increasing the risk of fire. Subject to two separate recalls. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
| Engine Failure/Stalling Engine shuts off unexpectedly while driving, sometimes due to sensor failures, creating dangerous situations on highways. |
High | Occasional | variable miles |
| Cvt Transmission Issues Transmission making noise or failing, despite extended warranty coverage for some models. |
High | Occasional | variable miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Subaru Legacy:
Frequent complaints about parasitic battery drain, leading to dead batteries and starting issues. Accounts for 35 of 143 complaints.
Issues including unintended acceleration, transmission problems, and driveshaft concerns, leading to 8 complaints and two recalls.
Reports of windshield cracking without impact and hood popping up while driving, accounting for 14 complaints.
Complaints about steering not returning to neutral and a recall for steering column issues, totaling 5 complaints.
Multiple reports of unintended acceleration, contributing to 4 complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Subaru Legacy
Is the 2016 Subaru Legacy safe?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Subaru Legacy received a perfect 5-star overall safety rating in crash tests. However, it has 143 owner complaints, including 9 crashes and 3 injuries, with significant concerns regarding electrical system reliability (35 complaints) and unintended acceleration (multiple reports), alongside three safety recalls.
What are common problems with the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
The most reported issues for the 2016 Subaru Legacy are related to the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (35 complaints), primarily parasitic battery drain. Other common problems include unintended acceleration (multiple reports under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and UNKNOWN OR OTHER), and issues with the POWER TRAIN (8 complaints) and VISIBILITY/WIPER (14 complaints), such as windshield cracking.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
Yes, the 2016 Subaru Legacy has three recalls. Two recalls (NHTSA Campaign Numbers 16V393000 and 15V588000) address POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DRIVESHAFT issues that could lead to fuel leaks or fire. The third recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 16V394000) is for the STEERING: COLUMN, which could result in a loss of steering ability.
Does the 2016 Subaru Legacy have battery issues?
Yes, the 2016 Subaru Legacy has a significant number of complaints (35) related to its ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with many owners reporting parasitic battery drain, leading to repeated battery failures and the need for frequent replacements or jump starts.
Has the 2016 Subaru Legacy had issues with unintended acceleration?
Yes, there are multiple complaints from owners describing instances of unintended acceleration where the vehicle surges forward without the gas pedal being pressed, sometimes leading to crashes. These are often categorized under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL or UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: While the 2016 Subaru Legacy excels in crash safety, potential buyers should be aware of the recurring electrical system issues, reports of unintended acceleration, and three safety recalls. Thoroughly check service records for recall completion and be prepared for potential battery-related maintenance.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Subaru Legacy
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Subaru Legacy. The data includes 143 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Subaru Legacy an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.