2019 Subaru Legacy Safety Report

2019 Subaru Legacy: Excellent Crash Safety, but Plagued by Infotainment, Electrical, and Fuel Pump Issues

118Complaints
3Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
2Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
Most reported components: Visibility/Wiper (46)Electrical System (26)Unknown Or Other (10)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other (5)Fuel/Propulsion System (4)Engine (3)Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper (3)Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (2)Steering (2)Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Subaru Legacy

The 2019 Subaru Legacy presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance with 5-star ratings across all NHTSA categories (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover), indicating strong occupant protection in collisions, its complaint data reveals significant reliability and potential safety concerns. With 118 total complaints, the most prevalent issues revolve around 'VISIBILITY/WIPER' (46 complaints) and 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (26 complaints). These categories include numerous reports of infotainment screen delamination, 'ghost-clicking,' and parasitic battery drain, which can lead to dead batteries and loss of critical functions like backup cameras and navigation, posing a distraction and safety risk. The vehicle also has 2 reported crashes, 1 fire, and 0 injuries or deaths, suggesting that while issues exist, they haven't frequently led to severe outcomes. Recall history further highlights potential safety vulnerabilities, with three recalls issued. Two of these relate to the 'FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP,' affecting the low-pressure fuel pump and increasing the risk of an engine stall while driving, which could lead to a crash. The third recall addresses 'STRUCTURE' issues, specifically improperly applied spot welds on the cowl panel, which could reduce vehicle body strength in a crash and increase injury risk. These recalls are critical and should be verified as completed for any prospective buyer. Common complaint patterns, such as the widespread infotainment system failures and persistent battery drain, suggest design or manufacturing flaws that extend beyond isolated incidents. While the vehicle's structural integrity and crashworthiness are top-tier according to NHTSA ratings, the high volume of complaints regarding electrical and visibility systems, coupled with fuel pump and structural recalls, indicates that day-to-day operational safety and reliability are areas of concern. The presence of complaints about unintended acceleration and CVT transmission failure, though fewer in number, also warrant attention.

Reliability Score

The 2019 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 2019 Subaru Legacy

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Subaru Legacy:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Infotainment System Delamination/Failure
Touchscreen delaminates, bubbles, becomes unresponsive, or exhibits 'ghost-clicking,' leading to loss of backup camera, navigation, and phone functions, creating significant driver distraction.		 High Common 50000-85000 miles
Parasitic Battery Drain
Battery repeatedly dies, often due to the DCM constantly searching for a 3G network, even after battery replacements, leaving the car unable to start.		 Medium Common all miles
Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Fuel pump may become inoperative, causing an engine stall while driving or preventing the vehicle from restarting, increasing crash risk (subject of two recalls).		 High Occasional all miles
Cvt Transmission Failure
Transmission hesitates, nearly stalls, shakes, slips, or squeals, eventually requiring replacement.		 High Occasional 65000-85000 miles
Windshield Cracking
Windshields spontaneously crack or develop large cracks from minor impacts, sometimes requiring multiple replacements.		 Medium Occasional all miles
Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle engine RPM radically increases from idle without driver input, requiring heavy braking to maintain control.		 High Rare all miles
Improper Spot Welds (Cowl Panel)
Improperly applied spot welds on the duct below the cowl panel may reduce vehicle body strength in a crash, increasing injury risk (subject of a recall).		 High Rare N/A miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Subaru Legacy:

Visibility/Wiper 38% of complaints

Predominantly related to infotainment screen delamination, 'ghost-clicking,' and windshield cracking issues.

Electrical System 22% of complaints

Frequent reports of parasitic battery drain, leading to dead batteries, often linked to the DCM module.

Fuel/Propulsion System 3% of complaints

Includes issues like low-pressure fuel pump failure and engine stalling, which are also subjects of recalls.

Engine 2% of complaints

Reports of engine hesitation, stalling, and catalytic converter issues.

Unknown Or Other 8% of complaints

General complaints not fitting specific categories, sometimes related to infotainment or other system malfunctions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Subaru Legacy

Is the 2019 Subaru Legacy safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 Subaru Legacy received excellent 5-star crash safety ratings across all categories (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover), indicating strong occupant protection in collisions. However, it has 118 total complaints, with significant issues reported for the infotainment system (VISIBILITY/WIPER category, 46 complaints) and electrical system (26 complaints), including parasitic battery drain. There are also 3 recalls, two for fuel pump issues that can cause engine stalls, and one for structural welds. While crash protection is high, reliability and certain operational safety aspects are concerning.

What are common problems with the 2019 Subaru Legacy?

The most reported issues for the 2019 Subaru Legacy are related to the VISIBILITY/WIPER system (46 complaints), primarily concerning infotainment screen delamination, 'ghost-clicking,' and windshield cracking. The ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (26 complaints) is also a major concern, with numerous reports of parasitic battery drain leading to dead batteries. Other problems include low-pressure fuel pump failures (subject of recalls), CVT transmission issues, and occasional reports of unintended acceleration.

Are there any recalls for the 2019 Subaru Legacy?

Yes, the 2019 Subaru Legacy has 3 recalls. Two recalls address issues with the low-pressure fuel pump, which can fail and cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The third recall is for improperly applied spot welds on the cowl panel, which could reduce the vehicle's body strength in a crash and increase the risk of injury. It is crucial to ensure all applicable recalls have been addressed.

Does the 2019 Subaru Legacy have infotainment system problems?

Yes, the 2019 Subaru Legacy has widespread and significant infotainment system problems. Complaints frequently describe the touchscreen delaminating, bubbling, becoming unresponsive, or exhibiting 'ghost-clicking' where it makes selections on its own. This can lead to the loss of critical functions like the backup camera, navigation, and phone connectivity, posing a serious distraction and safety hazard, and is a major contributor to the 46 'VISIBILITY/WIPER' complaints.

Is the 2019 Subaru Legacy reliable?

While the 2019 Subaru Legacy has strong crash test ratings, its reliability is questionable due to a high volume of complaints (118 total) concerning critical components. Common issues like parasitic battery drain, widespread infotainment system failures, and recalls for fuel pump and structural defects suggest potential long-term reliability challenges. These issues can lead to unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs, impacting overall ownership experience.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Prospective buyers should prioritize verifying all three recalls have been completed and be prepared for potential issues with the infotainment system and battery, which are common and can be costly to repair.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Subaru Legacy

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Subaru Legacy. The data includes 118 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 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.