2023 Subaru Legacy Safety Report
2023 SUBARU LEGACY Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Subaru Legacy
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 Subaru Legacy. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (8) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Subaru Legacy with 6 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Subaru Legacy before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Legacy Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Legacy years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Subaru Legacy | 14 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Legacy | 30 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Subaru Legacy | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Subaru Legacy | 30 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Subaru Legacy | 119 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Subaru Legacy | 118 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2023 Subaru Legacy Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 Subaru Legacy, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyForward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Subaru onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Subaru onlyVisibility/Wiper
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyVisibility
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Subaru Legacy
Reliability Score
The 2023 Subaru Legacy receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2023 Subaru Legacy
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2023 Subaru Legacy
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Subaru Legacy:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch Subaru is recalling certain 2021-2023 Legacy models due to a faulty Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Driveshaft Subaru is recalling certain 2023 Legacy models due to a driveshaft issue. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Cracking Windshield cracking occurred at 14,000 miles under normal driving conditions. |
Low | Common | 14k-35k miles |
| Infotainment System Issues Issues with the center console display affecting infotainment and other functions. |
Medium | Common | 0-30k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Subaru Legacy:
23% of vehicles reported issues with the forward collision avoidance system.
23% of vehicles reported issues with airbag deployment.
17% of vehicles experienced windshield cracking.
17% of vehicles had issues with the infotainment system.
Recall Details for the 2023 Subaru Legacy
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Subaru Legacy by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Consequence: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Subaru Legacy
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Subaru Legacy with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes.
While driving home after work on the interstate, I was quite startled to see a large popup on the vehicle's main screen; initially I thought it might be some sort of vehicle-problem, but it was a large advertisement for free access to SiriusXM for a limited time. The ad covered the screen and was quite jarring while driving in traffic. In order to close it, I pressed a red X in the upper corner....
Voice command in my 2023 legacy is not working. I can not speak into system to say call a person already entered without taking hands off steering wheel. Already reported to dealer & to corporate Subaru & it is a known issue. Reference # with corporate is 250620-1900992. This was reported to dealer in June 2025 when in for service & no fix has been noted other than Subaru is working on it? F...
This issue started on the trip back from Nashville. Upon cold start in the morning the center console display won't start. This affected infotainment, climate, eyesight, cruise etc. The system didn't work during the entire trip of 3 5 hours and inability to operate climate control caused the car to build up fog on all windows reducing visibility significantly at times. Turning ignition off, lock-...
i was traveling into work in Boston and a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup hit me broadside (drivers side wheel, rear door). My air bags (driver front or side) did not deploy and my car was determined to be a total wreck by my insurance company. I was bruised and out of work for a couple of days but was a fortunate to walk away from this accident.
Accorn fell on windshield. At 14,000 miles windshield cracked. Was driving approximately 35MPH
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the forward collision avoidance warning system would independently be active without an obstacle in front of the vehicle; the "Obstacle Detected" warning message would appear on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the forward collision avoidance feature had failed to operate on two separa...
My wife is a petite woman, 4 feet 7 inches, 85pounds clothed. We bought the car March 29, 2023 and drove home, and the passenger airbag worked properly thru April 2. Behavior after that became erratic, passenger airbag sometimes on, sometimes not. Became more erratic and brought to dealer (Balise Subaru) April 12. Service technician reported system worked properly, no error codes. I asked Service ...
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that when she entered her vehicle, she noticed that there was a crack in the windshield down by windshield wiper on the driver's side. The contact stated that the crack had begun to expand up the windshield and stopped approximately 4 inches from the where the windshield joins the vehicle subframe. The contact stated that this was the secon...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Subaru Legacy
Has the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY been recalled?
Yes, the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY have?
The 2023 SUBARU LEGACY has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
The 2023 SUBARU LEGACY received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY involve unknown or other (2 complaints), forward collision avoidance (2 complaints), air bags (2 complaints). Other affected components include visibility/wiper, visibility.
How many crash reports does the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY out of 8 total complaints (25.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY have?
There are no fire reports for the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY.
How many injuries are reported for the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY.
Should I buy a 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY is generally recommended. It has 8 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
The components with the most failures on the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 2. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
Be cautious of potential issues with the forward collision avoidance system and airbag deployment. Ensure regular maintenance to address known problems. The 2023 SUBARU LEGACY has 8 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
The 2023 SUBARU LEGACY receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 8 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch and Driveshaft.
What are the known issues with the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY?
Known issues with the 2023 SUBARU LEGACY include: Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch, Driveshaft, Windshield Cracking, Infotainment System Issues. These are based on patterns found across 8 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Is the forward collision avoidance system reliable?
The system may intermittently fail, so be cautious and monitor for updates.
Are the airbags reliable?
There have been reports of inconsistent airbag deployment, so be aware of this issue.
What maintenance is recommended?
Regular checks and maintenance, especially for the Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch and driveshaft, are advised.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential issues with the forward collision avoidance system and airbag deployment. Ensure regular maintenance to address known problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Subaru Legacy
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Subaru Legacy. The data includes 8 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 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.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16