Subaru Legacy Common Failures: Breakdowns, Problems And Solutions!

The Legacy is Subaru’s flagship model, and it represents the company well in terms of reliability. Its resale value is very good, since Subaru is the leading brand in terms of preserving the value of its vehicles over time. But in the same way this car can present problems, for this we have listed the common failures of the Subaru Lagacy .

A Subaru Legacy only depreciates 43% after five years. In this article, we will talk about the reliability of the Legacy and the most common problems throughout its thirty-plus year history.

How good is the Subaru Legacy?

The Subaru Legacy has earned high marks for reliability. Owners gave the Subaru an overall score of 3.5 out of 5. The Legacy also has good gas mileage, with owners claiming it can consistently achieve 30MPG.

According to Donut Media, the Legacy was Subaru’s attempt to rival the Accord and Camry in the ’90s. To prove its reliability, Subaru sent three Legacy models to a test track in Phoenix, Arizona, and they drove for 19 days. followed. They managed to cover one hundred thousand kilometers at an average speed of 138.8 miles per hour. In the process, they even managed to set an endurance speed record.

Another testament to the Legacy’s reliability is how it managed to win the notoriously difficult WRC safari rally races in the 1990s. The cars won with very few modifications made to the vehicle , demonstrating how stock components could withstand the stress of crowded roads. potholes and high speeds.

Colin McRae, one of the most famous drivers in the sport of rallying, drove a Subaru Legacy in the first race he ever won. These are claims about the reliability of Subaru’s first generation Legacy models in the 1990s. Subaru Legacy models after the first generation are still fairly reliable, although the models suffer from some common problems.

Common Subaru Legacy Faults

Although the Legacy has a long history of reliability, it still has its fair share of problems. These are some of the common failures of the Saburu Lagacy, which usually vary depending on the model year:

1. Failures in the infotainment system

There have been some issues with the 2018 Legacy’s infotainment system. Owners have reported that the controls on the radio and the infotainment screen freeze and refuse to turn off even after the vehicle has been turned off .

There are also times when the infotainment system refuses to turn on. It’s good for dealers to know that this was caused by an internal short in the computer and this issue is covered under the Legacy’s warranty.

2. Oil consumption problem

The most reported issue with the Legacy is excessive engine oil consumption. Owners have found that they have had to top off a pint or two of oil between two thousand and five thousand miles.

Some owners have even reported losing even more oil in the winter months. Owners have addressed the problem simply by keeping spare oil in their vehicles in case the oil light starts to come on.

If the oil level in the engine gets too low, you may have problems such as engine overheating and knocking . Not having enough lube will cause your engine to wear out faster and can lead to engine damage that will be expensive to repair. The 2013 Legacy model is the most susceptible to this problem.

3. Headlight failure

Many 2011 Legacy owners have reported that their Legacy’s headlights burn out every six months, some even as often as after three weeks. While it’s true that the more you use your headlights, the faster they’ll burn out, the Legacy’s case is unusual in that most bulbs can easily last for years.

There are theories as to why light bulbs burn out so quickly. The vehicle’s electrical system may be sending too much voltage to the lights . Too much voltage can fry the tiny filaments in the bulb.

Owners have also complained about how difficult it is to access their vehicle’s headlights because the wheel and fender have to be removed. This usually requires the help of an experienced mechanic. The good thing is that usually only the bulbs need to be changed to fix this problem. Getting a replacement headlight bulb can cost anywhere from $5 to $50.

4. Engine failure

While there are only six reported instances of this occurring in the 2009 Legacy, the fact that it can occur randomly and without warning can be concerning. One owner has reported that it was caused by gaskets inside the engine leaking oil, causing it to run on low oil levels without a warning light coming on.

Engine failure is one of the most expensive problems to fix on a vehicle because mechanics often recommend engine replacement rather than repair. This can cost a few thousand dollars.

5. Oxygen sensor problems

The oxygen sensors on the 2000-2006 Legacy have a tendency to crack and fail, causing the check engine light to come on. Oxygen sensors may be small components placed along a vehicle’s exhaust path, but they play a big role in keeping your engine running reliably and efficiently.

Without a working oxygen sensor, the vehicle could experience problems such as poor fuel efficiency, misfiring, and poor acceleration. Misfiring can also damage the engine and cause even more expensive repairs down the road . A replacement oxygen sensor can cost anywhere from $15 to $300.

6. Problems with head gaskets

Unlike the first generation Legacy, which had stellar reliability, the second generation is prone to head gasket failure. Owners have reported this was caused by coolant becoming pressurized causing the head gasket to blow.

This can cause the Legacy’s oil and coolant to leak, which can lead to overheating . Since engines cannot run without oil or coolant, taking your Legacy to a mechanic immediately after this problem is a must. A replacement head gasket can cost anywhere from $20 to $100.

In summary

If you are thinking of buying a Subaru Legacy, it is important to know the problems that the model may have. Knowing these issues can help you keep an eye out for them so you can fix them to prevent further damage.