Last updated: 2026-07-26
Nissan Leaf vs Subaru Legacy: Reliability Compared
Nissan Leaf
Subaru Legacy
Choosing between the Nissan Leaf and the Subaru Legacy? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Subaru Legacy currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Nissan Leaf and Subaru Legacy Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Subaru Legacy is more reliable than the Nissan Leaf, scoring 75/100 vs 66/100.
The Subaru Legacy demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Nissan Leaf, with an average reliability score of 75/100 versus 66/100 for the Leaf. Despite both models having the same number of recalls, the Legacy has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 21.2 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Leaf's 61.6. Additionally, the Legacy's estimated annual repair cost is more budget-friendly at $563, whereas the Leaf's is $748. These factors, particularly the complaint rate and repair costs, position the Legacy as the more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Subaru Legacy costs $185 less per year to repair
- 2Subaru Legacy has 40.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Subaru Legacy scores 9 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Leaf vs Subaru Legacy: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Leaf | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 19 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 61.6 | 21.2 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $748/yr | $563/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 10% | 12% |
| Year Wins | 0 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Leaf and Subaru Legacy?
The Subaru Legacy primarily faces issues with visibility/wiper and electrical systems, which together account for over half of its total complaints. Notably, the Legacy has crash-linked complaints in the vehicle speed control and engine categories, with the former being significantly more concerning due to the higher number of incidents. On the other hand, the Nissan Leaf's problem profile is dominated by electrical system complaints, comprising over 60% of its total issues, with two of these linked to crashes. While both vehicles have crash-linked incidents related to vehicle speed control, the Leaf's service brakes also present a safety concern with three crash-linked complaints.
| Component | Nissan Leaf | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 37.3High | 4.5Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6.5Average | 3.6Average |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2.1Low | 6.5Average |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3.7Average | 0.3Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 3.5Average | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1.3Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.6Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.9Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.6Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan Leaf or Subaru Legacy?
How Does Nissan Leaf vs Subaru Legacy Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Leaf | Subaru Legacy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 79/1000R / 7C | 80/1000R / 6C | Subaru Legacy |
| 2021 | 70/1004R / 51C | 75/1003R / 31C | Subaru Legacy |
| 2020 | 58/1006R / 159C | 67/1006R / 121C | Subaru Legacy |
| 2019 | 58/1005R / 251C | 69/1003R / 123C | Subaru Legacy |
| 2018 | 67/1004R / 64C | 70/1003R / 116C | Subaru Legacy |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Nissan Leaf scored 79/100 and the 2025 Subaru Legacy scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Nissan Leaf vs the Subaru Legacy?
Nissan Leaf vs Subaru Legacy: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Leaf more reliable than the Subaru Legacy?
- Based on our data, the Subaru Legacy is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Leaf or the Subaru Legacy?
- Both have 19 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Nissan Leaf or the Subaru Legacy?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Legacy has a lower complaint rate at 21.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 61.6 for the Nissan Leaf. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Leaf or the Subaru Legacy?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Subaru Legacy is cheaper to maintain at $563/year versus $748/year for the Nissan Leaf.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Nissan Leaf and Subaru Legacy? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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