Last updated: 2026-07-26
Nissan Maxima vs Subaru Legacy: Reliability Compared
Nissan Maxima
Subaru Legacy
Choosing between the Nissan Maxima 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 full-size sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Maxima currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Nissan Maxima and Subaru Legacy Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Maxima is more reliable than the Subaru Legacy, scoring 76/100 vs 75/100.
The Nissan Maxima edges out the Subaru Legacy in terms of reliability, boasting a slightly higher average reliability score of 76/100 compared to the Legacy's 75/100. The Maxima has significantly fewer recalls, with only 4 over six years compared to the Legacy's 19 over eight years, and a lower owner complaint rate of 6.5 per 10,000 units sold versus the Legacy's 21.2. Additionally, the Maxima offers marginally lower estimated annual repair costs at $540, compared to the Legacy's $563. While both vehicles have common issues with their electrical systems, the Maxima's overall reliability profile is more favorable.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Maxima costs $23 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Maxima has 15 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Maxima has 14.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Maxima vs Subaru Legacy: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Maxima | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 19 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.5 | 21.2 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $540/yr | $563/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 15% | 12% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2023 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 (2 tied) | 0 (2 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Maxima and Subaru Legacy?
The Subaru Legacy exhibits a higher volume of complaints, totaling 455, with significant issues in visibility/wiper systems (139 complaints) and the electrical system (97 complaints). Notably, vehicle speed control is a concern for the Legacy, with 11 complaints linked to 7 crashes, indicating a potential safety risk. In contrast, the Nissan Maxima has accumulated only 84 complaints, with the most frequent issue being categorized as unknown or other (12 complaints) and fewer complaints in critical areas like the electrical system (7 complaints). The Maxima does not show a concentration of crash-linked complaints, suggesting its issues may be less severe in terms of immediate safety risks compared to the Legacy.
| Component | Nissan Maxima | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.2Very Low | 6.5Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 4.5Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.9Very Low | 3.6Average |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.9Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.2Very Low | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan Maxima or Subaru Legacy?
How Does Nissan Maxima vs Subaru Legacy Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Maxima | Subaru Legacy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 77/1000R / 1C | 77/1002R / 10C | Tie |
| 2022 | 77/1000R / 5C | 77/1002R / 32C | Tie |
| 2021 | 77/1000R / 3C | 75/1003R / 31C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2020 | 74/1001R / 21C | 67/1006R / 121C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2019 | 76/1001R / 18C | 69/1003R / 123C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2018 | 72/1002R / 36C | 70/1003R / 116C | Nissan Maxima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Nissan Maxima scored 77/100 and the 2023 Subaru Legacy scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Nissan Maxima vs the Subaru Legacy?
Nissan Maxima vs Subaru Legacy: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Maxima more reliable than the Subaru Legacy?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Maxima is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Maxima or the Subaru Legacy?
- The Subaru Legacy has more recalls (19) compared to the Nissan Maxima (4). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Nissan Maxima or the Subaru Legacy?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Maxima has a lower complaint rate at 6.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.2 for the Subaru Legacy. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Maxima or the Subaru Legacy?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Maxima is cheaper to maintain at $540/year versus $563/year for the Subaru Legacy.
- Is the Nissan Maxima or Subaru Legacy safer?
- Both the Nissan Maxima and Subaru Legacy received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Nissan Maxima 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue