Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2023 Subaru Legacy Reliability Report

The 2023 Subaru Legacy has good reliability and a 5-star crash rating, but owners report air bag and collision warning faults.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

3.9per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$563

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,000–$2,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity74/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact80/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity77/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Middle of the pack for the Legacy, with far fewer complaints than 2022 but two power train recalls that the 2024 avoids.

Top Issues to Watch

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)
AIR BAGS (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2023 is year 4 of the Seventh generation (BW/BT).

Redesigned for the 2020 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
7th generation Legacy (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2020: Seventh generation (BW/BT) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2023: This Model Year

2023 is year 4 of the Seventh generation (BW/BT).

Should You Buy the 2023 Subaru Legacy?

Reliability is good for this model year, and it rates above average among 2023 sedans. Within the Legacy lineup it sits in the middle of eight scored years. Owners filed 10 complaints, well below the 32 for 2022. The 2024 rates better, with excellent reliability and no recalls. Federal crash testing gave this year 5 of 5 stars.

The complaints that matter involve safety systems. In one crash, a pickup hit the driver's side broadside, the driver's front or side air bags did not go off, and the car was totaled. Another owner saw the passenger air bag status flip between on and off across restarts. A dealer found no codes, but the fault came back once a passenger sat down. Two recalls cover the power train.

Ask for proof that both power train recalls were done. On a test drive, check the passenger air bag status light and start the car cold to see that the display, climate control, and EyeSight come up. A 2024 is worth a look if the budget allows.

Compared to the 2024 Subaru Legacy, which scored 4 points higher. See also the 2022 Subaru Legacy for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (12%)
+Low recall count

Cons

−UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Full-screen advertisements pop up on the main display while the car is moving (3 complaints)
−AIR BAGS: Deployment fails in one crash-related report (2 complaints)

Compare 2023 Subaru Legacy With

2023 Toyota Camry

Reliability: 79/100

Good

2023 Honda Accord

Reliability: 74/100

Good

2023 Nissan Altima

Reliability: 84/100

Excellent

2023 Hyundai Sonata

Reliability: 62/100

Good

2023 Kia K5

Reliability: 71/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

2 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2023 Subaru Legacy carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

3.9

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 14.4

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2023 Subaru Legacy Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Subaru Legacy. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

23V6470002023-09-21

POWER TRAIN

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.

23V7550002023-11-09

POWER TRAIN

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2023 Subaru Legacy? Check its history first

Forward collision avoidance problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Subaru Legacy, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2023 Subaru Legacy NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 10.1%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Subaru LegacyRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$563

vs $526 avg for midsize cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.3

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Legacy

$563

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

26–30 MPG

Running cost: $2,550–$2,850/yr

Fuel + repair

23–27 city / 31–35 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Legacy AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	27	35	30	$2,000
Legacy AWD 2.4L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	23	31	26	$2,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Subaru Legacy.

Start the car cold and confirm the center display boots, with climate, EyeSight, and cruise controls all responding.
Drive several miles at varied speeds and watch for "Obstacle Detected" warnings when nothing is ahead.
Seat a small, light adult in the passenger seat, restart several times, and confirm the passenger air bag indicator stays consistent.
Use hands-free voice command to call a saved contact and confirm it works without touching the screen.
Watch the main screen during a test drive for full-screen ads and check whether they block other functions.
Ask for service records showing any display or EyeSight software updates and any complaints about them.

2023 Subaru Legacy Common Problems by Component

10 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)AIR BAGS (2)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)VISIBILITY (1)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

Full-screen advertisements pop up on the main display while the car is moving. These include an offer for free SiriusXM access. The ads cover the screen and block other functions until the driver taps to close them, which pulls attention from the road in traffic. A separate complaint says hands-free voice command does not work, so the driver cannot call a saved contact without taking a hand off the wheel. The owner was told it is a known issue, but no fix had been supplied.

3 complaints total

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaintsSafety-related

The collision warning system shows "Obstacle Detected" alerts with nothing ahead, yet gives no warning or response before real impacts. One crash-related complaint describes hitting deer twice at about 30 mph with no alerts and no air bag deployment. In a separate complaint, the center display fails to start after a cold start. That knocks out infotainment, climate control, EyeSight, and cruise, and the windows fog over because climate control cannot be used. A dealer found no fault and suggested a software update.

2 complaints total1 crash

AIR BAGS

2 complaintsSafety-related

Deployment fails in one crash-related report. A pickup hit the driver's side broadside, the driver's front or side bags did not go off, and the car was totaled. Another complaint describes the passenger air bag status flipping between on and off across restarts with a small, light passenger who never moved. A dealer check found no error codes, but the fault showed up again once that passenger sat in the seat.

2 complaints total1 crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2026-04-24

All electronic instrument panels failed to power on upon ignition. Vehicle was drive-able, but all key information provided by instrument panel was not available: such as actual speed, gear selection, engine RPMs, backup cameras. Additionally, infotainment system was not available either, so none of vehicle controls that reside on the displays were available. This condition persisted thru the length of drive.

VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

2023-09-14

Accorn fell on windshield. At 14,000 miles windshield cracked. Was driving approximately 35MPH

VISIBILITY (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

2023-02-10

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 second windshield she had installed. The contact stated that dealer told her the first replacement had been from road debris. The contact stated she never had no windshield strikes in the five weeks she had owned the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local glass shop where it was diagnosed and determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

Best & Worst Subaru Legacy Years

Best Subaru Legacy Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Excellent

2024

0Recalls

16Complaints

Good

2023

(Current Model)

2Recalls

10Complaints

Good

Subaru Legacy Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Subaru Legacy reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	70/100	Good
2019	69/100	Good
2020	67/100	Good
2021	75/100	Good
2022	77/100	Good
2023	77/100	Good
2024	81/100	Excellent
2025	80/100	Excellent

Subaru Legacy Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2025	80/100	-1	Excellent	0	6
2024	81/100	+4	Excellent	0	16
2023(selected)	77/100	0	Good	2	10
2022	77/100	+2	Good	2	32
2021	75/100	+8	Good	3	31
2020	67/100	-2	Good	6	121
2019	69/100	-1	Good	3	123
2018	70/100	—	Good	3	116

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2023 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Yes, it rates good for reliability and above average against other 2023 sedans. Within the Legacy's scored years it lands in the middle of eight. Owners filed 10 complaints, and the 2024 model year rates better. Two recalls on the power train are the main mark against it.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Legacy?

Owner complaints center on air bags and forward collision avoidance, two each. They include air bags that did not deploy in a crash, a passenger air bag status that flipped between on and off, and collision warnings that gave false alerts but no warning before real impacts.

Does the 2023 Subaru Legacy have air bag problems?

Two owners reported air bag problems. In one crash, a pickup hit the driver's side and the driver's front or side bags did not go off. In the other, the passenger air bag status switched between on and off, and a dealer found no error codes at first.

Does the 2023 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

Yes. Federal recall records show 2 recalls for this model year, both in the power train area. The 2024 Legacy has none. Before buying a 2023, ask the seller for documentation that both recall repairs were completed.

Is the 2023 Subaru Legacy expensive to repair?

Slightly above its class. Independent repair-cost data estimates about $563 a year for the model line, against $526 for comparable cars. That figure covers the Legacy across its scored years, not only the 2023 model year.

Don’t buy a 2023 Subaru Legacy without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2023 Subaru Legacy

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Subaru Legacy does best on repair costs (80/100) and worst on complaint severity (74/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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