Reliable Auto DB

2022 Subaru Legacy reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2022 Subaru Legacy holds 32 complaints after 5 years, a rate of 9 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Legacy years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Front passenger seat weight sensor and Park/neutral start switch.

2012 Subaru Legacy
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

32

Per year

9

Recalls

2

Years on the road

5

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (16 of 32), then Electrical system (3) and Forward collision avoidance (3). Those filings include 3 that report a crash and 1 that reports a fire.

Next to 2021 and 2023

The 2021 Legacy has 31 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2023 has 10 complaints, 3 per year. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2021. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2023.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2022 Subaru Legacy. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Front passenger seat weight sensor 2024-03-22 · NHTSA campaign 24V227000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
Remedy Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, park/neutral start switch 2023-11-09 · NHTSA campaign 23V755000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (32 total)

Visibility and wipers
16
Electrical system
3
Forward collision avoidance
3
Lane departure
2
Speed control
2
Air bags
1
Engine
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Tires
1
Visibility
1
Show 3 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2202172022920231020241202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Driving my car at 39mph and approaching a vehicle stopped at an intersection perpendicular to my left, she accelerated into my path and Subaru eyesight provided no warning and did not attempt to break at all before the…"
    Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-07-06
  • "I experienced unintended acceleration while operating my vehicle. I was slowly pulling into a parking space at a gym when, without warning, the vehicle suddenly accelerated rapidly forward. I did not intentionally press…"
    Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-04-10
  • "Safety Hazard: Subaru Sun Visor I own a 2022 Subaru Legacy, the first new car I've ever owned. The visor (to protect eyes from the sun) is too short and not wide enough. The seat is raised as high as it will go. I CAN'T…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-01-14
  • "I went to lunch today and came out to a crack on my windshield. I've seen several issues online about defects with the legacy windshields."
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-02-08
  • "I have the touring model with defrosters under the windshield. This is the second time I have had my windshield cracked vertically in a year. Both scenarios include a cold snap to about 20 degrees. First one broke in…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2024-12-02

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2022 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Legacy all-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 27 35 30 MPG $2150
Legacy all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 24 32 27 MPG $2400

Specs and fitment

7th generation (BW), 2020–present
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) , 5.1 qt capacity
Tire size 225/50R18, 225/55R17 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 22V-485 covers certain 2020-2021 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles: a Transmission Control Unit programming error may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is fully clamped, so the chain can slip or break and cause loss of drive; dealers reprogram the TCU, inspect for chain slip, and replace the transmission if damage is found. Recall 24V-227 covers certain 2020-2022 Legacy and Outback vehicles: a capacitor in the Occupant Detection System sensors may crack and short, preventing front passenger air bag deployment; dealers replace the ODS sensors. Both campaigns list Legacy and Outback under shared unit totals.

Compare

Previous year 2021 Subaru Legacy Next year 2023 Subaru Legacy See every Subaru Legacy model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru Legacy reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2022 Subaru Legacy holds 32 complaints after 5 years, a rate of 9 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Legacy years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Front passenger seat weight sensor and Park/neutral start switch.

What are common problems with a 2022 Subaru Legacy?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (16 of 32), then Electrical system (3) and Forward collision avoidance (3). Those filings include 3 that report a crash and 1 that reports a fire.

Is the 2022 Subaru Legacy more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2021 Legacy has 31 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2023 has 10 complaints, 3 per year. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2021. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2023.

Has the 2022 Subaru Legacy been recalled?

The 2022 Subaru Legacy has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Subaru Legacy?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2022 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2022 Subaru Legacy get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2022 Subaru Legacy is 28.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Subaru Legacy use?

Recent Legacy 2.5L US manuals specify 0W-20 synthetic, with 5W-30 only when 0W-20 is unavailable.

What generation is the 2021 Subaru Legacy?

7th generation / BW (2020-on).

What tire sizes does a Subaru Legacy use?

Recent US generations commonly list 225/50R18 and 225/55R17 among trim options.