2016 Subaru Legacy Consumer Reviews

ATTENTION CURRENT AND FUTURE SUBARU OWNERS: Potential Touchscreen Safety Defect That Deserves a Recall Investigation I own a 2018 Subaru Legacy Limited equipped with the Harman Kardon STARLINK infotainment system, purchased directly from Morrie’s Brooklyn Park Subaru in April 2023. I’m sharing this because I believe Subaru owners and potential buyers deserve to know about an issue that raises serious concerns about product reliability, manufacturer accountability, and potentially vehicle safety. My touchscreen has begun showing what appears to be delamination beneath the glass. It randomly registers commands without my input (ghost touches), switches between functions on its own, and has sections that no longer respond to touch. This isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a potential safety hazard. Modern vehicles rely on touchscreens for numerous functions, including access to certain driver-assistance settings. My 2018 Legacy is equipped with safety technology, including Reverse Automatic Braking. What happens if a malfunctioning touchscreen inadvertently changes a safety-related setting? What happens if a driver needs to access that setting but cannot because the touchscreen no longer responds? I’m not claiming that my vehicle has already experienced an unintended safety-system deactivation. I’m raising a legitimate concern about what could happen when a vehicle begins registering commands the driver never made. Why is this being handled exclusively as an expired warranty issue instead of being investigated as a potential safety defect? Here’s what makes this particularly frustrating. After contacting Subaru of America, a representative confirmed that my specific VIN had qualified for an extended warranty covering certain Harman infotainment-system issues. Subaru previously extended coverage to five years or 100,000 miles because of identified problems with these systems. That coverage expired in 2023, the same year I purchased my vehicle. Now, in 2026, Subaru is denying repair assistance because my vehicle is outside the warranty period and mileage limitations. I understand that warranties have expiration dates. But a warranty expiration doesn’t automatically establish that a component failure is normal wear and tear, and it certainly doesn’t resolve whether a recurring malfunction poses a vehicle safety risk. When I asked Subaru about the intended lifespan of this touchscreen, the company declined to provide that information. So I have several questions: * What is the expected service life of an automotive touchscreen designed to withstand years of heat, cold, and normal driving conditions? * Why are owners reporting similar problems involving bubbling, delamination, ghost touches, and unresponsive screens? * Has Subaru adequately investigated whether these touchscreen malfunctions could affect access to safety-related vehicle controls? * If this is a recurring safety-related defect, why isn’t Subaru pursuing a recall instead of relying on an expired warranty extension? * Why should consumers bear the entire financial burden of a potentially defective component without a meaningful technical investigation? I believe these reports warrant a formal safety defect investigation and, if the safety risk is confirmed, a recall. A warranty extension addresses repair coverage for a limited period. A safety recall addresses a safety-related defect. Those are fundamentally different issues. Subaru should not treat the first as a substitute for examining whether the second is necessary. I’m requesting that Subaru of America investigate these failures, evaluate their safety implications, and reconsider manufacturer-funded repairs for affected owners. To anyone considering purchasing a used Subaru Legacy or Outback, research these infotainment issues before buying. Test the touchscreen thoroughly, check for bubbling or delamination, and understand what repair assistance may or may not be available. And to current Subaru owners experiencing similar symptoms, I encourage you to document the problem and submit a vehicle safety complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). I’m not pursuing this solely for myself. I’m speaking up because other consumers shouldn’t have to discover this problem after purchasing a vehicle and then be told they’re on their own. Subaru of America: This deserves a safety investigation, not simply another reminder that the warranty expired. #Subaru #SubaruLegacy #SubaruOutback #SubaruSTARLINK #VehicleSafety #NHTSA #ConsumerProtection #SubaruRecall

Even after religiously doing the routine maintenance on this vehicle, don’t expect it to live anywhere past 100,000 miles. At exactly 100,000 miles I had to replace the timing chain and all the lifters that were in it because they started to leak, apparently it’s a “common issue”. Two weeks later my transmission decided to go out apparently according to my mechanic it is also a “common issue” with Subaru and apparently Nissan’s too. It has something to do with the type of transmission they put in their vehicles. They are notorious for going out on you and good luck trying to find an inexpensive replacement. I managed to find a used one with 90,000 miles on it for $4000. Needless to say the car will be heading off to the scrapyard.

After owning many expensive Germans V10s & V12s, we found this pearl only after turning in a BRZ from a lease. We leased a 2015 and again with a 2019. We bought the 2019 off the lease since no more 3.6r 6cyl engine availability. This is essentially a porsche 911 4s w/ boxer 6 engine with 1995 specs that runs on regular gas with Japanese reliability ( just brakes and tires). Wow! Handling is dialed in, very quick, agile with a broad powerband matched with a heavy duty cvt that pulls uphill like a champ. Harmon Kardon and leather. Inside materials serviceable like taxi cab tuff. big trunk and surefooted awd. Eats potholes for lunch. I smile everytime I drive it. Very engaging drive. No more legacy sedans now as young folk want cross overs and Subaru doesnt coen to mind for older folk with prem Euro car experience . Mismarket. We were blessed to accidently having found this ride.

I was just in a major car crash and was able to walk away. Was hit going 55 mph. All I had was bruises damaged teeth and over exerted back muscles from headrest.

Quality has dropped over the years. I have had issues with the touchscreen just like everyone else and Subaru refused to cover it because of the mileage on the car. I ended up having to buy the touchscreen from a third-party and install it myself, which has worked wonderfully. Here are the things you can expect to go out after about 80,000 miles. All of the wheel bearing hub assemblies will need to be replaced, you will most likely have issues with the passenger door automatic window. Apple CarPlay will work sometimes and sometimes it won’t. Shocks/struts in the front and back will not last long after your manufacture warranty expires. The AC blower fan will also croak after your warranty expires. The clearcoat on the front bumper started peeling off after about 50,000 miles. I literally started learning how to work on this car via YouTube videos so I didn’t go bankrupt.

Overall, we car drives well and is very comfortable. Limited trim offers good features. However, since day 1, our Infotainment system started freezing and had to take back to dealer multiple times to fix. After several visits, a government recall, and a class action suit the issues resolved. However, 6 years latter, it reoccurred. Contacted Subaru and they said they would NOT cover repair despite this being a well documented flaw. Will never buy another Subaru when they just left me holding the bag!

Bought new but it has been nothing but problems with batteries and delaminated screen. Will not ever buy Subaru again.

I took ownership of this Abyss Blue Metallic 4 dr. sedan on New Year's Eve, 3 days ago. The Subaru is equipped with everything I was looking for in a car. This is my first Subaru, so for the immediate future I'm learning about the features and how to use all of them. I'm very impressed so far with my Legacy and was basically sold on it when I test drove it. I did business with Spurr Chevrolet GMC in Brockport, NY. The Legacy was actually sold by them as they had a Subaru franchise at that time. I recommend them to anyone looking for a new/used vehicle. I was treated very well. It was a 'Spurrtastic' experience!