Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Subaru Legacy, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 30 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 8% |
| Engine | 10 | 6% |
| Power train | 7 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% |
| Air bags | 5 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3% |
| Visibility | 4 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i, approximately 48,000 miles. CVT transmission failed suddenly with no prior warning signs. Vehicle was exclusively dealer-serviced for its entire life. While driving, the transmission began shudde
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I am reporting a Sudden Unintended Deceleration event in my Subaru. The vehicle grinded to a halt without driver input. The car stopped in the left lane of a major highway. We put on our hazards and called the state pol
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Incident ~ 5:40 pm, Geneva NY Weather ~ 10 F, not snowing. Background. On or shortly after being started, the vehicle had exhibited prior incidents of extremely rapid engine acceleration not initiated by the operator.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while reversing into the driveway, the driver's side air bag unintendedly deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the d
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owned a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact opened and closed the trunk, triggering the alarm system. The alarm system failed to deactivate immediately. The v
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5 engine. Fuel gauge is inaccurate. My daughter was on the highway when it ran out of fuel. Had car towed to a independent shop. They said that the fuel gauges is a problem for Subaru 's and that the
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off on two occasions, the contact observed three cracks in the top-middle of the windshield that led to an 'S' shape crack in th
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
Took it for inspection was told the part that holds the engine up is rotting away and it will not pass inspection next year this is disappointing I have cars older then this and they are in better condition this vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 Subaru Legacy. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these
Risk: Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer se
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufact
Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Suba
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 51 | average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility/wiper is the most reported area with 30 of them (19%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2015 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.