Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags and automatic emergency braking. The 7 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/7 checked
2023 Subaru Legacy: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Subaru Legacy. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | AWD | 26 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 30 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Subaru Legacy, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
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.
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.
Excerpts from complaints Legacy owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
i was traveling into work in Boston and a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup hit me broadside (drivers side wheel, rear door). My air bags (driver front or side) did not deploy and my car was determined to be a total wreck by my insurance company. I was bruised and out of work for a couple of days but was a fortunate to walk away from this accident.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 Legacy years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the fourth model year of the Legacy's seventh generation (2020 on).
Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Subaru Legacy, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
