Vehicle Guide

2016 Subaru Legacy Problems, Reliability & Owner's Guide

Common problems with the 2016 Subaru Legacy, reliability ratings, maintenance tips, and owner reviews. Get your complete owner's guide.

Overview

The 2016 Subaru Legacy is a midsize sedan designed for drivers who want everyday comfort with the added confidence of standard all-wheel drive. It sits in the sixth-generation Legacy lineup (introduced for 2015), offering a spacious cabin, strong safety scores, and a practical, all-weather focus that’s uncommon in the segment. This model year is ideal for commuters, families, and anyone in snowy or rainy climates who prefers a sedan over a crossover. In the market, it competes with the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima, but stands out for AWD availability across the board.

Key Features

1) STANDARD SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE: Every 2016 Legacy comes with Subaru’s full-time Symmetrical AWD system, a major advantage for traction and stability in poor weather. 2) ENGINE OPTIONS: Most trims use a 2.5L 4-cylinder (typically around 175 hp) paired with a CVT, balancing fuel economy and daily drivability. Available on higher trims is a 3.6L flat-six (about 256 hp) for noticeably stronger acceleration and smoother passing power, also paired with a CVT. 3) STRONG SAFETY TECH AVAILABILITY: Many models can be equipped with Subaru EyeSight driver assistance, which commonly includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane departure warning—features that are frequently searched by used-car shoppers. 4) ROOMY, COMFORTABLE INTERIOR: The Legacy is known for a spacious back seat and a large trunk for the class, making it a practical road-trip and family sedan. 5) COMPOSED RIDE AND ALL-WEATHER HANDLING: The suspension tuning emphasizes comfort, while AWD helps the car feel planted on wet highways and slick surfaces.

Common Issues & Reliability

Shoppers researching 2016 Subaru Legacy reliability often find that the car can be a solid long-term choice with good upkeep, but there are recurring themes in owner complaints. Here are some 2016 Subaru Legacy common issues to know before buying: 1) CVT BEHAVIOR AND DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS: Some owners report CVT shudder, hesitation, or a “rubber-band” feel, sometimes becoming noticeable around 60,000–120,000 miles. Not every car experiences this, but regular fluid condition checks and smooth driving habits can help, and a thorough test drive is important. 2) OIL CONSUMPTION ON 2.5L MODELS: A subset of 2.5L engines may consume oil between changes, especially as mileage climbs (often discussed after 70,000+ miles). The fix is usually monitoring and topping off; ignoring it can risk low-oil operation. 3) INFOTAINMENT/SCREEN GLITCHES: Some vehicles experience touchscreen freezing, Bluetooth connection issues, or intermittent audio problems. These are often software-related but can be frustrating; confirm all functions work consistently before purchase. 4) WHEEL BEARINGS AND SUSPENSION WEAR: Like many AWD cars, wheel bearings can wear and get noisy over time, sometimes in the 80,000–130,000-mile range depending on roads and tire history. Worn bearings often present as a humming or growling noise that changes with speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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