What to do with a dead Subaru Legacy

Our EPA data ends with the 2025 model year and lists the Legacy as no longer sold. When your Legacy is done for, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The Legacy's seven generations

Wikipedia gives these launch dates and codes. We've lined each one up with the model years our complaint counts use.

• First (BC/BF/BJ, 1989). Wikipedia says the Legacy was built to take on the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda 626 and Nissan Stanza, and it introduced Subaru's EJ flat-four. Model years 1990-1994, plus one complaint filed under 1989: 352 complaints.
• Second (BD/BG/BK, 1993). Reached North America for the 1995 model year with a full body and chassis revision. Model years 1995-1999: 652 complaints.
• Third (BE/BH). North American production started in May 1999 as a 2000 model. Model years 2000-2004: 334 complaints.
• Fourth (BL/BP). Subaru of Indiana began building it in February 2004 for the 2005 model year. Model years 2005-2009: 434 complaints.
• Fifth (BM/BR, 2009). Model years 2010-2014: 526 complaints.
• Sixth (BN/BS). Built for the 2015 model year. Wikipedia says the US lost the manual, and both engines got the Lineartronic CVT. Model years 2015-2019: 666 complaints.
• Seventh (BW/BT, 2019). An 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base model. Model years 2020-2025: 219 complaints.

Recalls and complaints, by era

1990-1999: seat belts, then brakes and springs

Seat belts are the top component on the 1991, 1992 and 1994 Legacy, with 19, 19 and 24 complaints. The 1995 is the second-busiest Legacy year at 182, led by air bags (44), and 33 of those complaints report a crash.

Under recall 99V040000, 1998-1999 Legacy cars with anti-lock brakes got a new brake master cylinder. In extreme cold, the pedal could sink to the floor. The 1999 2.2-liter Legacy was left out of it. For 1995-1999 Legacy sedans and wagons kept in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois and the other named salt states, recall 01V216000 fitted guards over the front strut springs. Both campaigns include other Subarus.

2000-2009: subframes, brake lines and air bags

On 2000-2003 Legacys, recall 03V153000 cleaned the rear suspension subframe and rust-proofed it. On 2001-2003 Legacy cars, recall 02V282000 replaced a faulty automatic transmission parking rod. Air bags lead the 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Passenger inflators were replaced under campaigns including 15V323000 and 20V001000.

The 2005 is the busiest Legacy year, 184 complaints, with engine and engine cooling on top at 28. For brake lines, recall 13V110000 inspected and rust-proofed 2005-2009 Legacys and Outbacks built from December 2003 through April 2009 in listed states. Recall 14V311000 followed with a leak test, and its 461,338 vehicles span several Subaru lines.

2010-2014: power train complaints, wipers and lighting

Power train leads the 2010 (38 of 150), the 2011 (40 of 167) and the 2012 (28 of 90). On 2010-2011 Legacys and Outbacks, recall 12V602000 put in a fused harness. Tribecas and Foresters are part of its 633,842 vehicles too. Recall 16V694000 replaced the wiper motor's bottom cover on 2010-2014 Legacys built from November 26, 2008 to June 7, 2013, and on Outbacks too. Passenger air bag inflators on these years came under 19V008000 and 19V009000.

2015-2025: the CVT Legacy

Complaints shift to visibility, wipers and the electrical system. The 2015 leads with visibility and wipers (34 of 160), the 2016 with electrical (47 of 147), and the 2020 with visibility and wipers again (57 of 121).

Recall 16V292000 was a do-not-drive notice for some 2016-2017 Legacys over a possible steering column defect. On the 2018, recall 18V773000 fixed software that could stop the low fuel light from coming on at the right level. A low pressure fuel pump recall, 21V587000, covers the 2018-2020 cars together. A transmission control unit programming mistake on 2020 Legacys, Outbacks and 2019-2020 Ascents is the subject of recall 21V955000.

Legacy complaints and recalls, every model year

NHTSA supplied these Legacy numbers on October 10, 2026. Each recall shows once for every Legacy year it covers, so the column doesn't add up to 81.

Repair, or let it go?

Price the repair, then price a running Legacy of the same year and mileage. When those two numbers land near each other, sell it the way it is.

1. Open recalls first. Enter the VIN at NHTSA. A Subaru dealer handles open recalls at no cost.
2. Soft pedal or leaking lines on a 2005-2009? Those years drew brake line rust recalls. Our bad brakes guide helps you size the job.
3. CVT trouble on a 2015 or newer? Read failing CVT before you approve a rebuild.
4. Still deciding? Repairs cost more than it is worth lays out the math, and what a junk car is worth covers what moves an offer.

Sell the Legacy as it sits

1. Have the VIN and odometer reading handy, plus a short list of what's wrong.
2. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where the Legacy is: driveway, street, storage lot or repair shop. Say if it won't roll or the parking brake is stuck so the truck can plan for it.
4. Don't strip it. Tell us if the converter, battery or wheels are already missing.
5. Sign the title over at pickup. For plates and insurance, see after you sell. No title? Start with selling with no title.

More Subarus: the Outback, Impreza, Forester, and all Subaru models.