Is the 2015 Subaru LEGACY reliable?

The 2015 Subaru LEGACY has 232 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Subaru LEGACY?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (41 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (37 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (29 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Subaru LEGACY?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Subaru LEGACY?

The 2015 Subaru LEGACY gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Subaru LEGACY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Subaru LEGACY is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Subaru LEGACY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2015 Subaru LEGACY has 232 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 140. The most common issue is visibility problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2015 subaru legacy. the contact stated that her visibility was obstructed when the sun reflected off the factory installed navigational system. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the failure mileage was 600.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 22 crash reports 15 injuries

232

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

41 complaints

18%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED WHEN THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
• WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE GLASS IN THE MOONROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER VEHICLE NEAR ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE AND NEITHER MY WIFE OR I SAW ANYTHING COME FROM THE FRONT & STRIKE THE VEHICLE. AFTER WE STOPPED TO CHECK THE DAMAGE, THE MOON R
• CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NEW SUBARU LEGACY OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE GLASS IS ON BACKORDER SO REPAIRS MAY BE SEVERAL WEEKS OUT. SOME OF THE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED MORE THAN ONE CRACKED WIN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED WHEN THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Subaru LEGACY

Based on 154 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 16K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)27/04/2016

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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

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 service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Subaru LEGACY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,372/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Subaru LEGACY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru LEGACY Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2015 LEGACY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 232 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED WHEN THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH CRUISE SET AT 72MPH, REACHED DOWN TO THE CENTER COUNCIL TO GRAB AN ITEM, AND PULLED UP ON THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. THE BUTTON IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO REACHABLE PLACES. THE CAR CAME TO A SCRATCHING HALT, LUCKY THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO SWERVE OUT OF THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED WHEN THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: UPON LOW SPEEDS TRANSMISSION HOWLS, HESITATION FOLLOWED BY FAST ACCELERATION. KEY INSERTION INTO IGNITION IS DIFFICULT AND ROUGH. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)