Subaru›Legacy›2011›3.6L/subaru/legacy/2011/3-6l/

2011 Subaru Legacy — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Legacy 3.6L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2011 Subaru Legacy 3.6L stands as a mid-size passenger car built on Subaru’s revised platform, pairing its smooth 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine with a five-speed automatic transmission to deliver a balance of refinement and capability, though its EPA-estimated 18 city and 24 highway mpg reflect the trade-off for that added power. With a 7-quart oil capacity and a recommended 5W-30 viscosity, maintenance remains straightforward, yet this model year’s 167 owner complaints—primarily centered on the powertrain—alongside 16 recalls, mark it as a notably troubled entry in the Legacy’s broader history. While not the most problematic year in the nameplate’s three-decade span (that dubious honor goes to 1995’s 216 complaints), the 2011’s reliability record suggests a period of heightened scrutiny for owners, particularly those prioritizing long-term dependability over its more modern, complaint-light successors.

Model year2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	186.2 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	59.4 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	3483 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 24 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	103 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2011 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

6.4–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2010 3.6R Limited

256 hpHorsepower (as tested)

247 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	3.6R Limited 3.6L F-6	6.40 sec	15.00 sec	256 hp	AWD
2010	3.6R Limited 3.6L F-6	6.99 sec	15.30 sec	256 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Subaru Lienartronic CVT fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	13.2
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	7 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-90 · GL-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.0-9.0

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	44.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	143 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	66.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-3-2-5-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 650, AT: 675, TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.88-1.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	189-196 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	12.0 ohms
Engine Compression	185-213 psi. 7 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure	15 psi @ 600 rpm, 73 psi @ 5000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.0079-0.0080 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.010-0.0138 in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 88.5 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	48.7 ft-lbs / 88.5 ft-lbs
Other	STANDARD WHEELS
Wheel Application	17 inch WHEELS
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Brake Application	WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages

Prep Bolts 1-8:

1	14.8 ft. lbs.	14.8 ft. lbs
2	36.9 ft. lbs.	36.9 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
5	14.8 ft. lbs.; Bolts 1-4:	14.8 ft. lbs
6	35.4 ft. lbs.; Bolts 5-8:	35.4 ft. lbs
6	32.5 ft. lbs.; All Bolts:	32.5 ft. lbs
7	90 degrees.; Bolts 1-4:	90 degrees
8	45 degrees.	45 degrees
9	Install seal bolt 9	4.7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

9 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90

9 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,250 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 1,250 mi	Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 3,750 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Battery Cable (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injection System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Subaru Legacy recorded 167 complaints, 16 recalls, and 341 TSBs with no open investigations, placing it at the peak of a clear complaint spike that runs from 2010 (150) through 2011 before dropping sharply to 90 in 2012 and 66 in 2013. Its recall count of 16 is high but consistent with the surrounding 2010-2012 cluster (18, 16, 16), suggesting a generation-wide issue rather than a 2011-specific defect, and notably no federal investigations were opened on this model year despite the elevated complaint volume. The top complaint concentrations are heavily skewed toward Power Train (37) and Air Bags (20), which together account for roughly a third of all filings, with 7 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints warranting particular attention during a pre-purchase inspection. TSB counts in this era are climbing steeply (193 in 2009 to 341 in 2011, peaking at 493 in 2013), indicating Subaru was actively issuing service guidance even as raw complaint volume subsided, which is a positive sign for parts availability and dealer familiarity. The combination of peak complaints, peak recalls, and a non-trivial crash/fire count makes the 2011 a higher-risk pick than the cleaner 2012-2014 model years, and a buyer should only proceed with documented recall completion and a thorough powertrain and airbag system inspection. In short, the 2011 sits at an unfavorable inflection point in the generation's arc, and the data suggests favoring a 2012-2014 Legacy would be the more defensible choice.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

341

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

167

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 167 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train37

Air Bags20

Exterior Lighting14

Unknown Or Other8

Service Brakes8

Engine6

Steering,Suspension6

Suspension5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V626000Parking BrakeReported 13/09/2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

19V009000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska… Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 341 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E	2026-06-11	Unknown Or Other	This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R	2026-05-04	Power Train	This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R	2026-04-30	Unknown Or Other	This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-26	2026-04-24	Power Train	This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Legacy. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 25 battery Vehicles taking 7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Legacy 3.6L take?

7 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Legacy have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.