SubaruLegacy2018Overview/subaru/legacy/2018/base/

2018 Subaru Legacy

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Legacy.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Subaru Legacy is a passenger car engineered with an engine lubrication system requiring 5.1 quarts of 0W-20 API oil, defining its mechanical baseline for researchers. This specific model year has accrued 116 total owner complaints alongside 3 recalls, with the electrical system standing out as the predominant trouble area. Viewed against the Legacy's broader complaint history spanning 1990 to 2025, the 2018 iteration falls well short of the 1995 peak of 216 complaints but remains significantly higher than the 2025 low of just 6, indicating that while the model's overall reliability has matured past its historical worst, this year still demands attention for its electrical faults.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88.5 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 355 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 · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/50R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3402 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the Legacy of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.60 sec — 2018 2.5i Sport
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20182.5i Sport 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec175 hpAWD
20172.5i Sport PZEV 2.5L F-49.10 sec17.00 sec175 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.00 sec15.30 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.10 sec15.50 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.30 sec15.70 sec256 hpAWD
20152.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-48.80 sec16.70 sec175 hpAWD
20152.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-48.80 sec16.90 sec175 hpAWD
20152.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-49.20 sec17.00 sec175 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88.5 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 FluidSubaru Lineartronic II CVTF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.9-12.5
Automatic Transmission FluidUse Subaru High Torque CVT fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts144.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88.5 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts88.5 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0
Rear Wheel Hub177.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap2458cc: .028-.031; 2498cc: .039-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque2458cc: 15.5 ft-lbs; 2498cc: 13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.88-1.00 lbs
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity.88-1.00 lbs.
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

RPM50.0 @ Idle. rpm
Engine Compression152
Engine Compression152

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 49
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 49
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .591
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .591

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 degrees +/-515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen in reverse order of installation 180 degrees180 degrees
4Loosen in reverse order of installation 180 degrees180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6Turn 78-82 degrees78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1-273–77 degrees
8In order28–32 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
235.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
241.0-45.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2018 Subaru Legacy sits in the middle of the sixth generation (2015–2019), where complaints trended downward from 159 in 2015 to 116 in 2018, before ticking up slightly to 122 in 2019. Its three recalls match the generation’s typical low count, and notably, it has zero investigations—unlike the three prior model years which each had one. The top complaint areas are electrical system (22) and visibility/wiper (18), but the data does not specify root causes for these issues. Compared to the generation’s peak complaint year of 2015 and the higher TSB volume of later years like 2020, the 2018 shows a stabilized record with no active investigations and only one fire complaint. This places the 2018 in a favorable position within its generation arc, suggesting it avoided the early-model teething problems. Overall, the 2018 Legacy is a solid buy for a used vehicle, as its federal record indicates average reliability with minimal safety concerns.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
429
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
116
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 116 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System22
Visibility/Wiper18
Unknown Or Other17
Visibility7
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other4
Back Over Prevention3
Structure3
Steering3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V587000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/07/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may… Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at…

18V935000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/DevicesReported 31/12/2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera… Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 429 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
02-195-262026-06-01Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Legacy take?

5.1 qt of Synthetic 0W-20 API certified, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Legacy have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.