SubaruLegacy2021Overview/subaru/legacy/2021/base/

2021 Subaru Legacy

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Legacy.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy is specified with 4.8 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil. This model year recorded three recalls and 31 total owner complaints, with the primary complaint area cited as "Unknown Or Other." Positioned within a model history spanning 1990 to 2025, the 2021 version falls between the high of 216 complaints in 1995 and the low of six complaints in 2025.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 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 47 · 620 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 47 · 620 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/55R17 97VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3541 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63.4 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.

8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2021 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Limited 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.40 sec182 hpAWD
2020Touring XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.70 sec260 hpAWD
2020Touring XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.80 sec260 hpAWD
2020Touring XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.20 sec14.80 sec260 hpAWD
2020Sport 2.5L F-48.00 sec16.20 sec182 hpAWD
2020Sport 2.5L F-48.10 sec16.20 sec182 hpAWD
2020Limited 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2023Sport 2.4L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.30 sec260 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru High Torque CVT Oil
Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Oil for Lineartronic III
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity9.2 qt
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant P/N SOA868V9270

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts47.9 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugRear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 52.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: Use a new gasket: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 52.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 675 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Speed-Up Speed: 850 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Speed-Up Speed: 842.5 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.93-1.05 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance620 cca

Service checks

RPM50.0 @ Idle rpm
RPM58.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect ball joint dust cover. Step 3: Replace ball joint if any looseness is detected during step 1. Step 4: Replace ball joint dust cover if any damage is noted during visual inspection of step 2.
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Bolts 3, 2 & 1: Loosen., Step 3: Bolts 1-3: 13.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 8, 6 & 4: Loosen., Step 5: Bolts 4, 6 & 8: 13.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: Bolts 7, 9 & 5: Loosen., Step 7: Bolts 5, 9 & 7: 13.013 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90-95°89 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 115-125°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
170.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55-65°70 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen 360°, Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 98-102°, Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Bolts 3-6: 48-52°14.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°21 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°22 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 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 2021 Subaru Legacy shows a dramatic improvement over its predecessor: complaints dropped from 121 in 2020 to just 31 in 2021, while recalls fell from 6 to 3. This places 2021 at the beginning of a clear downward trend in complaints that continues through 2025 (32 in 2022, 10 in 2023, 15 in 2024, 6 in 2025), suggesting the manufacturer resolved significant issues that plagued earlier models in this generation. The three 2021 recalls are minimal compared to the spike of 18 recalls in 2010 or the 16 recalls seen in 2011-2012, and the zero crash and fire complaints indicate no major safety defects. The top complaint areas—visibility/wiper, airbags, and engine—are relatively modest in scope and frequency. This makes the 2021 model year a strong candidate: it benefits from the quality corrections visible in the data trend while avoiding the higher complaint volumes of 2015-2020, and it shows no evidence of serious safety-related defects.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
437
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
31
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other5
Visibility/Wiper5
Air Bags3
Engine2
Power Train2
Suspension1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System1
Air Bags,Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V485000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 08/07/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely… Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be…

23V755000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock SwitchReported 09/11/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 437 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
15-246-19R2026-06-29Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-81-21R2026-06-24Fuel/Propulsion SystemThis bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…

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 2021 Legacy take?

4.8 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Legacy have open recalls?

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