SubaruLegacy2006Overview/subaru/legacy/2006/base/

2006 Subaru Legacy

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Legacy.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S4)

Classified as a passenger car, the 2006 Subaru Legacy pairs an Automatic (S4) transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/27/23 mpg and requires 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API oil. Ownership data for this model year shows 87 total owner complaints distributed across 7 recalls, where Vehicle Speed Control emerged as the top complaint area. Within the broader model complaint history covering 1990-2025, the 2006 variant occupies a middle ground with significantly fewer issues than the 1995 peak of 216 complaints, yet it does not achieve the low of 6 complaints seen in 2025.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182006

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 430 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 35 · 430 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3428 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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.

5.3–5.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2006 2.5GT spec.B
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20062.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec14.00 sec250 hpAWD
20062.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-45.40 sec14.00 sec250 hpAWD
20052.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec14.10 sec250 hpAWD
20052.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.20 sec250 hpAWD
20052.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-46.40 sec14.90 sec250 hpAWD
20072.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-46.20 sec14.50 sec243 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 74-89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0-9.0

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts51-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.1 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT: 700, TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,800 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable VarianceTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.88-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.50-5.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance430 cca
Optional BCI Group Number35
Optional BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression152-203 psi. 14 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000
Intake Valve Lash0.0079-0.0080 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.0138 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 27 ft-lbs / 59 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle39 ft-lbs / 59 ft-lbs
OtherSTANDARD WHEELS
Wheel Application17 inch WHEELS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Brake ApplicationWITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
5Bolts 1, 225 ft. lbs
6Bolts 3-611 ft. lbs
7All Bolts, 80-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
8All Bolts, 80-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
536 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.40–45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 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.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 2006 Subaru Legacy represents a mid-cycle refresh within its generation, positioned between the notably high-complaint 2005 model (182 complaints) and the significantly improved 2007 model (33 complaints). Complaints for the 2006 model dropped to 87—below the generation’s average—while recalls remained steady at 7, consistent with the surrounding years (2005: 9, 2007: 9). The data shows no federal investigations for 2006, aligning with the broader trend of minimal regulatory scrutiny post-2004, though technical service bulletins (TSBs) remained elevated at 208, reflecting ongoing minor refinements. Top complaint areas centered on vehicle speed control (14) and airbags (10), though crash-related complaints (6) and fire incidents (1) were relatively low. This year falls in a transitional phase where early-generation issues appear resolved, yet later refinements had not yet fully materialized. **Takeaway: The 2006 Legacy is a comparatively strong year to buy within its generation, offering lower complaints than adjacent models with no red flags in recalls or investigations.**

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
208
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
87
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 87 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control14
Air Bags10
Service Brakes6
Engine6
Power Train5
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System3
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V003000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020…

20V002000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 208 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Legacy take?

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

Does the 2006 Legacy have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Legacy get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.