Subaru›Legacy›2008›2.5L/subaru/legacy/2008/2-5l/

2008 Subaru Legacy — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Legacy 2.5L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5L is a passenger car powered by a 2.5‑liter engine paired with an automatic (S4) transmission, returning EPA estimates of 20/27/22 mpg and requiring 4.4 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil. Owner‑reported data shows 65 total complaints for the model year, with air bags as the leading complaint area and nine recalls issued. In the broader Legacy complaint history covering 1990‑2025, the 2008 total sits well below the 1995 peak of 216 complaints but remains above the 2025 low of six, placing this generation in a moderate reliability band relative to the model’s long‑term trend.

Model year2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/27/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 85 · 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 85 · 430 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	189 in
Overall width	68.9 in
Overall height	58.3 in
Wheelbase	105.1 in
Curb weight	3252 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.7 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 27 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	94 cu ft
Cargo volume	11 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

No 2008 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

5.3–6.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2006 2.5GT spec.B

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2007	2.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-4	6.20 sec	14.50 sec	243 hp	AWD
2006	2.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.30 sec	14.00 sec	250 hp	AWD
2006	2.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.40 sec	14.00 sec	250 hp	AWD
2005	2.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.30 sec	14.10 sec	250 hp	AWD
2005	2.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.70 sec	14.20 sec	250 hp	AWD
2005	2.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	250 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 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 1-6-3-2-5-4. 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	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	10.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	133 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	51-55 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	74-89 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: 640, AT: 700, TURBO: 750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	MT: 110, AT and TURBO: 100 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	Turbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.81-.95 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	85
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	430 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	5-20 ohms
Engine Compression	152-203 psi. 14 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000
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 / 27 ft-lbs / 88.5 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	39 ft-lbs / 88.5 ft-lbs
Other	STANDARD WHEELS
Wheel Application	17 inch WHEELS
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.060; 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 8 stages

1	21.5 ft. lbs.	21.5 ft. lbs
2	51 ft. lbs.	51 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
5	31 ft. lbs.	31 ft. lbs
6	80-90 degrees.	80–90 degrees
7	40-45 degrees.	40–45 degrees
8	40-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.	40–45 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

1	21.5 ft. lbs.	21.5 ft. lbs
2	51 ft. lbs.	51 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
5	31 ft. lbs.	31 ft. lbs
6	80-90 degrees.	80–90 degrees
7	40-45 degrees.	40–45 degrees
8	40-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.	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.

At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 9,300 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	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 2008 Subaru Legacy recorded 65 complaints, 9 recalls, and 203 technical service bulletins (TSBs). This represents a volume of complaints that is higher than the 33 reported for 2007, but identical to the 65 reported for 2009. In the context of the surrounding years, the 2008 model falls within a relatively stable period before a sharp increase in reports occurred in 2010, which saw complaints jump to 150 and recalls to 18. The primary complaint areas for this specific year were Air Bags with 20 reports and Service Brakes with 9, although the data does not specify the root causes. Federal records also note 3 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint for this model year. Because it avoids the significant spike in issues seen in later years of the generation, this is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

203

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire

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

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 65 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags20

Service Brakes9

Electrical System,Air Bags4

Vehicle Speed Control4

Power Train3

Exterior Lighting3

Visibility/Wiper2

Wheels2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V001000Air 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 (STI included), 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 with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall…

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 203 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 85 battery Vehicles taking 4.4 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 2008 Legacy 2.5L take?

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

Does the 2008 Legacy have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.