SubaruLegacy2019Overview/subaru/legacy/2019/base/

2019 Subaru Legacy

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Legacy.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2019 Subaru Legacy is a passenger car whose 0W-20 engine oil, filled to 5.1 quarts, reflects the modern specification approach Subaru applied to this model year. It carries 122 owner complaints across its tenure, with the top complaint area being Visibility/Wiper, alongside three recalls—a profile that sits comfortably below the model's historical peak of 216 complaints in 1995 and well above the six logged for 2025. That positioning places the 2019 in the middle-to-lower band of the Legacy's complaint history spanning 1990 through 2025, indicating a model that had moved past its most problematic era but still carried a handful of specific issues worth a researcher's attention.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 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 NS · 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 NS · 490 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 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.

7.0–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2015 3.6R Limited
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 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.9 qt
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.4 qt
Brake FluidDot 3
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity7.4
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic

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 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)675 Setting Speed. 650 Checking Speed. rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)850 Speed up rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)150 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Setting Speed rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.880 - 1.00 lbs
Oil TypeND-12
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberJ15 #: 75D23R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

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

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 16; Rear: 19.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059 in; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.023; Rear: .590
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°-95°.89 in
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 1 stages
121.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all bolts 180° in the reverse order of installation., Step 4: Loosen all bolts 180° in the reverse order of installation., Step 5: 31 ft. lbs., Step 6: Turn 78-82°, Step 7: Turn bolts 1 & 2: 73-77°, Step 8: Tighten Bolts 6, 5, 4, 3 in that order: 28-32°.21.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-814.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30°-35°.22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 41°-45°.89 in

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 24,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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 2019 Subaru Legacy logged 122 federal complaints and 3 recalls, positioning it in the mature, generally more stable portion of its generation's lifecycle. Analyzing the generational arc, complaints peaked at 159 in 2015 and trended downward through 2018, though the 2019 model saw a slight complaint uptick to 122 from the prior year's 116. While 2019 matches the preceding years' recall volume of 3, the subsequent 2020 model year experienced a recall spike to 6 and a jump to 572 technical service bulletins (TSBs), compared to 413 in 2019. For the 2019 model specifically, Visibility/Wiper issues dominate the complaint roster at 46 reports, followed by Electrical System concerns at 27, though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Given its placement on the downward slope of the generation's complaint trend and its stable recall figures, the 2019 Legacy is a good year to buy, provided you ensure the Visibility/Wiper and Electrical Systems are thoroughly inspected.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
413
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
122
Owner complaints
2 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 122 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper46
Electrical System27
Unknown Or Other11
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other5
Engine4
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper3
Visibility2

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…

20V218000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 16/04/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative. Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 413 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 2019 Legacy take?

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

Does the 2019 Legacy have open recalls?

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