Recall Alert: 2005-09 Subaru Outback, Legacy

Subaru is recalling certain model-year 2005-09 Outback wagons and Legacy sedans due to a problem with the brake lines that could cause corrosion, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In its April 1 recall report, NHTSA stated that the exact number of vehicles affected was still undetermined; a Reuters story puts the number around 200,000.

Affected vehicles were manufactured between December 2003 and April 2009 and registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. According to NHTSA, salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector and result in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. This could cause brake fluid leakage, which could necessitate longer stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Alert: 2012 Subaru Outback and Legacy

Subaru is recalling just 14 model-year 2012 Outback wagons and Legacy sedans due to a problem with the moonroof glass that could cause it to detach, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected vehicles were manufactured between April 6 and May 12, 2011. An inadequate amount and position of adhesive between the glass and retainer of the moonroof could cause the glass to loosen and detach while driving, creating a potential road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash, according to NHTSA.

Subaru has already notified affected owners, and dealers will inspect the condition of the glass adhesion and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass for free, according to NHTSA. For more info, owners can call NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

Earlier this month, NHTSA announced that Subaru was recalling just 16 model-year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles also manufactured from April 6 to May 12, 2011. That recall stemmed from a problem with the windshield wiper motor and was an expansion of a previous recall from 2011.

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Recall Alert: 2012 Subaru Outback and Legacy
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2010 Subaru Legacy: First Drive

I just spent all week driving Subaru’s redesigned 2010 Legacy around the Seattle area, a region whose consummate splendor in July and August very nearly makes the remaining 10 months of overcast yuck seem tolerable. (I know; I grew up here. Nirvana never gets old.)

Unlike summertime ‘round these parts, the new Legacy is nothing to write home about. Apart from having all-wheel drive and, considering that, pretty decent gas mileage, it doesn’t offer any compelling reason to look past the litany of Camrys, Accords, Fusions, Altimas and Malibus vying for that spot in your driveway. It’s also a value choice, starting under $20,000 with that all-wheel drive.

No doubt Subaru will position its contender as a unique choice; press materials already claim the car’s styling “stands apart with a bold, high-tech look.”

Alas, unique doesn’t always mean better.

2010 Subaru Legacy Video

Kelsey Mays checks out the 2010 Subaru Legacy at the New York auto show and shows how much utility Subaru packaged into its new midsize sedan. While the controversial styling will surely be love-it or hate-it, Kelsey finds a lot of improvements on the inside versus the previous-generation Legacy.

2010 Subaru Legacy: Up Close

Subaru ads tout the unique appeal of the brand — what makes a Subaru a Subaru — that others ostensibly lack. What Subarus offer is roll-up-your-sleeves utility, and that aspect translates even to the redesigned, midsize Legacy sedan. It gains a lot of utility to help it compete with the big boys — Toyota Camry and Honda Accord — but it doesn't do enough to completely win out.

2010 Subaru Legacy at 2009 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry
• Looks like: Subaru is borrowing styling from Infiniti and Lexus
• Drivetrain: 175-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or CVT; 265-hp, turbo four-cylinder with six-speed manual; or 256-hp, 3.6-liter six-cylinder with five-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Late summer 2009

While we’re not sold on the looks of the completely redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy, the much-needed increase in interior room is welcome. The car rides on an entirely new platform with a new interior design.

Overall interior volume has increased 10 cubic feet to 103 cubic feet, which is on par with the rest of the class, between the Accord’s 106 and the Camry’s 101. The trunk’s 14.7 cubic feet is also improved, besting the Accord’s 14 cubic feet and just shy of the Camry’s 15 cubic feet. Rear legroom is nearly 4 inches greater than before, which also puts it on par with the competition, once again between the Accord and Camry.

Engine choices are similar to the current lineup, with a base four-cylinder now teamed with a continuously variable automatic transmission instead of a four-speed auto. The turbocharged 2.5GT gets a few more horses and is teamed with a six-speed manual only. If you want more power and an automatic, you can opt for the six-cylinder 3.6R.

The interior changes are significant, with an all-new center console, dashboard, instrument cluster and steering wheel. Standard on the 2010 2.5i are steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, automatic headlights, ambient lighting and an electronic parking brake. Stability control and all-wheel drive are also standard on all 2010 models.

Premium models add an eight-way power driver’s seat, Harman Kardon stereo system, power moonroof, heated seats and windshield-wiper deicer.

Limited models add leather, dual-zone climate control and a four-way power passenger seat. This is the only trim level where you can add an optional GPS system with Bluetooth and a rearview camera.

More photos are below, and they’re sure to stir debate.

Subaru Legacy Concept Video

Cars.com’s David Thomas takes a look at the Subaru Legacy Concept, which is essentially a peek into the future of Subaru’s sedan. That doesn’t mean all the Legacy Concept’s cool features will survive, though; things like slick headlights and in-car toys like a touch-screen probably won’t make it to production. Still, watch the video to find out how Subaru’s improvements will make the Legacy a car to anticipate.

Subaru Legacy Concept at 2009 Detroit Auto Show

• Looks like: The Legacy got taller but not prettier
• Defining characteristics: Vertical headlights and an all-new profile for the brand
• Ridiculous features: Matte silver paint job
• Chance of being mass-produced: This is what the next generation of Legacys and Outbacks will look like

Subaru’s Legacy Concept is certainly a new look for a company known for polarizing designs. Remember the Tribeca’s grille? The Legacy concept is no different, but its polarizing feature is its tall, round roofline. It’s functional for sure, and should provide lots of headroom, but most automotive designs have shifted to severely sloping rooflines, leaving the Legacy Concept looking somewhat out of date.

What’s good is that the concept rides on a longer wheelbase than the old model, and the company says legroom in the front and rear has been greatly enlarged. There are no specs on legroom — this is still a concept — but one gripe about the current Legacy and Outback is their cramped rear quarters. Competition like the Honda Accord and Mazda6 have also grown by leaps and bounds in the rear space department.

The paint on the concept is a matte silver that will never make it to production, but the 3.6-liter six-cylinder and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive are Subaru standards that will most likely make a production model.

Subaru hasn’t said when a new Legacy will debut, but it could easily turn this design into a production vehicle in short order from the looks of it on the show floor. More images below, including live shots from Detroit.  

Subaru Legacy Concept Headed to Detroit

Today, Subaru announced it would debut a concept version of its next-generation Legacy sedan at next month’s Detroit auto show. The company is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Legacy in 2009, and the concept will surely prove to be an interesting look at the nameplate’s future.

From this lone, teaser image the Legacy looks to get a few more creases on the hood, completely new headlights, but it retains the look of the current generation’s grille. We’re also guessing that like the new Forester, the next Legacy will ditch the frameless windows on the doors.

Subaru Streamlines Outback, Legacy for 2008

There’s no more confusion for Subaru wagon or sedan shoppers. For 2008, Subaru has trimmed its lineup so the Outback is sold only as a wagon and the Legacy only as a sedan. The move should clear up potential confusion for anyone unfamiliar with Subaru’s lineup, which has included sedan and wagon variants of both cars since 2000.

Consider the complications: When fellow staffer David Thomas blogged his experience cross-shopping the Outback with its competitors, one reader asked why he didn’t consider a Legacy wagon. Had this been last year, he just might have – the Outback wagon shares the Legacy’s gene pool, and you’ll have a hard time picking an Outback sedan from a Legacy four-door. The similarly named Outback Sport, meanwhile, is something entirely different. Confused yet?

Things should clear up from here on out. Subaru says the move to streamline both models made sense from a differentiation standpoint, and we couldn’t agree more. Now to do something about the Outback Sport; Subaru says a new one will arrive soon, sharing a platform with the redesigned 2008 Impreza. We don’t know why it’s called an Outback, either.

Source: Subaru