Subaru Legacy XT
Subaru's newest and best turbo boxer: 2.4L direct injection, used in WRX VB, Ascent and Outback XT. Oil pan RTV sealant was the early issue (fixed under warranty, corrected from 2025). Too early for real long-term data, but Ascent owners past 100k miles report trouble-free operation. Budget for carbon buildup cleaning like all DI engines.
Legacy XT — turbo sedan for the long haul
FA24 turbo in the Legacy: 260 hp, CVT, AWD. Highway-comfortable and fast enough. Not a sports car, but a very competent touring machine.
Engine Weaknesses 5
Recall WUW-08 (Dec 2019): ~51,600 vehicles. Steel washer in PCV valve separates due to heat cycling — engine oil and fragments enter combustion chamber. Engine loses drive power. Free repair; short block replaced if valve fragments not found.
Plastic thermo control valve (TCV) housing fails under heat cycling. Coolant vapor short-circuits sensor reference line — all driver assist systems go offline. Warranty extended to 15 years/150,000 miles. Affects 2019-2021.
Symptoms: All warning lights simultaneously, vehicle becomes inoperable, disabled safety systems (EyeSight, lane keep), engine overheating
Sub-optimal factory RTV application at the oil pan. Service bulletin published, repaired under warranty. Corrected at the factory from 2025.
Symptoms: Oil drops under engine, oil level loss
Same DI issue as the FA20DIT. Budget for walnut blasting every 40-50k miles.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss at low RPM
Hydraulic cam phaser loses oil pressure overnight. Cold start produces 1-3 seconds of sharp clattering until oil pressure builds. Harmless at correct oil level; inspect if noise persists warm or gets longer.
Symptoms: Sharp clattering or rattling on cold start for 1-3 seconds, sounds like chain noise, disappears once oil pressure builds
Vehicle Weaknesses 3
Recall WRK-21/WRK-22: TCU software error allows CVT chain to slip before clutch fully engages. Chain guide can break — loss of motive power while driving. Affects turbo model years 2020–2021.
EyeSight triggers emergency braking with no obstacle present, or fails to brake for an actual obstacle. BLS failure worsens the problem. Software updates usually available.
DCM (Data Communication Module) and infotainment cause elevated parasitic draw — battery dead after a few days of inactivity. Subaru acknowledged the issue; software reset usually required.
Reports & Tests
207 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2020–2025). Most reported: Wipers & Visibility (83), Other (48), Electrical (26).