Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

2018 Subaru Legacy pre-purchase inspection checklist

What to check before you buy, built from NHTSA recall data, owner-reported failures, and mechanic intel. Print it or bring it to your mechanic.

Pre-purchase inspection · 2018 Subaru Legacy
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2018 Subaru Legacy
2.5i / 2.5i Premium / 2.5i Sport / 3.6R Limited (BN, 6th gen, 2015-2019)
Watchful

The BN Legacy is Subaru's midsize sedan — comfortable, standard AWD, and reasonable fuel economy. The FB25 boxer-4 has improved versus prior EJ-series but still warrants an oil consumption check above 80k miles. The 3.6L boxer-6 is smooth and powerful but consumes more fuel. CVT fluid service every 30k miles is the critical maintenance item.

Items to check
12
Open recalls
1
NHTSA complaints
85
Top concern
FB25 oil consumption / CVT fluid service

Powertrain

FB25 oil consumption (80k+ miles)

Monitor
FB25 can consume oil above 80k miles with extended intervals.
Pull dipstick before driving.
Est. cost: $0 if early / $4,500–$7,000 engine Source: Subaru FB-series pattern

CVT Lineartronic fluid service

High Attention
CVT requires fluid every 30k–40k miles. Shudder = overdue.
Test highway acceleration for shudder. Request CVT fluid receipts.
Est. cost: $250–$450 service / $3,500–$5,500 CVT Source: Subaru CVT interval

AWD

Rear differential fluid (AWD)

Monitor
Rear differential fluid service every 30k miles.
Test highway cornering for vibration.
Est. cost: $100–$200 service Source: Subaru AWD standard

Safety Systems

EyeSight windshield zone

Monitor
EyeSight cameras at top-center windshield — any chip or repair doubles replacement cost.
Inspect windshield top-center zone.
Est. cost: $1,200–$2,200 windshield + recalibration Source: Subaru EyeSight service

Body

Rust (salt-belt cars)

Monitor
Legacy rockers rust on salt-belt cars.
Inspect both rockers.
Est. cost: $200–$1,500 depending on severity Source: Subaru rust pattern

Documentation

CVT service history + recall check

High Attention
CVT fluid history is the critical document.
Run nhtsa.gov/recalls. Request CVT receipts.
Est. cost: Walk away from CVT without service history Source: NHTSA

NHTSA Recalls (verify completion via VIN)

21V-587
Denso Fuel Pump Impeller
Low-pressure fuel pump may fail — engine stall risk. 2018–2020 Legacy; free replacement (Subaru WRG-21).
After you buy: common DIY repair guides
Planning the upkeep this car will need? Our step-by-step guides cover oil changes, brake pads & rotors, battery replacement, transmission fluid, coolant flushes, and spark plugs — each with the tools, parts, torque specs, and common mistakes that matter. Browse all repair guides →

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