The 2023 Legacy XT with the FA24 2.4L turbo is still too new for widespread pattern failures, but early reports and the repair database suggest catastrophic engine failures are appearing prematurely—bearing failures, piston/ringland damage, and head gasket issues reminiscent of older Subaru turbo motors, now surfacing under warranty and just beyond.
FA24 Turbo Engine Catastrophic Failure (Bearings/Pistons)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 15,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Knocking or rattling from engine at idle or under load, Metal shavings in oil during change, Sudden loss of oil pressure warning, Check engine light with misfire codes or low oil pressure codes
Fix: Complete short block replacement or engine rebuild required. Subaru has issued TSBs for bearing failures traced to oil starvation and manufacturing defects. 18-24 labor hours for short block swap, often covered under warranty if caught early, but out-of-pocket disasters are appearing just past 36k miles.
Estimated cost: $8,000-$14,000
Head Gasket Failure (FA24 Turbo)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating or erratic temperature gauge, Milky residue on oil cap or dipstick
Fix: Both head gaskets, head resurfacing if warped, new head bolts, timing components while you're in there. 14-18 labor hours. The FA24 was supposed to eliminate this classic Subaru plague, but isolated cases are appearing—likely from overheating events or poor maintenance.
Estimated cost: $3,500-$5,500
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under vehicle (front-center), Burning smell while driving, Transmission overheat warning light, Slipping or shuddering in CVT operation
Fix: External oil cooler lines crack or corrode at fittings, dumping ATF quickly. Replace lines and top off fluid, inspect cooler itself for contamination. 2-3 labor hours if just lines; if cooler is clogged or CVT is damaged from running low, you're looking at CVT replacement (20+ hours, $6k-9k). Catch it early.
Estimated cost: $400-$800
Transmission Mount Failure (Torque Mount)
Common · low severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Lurching sensation during acceleration, Visible separation or cracking in rubber mount
Fix: The front torque mount (transmission side) tears or separates, especially on turbo models with higher torque. Replace mount, 1.5-2 labor hours. OEM mount is preferred; aftermarket can be stiffer and transmit more NVH.
Estimated cost: $300-$500
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting or extended cranking, especially when hot, Rough idle and stumbling under acceleration, Check engine light with fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0088), Loss of power under boost
Fix: Direct-injection high-pressure pump fails internally or seizes. Located on the engine, driven by camshaft. Replace pump and fuel filter (integrated or inline depending on setup). 3-4 labor hours. Use OEM pump—aftermarket longevity is sketchy.
Estimated cost: $1,200-$1,800
Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition, cranks but won't fire, Stalling at random while driving, Check engine light with crank sensor codes (P0335, P0339), Tachometer drops to zero while driving
Fix: Sensor fails due to heat cycling near exhaust. Located on engine block, accessed from underneath. 1-1.5 labor hours, straightforward replacement. OEM sensor strongly recommended—aftermarket sensors fail prematurely on Subarus.
Estimated cost: $250-$400
Wait 2-3 model years if buying used—the FA24 turbo is showing teething problems with catastrophic consequences, and CVT durability remains a question mark on turbo torque.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.