The 2022 Legacy XT with the FA24 2.4L turbo is still young, but early patterns show concerning engine internals failures and CVT cooling issues that mirror problems from prior-gen turbo Subarus. Most concerning are catastrophic engine failures appearing well before 100k miles.
Premature Engine Bearing/Piston Failure (FA24 Turbo)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: metallic knocking or rattling from engine bay especially when cold, oil consumption exceeding 1 qt per 1,000 miles, loss of power under boost, Check Engine Light with misfire codes, catastrophic failure: sudden loss of oil pressure, seizing
Fix: Complete short block replacement or engine rebuild required — connecting rod bearings and piston ring land failures are most common culprits. 18-25 labor hours for short block swap at dealer, 25-35 hours for full rebuild with machine work. Often covered under powertrain warranty if under 60k/5yr, otherwise catastrophic cost.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission overheating warnings on dash, shuddering or slipping during acceleration, burnt smell from under hood, reduced power/limp mode in hot weather or under load, CVT fluid contamination visible (milky or dark)
Fix: External CVT oil cooler develops internal leaks or blockages, causing fluid temps to spike. Requires cooler replacement, full CVT fluid flush, and often new transmission mount due to related shuddering. 4-6 hours labor plus parts.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Cylinder Head Gasket Weeping (FA24)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: external oil seepage visible on cylinder head mating surfaces, slight coolant smell from engine bay, minor coolant loss without visible leaks, white residue around head bolt areas, failed pressure test
Fix: While not the catastrophic head gasket failures of EJ engines, FA24 can develop external seepage requiring head gasket replacement on one or both banks. 12-16 hours labor for both sides, includes head resurfacing. Must be caught early before coolant contamination damages bearings.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Transmission Mount Deterioration
Common · low severityTypical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, excessive vibration at idle in Drive, visible sagging or tearing of rubber mount, harsh engagement under throttle
Fix: CVT transmission mount fails prematurely, likely due to weight and torque of turbo setup. Simple replacement, 1.5-2 hours labor. Often done alongside CVT cooler work.
Estimated cost: $350-600
High-Pressure Fuel System Issues
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle or stumbling under boost, P0087 (fuel rail pressure too low) code, hesitation during hard acceleration, long crank/hard start when hot, fuel smell in cabin or engine bay
Fix: Direct injection fuel pump, high-pressure fuel filter, or injector seals can fail. Diagnosis requires fuel pressure testing under load. Filter replacement 1 hour, pump 3-4 hours, injector seals 4-6 hours depending on scope.
Estimated cost: $600-2,500
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: rattling noise on cold start that disappears when warm, noise most noticeable at idle, no performance loss, sound originates from turbo area driver side
Fix: Wastegate actuator arm develops play causing audible rattle. Often a warranty claim item. If out of warranty, replacement turbo or actuator rebuild required, 5-7 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Hard pass unless CPO with extended powertrain warranty — the FA24 engine reliability track record is still developing and early failures are expensive enough to total the car's value.
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.