VehicleVerdict

2020 Subaru Legacy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 143 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Legacy year — the 2020 model ranks #11 of 39 Legacy years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: visibility & wipers issues account for 46% of all reports (66 of 143), far ahead of other at 26. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

143

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Legacy years?

Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted248 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 103 complaints1991: 121 complaints1992: 66 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 67 complaints1995: 230 complaints1996: 161 complaints1997: 179 complaints1998: 155 complaints1999: 119 complaints2000: 119 complaints2001: 90 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 55 complaints2005: 248 complaints2006: 135 complaints2007: 45 complaints2008: 83 complaints2009: 75 complaints2010: 218 complaints2011: 234 complaints2012: 119 complaints2013: 84 complaints2014: 73 complaints2015: 232 complaints2016: 192 complaints2017: 140 complaints2018: 161 complaints2019: 142 complaints2020: 143 complaints2021: 43 complaints2022: 41 complaints2023: 12 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legacy years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Subaru Legacy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers6646%
Other2618%
Electrical System1510%
Driver Assistance128%
Transmission75%
Speed Control43%
Engine43%
Brakes21%
Seats11%
Airbags11%
Steering11%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Lighting11%
Fuel System11%

Does the 2020 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V227000AirbagsMarch 22, 2024 · 118,723 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.

22V485000TransmissionJuly 8, 2022 · 182 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence

An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

21V955000TransmissionDecember 9, 2021 · 198,255 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence

An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

21V587000Fuel SystemJuly 29, 2021 · 175,968 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

20V766000Driver AssistanceDecember 10, 2020 · 7,741 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia navigation. The August 2020 over-the-air software update may have timed out without completing the installation, corrupting the data, and causing the rearview display to shutoff intermittently. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software and, if necessary, replace the Cockpit Control Module, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-20.

19V664000BrakesSeptember 18, 2019 · 3,467 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt.

Consequence

A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware and replace the hardware or brake pedal assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUL-97.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“April 29, 2021 I went to drive my car and found my windshield cracked. I didn't hear anything hit the windshield the night before, but there was a 4 inch crack in the windshield when I went to drive to work. It continued to crack until I could get it replaced which ended up being about 10-12 inches…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 29, 2021

“Windshield On 3/5/24 I drove to work,...the windshield was intacted as of 8AM.. after my shift at 4PM mysteriously there was a line (crack in the window on the drivers side) around 6 inches....haven't been to my car since Wednesday 3/6/24... today 3/11/24 that crack has expanded to 12-14 inches…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 5, 2024

“One hour into traveling on the highway smoke began to come from under the hood so we pulled off to the side of the road. Upon opening the hood, after the smoke cleared, a fire was observed. At that point the passengers exited the vehicle and called 911. There was no warning lights or sounds…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 6, 2025 · fire

“CRACK APPEARED IN FRONT WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY MID-HEIGHT ON THE WINDSHIELD. NO SIGN OF IMPACT FROM FOREIGN OBJECT AND VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 2 DAYS BEFORE THE CRACK WAS NOTICED. CRACK ORIGINATED FROM THE VERY EDGE OF THE SEAL AND SPREAD OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 21, 2021

“The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the gear shifter was inoperable. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift as needed. The vehicle was towed to the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 21, 2023

2020 Subaru Legacy — common questions

Is the 2020 Subaru Legacy reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 143 complaints put the 2020 model at #11 of 39 Legacy years. It is one of the Legacy years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Legacy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (66 complaints), other (26 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints).

Does the 2020 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Legacy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Legacy years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2018, 1996, 1998, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2006, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Legacy years belongs to 1989.

How safe is the 2020 Subaru Legacy?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Subaru Legacy earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.