CarRecordBook

Model year record

2020 Subaru Legacy recalls & problems

The 2020 Subaru Legacy has 6 safety recalls and 121 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility/wiper (57 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints121filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2020 Subaru Legacy in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsMar 22, 2024

Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

Recall 24V227000118,723 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Power trainJul 8, 2022

Driveline › Chain/belt

Recall 22V485000182 vehicles

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

Components: Power train › Driveline › Chain/belt; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Power trainDec 9, 2021

Driveline › Chain/belt

Recall 21V955000198,255 vehicles

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

Components: Power train › Driveline › Chain/belt; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Fuel system, gasolineJul 29, 2021

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 21V587000175,968 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Back over preventionDec 10, 2020

Display function

Recall 20V7660007,741 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
Fix
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.
Service brakes, hydraulicSep 18, 2019

Pedals and linkages

Recall 19V6640003,467 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2020 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Subaru Legacy NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2020 Subaru Legacy NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Legacy AWD

30mpg combined
City / highway27 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Legacy AWD

27mpg combined
City / highway24 / 32 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Visibility/wiper570004,918 mi
Unknown or other260001,900 mi
Electrical system15010—
VisibilityWindshield; Power window devices and controls900012,000 mi
Forward collision avoidanceWarnings; Adaptive cruise control80006,750 mi
Power train700045,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal41017,650 mi
Engine4010—
Service brakes2000—
Lane departureAssist2000—
Back over preventionRearview system braking; Warnings2000—
Exterior lighting1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.