The 2020 Subaru Legacy has encountered several significant recalls, particularly regarding the fuel system and powertrain. These issues raise safety concerns, especially for families with children who rely on the vehicle's reliability and functionality.
Key Factor:Multiple safety-related recalls
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (6) than the average SUBARU vehicle (1.3). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
6 recalls for this vehicle1.3 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
πWhy This Matters
The presence of multiple recalls in critical systems like the fuel delivery and powertrain is particularly alarming. For families, especially those with children in the back seat, these defects could lead to dangerous situations, such as fuel pump failures that might cause stalling or erratic vehicle behavior. Subaruβs commitment to safety is generally well-regarded, but these specific issues underscore the importance of vigilance for current owners and potential buyers alike.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
Despite Subaru's strong engineering reputation, the 2020 Legacy's reliance on technology features poses increased risks owing to its recall history. The frequency of complaints indicates that some families may experience significant inconveniences or safety hazards that warrant careful consideration when evaluating this model.
Safety & Reliability Score
37/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-48
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-10
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2020 SUBARU Legacy
Model Year2020
MakeSUBARU
ModelLegacy
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Scroll for more β
Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Sep20
ISSUEFirst Report
Oct20
RECALLRecall Issued
Sep21
RECALLRecall Issued
Aug22
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
57 complaints (57% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.
π High
4(4%)
π‘Medium
10(10%)
π’Low
86(86%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
βοΈEngineering Insight
With peak failure rates occurring between 0-20k miles and an average failure mileage of around 23,991 miles, it's crucial for owners to be proactive in monitoring their vehicles. Early detection of issues in a vehicle's critical systems can prevent dangerous situations, especially when children are passengers.
π Mileage data extracted from 19 of 100 complaints (19% coverage)
0-20k
10 reports (53%)
20k-40k
6 reports (32%)
40k-60k
2 reports (11%)
60k-80k
1 reports (5%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
π οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
BACK OVER PREVENTIONPOWER TRAINFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICAIR BAGS
π―Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Fuel Pump
Issue: Potential failure of low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank.
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Schedule an inspection as soon as possible to ensure functionality.
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Request detailed service records regarding fuel pump inspections or replacements.
Campaign:20V258
2
Power Train
Issue: Programming error in Transmission Control Unit may affect vehicle control.
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Have your vehicleβs TCU reprogrammed by an authorized dealer without delay.
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Verify if previous owners addressed this recall before purchasing.
Campaign:20V020
3
Back Over Prevention
Issue: "High" and "mid" grade multimedia navigation may have rearview display issues due to software update problems.
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'Ensure software is updated properly at an authorized service center immediately.
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Check if the rearview display functions correctly during a test drive before finalizing purchase.
Campaign:20V263
π‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your SUBARU dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (6)
Campaign: 20V766000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
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Summary
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Campaign: 21V955000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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Summary
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 21V587000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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Summary
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 19V664000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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Summary
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Campaign: 22V485000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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Summary
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY
1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 24V227000
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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Summary
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
2 investigations
Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2020 Legacy.
INV-2020-1000π’ Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Legacy performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 25,538
INV-2020-1001π’ Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Legacy performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 54,927
Consumer Complaints
100 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 Legacy.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Crack57%
Warning13%
Battery7%
Visibilityπ΅ Low
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that during inclement weather, the front driver and front passengerβs side power windows failed to automatically roll up as intended. The contact was forced to hold the power window button to slowly roll the windows up. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that there was debris in the slides inside the windows, causing the windows to fail to retract. The contact stated that the driverβs side window retractor was replaced; however, the failure returned soon after the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 29,000.
Engine/Powertrainβ οΈ High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
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 indicating any problems prior to this. The car burned very quickly and the firefighters extinguished the fire but not before the entire car was burned to ashes. The car is wrapped and in the possession of the insurance company pending investigation.
Otherπ΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Power window driver side intermittently fails to function, leaving window partly or completely open. This is an ongoing problem. Often I have to restart the car to get the window to operate properly. Difficult to drive when weather conditions change suddenly and window wonβt close.
Electricalβ οΈ High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
in inclement weather the windows will not roll up, especially heavy rain events. The window will attempt to go up and then go into the fully open position. You have to wait a minute before the window will allow you to attempt again of reset the windows. This happen to me on the highway in a heavy rain. It has happened several times. Subaru knows of this problem and has a technical bulletin about it to change the motor and window tracks. They all should be changed before a fatality occurs
Otherπ΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Defective Cam Carrier Seal
Safety Systemsπ΅ Low
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Visibilityπ΅ Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I have had two spontaneous window cracks within 6 to 9 months apart. I had a full windshield replacement and the windshield has just cracked again. The second incident, the vehicle was parked overnight so it wasn't caused by a rock or from following a car.
Engine/Powertrainπ΅ Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The Thermo control valve is faulty and my friends is too. There is a class action lawsuit concerning this part. I replacement part was designed in 2021 and Subaru is aware of this issue, but refuses to do a recall. So far 2019, 2020 and 2021 models are affected.
Otherπ΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 across the drivers side The car is parked in my driveway
Otherβ οΈ High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof exploded spontaneously while traveling down freeway. No one was within 3/4 of a mile in all directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
'What should potential buyers know about the safety record of the 2020 Subaru Legacy?'
'Prospective buyers should be aware that while the Subaru brand has a solid safety reputation overall, the 2020 Legacy faces multiple recalls concerning critical systems like the powertrain and fuel delivery. Itβs essential to ensure that these recalls have been addressed and repaired by certified professionals.'
'How do I find out if my 2020 Subaru Legacy has any active recalls?'
'You can easily check for active recalls by visiting the official NHTSA website or contacting your local Subaru dealership with your vehicle identification number (VIN). They will provide you with up-to-date information on any outstanding recall work needed for your car.'
π§What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official SUBARU records to ensure no 6 recalls remain open.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in SUBARU's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Critical: Demand official documentation showing every SUBARU recall has been satisfied.
Investigate whether later Legacy iterations (2021+) rectified these persistent issues.
A pre-purchase inspection by a SUBARU specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.