2020 Subaru Legacy: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Legacy years.
121 owner complaints, most about visibility/wiper. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 Legacy?The 2020 Subaru Legacy has 121 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Subaru Legacy vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Legacy years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the Legacy?
Across the 30 Legacy model years we track, complaint volume runs from 10 (2023) to 184 (2005). With 121 complaints, the 2020 Legacy sits above the model's median of 90.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 Legacy
back over prevention:display function
Campaign 20V766000Subaru 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."
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 21V955000Subaru 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 21V587000Subaru 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Campaign 19V664000Subaru 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.
Show 2 more recalls
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 22V485000Subaru 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.
air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Campaign 24V227000Subaru 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Legacy. See the full Legacy owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Legacy listings typically run $11,500–$22,749 across 2003 to 2025 model years.
Other Legacy model years
Compare every Legacy year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Legacy against its rivals
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