This page covers 7 recalls, 120 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Subaru Legacy.
27–30 mpg combined
7.8–8.7 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2020 Subaru Legacy centers on the visibility and wiper category, which accounts for the majority of filed reports. Owners most frequently describe power windows failing to close properly during rain or inclement weather, the window either reverses to the fully open position or responds only when the button is held continuously rather than using the auto-close function. Several owners report this happening at highway speeds during heavy rain, and the problem appears to recur rather than resolve on its own. Restarting the vehicle sometimes restores normal operation temporarily. The electrical system draws a smaller but notable share of complaints, with owners reporting intermittent window malfunctions tied to electrical behavior. A single report describes a driver's seat anchor failing at the rail, and another describes smoke and fire appearing under the hood without any prior warning lights.
120
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Subaru Legacy has 7 recalls, the most serious being a fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine without warning, and a transmission control unit error that can allow the drive chain to slip and break, cutting power while driving.
On the brake side, the brake pedal mounting bracket may be missing a bolt or have one that was not fully tightened, and over time the bracket can deform and reduce braking effectiveness. There is also a front passenger airbag concern: a capacitor in the passenger seat occupant detection sensor can crack, allow moisture in, and short circuit, which prevents the airbag from deploying in a crash. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, and it remains open. On certain trims equipped with mid or high grade multimedia navigation, an over-the-air software update from August 2020 can time out mid-installation and corrupt data, causing the rearview camera display to cut out intermittently while reversing.
At a glance
What can fail
A sensor component in the passenger occupant detection system may crack during manufacturing. Moisture entering the crack causes an electrical short circuit, preventing the passenger-front airbag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Replace the occupant detection system sensors in the front passenger seat at a Subaru dealership.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A capacitor inside the front passenger seat's occupant detection sensor may crack and short circuit, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the occupant detection sensors on the front passenger seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the transmission control unit may cause the clutch to engage before the drive chain is fully secured, risking chain slippage.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the transmission control software, check for chain damage, and inspect the chain guide. If damage is found, the transmission will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the transmission control unit may cause the clutch to engage before the drive chain is fully secured, risking chain slippage.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the transmission control unit software, check for chain slippage, and inspect the chain guide. If damage is found, the transmission will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, which could prevent fuel from reaching the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An August 2020 software update may have failed to install completely, corrupting data and causing the rearview display to turn off and on unpredictably.
What the fix does
Dealers will reinstall the software and replace the control module if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt securing your brake pedal mounting bracket may be missing or not tightened enough, potentially causing movement or failure of the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware and replace it or the brake pedal assembly as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
