2020 Subaru Legacy VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2020 Subaru Legacy has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 121 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Subaru Legacy. Severity signals include 1 crash-related complaint and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Visibility Wiper (52), Unknown Or Other (24), Electrical System (14).
Legacy reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Subaru Legacy before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Most-reported 2020 Subaru Legacy issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Visibility Wiper52
- Unknown Or Other24
- Electrical System14
- Visibility9
- Power Train7
- Vehicle Speed Control3
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2020 Subaru Legacy
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Inspect windshield for cracks or chips, especially near edges
- Test power windows for smooth operation and ensure they close fully
- Check battery health and test for unexpected drainage
- Verify operation of EyeSight and other driver assistance systems
- Ask about history of Thermo Control Valve replacement
- Ensure transmission shifts smoothly without hesitation or jerking
- Test infotainment system for freezing or rebooting issues
2020 Legacy recalls (6)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2020 Legacy. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 24V227000Mar 22, 2024
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.
- POWER TRAINNHTSA 22V485000Jul 8, 2022
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.
- POWER TRAINNHTSA 21V955000Dec 9, 2021
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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 21V587000Jul 29, 2021
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.
- BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 20V766000Dec 10, 2020
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.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNHTSA 19V664000Sep 18, 2019
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.
Used-market value
2020 Subaru Legacy resale snapshot
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
2020 Subaru Legacy on the road
27,240 2020 Subaru Legacy units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2020 Subaru Legacy stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2020 Subaru Legacy
The 2020 Subaru Legacy presents a mixed reliability profile. With a score of 67 out of 100, it falls into the moderate range, suggesting reliability is neither significantly above nor below expectations. Complaints are notably concentrated in the visibility and wiper systems, indicating a potential area of concern for prospective owners. Other issues, such as electrical system complaints, are less frequent but present.
The six recalls for this model year point to an elevated need for manufacturer intervention compared to models with fewer recalls. This suggests that while some problems have been addressed, prospective buyers should be aware of potential ongoing issues.
Overall, the 2020 Subaru Legacy carries a moderate reliability risk, with specific attention needed for visibility-related concerns.
What you get in a 2020 Subaru Legacy report
Check a 2020 Subaru Legacy now
Confirm exact options, recall completion, accident history, and odometer accuracy in minutes.
2020 Subaru Legacy — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Subaru Legacy reliable?
The 2020 Subaru Legacy presents a mixed reliability profile. With a score of 67 out of 100, it falls into the moderate range, suggesting reliability is neither significantly above nor below expectations. Complaints are notably concentrated in the visibility and wiper systems, indicating a potential area of concern for prospective owners. Other issues, such as electrical system complaints, are less frequent but present.
How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Legacy have?
6 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2020 Subaru Legacy. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2020 Subaru Legacy problems?
The most-reported 2020 Subaru Legacy problem areas are: Visibility Wiper (52), Unknown Or Other (24), Electrical System (14).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2020 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2020 Subaru Legacy, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.