NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2020 Subaru Legacy has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 121 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Subaru Legacy, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 Subaru Legacy owner complaints

Owners have filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Legacy, describing incidents dated December 2, 2019 to June 20, 2026.

Most-cited components

Visibility/Wiper 66 complaints
Unknown or Other 26 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance 7 complaints
Power Train 7 complaints
Engine 4 complaints

Of the 121 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 121 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11745403 · Filed June 20, 2026
While driving there is a loss of power, the battery fails, electronic components shut down and car stops. Has happened intermittently. Replaced battery. This is a significant safety issue happened on freeway near exit ramp, in parking lot in driveway, everything cuts out. Opened hood and seems to be…
ODI #11728577 · Filed April 1, 2026
Driver's seat structurally unstable due to factory-installed welded nut shearing off the seat rail anchor at approximately 32,000 miles. Confirmed by Napleton Subaru technician on video. Physical component in owner's possession. Failure is consistent with prior Subaru seat rail weld recalls. This…
ODI #11697739 · Filed November 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that during inclement weather, the front driver and front passenger’s 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…

Read all 121 complaints

Air Bag May Not Deploy

NHTSA #24V227000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger · NHTSA notice

Reported March 22, 2024 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 118,723 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.28% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WRA-24 · Owners notified February 3, 2025 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Drive Chain May Break Causing Loss of Drive Power

NHTSA #22V485000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported July 8, 2022 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 182 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.02% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WRK-22 · Owners notified August 24, 2022 · Vehicles built May 17, 2019 – August 3, 2020 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Drive Chain May Break Causing Loss of Drive Power

NHTSA #21V955000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported December 9, 2021 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 198,255 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WRK-21 · Owners notified August 19, 2022 · Vehicles built July 15, 2019 – August 13, 2020 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Fuel Pump May Fail

NHTSA #21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported July 29, 2021 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 175,968 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WRG-21 · Owners notified September 24, 2021

Recall group: Denso fuel pumps

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Rearview Camera may Shut Down/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #20V766000 · Back Over Prevention — Display Function · NHTSA notice

Reported December 10, 2020 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 7,741 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WRH-20 · Owners notified January 22, 2021

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Loose or Missing Brake Pedal Mounting Bracket Bolt

NHTSA #19V664000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Pedals and Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported September 18, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 3,467 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.94% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WUL-97 · Owners notified October 1, 2019 · Vehicles built July 31, 2019 – August 26, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

2020 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

10% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

121 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Legacy.

Steering; Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11745403

Incident: June 20, 2026 · Filed: June 20, 2026

While driving there is a loss of power, the battery fails, electronic components shut down and car stops. Has happened intermittently. Replaced battery. This is a significant safety issue happened on freeway near exit ramp, in parking lot in driveway, everything cuts out. Opened hood and seems to be battery terminal connector. Recall was issued for certain Subaru models but not legacy. No warning, just cuts off. Is not a standard battery terminal connector. Had to secure battery down with cable ties.

Seats

ODI #11728577

Incident: March 15, 2026 · Filed: April 1, 2026

Driver's seat structurally unstable due to factory-installed welded nut shearing off the seat rail anchor at approximately 32,000 miles. Confirmed by Napleton Subaru technician on video. Physical component in owner's possession. Failure is consistent with prior Subaru seat rail weld recalls. This affects seat stability, occupant restraint geometry, and crash protection.

Visibility

ODI #11697739

Incident: July 1, 2024 · Filed: November 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that during inclement weather, the front driver and front passenger’s 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 driver’s 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.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11674078

Fire

Incident: July 6, 2025 · Filed: July 16, 2025

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11647859

Incident: January 1, 2025 · Filed: March 12, 2025

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 won’t close.

Electrical System

ODI #11642640

Incident: January 22, 2025 · Filed: February 13, 2025

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

Unknown or Other

ODI #11638833

Incident: January 27, 2025 · Filed: January 27, 2025

Defective Cam Carrier Seal

Air Bags

ODI #11616662

Incident: September 26, 2024 · Filed: September 26, 2024

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.

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11588664

Incident: May 14, 2024 · Filed: May 14, 2024

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11578035

Incident: February 24, 2024 · Filed: March 18, 2024

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.

Other Subaru Legacy model years

Check your 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru Legacy at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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