Is the 2020 Subaru LEGACY reliable?

The 2020 Subaru LEGACY has 143 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Subaru LEGACY?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (66 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (26 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (15 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Subaru LEGACY?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Subaru LEGACY?

The 2020 Subaru LEGACY gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Subaru LEGACY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Subaru LEGACY is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Subaru LEGACY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Subaru LEGACY has 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 140. The most common issue is visibility problems (46% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2020 subaru legacy. the contact stated while driving at approximately 60 mph, there was an abnormal sound emitting from the windshield. the contact became aware fractures to the windshield in three separate places. the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. a deal. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 1 crash report 1 injury

143

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

66 complaints

46%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE FRACTURES TO THE WINDSHIELD IN THREE SEPARATE PLACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEAL
• MY LEGACY HAS A CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON
• WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES INWARD WHEN STATIONARY. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY ROCK CHIPS OR HIT MARKS. JUST SPLIT AND CHIPPED ON ITS OWN.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE FRACTURES TO THE WINDSHIELD IN THREE SEPARATE PLACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEAL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Subaru LEGACY

Based on 59 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 6K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 40 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION10/12/2020

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."

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

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Subaru LEGACY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,372/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Subaru LEGACY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru LEGACY Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2020 LEGACY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 143 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE FRACTURES TO THE WINDSHIELD IN THREE SEPARATE PLACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY LEGACY WAS 4 MONTHS OLD, WHEN A SPONTANEOUS CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS THINNER THAN A HUMAN HAIR. IT'S NOT ROUND LIKE, THE COMMON ROCK CHIP. JUST A VERY, VERY FINE CRACK.*DT CONSUMER STATED CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD IS 8 INCHES LONGER NOW.*JB
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: RADIO AND CONTROL UNIT RANDOMLY RESTARTS AND FREEZES, AFFECTING THE RADIO FROM WORKING, THE VEHICLE CONTROL AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE OPTIONS, AND THE TWO USB PORTS WHICH ARE THE ONLY POWER SOURCES IN THE VEHICLE FROM WORKING CORRECTLY. I HAVE NO AUDIO AND CANNOT RESET THE RADIO AND CANNOT CHANGE VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: CRACK APPEARED IN FRONT WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY MID-HEIGHT ON THE WINDSHIELD. NO SIGN OF IMPACT FROM FOREIGN OBJECT AND VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 2 DAYS BEFORE THE CRACK WAS NOTICED. CRACK ORIGINATED FROM THE VERY EDGE OF THE SEAL AND SPREAD OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)