2020 Subaru Legacy Safety Report

2020 Subaru Legacy: Excellent Crash Ratings Mask Significant Visibility Complaints and Multiple Safety Recalls

119Complaints
6Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
1Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
1Injuries
Most reported components: Visibility/Wiper (50)Unknown Or Other (20)Visibility (9)Electrical System (9)Power Train (6)Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper (4)Vehicle Speed Control (3)Electrical System,Engine (2)Service Brakes (2)Air Bags (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Subaru Legacy

The 2020 Subaru Legacy presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance, achieving a perfect 5-star overall rating from NHTSA, it is plagued by a significant number of owner complaints, particularly concerning visibility issues and a notable recall history. With 119 total complaints, the most frequent issue reported is related to VISIBILITY/WIPER, accounting for 50 complaints, often describing power window malfunctions and spontaneous windshield cracking. This is a critical concern as windshield integrity can impact the EyeSight safety system. Beyond visibility, the vehicle has been subject to 6 recalls, several of which address serious safety concerns. Two recalls (21V955000 and 20V736000) relate to the POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, specifically a programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) that could lead to a loss of drive power and increased crash risk. Another significant recall (24V227000) involves the AIR BAGS: SENSOR: OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, where a faulty capacitor could prevent airbag deployment, increasing injury risk. The FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP recall (20V012000) also poses a crash risk due to potential engine stall. Despite the high crash test ratings, the volume and nature of owner complaints, coupled with the multiple safety-critical recalls, suggest potential reliability and component durability issues. The single reported crash, fire, and injury, while low in number, underscore that these issues can have real-world consequences. Prospective buyers should be aware of the recurring visibility problems and ensure all recall repairs have been completed.

Reliability Score

The 2020 Subaru Legacy receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2020 Subaru Legacy

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Subaru Legacy:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Power Window Malfunction
Windows fail to roll up automatically, requiring manual holding or vehicle restart, especially in inclement weather. This is a subset of the VISIBILITY/WIPER complaints.		 Medium Common unknown miles
Spontaneous Windshield Cracking
Windshields crack without impact, often starting from edges or heat strips, potentially affecting the EyeSight safety system. This is a subset of the VISIBILITY complaints.		 Medium Common unknown miles
Thermo Control Valve Failure
Defective thermo control valve can lead to engine overheating, disable driver assistance systems (EyeSight), and cause electrical issues, rendering the car inoperable.		 High Occasional 30000-60000 miles
Cvt Transmission Programming Error (Recalled)
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is properly secured, potentially causing a loss of drive power and increasing crash risk (NHTSA Recall 21V955000, 20V736000).		 High Rare unknown miles
Occupant Detection System (Ods) Sensor Failure (Recalled)
A capacitor in the ODS sensors may crack and short circuit, preventing airbag deployment in a crash (NHTSA Recall 24V227000).		 High Rare unknown miles
Fuel Pump Failure (Recalled)
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, causing an engine stall while driving and increasing the risk of a crash (NHTSA Recall 20V012000).		 High Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Subaru Legacy:

Visibility/Wiper 42% of complaints

The most common complaint category, with 50 reports, frequently detailing issues with power windows failing to operate correctly and spontaneous windshield cracking.

Unknown Or Other 17% of complaints

20 complaints fall into this category, often describing various unclassified issues or general vehicle malfunctions.

Visibility 8% of complaints

9 complaints specifically related to visibility, often overlapping with windshield cracking issues.

Electrical System 8% of complaints

9 complaints, some of which are linked to the thermo control valve failure affecting electrical components.

Power Train 5% of complaints

6 complaints, consistent with the multiple recalls related to the automatic transmission and potential loss of drive power.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Subaru Legacy

Is the 2020 Subaru Legacy safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 Subaru Legacy received excellent 5-star ratings in all crash test categories (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover), indicating strong crash protection. However, it has 119 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls, addressing issues like potential loss of drive power, non-deploying airbags, and fuel pump failure. While it performs well in crashes, its reliability and component durability are concerning due to these widespread complaints and recalls.

What are common problems with the 2020 Subaru Legacy?

The most reported issues for the 2020 Subaru Legacy are related to VISIBILITY/WIPER (50 complaints), including power window malfunctions and spontaneous windshield cracking. Other common problems include general 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' issues (20 complaints), and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM problems (9 complaints), some of which are linked to the defective thermo control valve that can disable driver assistance features and cause engine issues. There are also 6 POWER TRAIN complaints, consistent with transmission-related recalls.

Are there any recalls for the 2020 Subaru Legacy?

Yes, the 2020 Subaru Legacy has 6 recalls. These include recalls for AIR BAGS (sensor issues preventing deployment), POWER TRAIN (transmission control unit programming errors leading to loss of drive power), FUEL SYSTEM (defective fuel pump causing engine stall), BACK OVER PREVENTION (rearview camera display issues), and SERVICE BRAKES (loose brake pedal mounting bracket).

Does the 2020 Subaru Legacy have issues with its EyeSight system?

While not a direct recall for EyeSight, several owner complaints and the 'Thermo Control Valve failure' issue indicate that the EyeSight system can be affected. Specifically, the thermo control valve malfunction can disable all driver assistance features, including collision braking and lane assist. Additionally, spontaneous windshield cracks, a common complaint, can also compromise the EyeSight system's functionality as it relies on cameras mounted behind the windshield.

What should I check before buying a used 2020 Subaru Legacy?

Before buying a used 2020 Subaru Legacy, ensure all 6 open recalls have been completed. Pay close attention to the operation of all power windows and inspect the windshield thoroughly for any cracks, especially near the edges or heat strips. Inquire about any history of engine warning lights or issues with the thermo control valve, and test all driver assistance features to ensure they are fully functional.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Despite excellent crash test ratings, the 2020 Subaru Legacy has a concerning number of owner complaints, particularly regarding visibility and potential component failures; ensure all 6 recalls are addressed and thoroughly inspect for common issues like window malfunctions and windshield cracks before purchase.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Subaru Legacy

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Subaru Legacy. The data includes 119 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Subaru Legacy an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.