2020 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
121 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
5,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 57 of 121 complaints (47.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 7.4% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 6.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 57 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Visibility/Wiper: 57; Unknown Or Other: 26; Electrical System: 15; Visibility:Windshield: 8; Power Train: 7; Engine: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 47 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 47; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (47). 69 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 28 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2020: 28; 2021: 42; 2022: 22; 2023: 15; 2024: 7; 2025: 5; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11415528 · 2021-05-07 (May 7, 2021)
BATTERY DRAIN
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433003 · 2021-09-14 (September 14, 2021)
The battery for the Subaru Legacy Limited will not keep a charge. As a result the battery dies and the car will not start. On four occasions the car had to be jump started. After each jump start the car was left running for up to an hour. The next day, the battery was completely discharged and starting the engine was not possible.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352881 · 2020-09-02 (September 2, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE CAPITAL BELTWAY IN SILVER SPRING DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ( WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY STOP IF YOU ARE GOING TO CRASH) STARTED TO FLASH. IT LASTED ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS . I DID NOT TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS OR BRAKE THE CAR. THEN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO 60 MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420703 · 2021-06-12 (June 12, 2021)
1. The infotainment system crashed (happens often), which caused the touchscreen in the center control stack to turn black and become unresponsive. This also caused the EyeSight safety system, adaptive cruise control (with lane keep assist), and reverse auto braking to all shut down (my dashboard lit up with warning lights and errors). 2. Not only is this an annoyance, but having all of the safety systems in my car unexpectedly shut down is extremely unsafe, especially adaptive cruise control. Other functions of my car, such as the radio and c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478462 · 2022-08-09 (August 9, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while in a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal and the transmission in drive(D), the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle drove over the parking median; however, she managed to stop the vehicle before accelerating up a hill. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer but the mechanic found no defect with vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was …
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11478462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488576 · 2022-10-09 (October 9, 2022)
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) chain may slip and/or break. NHTSA recall 21V955000 Subaru recall WRK21 A software issue in the transmission control unit (TCU) may allow the continuously variable transmission to engage before the drive chain is properly secured, the automaker says. This could result in the chain slipping and breaking, leading to a loss of power and a risk of a crash. Component has not been inspected by the manufacturer. NHTSA reported this recall Dec. 9th, 2021. Received Subaru recall notice in mail Feb. 2022, stat…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11745403 · 2026-06-20 (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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11745403 at NHTSA ↗