2020 Subaru Legacy

121 complaints on file, page 1 of 7.

1. Filed Jun 20, 2026Failure Jun 20, 2026Hebron, KYElectrical system, Steering, Unknown or other

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11745403
2. Filed Apr 1, 2026Failure Mar 15, 2026Plains, PASeats

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11728577
3. Filed Nov 5, 2025Failure Jul 1, 202429,000 milesFort Worth, TXPower window devices and controls

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11697739
4. Filed Jul 16, 2025Failure Jul 6, 2025Davenport, IAElectrical system, EngineFire

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11674078
5. Filed Mar 12, 2025Failure Jan 1, 2025Madison, OHUnknown or other

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11647859
6. Filed Feb 13, 2025Failure Jan 22, 2025Woonsocket, RIElectrical system

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11642640
7. Filed Jan 27, 2025Failure Jan 27, 2025Swampscott, MAUnknown or other

   Defective Cam Carrier Seal

   NHTSA complaint 11638833
8. Filed Sep 26, 2024Failure Sep 26, 2024Royal Oak, MIAir bags

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11616662
9. Filed May 14, 2024Failure May 14, 2024New Castle, PAVisibility/wiper

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11588664
10. Filed Mar 18, 2024Failure Feb 24, 2024Gaffney, SCFuel/propulsion system

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11578035
11. Filed Mar 11, 2024Failure Mar 5, 2024Middletown, NYUnknown or other

    Windshield On 3/5/24 I drove to work,...the windshield was intacted as of 8AM.. after my shift at 4PM mysteriously there was a line (crack in the window on the drivers side) around 6 inches....haven't been to my car since Wednesday 3/6/24... today 3/11/24 that crack has expanded to 12-14 inches across the drivers side The car is parked in my driveway

    NHTSA complaint 11576744
12. Filed Jan 26, 2024Failure Jan 25, 2024Tucson, AZUnknown or other

    Sunroof exploded spontaneously while traveling down freeway. No one was within 3/4 of a mile in all directions.

    NHTSA complaint 11568119
13. Filed Jan 17, 2024Failure Jan 16, 2024Austin, TXEngine

    The engine thermo control valve has been defective and Subaru has known this issue since 2022 and has tried to do some software update but it is defective [XXX] ) despite multiple tries. This can overheat an engine, result in the front collision warning system (eyesight) and rear auto-braking not working. Specific to my case, the front and rear collision warning systems are off, auto lane departure avoidance system is off, the engine can overheat and has had reduced performance, and the check engine lights are also on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11565945
14. Filed Jan 8, 2024Failure Dec 22, 2023Benton, ARPower train

    The coolant bypass valve was defective. You would have to ask the dealership to inspect it, they kept it when they changed it out. It is unsafe because the engine could have overheated and exploded. The problem has been confirmed Subaru of Little Rock. They replaced the valve and some other parts. The check engine light came on when I started the car the night of Dec 22, 2023. At this time, the heat was struggling, the vents were barely blowing, and the thermometer would only work sometimes. I want to upload the Subaru dealership paperwork I received when I picked up the car, but the upload function is not working. Please send me an email if you would like a copy.

    NHTSA complaint 11564299
15. Filed Dec 20, 2023Failure Dec 15, 2023Rochester, MNUnknown or other

    We recently purchased a used 2020 Subaru Legacy sedan with ~33,000 miles on it. It has a salvage title due to previous owner hitting a deer, (no air bag deployed, just minor body work) and it was professionally repaired to "like-new" condition. Last weekend, when starting the car, the check engine light and a bunch of other warning lights came on. An OBDI scan showed a code of "P263A" indicating a problem with the Thermo Control Valve. As a result of the defective TCV, several major functions of the vehicle were automatically disabled: adaptive cruise control, eyesight system with lane keeping, automatic braking, as well as all cabin heating, windshield defrost function, and the engine temperature gauge. Without these systems properly working, the drivability of the vehicle is greatly impaired, especially in a Minnesota winter without a functional windshield defrost and engine temperature monitoring gauge. When taking the car into the local Subaru dealership for full diagnostics, they confirmed that indeed the TCV was bad, and quoted me a cost of $1135 to replace it. They claimed that since the car has a salvage title, Subaru's warranty will not cover any part of this repair. However, there is a known wide-spread failure of this Thermo Control Valve in the 2019-2021 cars as listed in Subaru Technical Bulletin [XXX] which clearly states that there is a redesigned TCV that replaces the defective earlier part and fixes the earlier design flaws of the one installed in 2019-2021 vehicles. I spoke with the Subaru of America Client Advocacy representative, and he was adamant that the salvage title negates any responsibility for Subaru to fix this know defectively designed Thermo Control Valve. My thinking is that the defective TCV is both a drivability and a safety issue, and due to the wide-spread early life failure of this part, Subaru should be compelled by a recall to replace the defective car in all customer cars. All ADAS is affected by a bad TCV. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

    NHTSA complaint 11561151
16. Filed Dec 4, 2023Failure Nov 4, 2023Bedminster, NJPower train

    At approximately 30k miles we had noticed the vehicle sounded loud, like a Turbo. It got worse and after returning from our vacation trip to Maine, it was noticeable louder but couldn’t place a finger on the problem. We brought the vehicle in to Victory Subaru in Morristown and they diagnosed the two rear failed wheel bearings. My question is how can both wheel bearings fail at only 20k and is there a potential for a system wide recall? Thanks

    NHTSA complaint 11558437
17. Filed Nov 29, 2023Failure Nov 27, 2023Henderson, NVSidewall

    While driving on freeway the tire pressure warning light came on. I started to slow down and pull over and I felt the car wobble. I pulled to the side of the road and the tire had completely failed. The sidewalls, inside and out, had square chunks completely gone along the complete sidewall.

    NHTSA complaint 11557557
18. Filed Nov 16, 2023Failure Nov 5, 2023Edmond, OKElectrical system

    The front door window regulator of our 2020 Subaru Legacy is not working properly. It fails to raise and lower correctly and reliably which can be a safety issue especially in an emergency. The problem occurred without any prior warnings or messages. I am told by the dealership (Bob Moore Subaru of Oklahoma City) that it is part #61041AN00A that requires replacement.

    NHTSA complaint 11555488
19. Filed Oct 11, 2023Failure Oct 7, 2023Swarthmore, PAElectrical system

    Thermo Control Valve failed. Caused a short which affected all electrical components on its circuit. The car became inoperable in traffic.

    NHTSA complaint 11549397
20. Filed Oct 8, 2023Failure Oct 1, 2023Knoxville, TNVisibility/wiper

    This past Sunday evening, I drove to the convenience store 4 blocks away. As I returned, I noticed a crack in the windshield starting in the middle from the left edge and was about 12 inches long. No gravel marks were found, it had cracked for no apparent reason. Sitting the next night in the garage, the crack increased about 6 more inches by the next morning. Filed claim with my insurance and was subsequently replaced by Safelite here in Knoxville Tn. This cost me $100 out of pocket and no telling how much my insurance had paid. I just found the class action today.

    NHTSA complaint 11548905