Sedan · Gas
Subaru Legacy 2020-2025 (BW)
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $22,745–$38,190
- MPG
- 30
- Strength: Strong passenger space
- Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
- Watch-out: Below-average cargo & utility
How it scores for you10 scores
A roomy, softly sprung value play that puts comfort and safety kit first and driver appeal a distant last.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 1 of its 8 recalls was serious. About 5% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $2,150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 67% of cars we track.
15.1 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 42% of other sedans we track.
Excellent rear legroom for a midsize sedan; adults fit easily.
Comfort-tuned chassis and CVT prioritize calm over engagement; the 260-hp XT is brisk but never sporty.
Big 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen and standard EyeSight are competitive, though the interface drew lag complaints.
Soft, quiet ride and a roomy, well-padded cabin; one of the more comfortable mainstream sedans.
Typical resale value for a sedan.
No published tow rating; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls13 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
13 recalls · 5 common complaint areas across 2020–2024
- Visibility/wiper — 52 complaints (2020)
- Recall — Powertrain: driveline: driveshaft (2023)
- Unknown or other — 24 complaints (2020)
2025
No recorded issues.
2024
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All Safety features stopped working while driving multiple times and loading feature pops up on the display screen. Speakers will go mute randomly, no sound will emit including phone calls. Automatic stop feature has engaged on the interstate multiple times, locking breaks (This is extremely dangero
2023
- RecallPowertrain: driveline: driveshaft23V647000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch23V755000
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
2022
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch23V755000
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger24V227000
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.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper14 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Safety Hazard: Subaru Sun Visor I own a 2022 Subaru Legacy, the first new car I've ever owned. The visor (to protect eyes from the sun) is too short and not wide enough. The seat is raised as high as it will go. I CAN'T position myself to protect my eyes from the Sun. On 1/8/26, I left my home at
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I went to lunch today and came out to a crack on my windshield. I've seen several issues online about defects with the legacy windshields.
2021
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); power train: driveline: chain/belt22V485000
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.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch23V755000
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger24V227000
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.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dear NHTSA Team, I am writing to report a recurring and distressing issue with my Subaru Legacy 2021 which I believe raises significant safety concerns. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced consistent problems with the battery. Despite replacing the battery five times, the vehicle has
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper5 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Three times within a 1 year period, the windshield cracked without an object hitting it. First time in July, 2021, second time in September, 2021, and third time in June, 2022. After the first time, I had the windshield replaced at my own expense. The second time, Subaru completed the replacement at
2020
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages19V664000
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.
- RecallBack over prevention: display function20V766000
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
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump21V587000
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.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); power train: driveline: chain/belt21V955000
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.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); power train: driveline: chain/belt22V485000
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.
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger24V227000
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.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper52 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/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.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other24 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN 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.
- Complaint clusterElectrical14 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 indicati
- Complaint clusterVisibility9 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY
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
- Complaint clusterPowertrain7 complaintscomplaints:POWER 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.
Cost to own$20,000 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$22,745–$38,190
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,150/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
27
Highway MPG
35
Combined MPG
30
Horsepower
260 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
15.1 cu ft
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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