According to Au7o's analysis of 1,100+ owner reports, the 2020 Subaru Legacy has 1 documented issue, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is CVT Transmission Failure ($200-$8,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Failure with 1,100 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $200 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2010-2020 Subaru Legacy, the 2010+ Legacy uses the Lineartronic CVT (TR690 for 2.5L, TR580 for 2.5i base) which has widespread reports of premature failure, typically between 80,000-140,000 miles. Failures include chain stretch, torque converter shudder, valve body malfunction, and complete transmission failure. The 2010-2014 models are most affected. Subaru extended CVT warranty coverage to 10 years/100,000 miles. Symptoms often start with subtle judder during light acceleration and progress to complete loss of drive.
Perform CVT fluid exchange with Subaru Lineartronic CVT Fluid II. Apply latest TCM software calibration at dealer. For torque converter shudder, converter replacement ($1,500-2,500) is often sufficient. Full CVT replacement with Subaru remanufactured unit for complete failures. Check 10-year/100,000-mile warranty extension eligibility first.
High Confidence1,100 owner reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2026Reviewed Feb 2026
NHTSA Recalls14 recalls
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Campaign #21V58700029/07/2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Campaign #20V21800016/04/2020
STRUCTURE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
Campaign #19V49300026/06/2019
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Campaign #18V93500031/12/2018
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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.
According to Au7o's analysis of 1,100+ owner reports, the 2020 Subaru Legacy has 1 documented issue. The documented issue is: CVT Transmission Failure. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Subaru Legacy reliable?
The 2020 Subaru Legacy has 1 known issue documented across 1,100+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: CVT Transmission Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Legacy problems?
Repair costs for known Subaru Legacy issues range from $200 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Failure, typically costs $200-$8,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2010-2020 Subaru Legacy CVT Transmission Failure?
The 2010+ Legacy uses the Lineartronic CVT (TR690 for 2.5L, TR580 for 2.5i base) which has widespread reports of premature failure, typically between 80,000-140,000 miles. Failures include chain stretch, torque converter shudder, valve body malfunction, and complete transmission… Repairs typically run $200-$8,000. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
