This bulletin announces the design change made to the Washer Tank.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Subaru Legacy visibility problems
moderate 61 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
61
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 61 visibility complaints filed for the 2020 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Subaru Legacy we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 61.
Visibility accounts for 51% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Front Windshield used in the above listed models and model years from three (3) years / 36,000 miles to eight (8) years / 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). If a customer experiences windshield damage, inspect the damage as per the guidelines supplied in this bulletin to confirm if the damage is covered under the Warranty Extension.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel seals in response to limited concerns of erratic operation of the anti-entrapment feature and / or the door glass either not closing or closing very slowly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel seals in response to limited concerns of erratic operation of the anti-entrapment feature and/or the door glass either not closing or closing very slowly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Legacy windshield problem falls into two main patterns. The first is spontaneous cracking: cars parked overnight or sitting at stop lights develop cracks spanning 6–18 inches with zero impact evidence and no chip or star pattern. These failures happen as early as 2,000 miles and recur even after OEM replacement. The second is abnormal brittleness: tiny rock chips that would barely mar an older car trigger cracks that spread within minutes to overnight. Owners compare the glass to their 2007–2017 Subaru models and describe the new glass as "soft" and "defective."
Replacement windshields often fail the same way within months. One owner needed four replacements in 1 year 8 months; another had a replacement exhibit pitting across the entire surface, requiring a second replacement. EyeSight camera recalibration is mandatory after replacement and costs add $150–300 beyond the $800–1,035 glass bill.
Dealers consistently blame rock impact despite owners' testimony of no impact. Service techs privately acknowledge this is a known issue. Multiple class-action lawsuits are pending. Warranty excludes windshields, and Subaru has provided no recalls, TSBs, or financial assistance to owners, per the complaints.
Same Subaru Legacy visibility reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous windshield cracks without impact
Windshield develops cracks while parked or during normal, low-speed driving with no visible point of impact, chip, or damage preceding the failure. Owners report discovering full-length cracks overnight or within hours of parking. Some cracks originate at the windshield frame, edge, or seal line; others appear mid-glass.
When: Occurs as early as 2,000–27,000 miles; many within first 3–6 months of ownership. Several cases report failure overnight after cold weather or while parked indoors.
Symptoms owners cite: Crack spanning 6–18+ inches appearing without warning; No visible chip, star pattern, or point of impact on glass surface; Cracks originating from edge, frame, or seal areas; Crack expanding over hours or days after initial discovery; Obstruction of driver vision, particularly near EyeSight camera areas
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report windshield replacement through dealership or Safelite; costs cited include $800–$1,035 for OEM replacement. EyeSight recalibration required after replacement (additional cost not always covered). Multiple repeat failures reported within months of original replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim rock impact when no impact is evident; advise windshields not covered under standard 3-year warranty. Service techs acknowledge known issue. Some mentions of pending class-action lawsuits. Subaru of America offers no assistance per owner reports. One TSB or recall response not explicitly mentioned in narratives.
Rapid crack propagation from minor rock chips
Small rock chips or very minor impacts (described as 'pebble,' 'tiny chip,' or 'light impact') immediately trigger extensive cracking that spreads across the windshield within minutes to days. Glass is described as 'brittle' and 'soft' by owners and repair technicians.
When: Occurs at various mileages; notable instances at 5,100 miles, 9,000 miles, and up to 27,482 miles. Cracks often propagate overnight or during subsequent short drives.
Symptoms owners cite: 1–2 mm depth chip from minor rock strike expands to 6+ inch cracks; Crack spreads rapidly during continued driving or while stationary; Large cracks forming from impacts that would not damage older vehicles; Owners report comparing this to a 2007 or 2017 Subaru that sustained major impacts with minimal damage
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement via insurance or dealer; costs $100–$500+ out-of-pocket depending on deductible. Glass company technicians noted windshield glass 'felt soft.' Repeat failures reported months after replacement (one owner had 4 replacements in 1 year 8 months).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance mentioned. Dealers place blame on rock impact. Pending class-action lawsuits mentioned by multiple owners regarding brittleness of OEM glass.
Defects in replacement windshields
OEM replacement windshields exhibit manufacturing defects or are constructed from the same brittle material as original. One owner reported new glass with visible pitting/sand-blasted appearance during peak glare. Multiple owners state replacements fail again within months.
When: Defects appear immediately after installation or within months of replacement (second failure at 6–9 months post-replacement; third failure at ~4 months post-second replacement).
Symptoms owners cite: Pitted, sand-blasted appearance on replacement glass; Reduced visibility during peak glare times; Replacement windshield cracks again with minimal or no impact; Multiple repeat failures in same vehicle within short timeframe
Repairs/costs cited: Second/third/fourth replacements ordered; one case took months to resolve. One replacement was inspected by professional technician and rejected due to defects; new windshield ordered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response to defect complaints reported. Dealers/repair shops acknowledge problem and order replacement glass.
Power window auto-close malfunction
Front driver and passenger power windows fail to automatically roll up as intended during inclement weather. Windows require manual button hold to retract slowly.
When: Reported at ~29,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Windows do not auto-retract in rain; Requires continuous button pressure to manually roll up; Failure recurs shortly after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Driver-side window retractor replaced at dealer; failure returned soon after. Dealer identified debris in window slides as cause but fix did not hold.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but offered no assistance per owner.
Synthesized from 61 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Subaru legacy. The contact stated that the windshield fractured without impact. The contact stated that the windshield was fractured on the driver's side. The windshield was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
Very small stone struck window of car and crack appeared from where stone hit all the way to end of windshield. Next day, noticed that crack is growing toward middle of window. I've had to replace my wife's 2017 outback windshields 2 times. Something is definitely wrong with this glass.
A crack appeared in the windshield overnight while parked in the driveway with no sign of impact or other causes. This seems to be an ongoing problem with Subaru since they changed to acoustic glass for their windshields.
This is in regard to the thin and fragile windshield subaru has decided to put into their vehicles of which there are already several civilian class action lawsuits which should have already warranted an investigation into the glass. In my particular case, the windshield is so soft whenever the slightest rock hits it, big chips come out of it. The vehicle has 5,100 miles on it and has a…
We just had our windshield replaced due to a crack about a month ago. Woke up this morning and had another spontaneous crack in bottom middle of the windshield
I think I have spontaneous cracking in my front windshield. I woke up yesterday morning and I don't see any apparent impact points for the crack.
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,…
I purchased a 2020 Subaru Legacy Sport in March of 2020. On August 25th 2020, while on the freeway a small rock chipped the upper passenger side of the windshield. By the next morning it turned into a crack which spanned almost half of the windshield directly in front of the Eyesight cameras. Once the glass was replaced with an OEM windshield, I noticed the new glass appeared to have defects.…
Large crack developed in the windshield less than a year after purchase. Minimal impact with road debris resulted in a large crack.
A few days ago I came out to my parked car sitting in the drive way and when I sat down I noticed a large crack in the windshield from the passengers side that started at the very bottom and took a right turn and is going to extend all the way across my line of sight. The car has no signs of damage and it looks as if the crack started below the plastic of the windshield. I believe this is a…
Had visibility trouble with your 2020 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2020 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 61 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 37 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 3,383 and 10,000 miles, with the median around 5,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,383; a quarter make it past 10,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Subaru/Legacy.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.