How to decode a 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), signifying the vehicle manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the place of manufacture. In the case of the 2020 Subaru Legacy, the WMI “4S3” indicates that the vehicle was produced by Subaru of America, Inc., categorizing it as a passenger car. This particular model was manufactured in Lafayette, Indiana, United States, marking it with a distinct geographic origin as part of its identification. WMIs are crucial for accurately identifying vehicles, providing essential information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and type at a glance. This system is universally recognized, ensuring that each vehicle can be uniquely identified worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2020 Subaru Legacy

WMI: 4S3

Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
Example VIN: 4S3BWAC60L3002086
Manufacturer Name: Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Lafayette
State or Province: Indiana
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2020 Subaru Legacy:

Known VDS for a 2020 Subaru Legacy
BWAC6	BWAN6	BWGP6	BWAF6	BWGN6	BWAB6	BWAA6	BWAG6	BWAE6	BWAL6

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
L	2020

11th Character in the 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2020 Subaru Legacy Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
3	Lafayette	Indiana	United States	Sia	4S3BWAC60L3002086

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2020 Subaru Legacy

The final 6 characters in a 2020 Subaru Legacy’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Subaru Legacy’s VIN below:

How to find a 2020 Subaru Legacy’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2020 Subaru Legacy is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Subaru Legacy. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on the lower corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Subaru Legacy. The VIN is usually on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Look at the engine block of your Subaru Legacy. The VIN is often stamped on the engine itself.
Examine the front frame of the Subaru Legacy. The VIN may be found on the part of the frame that is near the windshield washer fluid tank.
Check your vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title for the VIN of your Subaru Legacy.

What info can a 2020 Subaru Legacy VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is a 2020 model. This provides insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Drive Type: Information decoded from the VIN specifies that the vehicle has a Sedan/Saloon body class and includes All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capability. This offers insights into the vehicle’s design and drivetrain, potentially influencing its handling and adaptability to different road conditions.
Engine Specifications: Details such as the engine model being U4, with a displacement of 2.4 liters and having four cylinders, are provided. This sheds light on the vehicle’s powertrain characteristics, which can impact its performance and fuel efficiency.
Safety Features: The dataset outlines a comprehensive suite of standard safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistance, and Forward Collision Warning. This highlights the vehicle’s emphasis on occupant safety, potentially making it an appealing choice for safety-conscious drivers.
Fuel Type: It is specified that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline. This gives an indication of the vehicle’s environmental footprint and fuel consumption patterns, potentially influencing operating costs and environmental impact.
Transmission and Wheels: The VIN decodes to reveal that the vehicle uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and comes with 18-inch wheels on both the front and rear. This indicates aspects of the vehicle’s performance and aesthetics, potentially influencing the driving experience and overall look of the vehicle.
Plant Information: Details such as manufacturing in Lafayette, Indiana by the company SIA are provided, offering insight into the vehicle’s production origin and potential regional economic impact.

Don’t have your 2020 Subaru Legacy’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2020 Subaru Legacy

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Standard
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN)	Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only)	Not Available
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	29745.00
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	182
Engine Model	U5
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Event Data Recorder (EDR)	Standard
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Headlamp Light Source	LED
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Standard
Model	Legacy
Model Year	2020
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Engine Info	Naturally Aspirated
Parking Assist	Not Available
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Not Available
Plant City	Lafayette
Plant Company Name	SIA
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Indiana
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Standard
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Seat Cushion Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Style	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Trim	Limited+M/R+NAVI(HK)
Vehicle Descriptor	4S3BWAN6*L3
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	108.30
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	4S3BWAN60L3002179