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2020 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outback years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

443 reports with mileage · 453 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 313 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 258 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports7 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

48 reports
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6,766 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

ON 3 OCCASIONS THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE DASHBOARD LIT UP, RADIO WORKED, BUT NO STARTER OR ENGINE NOISE. SUBARU SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR OR BATTERY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON SUBARU PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11407596

1,100 miles · Feb 19, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

AUTO ON-OFF FUNCTION SHUTS OFF ENGINE WHEN VEHICLE STOPS IN TRAFFIC FOR ANY REASON. THE ENGINE IS TO RESTART WHEN DRIVER STEPS ON ACCELERATOR...HOWEVER THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. MANY TIMES THE ENGINE FAILS TO START WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THE ACCELERATOR NEEDS MORE PRESSURE. WHEN THE ENGINE DOES FINALLY START THE C…

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AUTO ON-OFF FUNCTION SHUTS OFF ENGINE WHEN VEHICLE STOPS IN TRAFFIC FOR ANY REASON. THE ENGINE IS TO RESTART WHEN DRIVER STEPS ON ACCELERATOR...HOWEVER THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. MANY TIMES THE ENGINE FAILS TO START WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THE ACCELERATOR NEEDS MORE PRESSURE. WHEN THE ENGINE DOES FINALLY START THE CAR LEAPS FORWARD SINCE IT IS STILL IN FORWARD GEAR. THIS FORWARD LEAP IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE ITHE LEAP IS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. MOST DRIVERS TURN OFF THIS FUNCTION HOWEVER THE DRIVER TURN OFF SELECTION IS VOIDED ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER MUST REMEMBER TO CANCEL THIS AURO-OFF FUNCTION EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED SUBARU HAS RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FUNCTION AND HAS DECIDED TO RELOCATE THE OFF-ON ICON TO A FRONT SCREEN RATHER THAN THE PREVIOUS 3RD SCREEN. THE CORRECT FIX WOULD SEEM TO BE ONCE THE DRIVER SELECTS TO SHUT OFF THIS FUNCTION IT SHOULD NOT OVERRIDE THE OFF SELECTION UNLESS INITATED BY THE DRIVER. ONCE I SHUT OFF MY RADIO IT STAYS OFF UNTIL TIRNED ON AGAIN. SUBARU SERVICE PROGRAM WRI-20 JANURARY 2021

NHTSA ODI #11396954

7,800 miles · Dec 10, 2020
Engine

WIFE REPORTED CAR STALLED WHEN MAKING A TURN AFTER STOPPING. WHILE TURNING SHE SAID IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS AND HAD NO POWER. SHE LET THE VEHICLE ROLL TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE SAID IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE CAR TO START BACK UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TODAY DURING A TRIP TO THE DENTIS…

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WIFE REPORTED CAR STALLED WHEN MAKING A TURN AFTER STOPPING. WHILE TURNING SHE SAID IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS AND HAD NO POWER. SHE LET THE VEHICLE ROLL TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE SAID IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE CAR TO START BACK UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TODAY DURING A TRIP TO THE DENTIST IN THE CITY OF LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA. I CALLED TERRY SUBARU OF LYNCHBURG WHEN SHE GOT HOME AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN TOMORROW TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11382941

10,950 miles · Sep 9, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE THEN STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK QUICKLY. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH NO SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAITE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE THEN STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK QUICKLY. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH NO SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAITED THIRTY SECONDS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE STARTED TO SHAKE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REYNOLDS' SUBARU (268 HAMBURG RD, LYME, CT 06371) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT NATIONAL SUBARU INFORMED THEM TO RETURN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE DIS NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE TRANSPORTED HER GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR TWO WEEKS AND A DAY STILL UNREPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,950.

NHTSA ODI #11353957

6,000 miles · Aug 29, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

WAS DRIVING SUBARU OUTBACK, CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND CAR STOPPED AS IT'S DESIGNED TO DO. WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, CAR STALLED AND NEVER STARTED AGAIN LEAVING ME ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY CALLED ROUTE 19 IN HUDSON FLORIDA.

NHTSA ODI #11352025

179 miles · Aug 5, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

ELECTRICAL ISSUES, FLICKERING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS, UNABLE TO UNLOCK/ LOCK DOORS. CAR WON'T START, DEAD BATTERY

NHTSA ODI #11343548

6,100 miles · Jun 14, 2020
Engine

THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM. IN FLORIDA THE TEMP CAN GET OVER 95 DEGREES. AFTER 10-15 SECONDS OF THE CAR BEING OFF THE CAR STARTS TO HEAT UP. MY WIFE WHO HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS STARTS HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE ASK THE DEALER TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS FEATURE BUT THEY SAID NO. YOU CAN DO IT EACH TIME YOU…

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THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM. IN FLORIDA THE TEMP CAN GET OVER 95 DEGREES. AFTER 10-15 SECONDS OF THE CAR BEING OFF THE CAR STARTS TO HEAT UP. MY WIFE WHO HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS STARTS HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE ASK THE DEALER TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS FEATURE BUT THEY SAID NO. YOU CAN DO IT EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR BUT IT IS SEVERAL SCREENS DEEP ON THE INFORMATION SYSTEM. PEOPLE WHO DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR OFTEN (LIKE MY WIFE) WOULD HAVE TROUBLE TURNING THIS FEATURE OFF AND COULD PASS OUT SITTING AT A LIGHT. I RECOMMEND SUBARU OFFER A WAY TO DISABLE THIS FEATURE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BREATHING ISSUES. AT A VERY MINIMUM THEY NEED TO MOVE THE DISABLING OF THIS FEATURE ON EVERY START TO THE MAIN INFORMATION SCREEN WHERE ANYONE CAN FIND IT.

NHTSA ODI #11328765

4,500 miles · May 8, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

BATTERY IS INADEQUATE FOR THE ELECTRONICS IN THIS CAR AND WILL BE DEAD IF NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AFTER BEING A UNABLE TO START MY CAR TWICE WITHIN A MONTH, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW, THERE IS NO OTHER UPGRADE OR REPLACEMENT FOR THE BATTERY AND THAT THE FACTORY RECOMMENDATION IS TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY OTHER …

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BATTERY IS INADEQUATE FOR THE ELECTRONICS IN THIS CAR AND WILL BE DEAD IF NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AFTER BEING A UNABLE TO START MY CAR TWICE WITHIN A MONTH, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW, THERE IS NO OTHER UPGRADE OR REPLACEMENT FOR THE BATTERY AND THAT THE FACTORY RECOMMENDATION IS TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY OTHER DAY. THIS MEANS THAT WHEN I TRAVEL AND LEAVE MY CAR IN AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR A WEEK OR MORE, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START THE CAR WHEN I RETURN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE POST AT THE AIRPORT, THEN RECONNECT THE POST WHEN I RETURN. I AM A 65-YEAR OLD WOMAN AND NOT A MECHANIC. THIS CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND IS A SAFETY RISK FOR ME WHEN I RETURN TO A PARKING LOT LATE AT NIGHT AND MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT HAS LESS THAN 5,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323869

Official recalls

6

24V227000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Mar 22, 2024

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.

22V485000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Jul 8, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

21V955000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Dec 9, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jul 29, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

20V766000 · Back Over Prevention:display Function

Dec 10, 2020

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 display to shutoff intermittently. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software and, if necessary, replace the Cockpit Control Module, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-20.

19V664000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Sep 18, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware and replace the hardware or brake pedal assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUL-97.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems