IllustrationWINDSHIELD CRACK. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 3500 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A WINDSHIELD CRACK WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE!! I GOT IN THE CAR AND NOTICED BY THE DRIVER SIDE AN UPSIDE DOWN "L".
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
3960–25K
3025–50K
1250–75K
275–100K
1100–150K
2150K+
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
150 reportsWE PURCHASED OUR 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK IN OCTOBER 2019 AND WITHIN A A FEW MONTHS (FEB 2020) WE CAME BACK TO OUR PARKED CAR WITH A CRACKED STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD THAT STARTED FROM THE WIPERS. WE GOT OUR WINDSHIELD REPLACED, FAST FORWARD TO OCTOBER 2020 AND WE'RE REPLACING OUR WINDSHIELD AGAIN FROM DRIVING ON A ROLL …
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WE PURCHASED OUR 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK IN OCTOBER 2019 AND WITHIN A A FEW MONTHS (FEB 2020) WE CAME BACK TO OUR PARKED CAR WITH A CRACKED STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD THAT STARTED FROM THE WIPERS. WE GOT OUR WINDSHIELD REPLACED, FAST FORWARD TO OCTOBER 2020 AND WE'RE REPLACING OUR WINDSHIELD AGAIN FROM DRIVING ON A ROLL RODE. THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF DEFECT ON THESE WINDSHIELDS. WE CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ON THESE NEW CARS.
SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACK WHILE DRIVING
CAR WINDSHIELD HAD ICE OBSCURING PART OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM ON STARTUP. WARNING INDICATORS LIT UP INFORMING ME THAT THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. CONCURRENT WITH THIS FAULT, THE FAILURE OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO RELEASE THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE SNOW.
I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MY BATTERY DYING. IT STARTED SLOWLY, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, I DIDN'T DRIVE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. WHEN THE SERVICE GUY CAME OUT TO JUMP IT, HE SAID THAT I SHOULD CAN DRIVE IT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. I'VE BEEN DOING THAT AND I'D ONLY OCCASIONALLY HAD TO JUMP IT. NOW WITH 10 MONTHS OF OW…
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I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MY BATTERY DYING. IT STARTED SLOWLY, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, I DIDN'T DRIVE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. WHEN THE SERVICE GUY CAME OUT TO JUMP IT, HE SAID THAT I SHOULD CAN DRIVE IT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. I'VE BEEN DOING THAT AND I'D ONLY OCCASIONALLY HAD TO JUMP IT. NOW WITH 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AND UNDER 6,000 MILES, I HAVE TO JUMP IT EVERY DAY. WHEN I TOOK IT IN, DEALERSHIP SAID BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FINE. IF BATTERY IS FINE, MUST BE ELECTRICAL. EITHER WAY, VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS DEFECT IN MY NEW CAR.
THE LEFT-MOST DASH VENT RATTLES INTERMITTENTLY, MOST OFTEN ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. VEHICLE PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2019, AND RATTLE STARTED IN APRIL 2020. MY LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE VENT, BUT THE RATTLE CONTINUES AND APPEARS TO COME FROM BEHIND THE VENT. BECAUSE IT'S INTERMITTENT AND CAN'T BE REPRODUCED ON DEMAND I'VE THOROUGHLY …
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THE LEFT-MOST DASH VENT RATTLES INTERMITTENTLY, MOST OFTEN ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. VEHICLE PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2019, AND RATTLE STARTED IN APRIL 2020. MY LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE VENT, BUT THE RATTLE CONTINUES AND APPEARS TO COME FROM BEHIND THE VENT. BECAUSE IT'S INTERMITTENT AND CAN'T BE REPRODUCED ON DEMAND I'VE THOROUGHLY DOCUMENTED IT WITH AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDINGS. ESCALATING WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA TO GET IT RESOLVED.
MY 2020 SUBARU IS 9 MONTHS OLD AND THIS WILL BE THE 2ND WINDSHIELD I WILL BE REPLACING IN THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT NOT STRUCK BY DEBRIS. THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS DEBRIS THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CRACK MOVED QUICKLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT STOPPING. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ABOUT TH…
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MY 2020 SUBARU IS 9 MONTHS OLD AND THIS WILL BE THE 2ND WINDSHIELD I WILL BE REPLACING IN THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT NOT STRUCK BY DEBRIS. THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS DEBRIS THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CRACK MOVED QUICKLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT STOPPING. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ABOUT THE FAULTY WINDSHIELDS WITH MANY SUBARU OWNERS INVOLVED AND RECENTLY THE SUIT WAS DISMISSED BY THE COURT. I UNDERSTAND OUTBACKS AND FORESTERS HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2016 AND SUBARU HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE WINDSHIELD IS THINNER THAN MOST TO ACCOMMODATE THE SENSORS. THE COST TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD IS $900+ EACH TIME DUE TO THE NEED FOR ONLY A SUBARU WINDSHIELD AND THE CALIBRATION OF THE SENSORS NEEDED.
WINDSHIELD CRACK
OWNER DROVE ON TO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE LANE DEPARTURE PREVENTION FUNCTION SENSED A WHITE LINE ON THE PAVEMENT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TURN LEFT, ACCELERATION AN UNCONTROLLABLE FASHION. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB PROCEEDING INTO HEAVY SHRUBS WHICH DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. THE SHRUBS STOPPED THE VEHICLE.
CLASSIC SUBARU WEAK WINDSHIELD GLASS ISSUE. WHILE TRAVELING ON A SMALL SIDE STREET ABOUT 40MPH, SOMETHING THAT WAS INAUDIBLE HIT MY FRONT GLASS LAST NIGHT WHILE GOING TO THE STORE. WE SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A VERY SMALL CHIP. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE STORE THE SMALL CHIP TURNED INTO A STREAKING SPIDERWEB JUST FROM HITTING PAVEM…
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CLASSIC SUBARU WEAK WINDSHIELD GLASS ISSUE. WHILE TRAVELING ON A SMALL SIDE STREET ABOUT 40MPH, SOMETHING THAT WAS INAUDIBLE HIT MY FRONT GLASS LAST NIGHT WHILE GOING TO THE STORE. WE SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A VERY SMALL CHIP. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE STORE THE SMALL CHIP TURNED INTO A STREAKING SPIDERWEB JUST FROM HITTING PAVEMENT DIVISIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 600 MILES ON IT. THE SUBARU SALESMEN WERE VERY PUSHY ABOUT BUYING THEIR DING, DENT, GLASS PROTECTION STATING THAT THEY KNOW THE GLASS IS ABOUT 900 DOLLARS TO FIX. I THINK THEY KNOW THE GLASS IS WEAK. NOW I AM OUT THE COSTS OF A WINDSHIELD PLUS THE TINT TO HAVE IT RE-TINTED. SO WE ARE TALKING WELL OVER 1K IF I HAVE THE DEALERSHIP INSTALL THE GLASS AND RE-CALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT PROGRAM TO THE WINDSHIELD.
Official recalls
624V227000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.