IllustrationWINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT A REASON. CAR PARKED AT NIGHT. NEXT MORNING WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF AN IMPACT
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
Visibility/wiper complaints
313 reportsYESTERDAY MORNING (CAR IS PARKED), I DISCOVERED A CRACK THAT IS ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG ON MY WINDSHIELD AND HAVE GOTTEN LONGER THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND TODAY. CURRENTLY, IT IS ABOUT 26 INCHES ACROSS THE MIDDLE. I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND HAVE PERSONAL PARKING WHERE ARE THERE OPEN PARKING AND NOT PARKED UNDER A TREE OR ANYTHING THAT W…
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YESTERDAY MORNING (CAR IS PARKED), I DISCOVERED A CRACK THAT IS ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG ON MY WINDSHIELD AND HAVE GOTTEN LONGER THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND TODAY. CURRENTLY, IT IS ABOUT 26 INCHES ACROSS THE MIDDLE. I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND HAVE PERSONAL PARKING WHERE ARE THERE OPEN PARKING AND NOT PARKED UNDER A TREE OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE FALLEN ON THE WINDSHIELD. THERE ARE NO SPIDERWEB CRACK OR SIGNS (LIKE A ROCK BEING THROWN..ETC) THAT WOULD INDICATE THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY NOR WAS IT RECALLED; EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES I'VE FOUND ONLINE THAT MANY 2020 OUTBACK OWNERS (AND OTHER SUBARU OWNERS) HAVE EXPERIENCED CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON 29FEB2020; THERE IS NO WAY THAT A WINDSHIELD WOULD CRACK SO SUDDENLY UNLESS IT WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY OR DEFECTIVE/DUE TO HEATING ELEMENT.
CAME OUTSIDE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. HAD NOT DRIVEN IT THE PREVIOUS DAY, THE NEAREST HOUSE IS OVER AN ACRE AWAY. WE HAVE NO CHILDREN. NO IDEA WHY IT WOULD CRACK BECAUSE WE WEREN'T DRIVING IT AND THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND TO DAMAGE IT AND IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER 36 HOURS.
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT A REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE TOP, APPROXIMATELY AT THE CENTER. IT STARTED TO EXPAND DOWN AND IN A FEW HOURS HAS REACHED HALF OF THE HEIGHT. I CHECKED WITH FEW REPAIR SHOPS AND THE VERDICT IS THE WINDSHIELD NEEDS A REPLACEMENT. AFTER THE CRACK APPEARED MY ADAPTIVE CRUISE …
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THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT A REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE TOP, APPROXIMATELY AT THE CENTER. IT STARTED TO EXPAND DOWN AND IN A FEW HOURS HAS REACHED HALF OF THE HEIGHT. I CHECKED WITH FEW REPAIR SHOPS AND THE VERDICT IS THE WINDSHIELD NEEDS A REPLACEMENT. AFTER THE CRACK APPEARED MY ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL HAS STARTED TO TURN OFF BY ITSELF FOR SHORT PERIOD (SO FAR IT HAPPENED TWICE).
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD WHEN I HEARD A NOISE AND REALIZED I HAD A CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NOT CARS AROUND ME AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING FLY AT MY WINDSHIELD. THE ROAD IS IN A RESIDENTIAL/BUSINESS NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CHIP HAS NOT GROWN SINCE THEN. I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE I'VE ALSO NOTICED AFTER GOING THROUGH…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD WHEN I HEARD A NOISE AND REALIZED I HAD A CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NOT CARS AROUND ME AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING FLY AT MY WINDSHIELD. THE ROAD IS IN A RESIDENTIAL/BUSINESS NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CHIP HAS NOT GROWN SINCE THEN. I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE I'VE ALSO NOTICED AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH MY WINDSHIELD WILL LOOK CLEAN FOR BUT BY THE END OF THE DAY IT'S LOOKS DIRTY WITH LITTLE SPECKS ALL OVER IT AGAIN. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER IS.
WINDSHIELD GLASS CRACKED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY APPARENT CAUSE. THE CRACK APPEARED DURING DRIVING ON OCTOBER 30, 2020. THE SIZE OF THE CRACK IS ABOUT 1/2", AND IT HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY REPAIRED.
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WHICH WE HAD REPAIRED ON 10/1/2020 FOR $821.71. CRACK APPEARED SEEMINGLY FROM NOWHERE ON THE MORNING OF 9/22/20.
SPONTANEOUS CRACKING OF WINDSHIELD WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. STARTED AT BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD APPROX. MIDWAY. APPROX. 9 INCHES IN LENGTH VERTICALLY THEN CRACK WENT TO PASSENGER SIDE APPROX. 5 INCHES.
600 MILES ON A BRAND NEW 2020 OUTBACK AND I HEARD A POP WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE EDGE PROB 8 INCHES IN. I DID NOT SEE A ROCK AND IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE A ROCK. IT'S A STRAIGHT LINE. NO BREAK LIKE SOMETHING HIT IT OR ANYTHING. SPONTANEOUS WHILE DRIVING.
NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 3K MILES. WAS DRIVING HOME AT ~50MPH ON FREEWAY, A SMALL (1 CM) ROCK HIT UPPER WINDSHIELD AND MADE A SMALL CHIP. THE CHIP THEN SUDDENLY PROPAGATED TO A FOOT-LONG CRACK RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD SHATTER. PROPERLY MANU…
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NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 3K MILES. WAS DRIVING HOME AT ~50MPH ON FREEWAY, A SMALL (1 CM) ROCK HIT UPPER WINDSHIELD AND MADE A SMALL CHIP. THE CHIP THEN SUDDENLY PROPAGATED TO A FOOT-LONG CRACK RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD SHATTER. PROPERLY MANUFACTURED WINDSHIELD SHOULD CHIP, NOT SHATTER.
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.