IllustrationTHE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT, WHILE IN PARK POSITION IN A PARKING LOT. THE CRACK IS IN A "U" SHAPE WITH THE TOP OF THE U AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
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 reportsWINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD
A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FOR NO KNOWN REASON. OVER THE A SINGLE DAY IT HAD INCREASED TO A CRACK RUNNING ALL THE WAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW TO THE TOP. THE CRACK WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN INCREASED TO COVER THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDOW WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON A S…
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A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FOR NO KNOWN REASON. OVER THE A SINGLE DAY IT HAD INCREASED TO A CRACK RUNNING ALL THE WAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW TO THE TOP. THE CRACK WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN INCREASED TO COVER THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDOW WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD.
THE WINDSHIELD IN MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK CRACKS FOR NO REASON. I'M ON MY THIRD WINDSHIELD IN A MONTH. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS IMPAIR MY VISION AND IS MAKING THE CARD DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SUBARU REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE.
GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAD BEEN SITTING UNUSED PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOME WHEN I NOTICED THE CRACK. IT WASN'T AFTER A COLLISION OR FROM SOMETHING HITTING IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. NO OBJECT HIT IT. STARTED AS ONE INCH LINE. BY THE TIME I LEFT WORK IT WAS A FOOT AND A HALF IN LENGTH. DEALER SAID THERE WAS OBVIOUS ROCK IMPACT. I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE WHEN I GOT TO WORK BECAUSE I WAS LATE. FIGURED I COULD DO IT AFTER WORK THEN IT HAD GROWN. I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER SUBARU…
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MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. NO OBJECT HIT IT. STARTED AS ONE INCH LINE. BY THE TIME I LEFT WORK IT WAS A FOOT AND A HALF IN LENGTH. DEALER SAID THERE WAS OBVIOUS ROCK IMPACT. I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE WHEN I GOT TO WORK BECAUSE I WAS LATE. FIGURED I COULD DO IT AFTER WORK THEN IT HAD GROWN. I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER SUBARU WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES
SITTING STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY, A LARGE CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY BEGAN AND EXTENDED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THE DAMAGE AND CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT CLASS ACTION LEGAL FILINGS FROM MANY, MANY VEHICLE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH RECENT SUBARU WINDSHIELDS.
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE WINDSCREEN CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AN OBJECT DID NOT HIT THE WINDSCREEN. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE WINDSCREEN AT SAFELITE WITH AN OEM SUBARU WINDSCREEN AND RECALIBRATED THE ADVANCED DRIVER SAFETY SYSTEM COSTING MORE THAN $1,000. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF FAULTS IN SUBARU OUTBACK 2020 …
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE WINDSCREEN CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AN OBJECT DID NOT HIT THE WINDSCREEN. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE WINDSCREEN AT SAFELITE WITH AN OEM SUBARU WINDSCREEN AND RECALIBRATED THE ADVANCED DRIVER SAFETY SYSTEM COSTING MORE THAN $1,000. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF FAULTS IN SUBARU OUTBACK 2020 WINDSCREENS WITH A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I WANT TO REPORT MY EXPERIENCE
THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRACK WAS NOTICED AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.
I PURCHASED MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK YESTERDAY, 8/24/2020, FROM MAITA SUBARU IN SACRAMENTO CA. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AN VERY SMALL OBJECT FLEW UP FROM THE ROAD CRACK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK HAS GROWN ABOUT 2X IN SIZE IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS AND THE REPAIR BILL IS ESTIMATED TO BE $880. THIS IS UN…
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I PURCHASED MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK YESTERDAY, 8/24/2020, FROM MAITA SUBARU IN SACRAMENTO CA. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AN VERY SMALL OBJECT FLEW UP FROM THE ROAD CRACK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK HAS GROWN ABOUT 2X IN SIZE IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS AND THE REPAIR BILL IS ESTIMATED TO BE $880. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A BRAND NEW CAR.
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.