IllustrationWHILE DRIVING MY BRAND NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK ON A 2 LANE PAVED ROAD AT APPROX 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR I HEARD THIS LOUD CRACK AND I THEN NOTICE A FAIRLY LARGE CRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF MY WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME OF THIS CRACK SOUND.
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 ON ROAD.
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON I NEVER SAW ANYTHING HIT IT OR NEVER HEARD ANYTHING HIT IT. IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AT THE EDGE OF THE GLASS. THEN THE CRACK BEGAN TO SPREAD OVER NIGHT WHILE CAR WAS SITTING, BECAUSE I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING IN THE CRACK WAS WAY LONGER.
2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. CRACKER WINDSHIELD FROM A PEBBLE NICK. NOT A ROCK.
I WENT INTO A STORE. WHEN I CAME OUT, THERE WAS A S SHAPED CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD, STARTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO CARS WERE PARKED NEAR MINE. THE CRACK SEEMED TO APPEAR SPONTANEOUSLY.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING
TWO OEM WINDSHIELDS CRACKED (INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL) WITHIN 1 WEEK OF EITHER BUYING THE CAR OR REPLACING THEM. BOTH WINDSHIELDS' CRACK STARTED FROM THE MIDDLE OF EITHER THE SUPPORTING LEFT OR RIGHT BARS, GO IN FOR ABOUT 6 INCHES, AND THEN CURVED DOWNWARD. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, NO CAR IN FRONT OF US TO KICK UP GRAVEL, NO IMPACT …
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TWO OEM WINDSHIELDS CRACKED (INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL) WITHIN 1 WEEK OF EITHER BUYING THE CAR OR REPLACING THEM. BOTH WINDSHIELDS' CRACK STARTED FROM THE MIDDLE OF EITHER THE SUPPORTING LEFT OR RIGHT BARS, GO IN FOR ABOUT 6 INCHES, AND THEN CURVED DOWNWARD. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, NO CAR IN FRONT OF US TO KICK UP GRAVEL, NO IMPACT POINT ON GLASS.
A LARGE CRACK (10") APPEARED IN OUR WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO APPARENT IMPACT FROM ANY DEBRIS ON OUR NEW OUTBACK
A CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD A FEW DAYS AGO..IT LOOKS LIKE AN EDGE CRACK THAT JUST FORMED WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY ON MY DRIVEWAY AND DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE FORMED BY CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT. THIS CAR IS JUST 4 MONTHS OLD AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE GLASS! *TR
I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR, WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BRING OUT SOMETHING. THE CAR ONLY HAD JUST OVER 100 MILES ON IT, AND I'D ONLY DRIVEN IT 3 TIMES (INCLUDING THIS ONE) WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A CRACK SOUND AND A LARGE (1'-1.5') CURVED CRACK APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP (THE CAR WAS A WEEK…
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I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR, WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BRING OUT SOMETHING. THE CAR ONLY HAD JUST OVER 100 MILES ON IT, AND I'D ONLY DRIVEN IT 3 TIMES (INCLUDING THIS ONE) WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A CRACK SOUND AND A LARGE (1'-1.5') CURVED CRACK APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP (THE CAR WAS A WEEK IN MY POSSESSION THE DAY THIS HAPPENED) AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IMMEDIATELY THEY BEGAN TELLING ME THAT I MUST HAVE BEEN HIT BY A ROCK. I TOLD THEM THAT I WASN'T MOVING AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. WHEN I ARRIVED THE WOMAN WHO 'HANDLES ALL THEIR GLASS CLAIMS' TOLD ME THAT A ROCK HAD HIT MY WINDSHIELD. I TOLD HER AGAIN THAT IT HAD NOT, THAT I HAD NOT BEEN MOVING, AND THAT THE ONLY TIME THE CAR WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN BY ME, WAS WHEN THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT, AND THAT AT NO TIME THAT IT WAS IN MY POSSESSION DID A ROCK HIT IT. SHE INSISTED THAT THE CRACKS DON'T JUST HAPPEN ON THEIR OWN AND THAT A ROCK MUST HAVE HIT IT. *TR
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.