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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.

About this comparison →

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

Visibility complaints

70 reports
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9,567 miles · Feb 16, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER CANNON SUBARU (5212 FLORIDA AVE S, LAKELAND, FL 33813, (888) 450-8918) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER CANNON SUBARU (5212 FLORIDA AVE S, LAKELAND, FL 33813, (888) 450-8918) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,567.

NHTSA ODI #11396427

12,133 miles · Feb 12, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED GLASSMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (28000 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034, (888) 451-0949) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED GLASSMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (28000 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034, (888) 451-0949) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,133. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD AND THEN IT CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI #11395949

2,000 miles · Feb 5, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING HIS SON'S VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT A LARGE HORIZONTAL CRACK HAD FORMED FROM THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TO THE BOTTOM PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND THE CRACK HAD FORMED WITH…

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TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING HIS SON'S VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT A LARGE HORIZONTAL CRACK HAD FORMED FROM THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TO THE BOTTOM PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND THE CRACK HAD FORMED WITHOUT IMPACT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #11394882

6,800 miles · Jan 6, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL SUBARU OF GEORGETOWN (7501 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT REPAIRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL SUBARU OF GEORGETOWN (7501 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,800.

NHTSA ODI #11386867

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM TRONCALLI SUBARU (820 ATLANTA RD, CUMMING, GA 30040) THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. UPON DISCOVERY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE EDGE OF THE MIDDLE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD. OVERN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM TRONCALLI SUBARU (820 ATLANTA RD, CUMMING, GA 30040) THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. UPON DISCOVERY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE EDGE OF THE MIDDLE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD. OVERNIGHT, THE CRACK SPREAD HALFWAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE SAME DEALER BY HIS INSURANCE PROVIDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11386466

70 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE RIGHT, LOWER PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED TWICE AND THAT THE SAME CRACK HAD FORMED AFTER EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK SPREA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE RIGHT, LOWER PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED TWICE AND THAT THE SAME CRACK HAD FORMED AFTER EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK SPREAD ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70.

NHTSA ODI #11386401

12,000 miles · Dec 29, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO DEVELOP A CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BASE SEVEN INCHES LONG, WITHOUT AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAMS SUBARU OF SAYRE (222 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT HIS INSURANCE PROVIDER. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO DEVELOP A CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BASE SEVEN INCHES LONG, WITHOUT AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAMS SUBARU OF SAYRE (222 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT HIS INSURANCE PROVIDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #11385391

10,000 miles · Dec 21, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A STONE HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED THE GLASS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE GLASS WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A STONE HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED THE GLASS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWICE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE GLASS WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11384429

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2020
Vehicle Speed ControlVisibilityCrash

THE FIRST ISSUE I NOTICE WAS BACK IN MAY, MY SUBARU ALMOST CAME TO A FULL COMPLETE BEFORE IT LEAP FROGGED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING ME TO REARED END THE CAR. THEN TODAY OCTOBER 11. I GOT INTO MY CAR, REMOVED MY WINDSHIELD SUNSHADE FROM MY CAR AT AROUND NOON. I HEARD A LOUD GLASS LIKE CRACK. I THEN SAW A HUGE CRACK FRO…

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THE FIRST ISSUE I NOTICE WAS BACK IN MAY, MY SUBARU ALMOST CAME TO A FULL COMPLETE BEFORE IT LEAP FROGGED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING ME TO REARED END THE CAR. THEN TODAY OCTOBER 11. I GOT INTO MY CAR, REMOVED MY WINDSHIELD SUNSHADE FROM MY CAR AT AROUND NOON. I HEARD A LOUD GLASS LIKE CRACK. I THEN SAW A HUGE CRACK FROM WHERE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AND A LINE FROM TO TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE BOTTOM. JUST LIKE THAT. ITS 8 MONTHS OLD SUBARU WITH 5000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11363847

969 miles · Oct 1, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, A CRACK HAD FORMED FROM THE LOWER LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AND SPREAD ACROSS TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE CONTACT BELIEVE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, A CRACK HAD FORMED FROM THE LOWER LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AND SPREAD ACROSS TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS POORLY MANUFACTURED AND THAT THE CRACK COULD OBSTRUCT HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 969.

NHTSA ODI #11362234

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.

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