IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,265. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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 complaints
70 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT NO OBJECT HAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED AT ON THE LOWER CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND HAD EXPANDED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT NO OBJECT HAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED AT ON THE LOWER CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND HAD EXPANDED TO APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET LONG. THE LOCAL DEALER DEAN TEAM SUBARU LOCATED AT 15121 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. INVALID VIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A SMALL PEBBLE STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A ONE FOOT LONG CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, WITHIN 24 HRS THE CRACK HAD GROWN TO APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET IN LENGTH. THE LOCAL DEALER BRANDON TOMES SUBARU LOCATED AT 1100 S CENTRAL EX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A SMALL PEBBLE STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A ONE FOOT LONG CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, WITHIN 24 HRS THE CRACK HAD GROWN TO APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET IN LENGTH. THE LOCAL DEALER BRANDON TOMES SUBARU LOCATED AT 1100 S CENTRAL EXPY, MCKINNEY, TX 75072 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800. INVALID VIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN 24 HOURS THE FRACTURE SPREAD TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO IRA SUBARU (97 ANDOVER ST, DANVERS, MA 01923, (978) 739-8850) WHO STATED THA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN 24 HOURS THE FRACTURE SPREAD TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO IRA SUBARU (97 ANDOVER ST, DANVERS, MA 01923, (978) 739-8850) WHO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT REPLACED DUE TO A STRESS POINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 4,100.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT THAT THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS FROM THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE GOING DOWN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT CONTACTED GANLEY WESTSIDE SUBARU 25730 LORAIN RD, NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070 AT (440) 734-2000, TO INFORM THE D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT THAT THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS FROM THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE GOING DOWN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT CONTACTED GANLEY WESTSIDE SUBARU 25730 LORAIN RD, NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070 AT (440) 734-2000, TO INFORM THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND AN ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND AN ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT AND WHEN I WOKE UP THE FOLLOWING DAY I SAW A CRACK ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CRACK LOOKED LIKE IT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CONTINUED TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. EVANSTON SUBARU LOCATED AT 3340 OAKTON ST, SKOKIE, IL 60076, (847) 869-5700, AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. EVANSTON SUBARU LOCATED AT 3340 OAKTON ST, SKOKIE, IL 60076, (847) 869-5700, AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVELOPED A CRACK WITH NO SIGNS OF A CHILD OR ANY REASON FOR THE CRACK TO HAVE DEVELOPED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE INSIDE THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FRACTURE ON THE LOWER PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE WIPER BLADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CASTLE SUBARU (6100 US HWY 6, PORTAGE, IN 46368, (219) 764-5020) WHO INFORMED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE INSIDE THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FRACTURE ON THE LOWER PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE WIPER BLADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CASTLE SUBARU (6100 US HWY 6, PORTAGE, IN 46368, (219) 764-5020) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
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.