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
What owners actually said
896 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2021
Back Over PreventionLane DepartureUnknown Or Other
I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE PROBLEM THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH MY CAR. THE CAR'S CCM WOULD OCCASIONALLY FREEZE; SAY APPLE CARPLAY IS UNAVAILABLE AND RESTART; THE CCM WOULD GO BLANK, BUT STILL BACKLIT; OR JUST FREEZE ATTEMPT TO RESTART, BUT NOT TURN BACK ON RENDERING ITEMS IN THE CAR USELESS, LIKE VOICE CONTROL…
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I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE PROBLEM THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH MY CAR. THE CAR'S CCM WOULD OCCASIONALLY FREEZE; SAY APPLE CARPLAY IS UNAVAILABLE AND RESTART; THE CCM WOULD GO BLANK, BUT STILL BACKLIT; OR JUST FREEZE ATTEMPT TO RESTART, BUT NOT TURN BACK ON RENDERING ITEMS IN THE CAR USELESS, LIKE VOICE CONTROL AND JUST EVERYTHING!! SUBARU CLAIMS THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG AND I JUST HAVE A GRIEVANCE. I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT'S THE CASE, WHEN THERE'S VIDEO EVIDENCE. I HAVE A LOANER CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND TURNED OFF THE DISPLAY (I DIDN'T KNOW THAT COULD BE DONE), BUT THE VOICE CONTROL WORKED IN THE LOANER THAT WAS NOT HAVING A PROBLEM AS OPPOSED TO MINE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS WRITTEN IN WITH THAT COMPLAINT. OF NOTE, I'VE BEEN GOING INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE OCTOBER 2020, AND I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR SINCE JUL 2020. I HAD IT CHECKED IN VIRGINIA AND OKLAHOMA CITY. I RECEIVED A LOANER CAR ON THURSDAY, 8 APR 2020, FOR THE PROBLEM ONLY AFTER I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I RECEIVED A TEXT STATING THAT THE CAR WAS READY, BUT NO RESPONSE AS TO WHAT WAS DONE. AGAIN, I RECEIVED THE 'SOFTWARE IS UP TO DATE'. BE AWARE THAT WHEN THE SCREEN GOES BLANK, YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ANYTHING, NOT EVEN VOICE CONTROL. I DID TEST THAT WHILE MY CAR WAS MALFUNCTIONING A D ALSO DISPLAYING THAT EYESIGHT AND REAR ASSIST BRAKING WERE ALSO NOT FUNCTIONAL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE I WAS UTILIZING NAVIGATION SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I WAS GOING AT THE TIME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME DURING NAVIGATION THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. ALTHOUGH I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE FROM THE CAR VIA TEXT ON EASTER SUNDAY, THE MY SUBARU APP SENT AN 'ALL SYSTEMS FUNCTIONAL' FOR 30 DAYS, BUT I JUST HAD ERRORS A FEW DAYS PRIOR. IT'S LIKE THE HEALTH REPORT IS ONLY FOR THAT MOMENT IN TIME AND NOT REALLY FOR 30 DAYS.
NHTSA ODI #11407736
7,000 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical System
WE JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR. USED, LESS THAN 7K MILES. I HAVEN'T EVEN MADE A PAYMENT YET. MY WIFE CALLED ME FROM THE TURN LANE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH HUNDREDS OF CARS SPEEDING PAST. SHE WAS DRIVING AND STOPPED TO TURN LEFT AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN SHE WENT TO GO, THE CAR TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START - ALTHOUGH IT APPEARED T…
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WE JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR. USED, LESS THAN 7K MILES. I HAVEN'T EVEN MADE A PAYMENT YET. MY WIFE CALLED ME FROM THE TURN LANE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH HUNDREDS OF CARS SPEEDING PAST. SHE WAS DRIVING AND STOPPED TO TURN LEFT AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN SHE WENT TO GO, THE CAR TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START - ALTHOUGH IT APPEARED THERE WAS POWER; RADIO, LIGHTS, ALL WORKING. A POLICE OFFICER AND A PASSER-BY PUSHED HER INTO A PARKING LOT AFTER 20 MINUTES. WHEN I ARRIVED, IT APPEARED THE BATTERY WAS NOT CRANKING THE STARTER. I HAD HER GET JUMPER CABLES AND YES, IT STARTED RIGHT UP. NO INDICATION THAT THE BATTERY WAS HAVING ISSUES, NO WARNING LIGHTS. I TURNED THE AUTO STOP-START OFF WHILE I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULDN'T EVEN TALK TO ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TO BUSY. FORTUNATELY, IT STARTED UP AND MADE IT HOME. TOOK MY SON TO HIS BASEBALL GAME AND AFTER SITTING FOR 3 HOURS, WOULD NOT START, GOT A JUMP. TOOK IT HOME, LET IT RUN A BIT, IN THE MORNING, WOULD NOT START. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT SUBARU AND THIS EXACT ISSUE. THIS SOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IN BASICALLY A NEW CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11407708
6,766 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
ON 3 OCCASIONS THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE DASHBOARD LIT UP, RADIO WORKED, BUT NO STARTER OR ENGINE NOISE. SUBARU SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR OR BATTERY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON SUBARU PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11407596
7,090 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical System
EXPERIENCING A DEAD BATTERY. 3RD TIME THIS MONTH. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 7090 MILES ON IT, ONCE JUMPED LASTS A WEEK OR 2 AND THEN REPEATS PROBLEM. DEALER JUST SAYS TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA ODI #11407543
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2021
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE LOWER CENTER WHILE PARKING IN THE GARAGE. NO KNOWN IMPACT HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11407471
222,000 miles · Apr 11, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND WOKE UP THE NEXT DAY TO IT NOT STARTING. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO US WITH A BAD BATTERY AND MISSING PARTS ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR LATER OUR TRANSMISSION BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED WI…
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BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND WOKE UP THE NEXT DAY TO IT NOT STARTING. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO US WITH A BAD BATTERY AND MISSING PARTS ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR LATER OUR TRANSMISSION BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED WINDSHIELD WHEN NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING HAS HIT IT.
NHTSA ODI #11407442
22,000 miles · Apr 10, 2021
Electrical System
AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR 1 TO 2 DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED. AFTER RECHARGING THE BATTERY AND GETTING THE CAR STARTED THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING LEFT ON (I.E. DOME LIGHTS) OR OPENED (I.E DOOR AJAR) WHICH WOULD HAVE CREATED A SLOW DRAIN ON THE BATTERY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE JAN 2021
NHTSA ODI #11407352
5,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Electrical System
I LEFT MY CAR PARKED FOR 6-7 DAYS AND IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD
NHTSA ODI #11407265
16,000 miles · Apr 7, 2021
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD HAS CHIPPED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AS OF 4/7/21 ON OUR 2020 OUTBACK, FROM EXTREMELY LIGHT AND TINY ROAD DEBRIS/ROCK STRIKES. NOW HAS A 4TH, LARGER CHIP NEAR THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD WITH A 18" CRACK THAT GREW OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW HOURS. ALL OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS. ALL DURING MILD WEATHER. ALL …
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WINDSHIELD HAS CHIPPED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AS OF 4/7/21 ON OUR 2020 OUTBACK, FROM EXTREMELY LIGHT AND TINY ROAD DEBRIS/ROCK STRIKES. NOW HAS A 4TH, LARGER CHIP NEAR THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD WITH A 18" CRACK THAT GREW OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW HOURS. ALL OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS. ALL DURING MILD WEATHER. ALL WERE FROM ROCKS ALMOST TOO SMALL TO SEE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH OUR 2018 SUBARU. SUBARU NOW OFFERS WINDSHIELD COVERAGE AT ADDITIONAL CHARGE. SALESMAN NOTED THAT IT WAS "BECAUSE THEY USE THINNER GLASS DUE TO THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM". THIS WOULD SUGGEST SUBARU KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11406946
17,000 miles · Apr 5, 2021
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE WITHIN 15 MONTHS. BOTH CRACKS STARTED AS SMALL CHIPS AND QUICKLY (WITHIN HOURS) TURNED INTO LARGE CRACKS SPANNING THE MAJORITY OF THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH CHIPS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗