IllustrationPURCHASED CAR FROM DEALERSHIP,PARKED 10 HOURS, BATTERY DEAD.
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
What owners actually said
896 reportsWHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THE NEAREST CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS APPEARED TO BE A FOOTBALL FIELD AWAY, IN FRONT OF ME. I NEVER SAW ANYTHING BOUNCING IN FRONT OF ME/TOWARDS ME. IT LITERALLY SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE SHOT AT THE CAR. THE INTERIOR SHADE WAS CLOSED. TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 75 DEGREES. …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THE NEAREST CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS APPEARED TO BE A FOOTBALL FIELD AWAY, IN FRONT OF ME. I NEVER SAW ANYTHING BOUNCING IN FRONT OF ME/TOWARDS ME. IT LITERALLY SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE SHOT AT THE CAR. THE INTERIOR SHADE WAS CLOSED. TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 75 DEGREES. OCCURRED AT 7:17PM. THERE WAS NO SOUND OF ANYTHING HITTING THE GLASS, IT JUST SHATTERED.
ON MARCH 1, 2021 VEHICLE HAD 4992 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAVE VEHICLE JUMPED. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY SAID BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER, TESTED GOOD. ON MARCH 17TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. ON MARCH 18TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. ON MARCH 1…
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ON MARCH 1, 2021 VEHICLE HAD 4992 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAVE VEHICLE JUMPED. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY SAID BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER, TESTED GOOD. ON MARCH 17TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. ON MARCH 18TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. ON MARCH 19TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED AND TAKEN TO DEALER. VEHICLE NOW HAS 5192 MILES. ON MARCH 19, 2021, A CASE WAS OPENED WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA.
MY 2020 SUBARU TOURING OUTBACK'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS IT WAS PARKED AT HOME IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS OCCURRED ON MARCH 6TH 2021. THE CRACK IN GOES ABOUT HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD IN THE LINE OF SIGHT AS I DRIVE IT. IT HAD NOT BEEN ON THE ROAD AT ALL THAT DAY. I DROVE IT THE DAY BEFORE AND THERE WAS NO CRACK OR CHIP PRESENT…
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MY 2020 SUBARU TOURING OUTBACK'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS IT WAS PARKED AT HOME IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS OCCURRED ON MARCH 6TH 2021. THE CRACK IN GOES ABOUT HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD IN THE LINE OF SIGHT AS I DRIVE IT. IT HAD NOT BEEN ON THE ROAD AT ALL THAT DAY. I DROVE IT THE DAY BEFORE AND THERE WAS NO CRACK OR CHIP PRESENT. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD AND A HAZARD WHILE I AM DRIVING AS IT IMPAIRED MY LINE OF SIGHT. THE REPAIR WAS OVER $1000, BUT MY DEDUCTIBLE WAS $50 FROM GEICO.
MY CAR HAS 6700 MILES AND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED. AFTER HAVING IT JUMP STARTED BY CSAA, I DROVE IT TO SUBARU. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SUBARU WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS.
BATTERY DIES. THE CAR IS LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR OLD, THE BATTERY DIED AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED SEPTEMBER 2020, DEALER CHARGED IT UP, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2021 AND DEALER REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY. THE CONTROL PANEL HAS GONE "BLACK" SEVERAL TIMES NO STATUS SHOWS.
2 OEM WINDSHIELDS IN A ROW - THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND A REPLACEMENT, HAVE BOTH HAD CRACKS OF OVER 24 INCHES WITH MULTIPLE FRACTURE LINES ALL STEMMING FROM ONE TINY ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND LEAVING A PIT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE BOTH TIMES THE SMALL ROCKS STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND CREATED THE …
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2 OEM WINDSHIELDS IN A ROW - THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND A REPLACEMENT, HAVE BOTH HAD CRACKS OF OVER 24 INCHES WITH MULTIPLE FRACTURE LINES ALL STEMMING FROM ONE TINY ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND LEAVING A PIT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE BOTH TIMES THE SMALL ROCKS STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND CREATED THE PITS THAT LATER TURNED INTO THE LARGE CRACKS.
BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IN 5 MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD, NOT THE IMPACT STRIKE SPIDER TYPE, BUT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE EDGE, STRAIGHT LINE CRACK 2 FEET LONG. THE SECOND TIME A CRACK, STRAIGHT LINE TYPE FROM THE PASSENGER EDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BOTH TIMES, 50 MILES AN HOUR, NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. WHILE DR…
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BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IN 5 MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD, NOT THE IMPACT STRIKE SPIDER TYPE, BUT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE EDGE, STRAIGHT LINE CRACK 2 FEET LONG. THE SECOND TIME A CRACK, STRAIGHT LINE TYPE FROM THE PASSENGER EDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BOTH TIMES, 50 MILES AN HOUR, NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRACK, THE CRACK WOULD GET LONGER. NEVER SCENE ANYTHING LIKE IT.
I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE BATTERY WAS TOO WEAK. I CHARGED THE BATTERY AND LET THE CAR RUN 15 MINUTES. FOUR DAYS LATER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR, THE BATTERY WAS TOO WEAK AGAIN. I FOUND REFERENCE TO THIS AS AN ISSUE POSSIBLY KNOWN TO SUBARU OF AMERICA WITH RECOMMENDATION TO REPORT TO NHTSA.
A FEW MINUTES INTO A DRIVE THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD (AFTER 9PM) WE NOTICED A SMALL CRACK APPEAR IN THE MIDDLE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES WE WATCHED IT GROW FROM A COUPLE OF INCHES TO ABOUT 10 INCHES IN LENGTH. IT ONLY TOOK A MINUTE OR TWO FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. WE NEVER DROVE OVER 25 MPH. THERE WERE NO OTHER CA…
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A FEW MINUTES INTO A DRIVE THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD (AFTER 9PM) WE NOTICED A SMALL CRACK APPEAR IN THE MIDDLE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES WE WATCHED IT GROW FROM A COUPLE OF INCHES TO ABOUT 10 INCHES IN LENGTH. IT ONLY TOOK A MINUTE OR TWO FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. WE NEVER DROVE OVER 25 MPH. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE STREETS. THERE WAS NORTHING AROUND THAT COULD HAVE HIT OUR WINDSHIELD. IT HAPPENED ALL BY ITSELF. 32 YEARS OF DRIVING MANY VEHICLES AND I NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT NIGHT RIGHT AFTER AS WE WENT STRAIGHT HOME. HARD TO SEE THE ENTIRE LENGTH BECAUSE OF THE NIGHT PICTURE. NOT SURE HOW MUCH BIGGER THE CRACK COULD HAVE GOTTEN. LUCKILY WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME AND NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGHER SPEED.
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.