IllustrationTHE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE GARAGE WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY. NOTHING PHYSICALLY DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENED TWICE ON MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AS WELL. I SEE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PLACE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET ADDED AS THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.
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 reportsINFOTAINMENT CENTER SCREENS BLACK OUT OR DON'T WORK AT ALL. DEALER HAS DONE TWO UPDATES ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
WINDOW MOTORS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. GET STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION OR WHEN ROLLING DOWN WILL POP BACK UP AND DOWN BEFORE GETTING STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAVE HAD ONE MOTOR ON DRIVER SIDE REPLACED AND AM NOW NEEDING THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH PASSENGER SIDE.
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON DRIVERS SIDE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NO OBJECTS HIT VEHICLE.
MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD AND HAS JUST OVER 15,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST MONTH, THE BATTERY HAS DIED 4 TIMES CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED. THE CAUSE OF THE BATTERY DYING IS VERY MINOR ELECTRICAL USAGE WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, RESULTING IN THE CAR NOT STARTING.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 55MPH AND THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A CRACK ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN AIR/WIND HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE LEFT EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON DRIVER'S SIDE.
CRACK IN FRONT OF MY EYES DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10, NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME
SUBARU SHOWS A RECALL, YOU DON'T. FROM SUBARU SITE: HTTPS://WWW.SUBARU.COM/VEHICLE-RECALLS.HTML/VIN=[XXX] ----- YEAR: 2020 VEHICLE: OUTBACK MODEL: LIMITED XT TYPE: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION| SERVICE CAMPAIGN: WRI20| NHTSA CAMPAIGN: N/A CP1 SOFTWARE UPGRADE OPEN INCOMPLETE …
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SUBARU SHOWS A RECALL, YOU DON'T. FROM SUBARU SITE: HTTPS://WWW.SUBARU.COM/VEHICLE-RECALLS.HTML/VIN=[XXX] ----- YEAR: 2020 VEHICLE: OUTBACK MODEL: LIMITED XT TYPE: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION| SERVICE CAMPAIGN: WRI20| NHTSA CAMPAIGN: N/A CP1 SOFTWARE UPGRADE OPEN INCOMPLETE DECEMBER 11, 2020 SCHEDULE SERVICES DESCRIPTION IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SUBARU) IS INITIATING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR CERTAIN 2020-2021 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES TO UPDATE THE COCKPIT CONTROL MODULE (CCM) SOFTWARE TO THE LATEST VERSION. SAFETY RISK THIS CONDITION IS NOT SAFETY RELATED. REMEDY SUBARU RETAILERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CCM SOFTWARE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT GLASS WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NO OBJECT HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT GLASS WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NO OBJECT HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
I HAD ALMOST THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE WITH MY WINDSHIELD AS ANOTHER COMPLAINT I SAW FILED. MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON A HIGHWAY IN SC ON DEC 22, 2020. THE CRACK STARTED SMALL AND GREW QUICKLY OVER THE COURSE OF MY TRAVEL TO ABOUT 16 - 18 INCHES. THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLA…
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I HAD ALMOST THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE WITH MY WINDSHIELD AS ANOTHER COMPLAINT I SAW FILED. MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON A HIGHWAY IN SC ON DEC 22, 2020. THE CRACK STARTED SMALL AND GREW QUICKLY OVER THE COURSE OF MY TRAVEL TO ABOUT 16 - 18 INCHES. THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED WHICH WAS BOTH TIME CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE. I HAVE TRAVELED A LOT IN MY LIFE WITH MULTIPLE CARS BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT SPREADED LIKE IT DID WITH MY NEW OUTBACK. IT IS DISAPPOINTING AND CONCERNING AFTER READING MORE ABOUT THE PENDING LAWSUIT ON DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS.
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.