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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

What owners actually said

896 reports
6,000 miles · Jan 17, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

WHEN APPLE CARPLAY IS BEING USED, THE MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY HAS FROZEN SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT FREEZES, THE RESETS ITSELF TO A BLACK SCREEN. ONCE IT RESETS TO A BLACK SCREEN, THE EYESIGHT IS DISABLED AND RAB (REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING) IS DISABLED. I HAVE HAD A MOMENT WHERE THE SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND BOTH THINGS WERE DIS…

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WHEN APPLE CARPLAY IS BEING USED, THE MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY HAS FROZEN SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT FREEZES, THE RESETS ITSELF TO A BLACK SCREEN. ONCE IT RESETS TO A BLACK SCREEN, THE EYESIGHT IS DISABLED AND RAB (REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING) IS DISABLED. I HAVE HAD A MOMENT WHERE THE SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND BOTH THINGS WERE DISABLED FOR OVER 15 MINUTES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. UNTIL THE MOMENT I TURNED OFF THE CAR DID IT STOP SHOWING THE ISSUE BUT THIS WASN'T THE FIRST INSTANCE OF IT HAPPENING. THE MOMENT I DO NEED THE EYESIGHT WOULD BE TOO LATE SINCE IT'S DISABLED. I'VE RECORDED SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THIS HAPPENING AND I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TELL ME NOTHING CAN BE DONE SINCE THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND THAT THE VIDEO RECORDING IS "HYPOTHETICAL." I'VE UPLOADED SOME OF THE VIDEOS I'VE RECORDED ONTO YOUTUBE FOR YOU TO CHECK AND VERIFY. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CHANNEL/UCNA9Z1X9ITGGUPUO_AL_BLG

NHTSA ODI #11388596

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DepartureVisibility/wiper

MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE TRAVELING ON A TEXAS HIGHWAY (SOUTH PADRE - AUSTIN) ON DEC 27, 2020. THE CRACK STARTED SMALL AND GREW QUICKLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE TRAVEL TO ALMOST 20 INCHES. THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS EXPENSIVE, CONSIDERING THE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEMS NEEDED TO BE REC…

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MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE TRAVELING ON A TEXAS HIGHWAY (SOUTH PADRE - AUSTIN) ON DEC 27, 2020. THE CRACK STARTED SMALL AND GREW QUICKLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE TRAVEL TO ALMOST 20 INCHES. THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS EXPENSIVE, CONSIDERING THE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEMS NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED. I HAVE TRAVELED OVER 200K MILES IN THE US IN MULTIPLE CARS BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY AS IT HAPPENED ON THE SUBARU OUTBACK. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COULD BE A ONE-OFF EXPERIENCE BUT READING MORE ABOUT THE PENDING LAWSUIT ON DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS MADE ME SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #11388169

3,470 miles · Jan 11, 2021
Visibility/wiper

A 12-INCH LING CRACK DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. ONLY ~3,470 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM-MIDDLE AND WENT UPWARD AND TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE IN A J SHAPE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF AN IMPACT TO ME, BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY WAS SIGNS OF IMPACT SO…

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A 12-INCH LING CRACK DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. ONLY ~3,470 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM-MIDDLE AND WENT UPWARD AND TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE IN A J SHAPE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF AN IMPACT TO ME, BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY WAS SIGNS OF IMPACT SO IT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11387450

10,500 miles · Jan 9, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

THIS 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING XT RAN WELL FOR THE FIRST 10,000 MILES. WE WERE INFORMED IT HAD A RECALL AND THIS WAS CORRECTED 1/06/2021 BY CARBOONE'S SUBARU IN UTICA, NY. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WHEN THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE AND ADAPTIVE STEERING ARE ENGAGED IF THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO LEAVE ITS LANE THE WARNING MESSAGE IS 'PUT Y…

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THIS 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING XT RAN WELL FOR THE FIRST 10,000 MILES. WE WERE INFORMED IT HAD A RECALL AND THIS WAS CORRECTED 1/06/2021 BY CARBOONE'S SUBARU IN UTICA, NY. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WHEN THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE AND ADAPTIVE STEERING ARE ENGAGED IF THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO LEAVE ITS LANE THE WARNING MESSAGE IS 'PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL'. BEFORE THIS IT WAS 'LANE DEPARTURE'. IF THE ADAPTIVE STEERING IS NOT ENGAGED THE WARNING REMAINS 'LANE DEPARTURE'. THIS BEHAVIOR HAPPENS ON ALL ROADS WHEN THE ADAPTIVE STEERING AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CAN BE ENGAGED. IT OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS. THIS WARNING TO PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL OCCURS WHEN YOUR HANDS ARE ON THE WHEEL AND IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING (LANE DEPARTURE) NOR WHAT THE VEHICLE WARNINGS ARE WHEN NOT USING THE ADAPTIVE STEERING. THIS PRESENTS A CONFUSING PICTURE TO THE DRIVER AND COULD LEAD TO AN INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SUBARU'S RESPONSE TO THE CHANGE OF WARNINGS IS 'THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR'.

NHTSA ODI #11387288

700 miles · Jan 8, 2021
Visibility/wiper

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE (64) AND GOT A SMALL CHIP (ABOUT THE SIZE OF MY PINKY NAIL) FROM A ROCK/ PEBBLE IN LOWER LEFT AREA OF WINDSHIELD. PARKED THE CAR AT HOME. CHIP WAS STABLE. THE NEXT MORNING THE CHIP NOW HAS A CRACK ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD HORIZONTALLY ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY. THE DEALERSHIP (CASEY SUBARU) HAS REPLACED …

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DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE (64) AND GOT A SMALL CHIP (ABOUT THE SIZE OF MY PINKY NAIL) FROM A ROCK/ PEBBLE IN LOWER LEFT AREA OF WINDSHIELD. PARKED THE CAR AT HOME. CHIP WAS STABLE. THE NEXT MORNING THE CHIP NOW HAS A CRACK ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD HORIZONTALLY ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY. THE DEALERSHIP (CASEY SUBARU) HAS REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS COST ME $730 OUT OF POCKET WHICH IS TO BE REFUNDED TO ME FROM BOTH MY INSURANCE COMPANY ($230) AND THE DEALERSHIP ($500). I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM CASEY. I WAS TOLD THAT CHIPS NO MORE THAN ONE HALF INCH ARE COVERED. BUT NOT CRACKS. THANK YOU, SCOTT.

NHTSA ODI #11387116

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

14,000 miles · Jan 6, 2021
Electrical System

DEAD BATTERY, LESS THAN 14,000 MILES ON THE CAR, 14 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASE; CAR IS KEPT IN A HEATED GARAGE AND THEREFORE NOT SUBJECTED TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

NHTSA ODI #11386828

16,000 miles · Jan 5, 2021
Visibility/wiper

I HAVE HAD 4 CRACKED WINDSHIELDS THAT HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ONE YEARS TIME. NO WINDSHILED HAS MADE IT LONGER THAN 5 MONTHS, TWO ONLY LASTED ABOUT 6 WEEKS. I HAVE REPLACED ALL WITH OEM GLASS. LAST THREE INCIDENCE WERE FOR UNKNOWN CAUSE TO ME. I PURCHASED MY CAR 10/12/19 . FIRST WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED 12/19, SECOND 5/20,…

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I HAVE HAD 4 CRACKED WINDSHIELDS THAT HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ONE YEARS TIME. NO WINDSHILED HAS MADE IT LONGER THAN 5 MONTHS, TWO ONLY LASTED ABOUT 6 WEEKS. I HAVE REPLACED ALL WITH OEM GLASS. LAST THREE INCIDENCE WERE FOR UNKNOWN CAUSE TO ME. I PURCHASED MY CAR 10/12/19 . FIRST WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED 12/19, SECOND 5/20, THEN 7/20, AND AGAIN 12/20

NHTSA ODI #11386549

6,500 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Visibility/wiper

MY WIFE AND I WERE SITTING IN OUR CAR AT A RED LIGHT STATIONARY AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BASE UP ABOUT 10 IN LONG FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

NHTSA ODI #11386525

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

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.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems