IllustrationWHILE DRIVING MY BRAND NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK ON A 2 LANE PAVED ROAD AT APPROX 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR I HEARD THIS LOUD CRACK AND I THEN NOTICE A FAIRLY LARGE CRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF MY WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME OF THIS CRACK SOUND.
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 reportsWINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD.
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.
WHILE DRIVING ALONG ROUTE 81 SOUTH OF CARLISLE PA. AN AUDIBLE POP WAS HEARD. I NOTED NOTHING AT THE TIME. LATER IN THE DAY, THIS 2 FOOT CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. I DON'T BELIEVE THE CRACK IS THE RESULT OF AN OBJECT AS THERE IS NO APPARENT POINT OF IMPACT AND ONLY THE THE VERY SMALL AREA ADJOINING THE FRAME IS AT ALL …
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WHILE DRIVING ALONG ROUTE 81 SOUTH OF CARLISLE PA. AN AUDIBLE POP WAS HEARD. I NOTED NOTHING AT THE TIME. LATER IN THE DAY, THIS 2 FOOT CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. I DON'T BELIEVE THE CRACK IS THE RESULT OF AN OBJECT AS THERE IS NO APPARENT POINT OF IMPACT AND ONLY THE THE VERY SMALL AREA ADJOINING THE FRAME IS AT ALL DISTURBED ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS CLEAN CRACK.
JULY 2, 2020: THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED SEEMINGLY WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. AFTER STOPPING, IT APPEARED TO HAVE A TINY CHIP NEAR THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND A CRACK ABOUT 3 FEET LONG EXTENDING FROM IT. THIS WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON JULY 8, 2020. JULY 19, 2020: THE NEW WINDSHIELD RECEIVED A TINY ROCK CHI…
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JULY 2, 2020: THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED SEEMINGLY WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. AFTER STOPPING, IT APPEARED TO HAVE A TINY CHIP NEAR THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND A CRACK ABOUT 3 FEET LONG EXTENDING FROM IT. THIS WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON JULY 8, 2020. JULY 19, 2020: THE NEW WINDSHIELD RECEIVED A TINY ROCK CHIP WHILE DRIVING. THE ROCK CHIP WAS LESS THAN 1 INCH IN SIZE SO A REPAIR WAS TO BE ATTEMPTED. THE REPAIR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AS THE ROCK CHIP IMMEDIATELY SPREAD WHEN SUCTION WAS APPLIED TO THE SURFACE.
AFTER OWNING MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR JUST OVER A MONTH WITH 1700 MILES ON IT I'VE HAD TO JUMP START MY CAR NOW 6 TIMES. I WORK 7 MILES FROM HOME AND DRIVE A LOT OF SHORT TRIPS. I SEE SUBARU HAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY GOING DEAD WITH MY NAME CONCERN I WORK FOR A DEALER THAT HAS THE SUBARU DEALER AND I WILL CALL TH…
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AFTER OWNING MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR JUST OVER A MONTH WITH 1700 MILES ON IT I'VE HAD TO JUMP START MY CAR NOW 6 TIMES. I WORK 7 MILES FROM HOME AND DRIVE A LOT OF SHORT TRIPS. I SEE SUBARU HAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY GOING DEAD WITH MY NAME CONCERN I WORK FOR A DEALER THAT HAS THE SUBARU DEALER AND I WILL CALL THEM TOMORROW TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY WILL DO BESIDES JUST REPLACE MY BATTERY. TODAY I HAD TO JUMP TO DRIVE TO WORK. JUMP TO GO OUT AT LUNCH. JUMP TO LEAVE WORK AND WHEN I GOT HOME I TRIED TO RESTART AND IT DIDN'T START AGAIN SO I KNOW WHAT I WILL BE DOING IN THE MORNING.
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR. 06/25/2020 AND IN THE FIRST FOUR DAYS THE CAR NEEDED TO BE JUMPED THREE TIMES . THE DEALERSHIP HAD US BRING IT IN AND GAVE US A NEW BATTERY . SO FAR EVERYTHING IS WORKING WELL .THIS HAPPENED IN THE MORNINGS AFTER SITTING THE NIGHT
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON I NEVER SAW ANYTHING HIT IT OR NEVER HEARD ANYTHING HIT IT. IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AT THE EDGE OF THE GLASS. THEN THE CRACK BEGAN TO SPREAD OVER NIGHT WHILE CAR WAS SITTING, BECAUSE I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING IN THE CRACK WAS WAY LONGER.
2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. CRACKER WINDSHIELD FROM A PEBBLE NICK. NOT A ROCK.
AFTER NOT BEING USED FOR 10 DAYS THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED ON JULY 3, 2020. TOWED TO THE DEALER ON JULY 5 PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED, CHARGED BATTERY RETURNED CAR JULY 9, 2020. CAR SAT NOT USED UNTIL JULY 18 AND SAME DEAD BATTERY ISSUED RECURRED.
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.