IllustrationMY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A LENGTHY CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT THE AIRPORT FOR ABOUT A WEEK IN EARLY APRIL. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND AN ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND AN ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT AND WHEN I WOKE UP THE FOLLOWING DAY I SAW A CRACK ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CRACK LOOKED LIKE IT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CONTINUED TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
I GOT INTO MY CAR ONE MORNING AND THE WIND SHIELD WAS CRACKED AT THE MID/LOWER BOTTOM. GLASS SHARDS WERE PRESENT IN 1 LOCATION AND OVER TIME THE CRACK SPREAD AND ANOTHER LOCATION W/ CHIPS/SHARDS WAS PRESENT. *TR
WITH ONLY 170 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I WENT TO START MY OUTBACK AND IT WOULD NOT START. HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COME AND JUMP THE CAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CAR STARTING. I THEN PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO START IT IN THE MORNING, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND I COULD NOT EVEN UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE…
Read full complaint
WITH ONLY 170 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I WENT TO START MY OUTBACK AND IT WOULD NOT START. HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COME AND JUMP THE CAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CAR STARTING. I THEN PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO START IT IN THE MORNING, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND I COULD NOT EVEN UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE. I DRINK 10 MILES ROUND TRIP ON AN AVERAGE DAY TO/FROM WORK AND HAD THE CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 4 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE WINDOW HAD A SMALL CRACK WITHOUT HEARING A ROCK OR PEBBLE HIT THE WINDOW. OVER NEXT FEW DAYS THE CRACK WENT ACROSS THE WINDOW. IT SEEMS LIKE THE WINDOWS ARE TOO PRONE TO CRACKS AND CRACK MORE EASILY THAN THEY SHOULD. SUBARU REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AT NO COST TO US WHICH WE WER…
Read full complaint
WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE WINDOW HAD A SMALL CRACK WITHOUT HEARING A ROCK OR PEBBLE HIT THE WINDOW. OVER NEXT FEW DAYS THE CRACK WENT ACROSS THE WINDOW. IT SEEMS LIKE THE WINDOWS ARE TOO PRONE TO CRACKS AND CRACK MORE EASILY THAN THEY SHOULD. SUBARU REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AT NO COST TO US WHICH WE WERE HAPPY ABOUT, BUT WANTED TO DOCUMENT THAT IT SEEMS THEY HAVE MORE FRAGILE WINDSHIELDS IN CASE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. EVANSTON SUBARU LOCATED AT 3340 OAKTON ST, SKOKIE, IL 60076, (847) 869-5700, AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS I…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RADIO VOLUME WAS TURNED UP TO HIGH AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. EVANSTON SUBARU LOCATED AT 3340 OAKTON ST, SKOKIE, IL 60076, (847) 869-5700, AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM. IN FLORIDA THE TEMP CAN GET OVER 95 DEGREES. AFTER 10-15 SECONDS OF THE CAR BEING OFF THE CAR STARTS TO HEAT UP. MY WIFE WHO HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS STARTS HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE ASK THE DEALER TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS FEATURE BUT THEY SAID NO. YOU CAN DO IT EACH TIME YOU…
Read full complaint
THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM. IN FLORIDA THE TEMP CAN GET OVER 95 DEGREES. AFTER 10-15 SECONDS OF THE CAR BEING OFF THE CAR STARTS TO HEAT UP. MY WIFE WHO HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS STARTS HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE ASK THE DEALER TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS FEATURE BUT THEY SAID NO. YOU CAN DO IT EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR BUT IT IS SEVERAL SCREENS DEEP ON THE INFORMATION SYSTEM. PEOPLE WHO DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR OFTEN (LIKE MY WIFE) WOULD HAVE TROUBLE TURNING THIS FEATURE OFF AND COULD PASS OUT SITTING AT A LIGHT. I RECOMMEND SUBARU OFFER A WAY TO DISABLE THIS FEATURE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BREATHING ISSUES. AT A VERY MINIMUM THEY NEED TO MOVE THE DISABLING OF THIS FEATURE ON EVERY START TO THE MAIN INFORMATION SCREEN WHERE ANYONE CAN FIND IT.
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE SIDE OF THE GLASS. WHEN STATIONARY THE CRACK CONTINUED TO EXPAND. *TR
WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THE BATTERY HAS FULLY DRAINED THREE TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE A MONTH AGO. WE TOOK IT IN TO BE EVALUATED AND WERE TOLD THE BATTERY WAS FINE. WE NOW HAVE HAD TO JUMPSTART THIS CAR THREE TIMES AND IT HAS LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT. *TR
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.