2020 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 899 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 19 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMar 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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 24V227000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)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.
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V485000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)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.
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V955000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJul 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.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V587000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, display functionDec 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."
The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
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.
Campaign 20V766000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesSep 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V664000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
259 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, May 11, 2020
AFTER THE CAR HAD SAT FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS, WHEN WE WENT TO USE IT AND INITIALLY WE GOT A LOT OF BELLS AND CHIRPS GOING OFF ALONG WITH NUMEROUS WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS. BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. WE WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE TO GET THE KEYS FOR OUR OTHER VEHICLE, BUT DECIDED TO TRY AND START THE CAR A SECOND TIME. THIS TIME THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD - NO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS CAME ON AT ALL.(AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD A LITTLE UNDER 3200 MILES TOTAL MILES ON IT AND WAS A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS OLD). I RECHARGED THE BATTERY THE NEXT FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN DROVE IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEY KEPT IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM, AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THEM. (NOTE: I HAD ALSO DISCOVERED A SMALL OIL LEAK AT THAT TIME, WHICH THEY FIXED AT THAT TIME) I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU REGARDING BATTERY PROBLEMS ON OUTBACK MODEL VEHICLES. TODAY [5-11-20] WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE TO HAVE A BLOOD TEST TAKEN I NOTED THAT THE BATTERY WAS SOMEWHAT LOW (I.E.: THE ENGINE TURNED OVER SLOWER THAN NORMAL). *TR
Electrical system, Engine, May 8, 2020
BATTERY IS INADEQUATE FOR THE ELECTRONICS IN THIS CAR AND WILL BE DEAD IF NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AFTER BEING A UNABLE TO START MY CAR TWICE WITHIN A MONTH, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW, THERE IS NO OTHER UPGRADE OR REPLACEMENT FOR THE BATTERY AND THAT THE FACTORY RECOMMENDATION IS TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY OTHER DAY. THIS MEANS THAT WHEN I TRAVEL AND LEAVE MY CAR IN AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR A WEEK OR MORE, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START THE CAR WHEN I RETURN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE POST AT THE AIRPORT, THEN RECONNECT THE POST WHEN I RETURN. I AM A 65-YEAR OLD WOMAN AND NOT A MECHANIC. THIS CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND IS A SAFETY RISK FOR ME WHEN I RETURN TO A PARKING LOT LATE AT NIGHT AND MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT HAS LESS THAN 5,000 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, May 8, 2020
WE BOUGHT OUR 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK ON 12/16/19. DID A ROAD TRIP FOR 800 MILES IN JAN-2020 WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE CAR CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 2,100 MILES ON IT. ON MAY 1ST WE WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER IT SAT FOR A WEEK OR SO AND THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD TO WHERE WE HAD TO USE OUR EMERGENCY MANUAL KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR. WE HAD TO JUMP IT FOR QUITE AWHILE BEFORE IT GOT ENOUGH OF A CHARGE TO START. WE TOOK IT ON AN HOUR DRIVE TO TRY AND GET THE BATTERY RECHARGED. MONDAY MAY 4TH WE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WAS DEAD AGAIN, JUMPED IT AND TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND RECHARGED THE BATTERY. I PICKED IT UP ON TUESDAY THE 5TH AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WEDNESDAY MORNING THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. FRIDAY WE HAD TO JUMP IT TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. WHEN WE GOT HOME THE DEALER CALLED TO SAY THAT OUR CAR THAT WE JUST LEFT WOULDN'T START AND THEY HAD TO JUMP IT. THEY ARE GOING TO CHECK IT OUT ON MONDAY AND LET US KNOW WHAT THEY FIND OUT. *TR
Electrical system, May 5, 2020
I HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK AND IT COMPLETELY DIED. BRAND NEW CAR AND THE BATTERY DRAINED. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IF I DON'T DRIVE IT FOR 7 DAYS IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THIS TO OCCUR. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 70 MILES ON IT AND COMPLETELY DIED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING GARAGE. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Visibility/wiper, Apr 2, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED HALFWAY ACROSS THE GLASS AFTER A PEBBLE KICKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CRACK SPIDERED OUT ON ITS OWN ACROSS THE ENTIRE FRONT WINDSHIELD WITHIN FIVE HOURS. CAMERA ON WINDSHIELD NOW HAS TO BE RECALIBRATED OTHERWISE WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 1, 2020
THE CAR HAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE STABILITY AND THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. TRANSMISSION ALSO NEEDS REPLACEMENT. PROBLEMS HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAYS. DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS YOUTUBE FOOTAGE AS FOLLOWS: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=OXOJDP_T9LI HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=77WURJDTVZK HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LGQL63LDQVI&T=10S HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=0ACRLYXYHQI&T=11S
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2019
POOR REAR CAMERA VISIBILITY, LEADING ME TO NEARLY HIT GAS PUMPS
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2019
1. THE BACKUP AND FRONT CAMERA ARE DOWNGRADED FROM PREVIOUS MODELS OF OUTBACK.SUBARU OF AMERICA DENIES THIS. THE NIGHT VISIBILITY IS DANGEROUS. THE DEALERSHIP AGREES. I HAVE PURCHASED FOUR OUTBACKS IN SIX YEARS AND I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. IT IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. SUBARU WILL NOT TELL ME IF THEY PLAN TO CHANGE THE CAMERAS OR UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE. ALSO, THE EQUALIZER WILL NOT HOLD ITS SETTING EVERY TIME YOU GET IN THE CAR. I AM SURE THIS IS A SOFTWARE SETTING AS WELL. TO CHANGE THE SETTING, YOU EITHER HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD OR DO IT WHILE DRIVING WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS MANEUVER.
Parking brake, Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 30, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND (2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (541) 389-3031) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 520.*CW*JB