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: other or unspecified
152 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2021
Noted to have large vertical crack in front passenger window while driving. Appears area of impact approximately size of #2 mechanical pencil lead point. No sound from impact noticeable. Resulting damage: large vertical crack extending the entire span of passenger window. Vehicle less than 1 year old at time. This vehicle has had 2 other grossly exaggerated glass incidents of this type (to the windshield). In all 3 incidents, damage far exceeds what would be expected given size of initial impact area.
Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2021
While driving down interstate, windshield must have made contact with rock or other foreign object at mid/low left side of glass. I say must have because object too small to create any noticeable sound at impact. Within minutes, large linear crack appeared extending slightly farther than midline. This is the 2nd incident of this type creating damage to the windshield of this vehicle. Another previous incident occurred with front passenger window. In all 3 incidents, damage far exceeds what would be expected given size of initial impact area.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2021
The Front windshield cracked for no reason, no visible dmg from small object but a large crack originating from the side of the front wind shield appeared.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2021
Lane Departure feature malfunction at higher speeds: will reactivate a few seconds after physically deactivating the control; spontaneously activates and inactivates or activates on one side only - pulls aggressively to one side or the other, even though vehicle is centered in highway. Will not stay inactivated but fluctuates on/off. It is dangerous and causes fatigue in wrestling with the steering.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 14, 2021
Crack windshield The windshield just crack during driving on the freeway.
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 9, 2021
Windshield cracked causing a problem with "Front Eyesight Collision" Right side does not see Large Vehicles in Right Lane. Left side works fine.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2021
On Saturday 09/04/2021, when I got into my car to drive I noticed that my windshield had a huge crack in it. I could not see any visible rock cracks and my car was parked overnight. This windshield needs to be replaced soon because the crack is getting bigger every day even though I’m not even driving. I looked up what the problem could be and noticed there was a lawsuit against Subaru for their windshields that just cracks with no reason. I was then referred to report my car as well.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2021
Windshield has a Crack line from the center bottom edge of the Windshield going up towards the center to the right then left as it expands. It was parked and appeared the next morning with no sign of impact.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2021
I went to drive on August 20, 2021 and I haven’t driven since August 15, 2021. When I went to drive my car on the 20th I noticed a huge crack in my windshield with no place of impact that something hit the windshield. There was no crack on the windshield on the 15th. Every time I drive it, it keeps growing.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 14, 2021
A Small rock hit my windshield and the windshield instantly cracked. Subaru said the windshield was not covered under standard warranty and recommended a local glass company. The windshield was replaced with another Subaru windshield that cracked 3 days later while the car was parked inside my closed garage. The second windshield never got hit by anything - it just cracked for no reason. The glass company said it was a stress fracture. The initial fracture was right across my line of sight, making it difficult to see. The fracture continued to spread and new cracks were developing. I now have a third windshield on a car that is one year old.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2021
My 2020 Outback has suddenly stalled three times. Two of the three times was at about 55 mph. The check engine light came on each time and eventually cleared itself, before I could take the car to a Subaru service Department. I did take the car to a Subaru service Department and each time they said there was no current problem and didn't make a repair. I called Subaru of America several times.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2021
I was trying to open the trunk with the button in the car, it didn’t work, so I pulled the car forward thinking it was the problem, but it wasn’t. I got out of the left the door open and attempted to open it, but it would not. With the keys in my hand, I shut the driver’s side door, and attempted to push the button on the back, but that still didn’t work, even using the key fob. I went back to the driver’s side, only to find that the doors somehow became locked with the car on and the keys in my hands. The doors would not unlock even though I touched the driver’s front and the passenger’s front doors. Using the key fob did not work. Luckily this car has the key in the fob and that’s what I had to use to enter the car. Actually, this is two incidents in one, the trunk would not open and the doors locked with the car running and the keys in my hand. The trunk oddly just spontaneously started to work again after the analogue key was used on the door. Of note, the monitor and Apple CarPlay had been on the fritz all morning and continued. I’m not sure if the electronics caused a problem with trunk opening and the car doors locking while the car was running.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2021
I was hit by a very small pebble in the freeway which left a small crack smaller than the diameter of a nickel. My insurance sent safelite to repair the small crack. The technician started work on the small crack and immediately popped and turned into a 10-12 inch crack which meant the windshield had to be replaced. I did not have to pay the cost of the replacement windshield as safelite said it was still under warranty.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2021
The main control module goes completely blank while driving, eventually rebooting itself. Just recently I have documented blanking on April 9th, May 1, May 9, May 30, and June 13. One instance of the voice for navigation going silent on May 14 also occurred. The module was replaced today and on the way home from the dealership, it went blank again.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2021
Along with the ongoing class action lawsuits about the Subaru Outback lower windshields, we have had a crack in our lower windshield that popped up ~30 seconds after the smallest stone hit the windshield. We've had the same small stones hit our windshield on our other cars for decades and never had a crack (around 9-12 inches in length) come up like this.
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2021
Windshield developed a crack from no apparent external cause and crack has spread across windshield from driver's side to vmcenter if vehicle obscuring driver view of roadway. I live in MT where cracked windshields are very common, usually occuring due to rock or pebble striking glass and then spreading from a "bullseye" to a crack. This incident occured with no apparent external object striking vehicle, not was the crack preceded by the common bullseye normally created by flying gravel or rock.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2021
Cracked Windshield
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
UNKNOWN - I was pulling away from my parking spot at work and heard a "pop" sound. I looked up and the windshield cracked right at the top in the middle where the rear view mirror is located. I am familiar with this issue as it also happened to my 2012 Subaru Outback. It is quite unsettling because you don't know when/if it will spread even further. Everything about Subaru's are great except for the cheap windshield.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2021
After taking my car to dealer for WRI20 RECALL on 03/10/21, I have experienced intermittent issues with the touch screen and steering wheel controls. My touch screen will go black, act as if rebooting, radio button non responsive, “No audio” message across top of screen which affects radio and phone (safety issue) and contacts from phone appear and disappear. On my dash, the message ‘keep your eyes on the road” would continue repeatedly with my eyes staring straight at the road (irritating and safety issue)- voice control would not respond at all or it would ask if I wanted to set it up (already done). I drive over the Sierra (Donner Pass) quite frequently and need the security of a working navigation system (blank screen - no navigation) and an operational phone. I brought my car in for service initially 04/01/21 but it was returned 04/02/21 with no issues being replicated and car in “normal” working order. My car has now been sitting at the dealership since 04/25/21 with the same issues as before and I am driving a loaner. I have been in touch with Subaru and a case has been opened. I was supposed to hear from them today but no contact locally or from corporate. The only thing I have been told is - if they can not replicate the problem they can not do anything. I have provided photos of some of the issues (when I could safely take pic) but still been told nothing can be done under warranty if they can’t replicate it. I am so frustrated that Subaru wants to return a car to me that I DO NOT feel safe driving.
Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2021
I HAVE A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE WINDSHIELDS KEEP BREAKING. I JUST HAD THE THIRD (3RD) WINDSHIELD INSTALLED IN THIS 2020 VEHICLE AND IT WAS CRACKED BEFORE IT WAS TWO WEEKS OLD. THE LAST WINDSHIELD I HAD WAS SPIDER WEBS OF CRACKS - I DROVE IT LIKE THAT FOR MONTHS WAITING ON SUBARU TO FIX THE GLASS ISSUE. IT IS NOT FIXED. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS IN THIS AREA FOR TWO DECADES AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE NEW SUBARU WINDSHIELDS. SMALL DEBRIS WILL HIT THE CAR ON HWY/INTERSTATE THAT WOULD NOT USUALLY CRACK GLASS AND IT CRACKS. IT CHIPS VERY EASY AND THEN CRACKS TO A LENGTH THAT IS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. I THINK SOME OF THE CRACKS JUST APPEAR. BIZARRE. A FAMILY MEMBER HAS 2021 ASCENT AND JUST HAD TO REPLACE HER WINDSHIELD ALSO.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2021
TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP 4/21/21, THEY REMOVED BATTERY CHARGED IT AND TESTED IT, STATED BATTERY WAS GOOD. TODAY, 4/27/21, TRIED TO TAKE CAR OUT AND IT WON'T START.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 26, 2021
A 12 INCH CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED AFTER I HEARD A LOUD SHARP SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING 55 MPH ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY (BRILEY PARKWAY) IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2021
THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING. SUBARU TESTED THE BATTERY IT'S FINE. TOLD ME TO GET A BATTERY TENDER OR TO DRIVE FOR AN HOUR OR SO EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THE ALTERNATOR TO CHARGE UP. IN LESS THAN A WEEK THE CAR BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED 5 TIMES. STARTED 4/15/2021 THRU TODAY 4/21/2021.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2021
WE HAD (3) BROKEN WINDSHIELDS DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING SINCE NOVEMBER. (2) IN LAST 8 WEEKS. MY WIFE HAS TRAVEL SAME SECTION OF HIGHWAY M-F FOR LAST 8 YEARS WITH NO BROKEN WINDSHIELDS WITH (2) PREVIOUS VEHICLES.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 17, 2021
WENT TO GET IN MY CAR PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEK WHERE IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN SINCE SUNDAY THE 11TH AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM MIDDLE AND UP A SIGNIFICANT WAY BEFORE IT SPLIT INTO A WIDE 'Y' SHAPE.