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: visibility
383 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Feb 4, 2021
MY CAR WAS PARKED AND I DISCOVERED ABOUT A FOOT LONG CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A REASON FOR CAUSE, NO CHIPS IN MY WINDSHIELD OR ACCIDENTS WITH THE CAR. IT'S MOSTLY GARAGE KEPT AND HAS LESS THAN 12000 MILES OVER 14 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2021
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 2, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS. I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED WHEN I GOT INTO THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON AS IT WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE
Visibility/wiper, Jan 27, 2021
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON DRIVERS SIDE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NO OBJECTS HIT VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 25, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 55MPH AND THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A CRACK ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN AIR/WIND HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE LEFT EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON DRIVER'S SIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2021
CRACK IN FRONT OF MY EYES DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10, NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME
Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT GLASS WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NO OBJECT HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 19, 2021
I HAD ALMOST THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE WITH MY WINDSHIELD AS ANOTHER COMPLAINT I SAW FILED. MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON A HIGHWAY IN SC ON DEC 22, 2020. THE CRACK STARTED SMALL AND GREW QUICKLY OVER THE COURSE OF MY TRAVEL TO ABOUT 16 - 18 INCHES. THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED WHICH WAS BOTH TIME CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE. I HAVE TRAVELED A LOT IN MY LIFE WITH MULTIPLE CARS BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT SPREADED LIKE IT DID WITH MY NEW OUTBACK. IT IS DISAPPOINTING AND CONCERNING AFTER READING MORE ABOUT THE PENDING LAWSUIT ON DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Jan 14, 2021
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 11, 2021
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 8, 2021
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.
Visibility, Jan 6, 2021
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2021
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
Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2021
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.
Visibility, Jan 4, 2021
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.
Visibility, Jan 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE RIGHT, LOWER PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED TWICE AND THAT THE SAME CRACK HAD FORMED AFTER EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK SPREAD ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 3, 2021
THIS IS THE SECOND CRACKED WINDSHIELD I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WITH THIS CAR IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND 18K MILES. IT STARTED AS A TINY ROCK CHIP BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND TURNED INTO A 12+ INCH CRACK WITHIN A DAY. I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THE TINY ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD, BUT THE FACT THAT I AM NOW ON MY 3RD. WINDSHIELD SHOULD POINT TO SOME SORT OF ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND REPROGRAMING OF THE SAFETY COMPONENTS TOTALS $1,400 AND CAN ONLY BE DONE BY THE DEALER.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2021
I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 OUTBACK ON NOVEMBER 23RD.ON DECEMBER 30TH IT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD STARTING AT THE BOTTOM ABOUT TWO INCHES. EACH DAY IT HAS GROWN. NOW IT IS ABOUT 10 INCHES LONG AND IS SPLITTING TO EACH SIDE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME I WOULD HAVE TO TURN IT IN ON MY INSURANCE. THE CAR HAS 842 MILES ON IT..FROM ALL THE REPORTS I HAVE READ AN THIS ISSUE SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THIS WINDSHIELD ISSUE. I HAD HOPED THIS CAR COULD LAST FOR YEARS BUT IT IS NOT LOOKING THAT WAY SO FAR.WHEN THE CRACK DEVELOPED IT WAS PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT AND HAD NOT HAD ANY IMPACT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 1, 2021
REAR CAMERA POOR IMAGE QUALITY. THE BACK-UP CAMERA IS THAT IT GETS FAIRLY GRAINY IN LIGHT RAIN AND/OR AT NIGHT. NOT VERY CLEAR AND I DON'T SEE ANY SETTINGS ANYWHERE. IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY OLD CAMERA LACKING LIGHTING AND YOU ALSO SEE THE "GRAIN" OF THE IMAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 30, 2020
AFTER A 650 MILE DRIVE WITH NO IMPACTS TO WINDSHIELD OR PERCEPTIBLE CRACKS, PARKED THE CAR OVERNIGHT. IN THE MORNING, A CRACK HAD DEVELOPED FROM THE LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD MOVING UP AND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. WITH NO FURTHER DRIVING, THE CRACK CONTINUED TO GROW TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE, SPLITTING INTO TWO CRACKS. THE SPONTANEOUS CRACK IS IN THE EYELINE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE CRACK FORMED AND HAS BEEN STATIONARY AS THE CRACK HAS GROWN. SEE PICTURES. ONE PHOTO IS WHEN FIRST DEVELOPED, (DECEMBER 14, 2020) SECOND IN ON DECEMBER 30, 2020 AFTER NO DRIVING AND THE CAR REMAINING STATIONARY FROM THE 14TH)..
Visibility/wiper, Dec 30, 2020
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED OVERNIGHT. NO MARKING OF ROCK OR ANY DAMAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 30, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN A RELATIVELY NEW (1-YEAR-OLD) VEHICLE. I DISCOVERED THE CRACK IN THE MORNING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I BELIEVE IT WASN'T THERE YESTERDAY WHEN I LAST PARKED THE CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 30, 2020
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A ~12" CRACK VERTICAL CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STATIONARY WHEN THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NO KNOWN PEBBLE, ROCK, OR DEBRIS WAS KNOWN TO HAVE STUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS A RELATIVELY LOUD "POP" SOUND AND THE CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM ABOUT HALFWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BLACK SECTION OF GLASS THAT SUPPORTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS (VISIBLE BUT LESS OBVIOUS IN THE PHOTO THAN THE CRACK THROUGH THE TRANSPARENT SECTION OF THE GLASS). THE VEHICLE WAS ~4 MONTHS OLD (PURCHASED NEW) AT THE TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES RANGED FROM ~15 TO 35 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED.
Visibility, Dec 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO DEVELOP A CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BASE SEVEN INCHES LONG, WITHOUT AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAMS SUBARU OF SAYRE (222 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT HIS INSURANCE PROVIDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.