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
899 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2021
Issue started at 8,000 miles. Dealership blames my driving habits (about 15 miles a day for the most part, with more on the weekends) and states there are no issues with the battery. Walmart. Autozone, etc. tests indicate faulty battery. I've been stranded countelss times until I purchased a portable starter. Before a software update that allowed me to disable the auto start/off function, I got stranded a few times in the middle of the road, having to get out in moving traffic to jump the car.
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2021
This is a new car and recently seemed to be having some mid software issues. However, when I went to start it this morning, it is completely dead with no battery power. It has been driven less than 12k miles and should not encounter this issues. I am aware there is a class action lawsuit related to faulty electrical systems in a range of years of this Subaru and I want to note this issue
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2021
The battery on my outback keeps draining. I’ve had the car for about 2 years and we are on out third battery.
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.
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2021
Shortly after purchasing the car in 2019 the battery died and the car was unable to be jumpstarted. It was towed to the dealership and the battery was replaced. It happened again in 2021 and the battery was replaced again. Then, when driving the car in October 2021 the car completely died at a stop light and was unable to turn on, turn on hazard lights or even put in park for 5 minutes, where it then started again. The car is very dangerous.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 29, 2021
windshield developed enlarging cracks; was worried the windshield would implode; independent service center examined and replaced; drove down ~1/4 mile winding dirt road to church meeting site in wooded area; after arrival I lowered driver front side window slightly to allow fresh air in car on warm day; did not notice any crack/breakage in windshield; upon starting the car when ready to return (~5 hours later) immediately noticed 2 cracks in windshield on driver side both about 6-8 inches above bottom; another smaller crack on far left side looked like impact; got out and could find nothing on car or ground around that would account for the breakage; both non-impact cracks grew an inch or two wider as I drove home
Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2021
Drove vehicle over a small bump in the road while driving less than 5 mph and a crack appeared on right center edge of windshield of approximately 3 inches ... Within 15 minutes the crack extended to across almost half the windshield. Vehicle has 11500 miles. When we notified Subaru, they stated it would not be covered under warranty.
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.
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2021
About 10 months ago, right after purchasing the vehicle, after only 12hrs of using it, the battery went completely dead and I had to call Road Side assistance and I was late for work. I thought it was just a glitch. Two months ago the same thing happened, missing another time at work. Last week after being away for month for work, upon return, the battery was yet dead again. We jumped started it and let it charge completely. Two days later, my wife was stranded in the middle of the night because the battery was dead again.
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2021
I purchased the car new in the fall of 2020. In May, the vehicle did not start and the battery had to be jumped in order to get it running. I purchased a portable battery charger to keep in the car so that I would not be stranded again. Over the summer there were numerous times where the car would not start and I had to jump it………I became an expert. Recently, it got to the point where I was jump starting it on a daily basis! The Subaru dealership in a Norwalk, CT. replaced the battery under warranty last week. The car has about 5k miles on it. It is my understanding that multiple Subaru Outback owners have had similar battery issues that have required early replacement. Thank you!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 25, 2021
We purchased a 2020 Subaru Outback on August 20, 2021. On September 20, 2021, the car was driven to work, there was no crack in the windshield, the car sat in a parking lot for approximately 8 hours; upon getting in the car after work a crack was noted on the lower portion of the windshield and was going across the middle of the windshield (approximately 3 inches up from the bottom and approximately 14 inches horizontal). There was no apparent reason for this crack.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2021
Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Crack initiated at the top of the windshield and formed a curve to turn horizontal. Total length of crack approx. 18 inches.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2021
Got into the car on Thursday, September 16th and there was a spiderwebbing crack in the lower center of the windshield. The car was parked the previous night with no crack and no incident of anything striking the windshield the previous day
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 20, 2021
I heard a pebble tap the windshield and I immediately saw a crack from the passenger side to the middle of the windshield. I just had the windshield replaced on 6 Aug 2021. It costs $600 just to calibrate the cameras. Then the cost of replacing the windshield. This isn't right. I've had plenty of vehicles and this is the worst windshield I have seen. The windshield didn't last 1600 miles. And this is the first time I have been back on the interstate since getting the windshield replaced in August. I am not happy and I think this is a safety hazard.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2021
Windshield crack
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 14, 2021
Crack windshield The windshield just crack during driving on the freeway.
Visibility, Sep 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound on the front windshield. The contact continued to drive but within an hour a crack had formed in the middle of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer where a glass company replaced the windshield. The contact stated several months later a small stone struck the base of the front shield and a huge crack developed from the bass to the center of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer where the windshield was previously replaced, and the windshield was replaced a second time. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2021
The car has had 3 windshields already replaced and the current windshield is broken and will need to be replaced. The car only had 9,800 miles on it. Afraid the visibility is greatly impacted. Several dealers have indicated that there are problems with the strength of the windshield on this auto/model. And the manufacturer has also implied that there may be issues. I am getting the dealership to inspect the windshield tomorrow (9/11/2021). I have not received any prior notification of windshield issues prior to current breakage. I first discovered the defective nature of the windshield on 9/9/2021. I have contacted independent repair shops to verify that this is not a sole incident and has occurred many times same makes and model.
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2021
BATTERY WAS COMPLETED DEAD AFTER SITTING FOR 2 WEEKS IN MY GARAGE. THE SUBARU 24 HOUR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CAME AND JUMPED THE CAR, AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT FOR 15 MINUTES. ONCE I TURNED OFF THE CAR, DID MY ERRANDS, AND RETURNED, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU REPLACED THE ENTIRE BATTERY. THIS CAR IS ONLY 15 MONTHS OLD WITH 3200 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT I WASN'T "DRIVING IT ENOUGH" -- BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC, WHERE WOULD I BE DRIVING? SHOULD A CAR THAT IS SO NEW EXPERIENCE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS ALREADY?
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.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2021
VIN [XXX] there is a problem with the electrical system. The auto will not keep the battery charged sufficiently to start the car reliably. The battery has enough power to illuminate the control panel of the vehicle, but it will not start the engine. Overnight, he battery drains to a point that it will not turn the engine over. The dealer had the car for about five hours to diagnose the cause of the discharge. They found no trouble with the electrical system and said the battery and alternator functioned normally. The dealer found no adverse electrical leaks causing the battery to discharge overnight. The dealer suggested that we weren't driving the vehicle enough. They sold and installed a trickle charge device to alleviate the problem. The trickle charger has not helped. Safety concerns: we have to jump start the car EVERY day. We have to remember to disable the auto stop/start option to prevent the car from shutting the engine off during idle while waiting for a stop light to change. On numerous occasions we must exit the vehicle, attach a jump start battery pack to the car's battery and start it as traffic is whizzing by. We have been in remote areas where mobile/cell service is unavailable to call for help and only because we have the jump start battery pack are we able to start the the car. The dealer was unable to reproduce or verify the trouble. They were only able to state there was no problem found. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else. No warning of any kind is exhibited leading to the trouble. This problem is a hazard. It puts the occupants in harms way if the car shuts off in traffic. Having to start the car in bad weather is another risk. This problem has been going on since January of 2021. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Visibility/wiper, Sep 7, 2021
Before driving I noticed a thin crack in the driver side lower part of windshield without hitting anything. - This is presumed to occur spontaneously. Consumer stated it is not a crack but a hard to remove substance and would like to remove the report.*JB