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, Mar 11, 2021
MY OUTBACK WAS BOUGHT NEW LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE CAR BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE. MY CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 3,000 MILES ON IT, IT'S USED MOSTLY FOR CITY DRIVING. ONE MORNING MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN OUR DRIVEWAY, NOTHING WOULD TURN ON, SO WE JUMPED THE CAR BATTERY AND IT WORKED FINE THE REST OF THE DAY. WHEN THE CAR TURNED ON, NO LIGHTS WERE ON TO INDICATE THAT THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DRAINED DUE TO LIGHTS BEING KEPT ON. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AGAIN. WE JUMPED THE CAR AGAIN, BUT AFTER NOT BEING USED FOR SEVERAL HOURS THE CAR BATTERY WAS AGAIN COMPLETELY DEAD. WE ARE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT IT APPEARS THERE IS ALREADY A LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU FOR THE SAME THING HAPPENING IN OTHER 2016-2020 OUTBACKS.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 8, 2021
VEHICLE PARKED AT CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT FROM 2/27/21-3/5/21 DEVELOPED WINDSHIELD CRACK IN STATIONARY CONDITION WITH NO OBSERVABLE EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD OR CAR. LUCKILY THE CRACK IS MINOR AND DID NOT IMPAIR DRIVING BUT A FULL REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO AN ALMOST NEW PARKED CAR WITH NO NOTICEABLE DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 4, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MY SUBARU OUTBACK TODAY ON A CLEAN, CLEAR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH VERY FEW OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED, MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE CRACK ORIGINATED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER AND TRAVELLED UP AND TO THE LEFT.
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 3, 2021
MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS HAD A 2ND INCIDENT WITH A WINDSHIELD CRACK THAT DRAMATICALLY SPREAD MORE THAN A FOOT LONG ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD, STARTING FROM A PIN-NEEDLE-SIZED HOLE NEAR THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER, I.E., ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AROUND SPEED LIMIT WHEN A PEBBLE HIT IT, CAUSING THE TINY HOLE, WHICH ONLY ERUPTED INTO A HUGE CRACK AFTER I PARKED IT. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR EXACTLY 1 YEAR WHEN IT HAPPENED AND IT'S ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR LESS THAN 6,000 MILES. THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS THIN AND NOT DURABLE.
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2021
I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 OUTBACK ONYX XT IN FALL 2019. IT GENERALLY HAD NO ISSUES AND RAN FINE WITH NORMAL DRIVING (EG DRIVING TO WORK AND ERRANDS EVERY DAY OR TWO). FALL OF 2020 (CAR AROUND 10,000 MILES) THE CAR RANDOMLY WAS FULLY DEAD (COULDN'T UNLOCK DOORS OR START THE ENGINE) ONE MORNING AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN NORMALLY ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE. I JUMP STARTED THE CAR, DROVE IT FOR AN HOUR, AND THE BATTERY SEEMINGLY DID NOT CHARGE - THE CAR DIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND IT COULD NOT BE LOCKED/UNLOCKED/STARTED/ETC. THE CAR WAS JUMP STARTED AGAIN AND BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A FAULTY BATTERY UNIT WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR THEN WORKED NORMALLY UNTIL EARLY 2021, WHEN THE ISSUE REPEATED ITSELF - FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE CAR DIED, AFTER HAVING WORKED FINE THE DAY OR TWO BEFORE (I.E. IT WASN'T LEFT UNDRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME). IT WAS JUMP STARTED, BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER, AND SAME DIAGNOSIS/FIX - BATTERY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ONE WEEK LATER, THE ISSUE REPEATED ITSELF. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AND THE DEALER DID MORE DIAGNOSES AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS IN AN ON POSITION (ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT ITSELF WAS OFF) - THEY TRIED TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE WITH LEAVING THE LIGHT ON CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE OVERNIGHT. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. MOST RECENTLY, AROUND ONE WEEK LATER - MARCH 1 2021 - THIS ISSUE REPEATED FOR A FOURTH TIME. I WAS SPECIFICALLY CAREFUL THAT NO LIGHT SWITCHES WERE EVER LEFT ON AND THE CAR HAD WORKED FINE THE DAY PRIOR TO IT HAVING BEEN UNABLE TO START, AND AM AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS FROM SUBARU FOR NEXT STEPS. CLEARLY IT IS NOT SIMPLY A "BAD BATTERY" AS THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE CAR (WHICH IS UNDER WARRANTY) AND MAKE IT USEABLE FOR NORMAL DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 2, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT MY RESIDENCE. I GOT SOMETHING OUT OF MY GLOVE BOX AND IT WAS FINE. I WENT BACK AN HOUR LATER TO PUT THE ITEM BACK AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2021
LAST SUNDAY MORNING I DISCOVERED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AS I GOT INTO THE CAR. CRACK APPEARED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WAS NOT THERE THE DAY BEFORE WHEN CAR WAS LAST DRIVEN. CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT OR OBVIOUS REASON. WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING.
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 27, 2021
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A PROGRESSIVE CRACK FROM EDGE ON PASSENGER SIDE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE ON FRIDAY, 2/26/2021 AT THE END OF THE DAY. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT ON SATURDAY MORNING, 2/27/2021 THERE WAS A 6-8 INCH CRACK. THE CRACK HAS CONTINUED TO SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR DID ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 26, 2021
HAIRLINE CRACK IN WINDSHEILD
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2021
I PURCHASED MY 2020 OUTBACK IN MAY 2020. IN FEBRUARY 2021, I HAD ABOUT 5400 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN THE BATTERY SEEMED TO DIE. ADMITTEDLY THE TEMPERATURES WERE COLD AND THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE FOR 48 HOURS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. I WAS UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY JUMPSTART THE CAR WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO DO SO ONE WEEK LATER. THE TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS IN THE UPPER 20S. I TRIED AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40. I SUCCESSFULLY JUMPSTARTED IT THAT DAY AND I LET IT IDLE FOR 20 MINUTES. THE NEXT MORNING, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN SO I HAD TO JUMPSTART IT ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME I IDLED IT FOR 20 MINUTES IN THE MORNING AND 20 MINUTES IN THE AFTERNOON (IT STARTED WITHOUT A JUMP IN THE AFTERNOON). THE NEXT MORNING IT ONCE AGAIN REQUIRED JUMPSTARTING. I LET IT IDLE FOR 20 MINUTES IN THE MORNING AND ANOTHER 20 MINUTES IN THE AFTERNOON (ONCE AGAIN JUMPSTARTING IN THE AFTERNOON WAS NOT NECESSARY). FINALLY, IT STARTED ON ITS OWN THE NEXT MORNING AND I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID EVERYTHING WITH THE BATTERY AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FINE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I AM NOT CONVINCED ABOUT THIS IN LIGHT OF PROBLEMS WITH 2017-2019 OUTBACK BATTERY FAILURES.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR DAY AND NOTHING SEEMED TO HAVE HIT THE WINDOW
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2021
MY CAR IS LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD AND ONLY HAS 3200 MILES. THE BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE IN THAT TIME AND NEEDED TO BE JUMPED. LAST TIME WAS FEB 23 2021
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2021
NEED IMO SHE SCHEME
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 22, 2021
RETURNED TO CAR FOUND FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NO EVENT OCCURRED TO MY RECOLLECTION TO CAUSE THIS
Visibility/wiper, Feb 20, 2021
DROVE CAR ON WEDNESDAY (2/17/21) AND PARKED IN MY GARAGE. WENT TO DRIVE CAR ON FRIDAY AND SAW I HAD AN L SHAPED CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM PASSENGER PILLAR ACROSS AND DOWN THE WINDSHIELD. NO DING IS FELT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 20, 2021
WITHIN 12 HOURS OF HAVING THE CAR, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR SEEMINGLY NO REASON. NO ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD NOR WAS I USING AIR CONDITIONING OR THE HEATER. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS ABOUT 65F. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 19, 2021
AUTO ON-OFF FUNCTION SHUTS OFF ENGINE WHEN VEHICLE STOPS IN TRAFFIC FOR ANY REASON. THE ENGINE IS TO RESTART WHEN DRIVER STEPS ON ACCELERATOR...HOWEVER THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. MANY TIMES THE ENGINE FAILS TO START WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THE ACCELERATOR NEEDS MORE PRESSURE. WHEN THE ENGINE DOES FINALLY START THE CAR LEAPS FORWARD SINCE IT IS STILL IN FORWARD GEAR. THIS FORWARD LEAP IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE ITHE LEAP IS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. MOST DRIVERS TURN OFF THIS FUNCTION HOWEVER THE DRIVER TURN OFF SELECTION IS VOIDED ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER MUST REMEMBER TO CANCEL THIS AURO-OFF FUNCTION EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED SUBARU HAS RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FUNCTION AND HAS DECIDED TO RELOCATE THE OFF-ON ICON TO A FRONT SCREEN RATHER THAN THE PREVIOUS 3RD SCREEN. THE CORRECT FIX WOULD SEEM TO BE ONCE THE DRIVER SELECTS TO SHUT OFF THIS FUNCTION IT SHOULD NOT OVERRIDE THE OFF SELECTION UNLESS INITATED BY THE DRIVER. ONCE I SHUT OFF MY RADIO IT STAYS OFF UNTIL TIRNED ON AGAIN. SUBARU SERVICE PROGRAM WRI-20 JANURARY 2021
Visibility/wiper, Feb 18, 2021
WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING FROM BELOW THE WIPE TRIM AND KEEPS CRACKING. WAS DRIVING UP DONNER SUMMIT HWY 80. TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. TEMPERATURE IN 20'S ELEVATION GAIN TO NEAR 6500 FEET. SOME SLEET SNOW WIPERS IN USE. NOTICED CRACK AFTER STORM CLEARED. CRACK HAPPENED FROM NO KNOWN IMPACT. DIDN'T HEAR ANY ROCK IMPACT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. ONE MORNING AS I WAS GETTING IN THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED A CRACK HAD APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD ORIGINATING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDING UP AND TO THE CENTER ABOUT A FOOT.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 17, 2021, crash
ON TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY, 2021 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM PICKING MY TWO CHILDREN UP FROM SCHOOL (AGE 4 AND 6). AS I APPROACHED THE DRIVE WAY THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY TO ALLOW ME TO TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, BUT SUDDENLY THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH MY CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL STEERING BUT REGARDLESS OF MY FOOT PRESSING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THANKFULLY, INSTALLED IN THE CEMENT WAS A ROGUE R3 WEIGHT RACK THAT WAS BOLTED INTO THE CEMENT AT FOUR LOCATIONS. THE CAR PROCEEDED FORWARD UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE WEIGHT RACK, A MERE 3 FEET FROM OUR HVAC SYSTEM AND THE HOME STRUCTURE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. IF THE WEIGHT RACK DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE MYSELF AND MY TWO CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY INJURED, NOT TO MENTION, IF MY HUSBAND OR TWO SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE GARAGE AT THE TIME, THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY RESULTED IN DEATH. MY AIR BOGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE AUTO COLLISION SAFETY MECHANISM FAILED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY IN HOPES TO KEEP THIS AS A FAMILY VEHICLE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, PRIMARY REASON FOR PURCHASE WAS SAFETY. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. MY VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO RPM PERFORMANCE IN BURLINGTON WASHINGTON FOR INSPECTION. LATER, BROUGHT TO DWAYNE LANES SUBARU (PURCHASE LOCATION) FOR INSPECTION. FINDINGS WERE THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED AND DRIVER IS AT FAULT. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. DANGEROUSLY UNSAFE AND THIS MUST BE MADE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS AND POTENTIAL DEATHS.
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2021
BATTERY DRAIN, SEEMS TO BE UNDIAGNOSABLE. QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOW LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
Visibility, Feb 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER CANNON SUBARU (5212 FLORIDA AVE S, LAKELAND, FL 33813, (888) 450-8918) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,567.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 14, 2021
WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK, THAT I THOUGHT WAS WEIRD AS I DIDN'T HEAR A ROCK, BUT A CRACK. I SAW THAT 2020 SUBARU OUTBACKS HAD A LAWSUIT FOR DEFECT. I FOUND OUT WEEKS AFTER I MADE AN INSURANCE CLAIM TO HAVE MY WINDSHIELD FIXED. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 12, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING.