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.
Visibility, Feb 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED GLASSMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (28000 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034, (888) 451-0949) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,133. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD AND THEN IT CRACKED.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2021
CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN AUG 2020. I HAD A NORMAL 6 MONTH SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY FEB 8, 2021. ON SUNDAY FEB 7, 2021 CAR WOULDN'T START. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY CAME TO MY HOME AND USED A BATTERY STARTER TO JUMP START THE CAR. I LET THE CAR RUN FOR 30 MINUTES TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR STARTED FINE SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SCHEDULED SERVICE APPOINTMENT. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED THE DAY BEFORE. WHEN THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETE I WAS TOLD THAT THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT FINE. REFER TO ITEM #5 ON ATTACHED SERVICE REPORT. I DROVE THE CAR HOME. ON WEDNESDAY FEB 10, 2021 I TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT IT WOULDN'T START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME TO MY HOME AND JUMP STARTED THE CAR. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOK FOR A PROBLEM. THE DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND, WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR STANDING NEXT TO THE CAR, TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I'VE SINCE LOOK INLINE FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND HAVE FOUND THAT LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST SUBARU REGARDING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. SEE PAGE #1 OF ATTACHED MAGAZINE ARTICLE.
Electrical system, Feb 10, 2021
CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY IS DEAD. WE DROVE IT MONDAY AND IT WAS FINE. WE DID NOT USE LIGHTS AND MADE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OFF. TODAY, IT WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WAS DEAD!
Visibility/wiper, Feb 7, 2021
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, WHEN WE STARTED TO HEAR A CRACKLING SOUND. SOON AFTER, WE WATCHED THE WINDSHIELD START TO CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CRACK CONTINUED TO SPREAD, AND BY THE TIME WE RETURNED HOME, THE CRACK EXTENDED FURTHER. WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 61 MPH WHEN THE CRACK STARTED, NO TURNS OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT THE TIME THE CRACK APPEARED. THIS HAPPENED ON OUR 2020 OUTBACK TOURING WITH 2,300 MILES, THAT WE PURCHASED OCTOBER 2020.
Visibility, Feb 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING HIS SON'S VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT A LARGE HORIZONTAL CRACK HAD FORMED FROM THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TO THE BOTTOM PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND THE CRACK HAD FORMED WITHOUT IMPACT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED DON MILLER SUBARU WEST (5822 ODANA RD, MADISON, WI 53719; (608) 442-3200) AND WAS INFORMED TO START THE VEHICLE MORE FREQUENTLY SO THAT THE BATTERY WOULD RECHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
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.
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2021
I'VE HAD RECURRING ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DYING. I'VE REPORTED PREVIOUS ISSUES ON HERE TO SHOW THAT IT IS RECURRING. I DON'T DRIVE THAT OFTEN BECAUSE I'M WORKING REMOTELY RIGHT NOW BUT DROVE 90 MILES IN A SINGLE TRIP ON FRIDAY, JAN. 22. ON SATURDAY, JAN. 23 MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T START BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I NOW CARRY A BATTERY JUMPER BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS ISSUES SO I JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE ABOUT 50 MILES. ON SUNDAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE SO I DROVE MY 90 MILE RETURN TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT USED MUCH BUT I MADE SURE IT WOULD START EACH DAY AND TOOK A SHORT TRIP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK. YESTERDAY, FEBRUARY 2, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. INSTEAD OF JUMPING IT, I'M GOING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN TROUBLESHOOT. THEY HAVE TROUBLESHOOTED IT TWICE BEFORE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE BATTERY DRAIN. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE IN THE OFF POSITION AND I HAVE NOT USED ANYTHING BUT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHICH I MADE SURE IS CLOSED AND LOCKED UPON EXITING. I HAVE A CLAIM GOING WITH SUBARU CONSUME AFFAIRS. THIS WEEK THE LOWS WILL BE IN THE NEGATIVE NUMBERS AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO STAND OUTSIDE AND JUMP MY OWN VEHICLE IN THAT WEATHER BECAUSE OF A FAULTY BATTER/ALTERNATOR/LEMON VEHICLE.
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.
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2021
THE BATTERY DIED WITH ONLY ABOUT 6500 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CAR WAS LAST DRIVEN 48 HOUR AGO. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WARM GARAGE SINCE IT WAS LAST DRIVEN.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON AS IT WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2021
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED IN A SAFE LOCATION (DRIVEWAY).
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE GARAGE WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY. NOTHING PHYSICALLY DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENED TWICE ON MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AS WELL. I SEE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PLACE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET ADDED AS THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2021
INFOTAINMENT CENTER SCREENS BLACK OUT OR DON'T WORK AT ALL. DEALER HAS DONE TWO UPDATES ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2021
WINDOW MOTORS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. GET STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION OR WHEN ROLLING DOWN WILL POP BACK UP AND DOWN BEFORE GETTING STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAVE HAD ONE MOTOR ON DRIVER SIDE REPLACED AND AM NOW NEEDING THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH PASSENGER SIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 27, 2021
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON DRIVERS SIDE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NO OBJECTS HIT VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2021
MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD AND HAS JUST OVER 15,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST MONTH, THE BATTERY HAS DIED 4 TIMES CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED. THE CAUSE OF THE BATTERY DYING IS VERY MINOR ELECTRICAL USAGE WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, RESULTING IN THE CAR NOT STARTING.
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
Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2021
SUBARU SHOWS A RECALL, YOU DON'T. FROM SUBARU SITE: HTTPS://WWW.SUBARU.COM/VEHICLE-RECALLS.HTML/VIN=[XXX] ----- YEAR: 2020 VEHICLE: OUTBACK MODEL: LIMITED XT TYPE: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION| SERVICE CAMPAIGN: WRI20| NHTSA CAMPAIGN: N/A CP1 SOFTWARE UPGRADE OPEN INCOMPLETE DECEMBER 11, 2020 SCHEDULE SERVICES DESCRIPTION IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SUBARU) IS INITIATING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR CERTAIN 2020-2021 MODEL YEAR LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES TO UPDATE THE COCKPIT CONTROL MODULE (CCM) SOFTWARE TO THE LATEST VERSION. SAFETY RISK THIS CONDITION IS NOT SAFETY RELATED. REMEDY SUBARU RETAILERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CCM SOFTWARE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 17, 2021
WHEN APPLE CARPLAY IS BEING USED, THE MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY HAS FROZEN SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT FREEZES, THE RESETS ITSELF TO A BLACK SCREEN. ONCE IT RESETS TO A BLACK SCREEN, THE EYESIGHT IS DISABLED AND RAB (REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING) IS DISABLED. I HAVE HAD A MOMENT WHERE THE SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND BOTH THINGS WERE DISABLED FOR OVER 15 MINUTES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. UNTIL THE MOMENT I TURNED OFF THE CAR DID IT STOP SHOWING THE ISSUE BUT THIS WASN'T THE FIRST INSTANCE OF IT HAPPENING. THE MOMENT I DO NEED THE EYESIGHT WOULD BE TOO LATE SINCE IT'S DISABLED. I'VE RECORDED SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THIS HAPPENING AND I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TELL ME NOTHING CAN BE DONE SINCE THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND THAT THE VIDEO RECORDING IS "HYPOTHETICAL." I'VE UPLOADED SOME OF THE VIDEOS I'VE RECORDED ONTO YOUTUBE FOR YOU TO CHECK AND VERIFY. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CHANNEL/UCNA9Z1X9ITGGUPUO_AL_BLG
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.