CarModelProblems.com

2020 Subaru Outback Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Visibility/wiper — runs 6.9× the fleet median for that category across the 325 model-years tracked on this site.
891Complaints
6Recalls
19Crashes
7Fires
4Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Visibility/wiper (35.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Visibility/wiper complaints here are 6.9× the median for that category across the 325 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Visibility/wiper313 · 35.1%No official action
Electrical System251 · 28.2%No official action
Visibility:windshield64 · 7.2%No official action
Engine46 · 5.2%No official action
Power Train43 · 4.8%RecalledRecall 21V955000 · Recall 22V485000
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings28 · 3.1%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY/WIPER313 · 35.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM251 · 28.2%
Unspecified / other150 · 16.8%
ENGINE46 · 5.2%
POWER TRAIN43 · 4.8%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS28 · 3.1%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING26 · 2.9%
AIR BAGS18 · 2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL18 · 2%

Percentages are the share of the 891 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Back Over Prevention:display Function

NHTSA campaign 20V766000 · 2020 · reported 12/10/2020

The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 21V955000 · 2021 · reported 12/09/2021

An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 2021 · reported 07/29/2021

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

NHTSA campaign 19V664000 · 2019 · reported 09/18/2019

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 22V485000 · 2022 · reported 07/08/2022

An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

NHTSA campaign 24V227000 · 2024 · reported 03/22/2024

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON I NEVER SAW ANYTHING HIT IT OR NEVER HEARD ANYTHING HIT IT. IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AT THE…”NHTSA complaint 11340271 — filed 07/19/2020 · VISIBILITY/WIPER
“2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. CRACKER WINDSHIELD FROM A PEBBLE NICK. NOT A ROCK.”NHTSA complaint 11340229 — filed 07/19/2020 · VISIBILITY/WIPER
“I WENT INTO A STORE. WHEN I CAME OUT, THERE WAS A S SHAPED CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD, STARTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO CARS…”NHTSA complaint 11339051 — filed 07/13/2020 · VISIBILITY/WIPER

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2320192722020371202121720221192023722024392025152026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Outback?

Visibility/wiper issues are the most-reported category, cited in 313 of 891 NHTSA complaints (35.1%), followed by electrical system (251), unspecified/other issues (150), visibility:windshield (64). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2020 Subaru Outback have?

891 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V766000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2020 Subaru Outback's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.