Owners have reported 18 crashes, 4 fires and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Outback. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints284
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the windshield cracking unexpectedly, often while the vehicle is parked and without any apparent impact. Complaints describe cracks initiating from various points on the windshield, with some forming curved or U-shaped patterns, and others extending horizontally or vertically. Many owners experience multiple windshield replacements within a short period, with some reporting up to four replacements in less than two years. These issues often occur without any preceding rock chip or debris impact, though some mention minor debris leading to significant cracks. Safety implications include impaired visibility and potential interference with the vehicle's automated systems, though no crashes or injuries are reported. The pattern of complaints suggests that these issues can arise at any time, regardless of driving conditions or mileage.
Owner complaints245
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, primarily involving recurrent battery failures. Complaints often describe the car not starting, batteries needing frequent replacement, and significant battery drainage, sometimes attributed to the Data Communications Module (DCM) or Starlink system. These issues are reported at various mileage ranges, often beginning as early as 25,000 miles and continuing beyond 60,000 miles. Safety implications include reports of vehicles stalling in traffic or failing to restart, with two incidents involving crashes. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential electrical system problems and the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints124
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with windshield cracking, often describing cracks that appear spontaneously or from minor impacts. Complaints indicate that these windshields are replaced multiple times, sometimes within months, and insurance limitations are a concern for some. Additionally, there are reports of the rear liftgate and sunroof malfunctioning, with the liftgate unexpectedly closing and the sunroof glass exploding. Safety implications include a reported fire under the hood, an incident involving unintended vehicle acceleration, and a malfunctioning rear liftgate that has caused minor injuries. These issues tend to emerge at various mileage points, with no specific pattern indicating a particular mileage range.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints70
VISIBILITY
Owners report frequent issues with the windshields of the 2020 Subaru Outback, with many describing cracks appearing without noticeable impact. These cracks often occur while the vehicle is parked or driving at various speeds, with some mentioning the windshield cracking due to minor impacts like small pebbles or even bird droppings. The failure mileage commonly ranges from 29,000 to 90,000 miles. One complaint involves a crash, though details are not extensively provided. Buyers should be aware of these recurring windshield issues, as they may necessitate repeated replacements and could pose visibility challenges.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints42
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the vehicle's power train, particularly related to the CVT transmission. Common symptoms include transmission slipping, unexpected shifting into neutral, and complete loss of propulsion, often without warning lights. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 21,000 miles and others around 90,000 miles. A few complaints involve crashes or near-miss incidents due to sudden loss of control, highlighting potential safety risks. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially concerning the transmission's reliability and the potential for costly repairs outside warranty coverage.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the airbag system, particularly involving the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and occupant detection sensors. Common symptoms include the illumination of airbag warning lights, failure of airbags to deploy during crashes, and persistent errors in the occupancy sensor, which can deactivate the passenger airbag. Several complaints highlight difficulties in obtaining parts for recall repairs, with some owners waiting over a year for resolution. Crashes are reported in two cases where airbags did not deploy, suggesting potential safety implications. These issues appear across various mileage ranges, with some occurring as early as 12,000 miles.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
ENGINE
Owners report several issues with the 2020 Subaru Outback's engine, primarily involving the Thermo Control Valve (TCV) and engine stalling. Complaints frequently mention TCV failures leading to safety feature shutdowns and potential engine overheating, often occurring around 30,000 to 90,000 miles. Stalling incidents are also noted, with multiple owners describing the vehicle suddenly losing power or failing to restart, sometimes accompanied by warning lights and engine shaking. One complaint involves unintended acceleration leading to a crash with injury. These issues highlight potential safety concerns and may require attention for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints12
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly involving the Eyesight driver assistance system and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). Common symptoms include unexpected deactivation of the Eyesight system, sometimes causing the vehicle to enter Limp Mode or disabling power steering, and AEB activating without cause, leading to sudden stops. These issues are often linked to software updates, with some owners experiencing continuous reboots of the infotainment system that disable safety features temporarily. Complaints often arise after approximately 6,500 miles and can persist up to 121,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of control or near-accidents due to unexpected braking or system failures. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly regarding software-related malfunctions that may affect safety systems.
Owner complaints12
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly involving electronic power steering failures and lane centering malfunctions. Symptoms commonly described include abrupt, uncommanded steering wheel movements, difficulty controlling the vehicle, and instances where steering becomes non-responsive, sometimes accompanied by a loss of other electronic systems. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 2,300 miles. Two complaints involve crashes, one due to a power steering failure leading to a loss of control, and another involving non-responsive steering during a turn in wet conditions. Potential buyers should be aware of these steering-related issues and the associated safety implications.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Outback report several issues with the service brakes, with a notable pattern of brake pedal failure where the pedal goes to the floor without stopping the vehicle. This has resulted in at least one crash in a low-speed situation. Another significant issue involves the electronic parking brake, with one owner reporting a fire originating from the rear brakes. Some complaints mention unintended braking, both while driving forward and in reverse, often linked to the vehicle's automatic emergency braking system. These incidents occur at varying mileage levels, with some as early as 1,860 miles, indicating potential early onset of these problems. Safety implications are present, including crashes and a fire, which are critical considerations for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
