2020 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 Outback years
The 2020 Subaru Outback ranks 2nd-worst of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 93, 897 complaints, and 6 recalls. Visibility & Wipers issues make up 43% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 30%. NHTSA lists a median failure mileage of 5,700 miles.
- Complaints
- 897
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 19 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2020 Subaru Outback problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers383 (43%)
- Electrical System267 (30%)
- Other153 (17%)
- Engine61 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras55 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain46 (5%)
- Structure & Body27 (3%)
- Lane Departure20 (2%)
- Airbags18 (2%)
- Brakes17 (2%)
What owners report
- Windshields crack unexpectedly near the rear-view mirror mount without any impact, sometimes accompanied by a loud cracking sound.
- Vehicles have unexpectedly lost engine starting ability, requiring repeated jump starts within days or weeks of each other.
- The automatic emergency brake or electronic parking brake has engaged without warning while the driver was pressing the accelerator, leading to being rear-ended.
- Airbags failed to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including a side-impact crash and a frontal crash with a truck.
- The backover prevention alert failed to sound during a reverse maneuver, resulting in a collision with a stationary object.
- Electronic power steering failure has caused sudden loss of steering control at highway speeds, leading to loss of vehicle control.
2020 Subaru Outback recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V227000Mar 22, 2024Airbags118,723 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 22V485000Jul 8, 2022Transmission & Powertrain182 vehicles
Power train:driveline:chain/belt
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.
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 21V955000Dec 9, 2021Transmission & Powertrain198,255 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
2020 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,375
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Subaru Outback reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Outback ranks 2nd-worst among 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 93 and 897 complaints, so it's rated Avoid relative to other Outback years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Outback?
- Visibility & Wipers issues account for 43% of complaints (383 complaints), and Electrical System problems account for 30% (267 complaints), according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Outback, covering airbags, transmission control unit programming, the fuel pump, collision avoidance software, and a brake pedal mounting bracket.
- How does the 2020 Outback compare to other years?
- The 2020 Outback's Complaint Index of 93 is close to the 2019 Outback's 100 and the 2017 Outback's 87, both also rated Avoid, while years like 2023 (index 0) and 2014 (index 7) are rated Best.