YearToAvoid

2020 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 17 brake complaints for the 2020 Subaru Outback, 2% of that year's 897 total complaints, with 4 crashes and 1 fire reported. A related recall (19V664000) covers a brake pedal mounting bracket with a missing or loose bolt.

Brakes complaints
17
2% of 897
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
1,596 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the electronic parking brake engaging on its own or failing to release, in one case leaving the vehicle stranded in snow.
  • Some describe the electronic parking brake warning light cycling on and off, followed by a rear brake catching fire.
  • Several drivers say the brake pedal went to the floor or could not be located while braking at speed, resulting in collisions.
  • Others report unintended automatic braking while backing up, sometimes linked to interference from an aftermarket bike rack with the rear sonar sensors.
  • A few complaints mention a cracking noise from the front or rear suspension/brake area when driving over small bumps.
  • Median mileage at failure across these complaints was 1,595.5 miles.

When 2020 Subaru Outback brake complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 30, 2019, latest Sep 11, 2025.

2020 Subaru Outback brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2019Jul 2020Oct 2020Feb 2022Dec 2022Nov 2023Jun 2025
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Sep 2025; peak Apr 2020 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2020 Subaru Outback

  1. NHTSA 19V664000Sep 18, 2019Brakes3,467 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: 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.

Brakes complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201040 (11%)
  2. 201184 (13%)
  3. 201241 (14%)
  4. 201333 (11%)
  5. 201424 (12%)
  6. 201531 (6%)
  7. 201622 (3%)
  8. 201728 (3%)
  9. 201821 (3%)
  10. 201925 (2%)
  11. 202017 (2%)
  12. 20218 (3%)
  13. 202211 (2%)
  14. 20237 (8%)
  15. 20244 (4%)
  16. 20256 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2020 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 17 brake-related complaints for the 2020 Outback, which is 2% of the 897 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Yes. Recall 19V664000 covers 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles with a brake pedal mounting bracket that may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt. Dealers inspect and replace the hardware as needed.
Did the 2020 Outback brake problems cause crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 4 crashes and 1 fire among the reported brake complaints for the 2020 Outback, with 0 injuries reported.
At what mileage do brake problems typically appear on the 2020 Outback?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 1,595.5 miles, indicating many issues surfaced early in ownership.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.