2020 Subaru Outback Fuel System Problems
NHTSA lists 15 Fuel System complaints for the 2020 Subaru Outback, about 2% of its 897 total complaints for the year. A related recall (21V587000) covers a low-pressure fuel pump that may fail, and reported issues involve stalling, hesitation, and one fire, with a median failure mileage of 4,650 miles.
- Fuel System complaints
- 15
- 2% of 897
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 4,650 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical fuel system symptoms owners report
- Vehicle hesitates or feels like it wants to stop when driving between 50 and 70 mph, with no warning lights, and the issue does not reproduce for dealers.
- Engine stalls suddenly at low speed or while stopped in an intersection, sometimes requiring a tow and restart attempts that fail for hours.
- Vehicle stalls in hot weather at low speed and will not restart until the engine cools, which owners describe as possible vapor lock or a faulty fuel pump.
- Fuel dispenser auto-shutoff triggers early, causing fuel to spray back and run down the side of the vehicle during fill-up.
- Car stalls in traffic with the engine cranking but not starting, later linked by the owner to a fuel pump replacement.
- One owner reported a fire originating under the front of the vehicle with no prior warning lights or messages.
When 2020 Subaru Outback fuel system complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 21, 2020, latest Jul 21, 2026.
Fuel System recalls for the 2020 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System175,968 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel System complaints by Outback model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. Recall 21V587000, reported July 29, 2021, covers a low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank that may fail; dealers replace the pump free of charge.
- How many fuel system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2020 Outback?
- NHTSA lists 15 Fuel System complaints for the 2020 Outback, which is about 2% of the 897 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure among reported fuel system complaints for the 2020 Outback is 4,650 miles.
- Are the fuel system issues dangerous?
- NHTSA data tied to this area for the 2020 Outback includes 2 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury, though not all listed crash/fire records were filed under the Fuel System component specifically.
- Is the 2020 Outback worse than other years for fuel system complaints?
- The 2020 Outback's 15 complaints (2% share) is lower than the 2018 model year's 46 complaints (6% share), suggesting 2020 is not the peak year for this issue.