Worst 2020 Subaru Outback Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Wipers & Visibility
Electrical Faults
Visibility:Windshield
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Subaru Outback.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wipers & Visibility | 313 | — | — | 7,356 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 251 | 3 | — | 8,607 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 64 | 1 | — | 21,342 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 45 | 3 | 2 | 8,683 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 41 | 2 | — | 21,971 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 28 | 4 | — | 6,274 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 26 | 2 | — | 8,800 mi | |
| Airbags | 18 | 3 | — | 16,352 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 18 | — | — | 13,375 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 17 | 5 | — | 3,167 mi | |
| Body Structure | 16 | — | — | 8,295 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 15 | — | — | 7,541 mi | |
| Brakes | 15 | 4 | 1 | 3,098 mi | |
| Fuel System | 12 | 2 | 2 | 3,417 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 12 | — | — | 8,053 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 12 | 2 | — | 7,200 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 8 | 1 | — | 6,558 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 5 | — | — | 32,567 mi | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | 96,411 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Backup Camera | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2020 Subaru Outback
6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~504,336 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia navigation. The August 2020 over-the-air software update may have timed out without completing the installation, corrupting the data, and causing the rearview display to shutoff intermittently. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
Other Subaru Outback Years
2020 Subaru Outback — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2020 Subaru Outback reliable?
What are common problems with the 2020 Subaru Outback?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Subaru Outback?
How safe is the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2020 Subaru Outback?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2020 Subaru Outback
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