IllustrationFRONT WINDSHIELD HAS MULTIPLE PITS ON IT AFTER ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ROCKS HITTING IT. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND BARELY DRIVEN. THE CONCERN IS THAT THE WINDSHIELD WILL EVENTUALLY CRACK.
2020 Subaru Outback
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Outback years
Owner complaints for the 2020 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
3960–25K
3025–50K
1250–75K
275–100K
1100–150K
2150K+
443 reports with mileage · 453 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 313 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 258 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports7 fire reports4 injury reports
Visibility/wiper complaints
313 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH DURING A RAIN STORM, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A SMALL ROCK. THE CRACK EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET. THE LOCAL DEALER AUTO NATION SUBARU SCOTTSDALE LOCATED AT (15678 N. NORTHSIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE AZ) A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH DURING A RAIN STORM, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A SMALL ROCK. THE CRACK EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET. THE LOCAL DEALER AUTO NATION SUBARU SCOTTSDALE LOCATED AT (15678 N. NORTHSIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE AZ) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT LESS THAN 1800 MILES WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN HIGHWAY. AT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES, ANOTHER CRACK HAD DEVELOPED. BOTH CRACKS STARTED ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ARE TRAVELLING UP AND TO THE LEFT OF THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT.
NEW VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. FOUND LATE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD IN THE MORNING. NO KNOW CHIPS OR IMPACTS.
CAR HAD AROUND 6,000 MILES WHEN MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE MY CAR WAS SITTING IN MY HEATED GARAGE. NO HITS OR IMPACTS, JUST CRACKED. TOOK SUBARU AROUND A MONTH TO HELP ME AND THEN THEY INSTALLED IT IMPROPERLY AND I NEEDED TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK TO HAVE IT COMPLETED PROPERLY.
2020 OUTBACK WITH UNDER 6,000 MILES AND WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM THE UPPER RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE INTO THE MAIN VIEW ARE
WINDSHIELD IN MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK SEEMS TO BE MADE OF FAKE GLASS, SOFT OR THIN GLASS THAT IS EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROCK CHIPS AND GLASS BREAKAGE. HAVE HAD THE NEW SUBARU A LITTLE OVER A MONTH (2600 MILES) AND ALREADY HAVE HAD 3 ROCK CHIPS ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS LIKE EVEN THE SMALLEST PIECE OF ROCK CAUSES THE GLASS T…
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WINDSHIELD IN MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK SEEMS TO BE MADE OF FAKE GLASS, SOFT OR THIN GLASS THAT IS EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROCK CHIPS AND GLASS BREAKAGE. HAVE HAD THE NEW SUBARU A LITTLE OVER A MONTH (2600 MILES) AND ALREADY HAVE HAD 3 ROCK CHIPS ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS LIKE EVEN THE SMALLEST PIECE OF ROCK CAUSES THE GLASS TO CHIP. COMPARED TO MY OTHER 3 VEHICLES THESE ROCK CHIPS OCCUR MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY. IT HAPPENS WHEN FOLLOWING OR MEETING OTHER VEHICLES WHEN THE TIRES OF THOSE VEHICLES THROW UP SMALL ROCK PIECES. ALL 3 OCCURRENCES WERE WHILE DRIVING ON PAVED, 2 LANE HIGHWAYS. IT'S NOT JUST A CASE OF BAD LUCK AS MY 2016 SUBARU ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S FAKE GLASS. IT OBSTRUCTS VISION UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE ROCK CHIPS REPAIRED OR THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED.
MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD SMALL WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO REASON JUST AFTER 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASING. IT WAS NOT USING FOR SOME DAYS AND WAS IN MY APARTMENT PARKING LOT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR NO COST BUT IT LOOKS LIKE LOW QUALITY WINDSHIELD FITS ON THE CAR FROM FACTORY.
IN THE MORNING WE DISCOVERED A 10-INCH LONG CRACK IN OUR WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGE OVER 10 HOURS. WE FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM PRESUMING A ROCK HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD BUT NEITHER DRIVER RECALLED SUCH AN OCCURRENCE.
WINDSHIELD CRACK. HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AND 250 MILES. STARTED THE CAR WITH REMOTE, AND AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, NOTICED A CRACK AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 12" IN LENGTH. UPON INSPECTION, SAW AN AREA OF SMALL REFLECTIONS JUST BENEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER WHERE THE IN-GLASS DEFROSTING ELEMEN…
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WINDSHIELD CRACK. HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AND 250 MILES. STARTED THE CAR WITH REMOTE, AND AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, NOTICED A CRACK AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 12" IN LENGTH. UPON INSPECTION, SAW AN AREA OF SMALL REFLECTIONS JUST BENEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER WHERE THE IN-GLASS DEFROSTING ELEMENTS ARE LOCATED, THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THIS POINT IN TWO DIRECTIONS; ONE DOWN TO THE BASE OF THE GLASS, THE OTHER DIAGONALLY UPWARD. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALS NO CHIPPING OR ROUGHNESS ON THE EXTERIOR, THOUGH THE OUTER LAMINATION IS THE LAYER THAT IS CRACKED. THERE SEEMS TO BE A FLAW INTERNALLY FROM WHICH THE BREAK EMANATES. AS STATED EARLIER, THIS SIMPLY APPEARED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING AND THE CAR HAD BEEN STARTED WITH THE HEATER/DEFROSTER ON TO PRE-WARM THE INTERIOR. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD FROM A ROCK OR OTHER DEBRIS; IN FACT THE POINT WHERE THERE IS THE VISIBLE FLAW IS EXACTLY BENEATH THE WIPER IN THE RESTING POSITION; NO OBJECT COULD HAVE STRUCK THE GLASS THERE AS IT IS COVERED BY THE WIPER BLADE. PHOTOS SHOW THE OVERALL WINDSHIELD WITH THE WIPER RETRACTED AND A CLOSEUP THAT SHOWS THE POINT OF ORIGIN AND HORIZONTAL DEFROSTER ELEMENTS. WHEN REPORTED TO THE SELLING DEALER, THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THERE IS NO COVERAGE FOR GLASS, IN SPITE OF THE STATED 36 MONTH/30K MILE 'BUMPER-TO-BUMPER' WARRANTY. WE EXPLAINED AND SHOWED DEALER REPRESENTATIVES THAT THIS INSTANCE WAS CLEARLY NOT CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD BUT A SPONTANEOUS BREAK. THE CRACK HAS CONTINUED TO LENGTHEN WHILE WE WAIT FOR APPEALS TO REGIONAL SUBARU REPRESENTATIVES.
Official recalls
624V227000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
Mar 22, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
22V485000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt
Jul 8, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Consequence: 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.
21V955000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt
Dec 9, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:chain/belt
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Jul 29, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
20V766000 · Back Over Prevention:display Function
Dec 10, 2020
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software and, if necessary, replace the Cockpit Control Module, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-20.
19V664000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Sep 18, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.