IllustrationWINDSHIELD CHIPPED VERY EASILY
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD DOWN PAST THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I WAS HIT BY NO ROCKS OR ANY DEBRIS.
I PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK ONE WEEK AGO (JAN 30, 2020) TODAY I HAVE 700 MILES AND AFTER HEARING OF CHARGES AGAINST SUBARU FOR PRODUCING DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS I INSPECTED MINE AND I NOTICED A 2' LONG WINDSHIELD CRACK ON LOWER DRIVERS SIDE. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY SPREAD LATER TO IMPEDE MY VISION, BUT WANTED TO GO ON RE…
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I PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK ONE WEEK AGO (JAN 30, 2020) TODAY I HAVE 700 MILES AND AFTER HEARING OF CHARGES AGAINST SUBARU FOR PRODUCING DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS I INSPECTED MINE AND I NOTICED A 2' LONG WINDSHIELD CRACK ON LOWER DRIVERS SIDE. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY SPREAD LATER TO IMPEDE MY VISION, BUT WANTED TO GO ON RECORD THAT THIS DEFECT EXISTS.
CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE WITH NO CRACK IN THE WINDOW CAME OUT IN THE MORNING AND WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT COVERUNDER WARRANTY.
CAR HAS ~1000 MILES. THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO CHIPS OR IMPACT. CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. JUST WOKE UP ONE MORNING AND NOTICED IT WAS CRACKED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU CARS. MULTIPLE REPORTS AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS.
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FOR NO REASON. WHEN RETURNING HOME, NOTICED A 15 INCH CRACK RISING FROM THE LOWER PASSENGER-SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD, RISING UNDER THE WIPERS AND TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PARKED OUTDOORS UNDER OVERCAST SKIES (NOT HOT), AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO T…
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THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FOR NO REASON. WHEN RETURNING HOME, NOTICED A 15 INCH CRACK RISING FROM THE LOWER PASSENGER-SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD, RISING UNDER THE WIPERS AND TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PARKED OUTDOORS UNDER OVERCAST SKIES (NOT HOT), AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. (NOR DO I RECALL ANY WINDSHIELD IMPACTS AT ANY TIME SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR) THE CRACK SIMPLY APPEARED. IT WAS NOT PRESENT 10 MINUTES PRIOR WHEN MY SON GOT INTO THE CAR.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM BENEATH THE WIPER BLADE UP ABOUT 12-15 INCHES. VERY SMALL CHIP ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ALONG THE CRACK. DO NOT REMEMBER BEING HIT BY DEBRIS. EVEN SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SMALL PEBBLE AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. SEEMS EXTR…
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WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE FROM BENEATH THE WIPER BLADE UP ABOUT 12-15 INCHES. VERY SMALL CHIP ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ALONG THE CRACK. DO NOT REMEMBER BEING HIT BY DEBRIS. EVEN SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SMALL PEBBLE AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. SEEMS EXTREMELY WEAK. NOT SURE IF THE NEW 2020 OUTBACKS HAVE THE SAME WINDSHIELD ISSUE AS THE 2017-2019 BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES WITH MANY OTHER CONSUMERS AND THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST SUBARU FOR THIS REASON.
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. ON 12/30/2020 MY WIFE AND I DROVE UP INTO MOUNTAINS TO SPEND NEW YEARS EVE CAMPING. ASCENT WAS 6000+ FEET WITH A SHARP TEMPERATURE CHANGE. TWO CRACKS APPEARED BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEN JOINED INTO ONE AND SPREAD FURTHER UP THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK SEEMED TO OCCUR SHORTLY AFTER TURNING O…
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WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. ON 12/30/2020 MY WIFE AND I DROVE UP INTO MOUNTAINS TO SPEND NEW YEARS EVE CAMPING. ASCENT WAS 6000+ FEET WITH A SHARP TEMPERATURE CHANGE. TWO CRACKS APPEARED BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEN JOINED INTO ONE AND SPREAD FURTHER UP THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK SEEMED TO OCCUR SHORTLY AFTER TURNING ON THE DEFROST FUNCTION. WE NOTICED THE CRACK WHILE STOPPED. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK THE CAR TO OUR DEALER, BOB BAKER SUBARY IN CARLSBAD, CA, BUT THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRACK. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS FROM A ROCK AND HE COULD TELL BECAUSE HE HAS 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. YET HE FAILED TO ASK A SINGLE QUESTION OF WHEN, WHERE OR HOW IT OCCURRED.
THE CAR WAS PARKED ON 12/28.2019 IN PERFECT CONDITION AS NEW. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AT 11:50AM ON 12/29/2019 IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED OVERNIGHT. THE CRACK IS 24 INCHES IN LENGTH AND RUNS FROM THE BOTTOM DRIVERS SIDE UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER HEADING IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION THEN TURNS TO…
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THE CAR WAS PARKED ON 12/28.2019 IN PERFECT CONDITION AS NEW. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AT 11:50AM ON 12/29/2019 IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED OVERNIGHT. THE CRACK IS 24 INCHES IN LENGTH AND RUNS FROM THE BOTTOM DRIVERS SIDE UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER HEADING IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION THEN TURNS TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT AN ELEVATION OF ONE THIRD THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I HAVE BEEN EXCLUSIVELY THE SOLE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE FOR ALL OF ITS 2260 MILES. THE WINDSHIELD HAS NEVER BEEN STRUCK BY AN OBJECT.THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME ON 10/31/2019.
POOR REAR CAMERA VISIBILITY, LEADING ME TO NEARLY HIT GAS PUMPS
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.