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
What owners actually said
896 reports
8,200 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Electrical SystemStructure
WHILE INTERACTING WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF, I HAD ACCIDENTLY TRIGGERED THE "HANDS-FREE POWER REAR GATE" FEATURE AND THE GATE BEGAN TO OPEN. RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THE TAIL GATE TO FULLY OPEN, I GENTLY PUSHED THE REAR TAIL GATE AGAINST THE AUTOMATIC OPENING BACK INTO THE CLOSED POSITION. AT THIS POI…
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WHILE INTERACTING WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF, I HAD ACCIDENTLY TRIGGERED THE "HANDS-FREE POWER REAR GATE" FEATURE AND THE GATE BEGAN TO OPEN. RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THE TAIL GATE TO FULLY OPEN, I GENTLY PUSHED THE REAR TAIL GATE AGAINST THE AUTOMATIC OPENING BACK INTO THE CLOSED POSITION. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR BEEPED AT ME THREE TIMES AND THE REAR TAIL GATE WOULD NO LONGER LATCH ITSELF CLOSED, EVEN WHEN CLOSED MANUALLY. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE TAIL GATE UNSECURED, IT WOULD OPEN ITSELF WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE LATCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND HOLD IT CLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #11374900
3,000 miles · Nov 13, 2020
Unknown Or Other
EXCESSIVE CRACKING OF WINDSHIELD. CAR IS TWO MONTHS OLD AND WOKE UP ONE MORNING TO AN EIGHT INCH CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE MIDDLE. THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK WAS HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #11374582
3,000 miles · Nov 12, 2020
Visibility/wiper
NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 3K MILES. WAS DRIVING HOME AT ~50MPH ON FREEWAY, A SMALL (1 CM) ROCK HIT UPPER WINDSHIELD AND MADE A SMALL CHIP. THE CHIP THEN SUDDENLY PROPAGATED TO A FOOT-LONG CRACK RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD SHATTER. PROPERLY MANU…
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NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 3K MILES. WAS DRIVING HOME AT ~50MPH ON FREEWAY, A SMALL (1 CM) ROCK HIT UPPER WINDSHIELD AND MADE A SMALL CHIP. THE CHIP THEN SUDDENLY PROPAGATED TO A FOOT-LONG CRACK RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD SHATTER. PROPERLY MANUFACTURED WINDSHIELD SHOULD CHIP, NOT SHATTER.
NHTSA ODI #11374228
1,999 miles · Nov 11, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK XT IN MARCH. IT WAS THE LAST SPECIAL ORDER FROM AUTO NATION BEFORE THEY SHUT DOWN FOR COVID. I DROVE IT VERY LITTLE AS WE WERE BASICALLY HOME BOUND AND THEN FOR SHOPPING, GOLF AND MEETINGS. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER AND I HAVE UNDER TWO THOUSAND MILES DRIVEN. THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD ON SEPTEMBER …
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I BOUGHT A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK XT IN MARCH. IT WAS THE LAST SPECIAL ORDER FROM AUTO NATION BEFORE THEY SHUT DOWN FOR COVID. I DROVE IT VERY LITTLE AS WE WERE BASICALLY HOME BOUND AND THEN FOR SHOPPING, GOLF AND MEETINGS. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER AND I HAVE UNDER TWO THOUSAND MILES DRIVEN. THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD ON SEPTEMBER 17TH AND NOW AGAIN ON NOVEMBER 10TH. IT DIED BOTH TIMES INSIDE MY GARAGE AND THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR WAS THE ONLY THING TO OPEN. IT DID JUMP AND WORK IN BETWEEN THOSE DATES. I AM NOW READING ABOUT ALL THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS AND BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE OUTBACK. SUBARU SUGGESTED THAT I NEEDED TO DRIVE MY CAR EVERY DAY TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING. THAT IS A LUDICROUS IDEA AND SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO WITH ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. I HAVE A CVT 2.4 ENGINE WITH A TURBO. EVERY TIME THE BATTERY DIES ALL THE LOADED INFORMATION LIKE BLUETOOTH, ETC. IS ALSO GONE.
NHTSA ODI #11374180
2,300 miles · Nov 10, 2020
Electrical System
NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD. ONLY 2300 MILES ON VEHICLE. CAR WAS LAST DRIVEN ON SUNDAY. WOULD NOT START ON TUESDAY EVENING. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DEAD.
NHTSA ODI #11374064
3,600 miles · Nov 10, 2020
Electrical System
MY CAR BATTERY HAS DIED THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY THE SECOND DAY BUT BATTERY DIED AGAIN OVERNIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11373916
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2020
Unknown Or Other
WINDSHIELD CRACK. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 3500 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A WINDSHIELD CRACK WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE!! I GOT IN THE CAR AND NOTICED BY THE DRIVER SIDE AN UPSIDE DOWN "L".
NHTSA ODI #11372740
3,500 miles · Nov 2, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WE DISCOVERED A CRACK IN OUR SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD. THERE IS NO SIGN OF A CHIP FROM A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, JUST A CRACK. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 4,00 MILES ON IT. THE OUTBACK WAS IN THE GARAGE WHEN DISCOVERED. WE HAD IT REPAIRED ON OCTOBER 28 2020. WHILE GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD I CAME AC…
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WE DISCOVERED A CRACK IN OUR SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD. THERE IS NO SIGN OF A CHIP FROM A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, JUST A CRACK. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 4,00 MILES ON IT. THE OUTBACK WAS IN THE GARAGE WHEN DISCOVERED. WE HAD IT REPAIRED ON OCTOBER 28 2020. WHILE GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL SITES DISCUSSING SUBARU CRACKED WINDSHIELDS AND A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11372693
9,700 miles · Nov 2, 2020
Visibility/wiper
MY WINDSHIELD RECEIVED TWO VERY MINOR CHIPS AT THE TOP OF DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN HOURS A CRACK APPEARED FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE CHIPS, WHICH MEASURES AT LEAST 17' ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD FROM TOP TO MIDDLE. THE CRACK APPEARED WHILE DRIVING ON I 25 IN NM IN LIGHT TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #11372660
11,400 miles · Nov 1, 2020
Visibility/wiper
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ABOUT 10 INCHES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT HAPPENED.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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