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
12,000 miles · Sep 24, 2020
Visibility/wiper
A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FOR NO KNOWN REASON. OVER THE A SINGLE DAY IT HAD INCREASED TO A CRACK RUNNING ALL THE WAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW TO THE TOP. THE CRACK WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN INCREASED TO COVER THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDOW WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON A S…
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A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FOR NO KNOWN REASON. OVER THE A SINGLE DAY IT HAD INCREASED TO A CRACK RUNNING ALL THE WAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW TO THE TOP. THE CRACK WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN INCREASED TO COVER THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDOW WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11361031
8,900 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF PARK INTO GEAR, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOORS LOCKED WHILE THE REAR HATCH UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE REAR HATCH UNLOCKED THE DOME LIGHT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. W&L S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF PARK INTO GEAR, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOORS LOCKED WHILE THE REAR HATCH UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE REAR HATCH UNLOCKED THE DOME LIGHT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. W&L SUBARU (535 POINT TOWNSHIP DR, NORTHUMBERLAND, PA 17857 (570) 473-3432) WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE REAR HATCH MECHANISM WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900. Consumer stated Subaru would purchase the vehicle because of all the electrical problems.
NHTSA ODI #11360268
8,000 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD IN MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK CRACKS FOR NO REASON. I'M ON MY THIRD WINDSHIELD IN A MONTH. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS IMPAIR MY VISION AND IS MAKING THE CARD DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SUBARU REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11360160
9,660 miles · Sep 18, 2020
Visibility/wiper
GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAD BEEN SITTING UNUSED PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOME WHEN I NOTICED THE CRACK. IT WASN'T AFTER A COLLISION OR FROM SOMETHING HITTING IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11359883
3,500 miles · Sep 15, 2020
Unknown Or OtherCrash
OWNER DROVE ON TO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE LANE DEPARTURE PREVENTION FUNCTION SENSED A WHITE LINE ON THE PAVEMENT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TURN LEFT, ACCELERATION AN UNCONTROLLABLE FASHION. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB PROCEEDING INTO HEAVY SHRUBS WHICH DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. THE SHRUBS STOPPED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11355241
3,000 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Electrical System
VEHICLE DIES AND HAS TO BE JUMPED EVERY TIME WE START IT. HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE 3/2020, AND HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #11355000
5,000 miles · Sep 13, 2020
Visibility/wiper
MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. NO OBJECT HIT IT. STARTED AS ONE INCH LINE. BY THE TIME I LEFT WORK IT WAS A FOOT AND A HALF IN LENGTH. DEALER SAID THERE WAS OBVIOUS ROCK IMPACT. I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE WHEN I GOT TO WORK BECAUSE I WAS LATE. FIGURED I COULD DO IT AFTER WORK THEN IT HAD GROWN. I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER SUBARU…
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MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. NO OBJECT HIT IT. STARTED AS ONE INCH LINE. BY THE TIME I LEFT WORK IT WAS A FOOT AND A HALF IN LENGTH. DEALER SAID THERE WAS OBVIOUS ROCK IMPACT. I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE WHEN I GOT TO WORK BECAUSE I WAS LATE. FIGURED I COULD DO IT AFTER WORK THEN IT HAD GROWN. I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER SUBARU WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES
NHTSA ODI #11354659
7,900 miles · Sep 9, 2020
Electrical System
MY OUTBACK WAS 2 MONTHS OLD WITH ~7900 MILES ON IT WHEN IT FAILED TO START DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. I HAD LAST DRIVEN THE CAR 2 DAYS PRIOR. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP WITH MY OTHER CAR & COULD NOT. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS ABLE TO JUMP START THE CAR. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SAID IT WAS HIS 20TH SUBARU OF THE DAY! GIVEN THE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUI…
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MY OUTBACK WAS 2 MONTHS OLD WITH ~7900 MILES ON IT WHEN IT FAILED TO START DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. I HAD LAST DRIVEN THE CAR 2 DAYS PRIOR. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP WITH MY OTHER CAR & COULD NOT. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS ABLE TO JUMP START THE CAR. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SAID IT WAS HIS 20TH SUBARU OF THE DAY! GIVEN THE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AND THE ONGOING ISSUES OF UNDERSIZED BATTERIES, I ELECTED TO INSTALL A LARGER BATTERY IN THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11353980
10,950 miles · Sep 9, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE THEN STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK QUICKLY. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH NO SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAITE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE THEN STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK QUICKLY. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH NO SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAITED THIRTY SECONDS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE STARTED TO SHAKE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REYNOLDS' SUBARU (268 HAMBURG RD, LYME, CT 06371) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT NATIONAL SUBARU INFORMED THEM TO RETURN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE DIS NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE TRANSPORTED HER GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR TWO WEEKS AND A DAY STILL UNREPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,950.
NHTSA ODI #11353957
580 miles · Sep 6, 2020
Unknown Or Other
CLASSIC SUBARU WEAK WINDSHIELD GLASS ISSUE. WHILE TRAVELING ON A SMALL SIDE STREET ABOUT 40MPH, SOMETHING THAT WAS INAUDIBLE HIT MY FRONT GLASS LAST NIGHT WHILE GOING TO THE STORE. WE SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A VERY SMALL CHIP. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE STORE THE SMALL CHIP TURNED INTO A STREAKING SPIDERWEB JUST FROM HITTING PAVEM…
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CLASSIC SUBARU WEAK WINDSHIELD GLASS ISSUE. WHILE TRAVELING ON A SMALL SIDE STREET ABOUT 40MPH, SOMETHING THAT WAS INAUDIBLE HIT MY FRONT GLASS LAST NIGHT WHILE GOING TO THE STORE. WE SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A VERY SMALL CHIP. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE STORE THE SMALL CHIP TURNED INTO A STREAKING SPIDERWEB JUST FROM HITTING PAVEMENT DIVISIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 600 MILES ON IT. THE SUBARU SALESMEN WERE VERY PUSHY ABOUT BUYING THEIR DING, DENT, GLASS PROTECTION STATING THAT THEY KNOW THE GLASS IS ABOUT 900 DOLLARS TO FIX. I THINK THEY KNOW THE GLASS IS WEAK. NOW I AM OUT THE COSTS OF A WINDSHIELD PLUS THE TINT TO HAVE IT RE-TINTED. SO WE ARE TALKING WELL OVER 1K IF I HAVE THE DEALERSHIP INSTALL THE GLASS AND RE-CALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT PROGRAM TO THE WINDSHIELD.
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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