Subaru Outback 2020 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Outback 2020 and 899 complaints filed by owners. It has 72% more complaints than the average Subaru Outback from 2016–2025 (524 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Subaru Outback 2020? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Subaru Outback 2020
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 24V227000 · 2024-03-22
What happens
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
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 22V485000 · 2022-07-08
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 21V955000 · 2021-12-09
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 2021-07-29
What happens
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
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Backup camera and sensors
NHTSA campaign 20V766000 · 2020-12-10
What happens
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
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Brakes (hydraulic)
NHTSA campaign 19V664000 · 2019-09-18
What happens
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
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
899 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
19 with a crash · 7 with a fire · 4 injuries
Most reported problems on the Subaru Outback 2020
- Wipers: 313 (35% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 256 (28% of complaints)
- Visibility (glass and mirrors): 70 (8% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 49 (5% of complaints)
- Engine: 48 (5% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Subaru Outback 2020
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Test every wiper speed and the washer.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Check the windshield, defroster and mirrors.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Subaru Outback recalls by year
- 2016 : 4 recalls · 642 complaints
- 2017 : 4 recalls · 918 complaints
- 2018 : 3 recalls · 813 complaints
- 2019 : 3 recalls · 1,035 complaints
- 2020 : 6 recalls · 899 complaints
- 2021 : 4 recalls · 296 complaints
- 2022 : 4 recalls · 465 complaints
- 2023 : 2 recalls · 89 complaints
- 2024 : 0 recalls · 2 complaints
- 2025 : 0 recalls · 82 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Subaru Outback 2020 have?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Outback 2020. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Outback 2020?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: wipers (313 of 899 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 12, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).