2020 Subaru Outback: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1122 complaints
1122
Total Complaints
6,000mi
Median Mileage
Visibility/Wiper
Top Issue
37
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
2,265
25th Percentile
6,000
Median Mileage
11,300
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Visibility/Wiper
313
Electrical System
251
Unknown Or Other
149
Windshield
64
Engine
44
Power Train
41
Warnings
28
Automatic Emergency Braking
26
Air Bags
18
Adaptive Cruise Control
18
Severity Assessment
37
Crashes
8
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Visibility/Wiper
313 complaints
25th: 2,015 mi
Median: 5,000 mi
75th: 8,878 mi
Electrical System
251 complaints
25th: 2,000 mi
Median: 4,493 mi
75th: 8,015 mi
Unknown Or Other
149 complaints
25th: 2,500 mi
Median: 4,600 mi
75th: 8,800 mi
Windshield
64 complaints
25th: 6,000 mi
Median: 14,501 mi
75th: 38,000 mi
Engine
44 complaints
25th: 6,050 mi
Median: 7,000 mi
75th: 10,398 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 166
TX: 69
WA: 61
NY: 56
VA: 53
CO: 52
NC: 47
FL: 46
PA: 43
OH: 35
Who Files Complaints?
1.5%
Original Owners
98.5%
Second+ Owners
Subaru Outback — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (6)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Display Function
Campaign 20V766000 | 10/12/2020
The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
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.
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Campaign 21V955000 | 09/12/2021
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recal
Fuel Pump
Campaign 21V587000 | 29/07/2021
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Pedals And Linkages
Campaign 19V664000 | 18/09/2019
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.
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 re
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Campaign 22V485000 | 08/07/2022
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Front Passenger
Campaign 24V227000 | 22/03/2024
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Maintain Visibility
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace wiper blades every 6-12 months
- Keep the washer fluid reservoir full — use winter-rated fluid in cold climates
- Clean the inside of the windshield quarterly to reduce glare
- Address windshield chips immediately — they spread with temperature changes
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28