2020 Subaru Outback: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 884 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the wipers and visibility, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 884
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 18
- 4 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Subaru Outback: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/5
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Outback is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Subaru Outback. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | AWD | 26 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 29 mpg |
- The 2020 Subaru Outback was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Outback that averages well under the EPA 26 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Battery drain, repeated dead batteries
1,300–29,000 miles
Windshield cracks without impact
3,000–29,000 miles
CVT slipping or total failure
56,700–90,023 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Subaru Outback, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Wipers and visibility3541 crash
Windshields crack with little or no impact. Reports describe a loud pop, then a crack that starts at the bottom edge or passenger side and spreads across the driver's view within minutes or overnight, sometimes while the car sits in a garage. Pebble strikes that would barely chip other glass become long cracks, and replacement windshields fail the same way. Some owners are on a third or fourth windshield. Many failures come in the first 15,000 miles. Dealers often deny warranty coverage as rock damage, and owners note added costs for EyeSight camera recalibration.
Windshields crack without impact, often while the car is parked, sitting in a garage, or just pulling out of a driveway. Owners hear a loud pop and see cracks run from the rearview mirror area or one side toward the center. These reports skew toward higher mileage than other glass complaints, with failures reported from about 29,000 to 90,000 miles. Repeat replacements are common. Dealers frequently say it is not a defect and send owners to insurance. A few reports cite side mirrors detaching or the rearview mirror pulling glass off the windshield.
Electrical2452 crashes
Batteries drain and go dead, often after the car sits for a few days, so owners need jump starts or tows. Many cases begin in the first few thousand miles, and replacement batteries keep failing. Some owners are on a third or fourth battery. After a drain, the electronics misbehave: EyeSight shuts off, power steering stiffens, ABS triggers at random, and a few cars lose all power at a red light. Dealers often find nothing wrong. Two complaints are crash-related, including a car that rolled away after stop-start shut the engine off.
Transmission422 crashes
The CVT transmission slips, drops into neutral at highway speed, loses all gears, or binds and grinds in slow turns. A chain slippage recall added a software update and clutch kit, but several owners say the problem returned and later coverage was denied. One owner was quoted $12000 just past 100k miles. Separate reports describe the thermo control valve leaking coolant, cutting cabin heat and EyeSight features. Two crash reports involve sudden acceleration into a house and a rollover after the driveshaft came loose.
Body and structure17No crashes
Power liftgates open, close, or fail to latch unpredictably. One owner was injured when trapped between the liftgate and a garage door, and repeat dealer repairs often fail, with an out-of-warranty quote of $991. Windshields also crack without impact here, sometimes twice within days of replacement. Other reports describe sunroof glass shattering at highway speed, door trim peeling off on both front doors around 14,000 miles, and roof reinforcements coming loose with a metallic ping.
Airbags152 crashes
Most complaints concern recall 24V227000 and missing parts. Owners report dealers with no parts and no arrival date, some waiting a year. The other pattern is passenger occupant detection faults: the airbag light stays on, the seat reads as occupied when empty, or "Air Bag Off" flashes with a passenger aboard. One SRS module replacement was quoted at $1415.16. Two crash-related reports say no airbags deployed, one in a side impact and one in a collision at 50 mph.
Engine141 crash
The thermo control valve cracks and leaks coolant onto the engine, triggering code P26A5, cutting cabin heat, and disabling EyeSight safety features. Repairs run close to $1900, and parts can take weeks. Other reports describe stalling while driving or when auto stop-start fails to restart, with a burst of warning lights and, in one case, a faulty engine control module. On the XT turbo, an oil leak at the rear of the oil pan is reported. One crash with injury involves sudden acceleration and unresponsive brakes in a parking lot.
Steering122 crashes
Lane centering jerks the steering wheel hard at highway speed, pushing cars toward the median, the breakdown lane, or a semi. Lane departure assist also switches itself on and off and pulls to one side. Other reports describe an electric power steering failure warning followed by loss of control and a curb strike, a locked steering wheel after the engine died during stop-start, and lost power steering after a battery jump. Two complaints are crash-related, and dealers often find no fault in the lane centering system.
Acceleration and cruise control53 crashes
The car accelerates on its own at low speed, usually while pulling into a driveway or garage, and keeps going despite firm braking. Three of the five complaints are crashes, into garage doors, a garage wall, and a boulder. Other reports say infotainment reboots shut off EyeSight and cruise control until the car is restarted. Auto stop-start sometimes fails to restart the engine, then lurches forward once it fires, and the off setting resets at every start.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Outback owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
2020 outback with just over 2,000 miles. Batteries (two) have completely fails twice. Six times we have had to jump these batteries. My wife had to be given a ride home from the “Y” once. I am now on my 3rd battery. Dealer says there is nothing wrong with this car. They say I need to disconnect battery if car is not to be used for a length of time. This is unacceptable, however, there seems to no no recourse.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2022
The battery has drained 6 times: there are no lights on or doors open, etc. I have been stranded, alone. The car has under 8000 miles. It doesn't matter what distance I drive. The first time was the day after a 200 mike trip, daytime. Next morning, dead battery. Other times, it was a trip to the store, 15 Mike's, when I came out after an hour, battery was dead. There is no pattern, I cannot rely on this car.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2021
3 months ago the 2020 Subaru outback required a rebuild of the transmission at about 50K miles. I was told it was due to uneven wear on the tires. They would not fix it until I replaced all 4 tires costing $600 which I did. They fixed the transmission and now it is not working again, the same problem slipping of the transmission.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2021
Car lurches when put into gear, Transmission make loud chirping noise when place into gear from park, transmission shudders when turning. Car has had all recalls updated. Symptoms have been reported to dealer numerous times. Currently vehicle is at Subaru Dealer in Temecula Calif. Dealer states a know transmission problem is being addressed thru a Subaru Engineer. Have been without the vehicle for approx 3 weeks.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
When opening the sun roof cover I heard a "PING" noise like a mouth harp or piece of metal being flicked. Took it into dealer and they found the roof reinforcements (Most likely Part Number: 53700AN03A9P) had come loose and detached from roof structure. They are waiting on Suburu to agree to re-attached it (been two weeks)
Filed with NHTSA, January 2022
How the 2020 compares with other Outback years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks second for owner complaints among 8 Outback years, about 2.3 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Wipers and visibility354142
- Electrical245106
- Transmission425
- Body and structure175
- Airbags157
- Engine143
Where the 2020 fits in the Outback's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the first model year of the Outback's sixth generation (2020–2025). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Subaru fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Subaru updated the Outback for 2023, so a 2020 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2023 (not on a 2020)
- New front fascia
- New headlights
- Updated infotainment system
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (6)
Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V227000AirbagsMar 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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
22V485000TransmissionJul 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.
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
21V955000TransmissionDec 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.
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
21V587000Fuel systemJul 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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
20V766000Backup cameraDec 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.".
Risk: The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
19V664000BrakesSep 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Also looking at these instead of a Outback?
Cars shoppers compare with the Subaru Outback, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
- Toyota 4Runner30
- Honda Passport84
- Toyota Highlander269
- Honda Pilot431
- Toyota RAV4611
- 2020 Subaru Outback884
- Ford Explorer1,066
