CarProblemIndexSource: NHTSAData retrieved 2026-07-01

2020 Subaru OUTBACK — Recalls, Complaints & Buying Checklist

Quick summary

Recalls: 6 official NHTSA recall(s) on record, e.g. Back Over Prevention:Display Function.

Most-reported issue: Visibility/Wiper (284 owner reports of 889 total).

Before you buy: owners reported issues most often with Visibility/Wiper, Electrical System — worth having these checked on a used example.

VIN check: confirm any open recall by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Used-car buying checklist

Based on this model’s reported issues. Tick as you inspect.

Owner-reported complaints by category

Counts are voluntary reports to NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold — they are not a failure rate or safety ranking.
Visibility/Wiper284
Electrical System245
Unknown Or Other123
Visibility70
Power Train45
Structure17
Engine15
Air Bags15
Forward Collision Avoidance12
Steering12

Official recalls

Back Over Prevention:Display Function — campaign 20V766000 (10/12/2020)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia…

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."

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — campaign 21V955000 (09/12/2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transm…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump — campaign 21V587000 (29/07/2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WR…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages — campaign 19V664000 (18/09/2019)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — campaign 22V485000 (08/07/2022)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Contro…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger — campaign 24V227000 (22/03/2024)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant De…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Compare related vehicles

Previous year: 2019 Subaru OUTBACKRival: 2020 Honda CR-VSame class: 2020 Chevrolet EQUINOXSame class: 2020 Ford ESCAPESame class: 2020 Ford EXPLORER
Check another vehicleCompare similar vehiclesConfirm VIN
Source: U.S. NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov), public domain. Data retrieved 2026-07-01 · data v0.1.
This page is general information, not medical, legal, or safety advice. Complaint data is voluntarily reported to NHTSA and is unverified; a complaint count is not a danger or failure rate. Always confirm open recalls for a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the manufacturer.