2020 Subaru Outback recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Subaru Outback and 900 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are visibility/wiper (313), electrical system (259), unknown or other (152). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2020 ranks #11 of 13 Outback model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (504). It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 5.6 per model year.
Recalls 6
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2020 Subaru Outback. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Problem: 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.
Power train · automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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.
Power train · automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Problem: 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.
Back over prevention · display function
Problem: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic · pedals and linkages
Problem: 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
I have a 2020 Subaru Outback with just over 70,000 miles on it. Well before hitting 70,000 miles, there were two occasions where a loud, unusual noise occurred while reversing out of my garage. Additionally, I occasionally hear a strange noise when shifting into Reverse from Park. I also sometimes notice a whining or humming sound when accelerating from a complete stop, such as…
Noticed minor hesitation in the reverse down our driveway Aug 2024. By Aug 2026, the transmission hesitation has turned into very noticeable shudder and slip. In reverse down the driveway, the TR580 CVT was showing premature initial failure resulting in unexpected loss of motive power control as well as acceleration hesitation in forward. This transmission defect compromised…
Unknown. Best assessment between 2:09 and 2:15 pm on the XXX pass outside of [XXX] heading west. There were wind gusts up to 27 mph. I was traveling highway speeds 75-80mph. I had been driving highway speeds since 10:30 am coming from [XXX] No warning. As in: no flutter of the hood, hood not popped, no warning lights. The hood flew open and smashed my windshield during a gust…
Safety ratings
2020 Subaru Outback SUV AWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2020 Subaru Outback.
Outback AWD
Auto (AV-S8) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Outback AWD
Auto (AV-S8) · 4 cyl · 2.4 L · Turbo
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Subaru Outback, most recently for air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger (03/22/2024). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Based on 900 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (313), electrical system (259), unknown or other (152).
Is the 2020 Subaru Outback safe?
The 2020 Subaru Outback earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2020 a good year for the Subaru Outback?
The 2020 ranks #11 of 13 Outback model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (504). It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 5.6 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Subaru Outback get?
EPA ratings for the 2020 Subaru Outback range from 26 to 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2020 Subaru Outback in South Carolina?
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Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: OUTBACK, Outback.