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2020 Subaru Outback: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Outback years.
One of the Subaru Outback years to avoid. All Outback years
897 owner complaints, most about visibility/wiper. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 Outback?The 2020 Subaru Outback has 897 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system. Owners most often flag infotainment system failures (6th gen: 2020-2025): buggy, laggy, unresponsive touchscreen, frequent crashes, screen delamination, connectivity problems with carplay/android auto. requires dealership updates or unit replacement.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Subaru Outback vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Outback years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the Outback?
Across the 30 Outback model years we track, complaint volume runs from 80 (1997) to 1,034 (2019). With 897 complaints, the 2020 Outback sits above the model's median of 230.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 Outback
back over prevention:display function
Campaign 20V766000Subaru 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."
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 21V955000Subaru 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 21V587000Subaru 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Campaign 19V664000Subaru 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.
Show 2 more recalls
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 22V485000Subaru 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.
air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Campaign 24V227000Subaru 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term reliability is a core positive, with many owners reporting vehicles reaching 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance, particularly for non-turbo models.
- Very frequentInfotainment system failures (6th gen
2020-2025): Buggy, laggy, unresponsive touchscreen, frequent crashes, screen delamination, connectivity problems with CarPlay/Android Auto. Requires dealership updates or unit replacement.
- RecurrentBattery premature failure
Batteries dying around the 3-year mark, potentially linked to start/stop system and parasitic drain. Known service bulletin (07-213-22R) for 2020-2023 models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Outback. See the full Outback owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Outback listings typically run $17,495–$25,992.
Other Outback model years
Compare every Outback year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Outback against its rivals
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