2020 Subaru Outback Problems And Complaints

Rating7.4

Ranked #6 in 

Compact Suv
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$26,645 - $39,695
Starting Price 
$20,612 - $23,995
Starting Market Average
2020 Subaru Outback in Abyss Blue Pearl color
Abyss Blue Pearl

Users Opinions on 2020 Subaru Outback

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Disliked by Users

  • E

    Elizabeth

    30/11/2022

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    This car has been nothing but a headache & stressor for our family. I've already had to change the battery 4 times on top of the other multiple problems this car had given us. The reliability is ZERO!!!! This car has literally left my family stranded because it would not start. I wish I neverRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • T

    TCH

    08/02/2022

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    This is my 3rd Subaru. All have had quirks, the '93 had motorized seat belts, never got use to them. The 2012, no emergency brake, only a push button parking brake,no temp gauge but a massive engine vacuum gauge. Now we come to the 2020. Rides nice, great gas mileage, no inside storage for small items in the front. However, it hasRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • J

    JWoody907

    12/12/2021

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    Purchased mine about 16 months ago, and it’s already been in 8 times for warranty work due to poor build quality. I had body trim panels, particularly lower door trim, fall off, rear bumper reflectors fall off, and most recently theRead More

    Source: edmunds

2020 Subaru Outback SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and Which Year to Avoid

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

844

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating

Updated on: August 6, 2024

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

Standing among the dying breed of wagon-style crossovers, the Subaru Outback has done pretty well for itself and never hesitates to venture into the wilderness. The NHTSA has recorded about 600 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2020 Subaru Outback. It rivals against the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-5, and the Toyota RAV4 and a few challenges in its own arena. 

The "MaxTheCarGuy" highlights that "it has a defective ignition system as a common problem". To know more, Click on the video below: 


Key Observations:

    <li>Mass air fuel sensor, manifold pressure sensor, and O2 sensor lead to Defective Ignition System</li>

    Subaru Outback user complaints and problems

    Engine problems

    • Auto start-stop system malfunction: A handful of owners were left stuck in the middle of the roads while driving due to this issue. The owners complained that the system malfunctioned and failed to restart the vehicle while moving away from a stoplight.

    Electrical problems

    • Battery dying: A lot of 2020 Subaru Outback models were affected by this problem and it has been plaguing this vehicle for quite some time now. A majority of the complainants mentioned that after driving for a few miles or parking the vehicles overnight, the battery drained completely, rendering the vehicles practically useless. In several cases, after multiple battery replacements, the issue persisted. The dead battery also caused a few other crucial components of the vehicle to stop working such as the brakes.

    Safety problems

    • Subaru eyesight system failure: Plenty of owners complained that an infotainment system malfunction also caused all the advanced safety techs of the vehicles to stop working. The reports stated that the infotainment system would go into a boot loop followed by the Subaru Eyesight System getting disabled completely. Furthermore, in some cases the windshield cracking issues also caused the system to malfunction.

    Exterior problems

    • Windshield cracking: A plethora of 2020 Subaru Outback models faced this issue and the brand has failed to iron out this ongoing problem with several of its vehicles. In most cases, the windshield would crack in small amounts randomly while driving with the crack getting bigger within a brief period. In several cases, while driving the windshields got hit by minute stone particles on the road which is normal, and developed cracks. A lot of owners reported that after getting their windshields replaced as much as three times, the issue recurred with the new windshields as well.

    2020 Subaru Outback recalls

    S.No.

    Recall Date

    NHTSA Campaign ID

    Issues noticed

    Additional remarks

    Remedy

    1

    September 18, 2019

    19V664000

    Loose or Missing Brake Pedal Mounting Bracket Bolt

    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 on October 1, 2019.

    2

    December 10, 2020

    20V766000

    Rearview Camera may Shut Down/FMVSS 111

    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 on January 22, 2021.

    3

    July 29, 2021

    21V587000

    Fuel Pump May Fail

    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.

    4

    December 9, 2021

    21V955000

    Drive Chain May Break Causing Loss of Drive Power

    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. Interim owner notification letters will be mailed on February 7, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in May 2022.

    Should you buy a used Subaru Outback?

    The Subaru Outback is a kind of vehicle that can help you to do everything from running errands to tackling some dirt roads with ease. In the recent past, the vehicle has faced backlashes from plenty of owners regarding the issues it faced such as the battery drainage and the windshield cracking problems. However, the numbers are still on the lower side as compared to the sales volume of the vehicle. Going for a used model of the Outback might be a risky affair especially for the models older than the 2019 model year. We recommend searching for a reputed dealer and indulging in a detailed history of the used example you’re planning to bring home.

    <li>Unrelieable transmission leads to delayed acceleration</li>
    2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

     

    • Complaints
    • Recalls
    • Investigations
    • Manufacturer Communications

    October 7, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11618767

    Components: 100000 POWER TRAIN

    NHTSA ID Number:
    11618767

    Incident Date:
    October 7, 2024

    Vehicle Identification Number:
    4S4BTGPD7L3

    Consumer Location:
    STUART, FL

    Summary
    The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to ...

    October 4, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11618271

    Components: 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    NHTSA ID Number:
    11618271

    Incident Date:
    October 4, 2024

    Vehicle Identification Number:
    4S4BTACC1L3

    Consumer Location:
    CULVER CITY, CA

    Summary
    We are on our 3rd battery in < 4 years. Subaru is well aware of this issue in their engineering in the pa...

    August 29, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11611877

    Components: 130000 VISIBILITY/WIPER (PWS)

    NHTSA ID Number:
    11611877

    Incident Date:
    August 29, 2024

    Vehicle Identification Number:
    4S4BTGND2L3

    Consumer Location:
    Unknown

    Summary
    I have 2020 Subaru Outback and have had 14 windshield replacements/repairs. The windshield has spider cra...

    August 28, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11611611

    Components: 263000 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

    NHTSA ID Number:
    11611611

    Incident Date:
    August 28, 2024

    Vehicle Identification Number:
    4S4BTACCXL3

    Consumer Location:
    Unknown

    Summary
    ACC eye sight is intermittent. It normally fails within 5 minutes of operations and just turning the car...

    August 20, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11609935

    Components: 060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    NHTSA ID Number:
    11609935

    Incident Date:
    August 20, 2024

    Vehicle Identification Number:
    4S4BTACC3L3

    Consumer Location:
    SPRINGFIELD, MA

    Summary
    The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, th...

    70/100Best

    Quality & Reliability

    Assesses the extent of issues, glitches, and design imperfections encountered by...

    76/100Best

    Driving Experience

    Owners' assessments regarding the vehicle's design, performance, comfort, functi...

    81/100Best

    Resale

    CARHP's projection of depreciation, which estimates the probable decrease in the...

    84/100Best

    Dealership Experience

    Owners' interactions with dealerships associated with this brand, encompassing b...

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