Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Subaru Outback problems

Owners filed 905 complaints about the 2020 Subaru Outback with NHTSA between Oct 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (313).

Complaints
905
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility/wiper313
  2. Electrical system259
  3. Visibility70
  4. Engine50
  5. Power train50
  6. Forward collision avoidance49
  7. Structure22
  8. Lane departure20
  9. Air bags18
  10. Vehicle speed control18
  11. Exterior lighting16
  12. Service brakes15
  13. Steering14
  14. Fuel/propulsion system14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201916
2020244
2021284
2022176
202374
202459
202527
202625

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Visibility/wiper

313 reports
“I am on my third windshield in les than a year. The tiniest pebble will crack the windshield, or sudden changes to weather has now caused a stress crack. Seems to be poor weight distribution on the design. There is extensive customer complaints on line with the same issue. Insurance will only cover two a year. There were no warnings of this issue when the car was purchased. This is an expensive hazard to keep having issues with. They need to do a recall on a fix.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2025Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11659737

Electrical system

259 reports3 crashes
“9/20/26 my 2020 Subaru Outback experienced repeated electrical failures followed by loss of power-steering assistance. The underlying failed component is unknown. The vehicle is parked and available for inspection. While driving, the vehicle intermittently lurched/jerked as the center display went completely black and restarted and EyeSight repeatedly became unavailable and returned. After stopping for fuel, I attempted to restart the vehicle. It initially started and then became completely electrically unresponsive: no response from the push-button start and no accessory power. Electrical power unexpectedly returned after I opened the driver's door, and I was able to restart the vehicle. Later, while the engine was continuously running in a parking lot, the display repeatedly blacked out and restarted while EyeSight repeatedly became unavailable and returned. When I shifted into reverse, the vehicle began jerking and power-steering assistance failed. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn and jerked in my hands, preventing me from properly completing the reverse maneuver. I shut the vehicle off and restarted it, which temporarily restored…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11765713

Visibility

70 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side mirror had started to detach from the vehicle without an impact to the vehicle, and the mirror had become inoperable. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2025VisibilityODI 11635838

Engine

50 reports3 crashes3 fires
“Subaru dealer service tech reporting upper oil pan leak. The repair requires engine removal to gain access to the upper oil pan, which is a very costly repair. My concern, does the leaking oil get onto the hot exhaust system create a fire risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2026EngineODI 11774781

Power train

50 reports2 crashes2 related recalls
“1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The rear differential assembly completely failed, disabling the vehicle's all-wheel-drive capability. The component was replaced by Shingle Springs Subaru, so the original failed part is no longer available for physical inspection, but all diagnostic and repair receipts are available upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Around 73,000 miles, during a major winter snowstorm, I was starting to drive up a hill when the vehicle lost traction and the car would not move forward and began sliding. This sudden loss of control in severe weather put me, my [XXX] child, and all surrounding drivers at immediate risk of a catastrophic crash on a hazardous road with no warnings. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The complete failure of the rear differential was officially diagnosed, confirmed, and replaced by the service department at Shingle Springs Subaru. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Power trainODI 11774347

Forward collision avoidance

49 reports4 crashes
“Gas cap was not secured overnight. The next day every ADAS function both safety and convenience was disabled and their lights were on. Users guide said car should recover after a few miles of driving. 100 miles and multiple restarts later it did not. It was taken to the dealer where they cleared the error for free. Poor design that a loose gas cap could cause a collision due to lack of ADAS. Dealer said it is a known condition with all Subaru models.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2025Forward collision avoidanceODI 11689824
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.