2020 Subaru Outback problems
The 2020 Subaru Outback has 893 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2020 Subaru Outback has 893 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 354 complaints, typically surfacing around 14,320 miles (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Outback | 917 | 2 |
| 2018 Outback | 805 | 0 |
| 2019 Outback | 1,030 | 0 |
| 2020 Outback (this page) | 893 | 0 |
| 2021 Outback | 291 | 1 |
| 2022 Outback | 456 | 2 |
| 2023 Outback | 85 | 0 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 Subaru Outback SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2020 Subaru Outback? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- visibility — 354 owner reports · tends to show around 14,320 mi · ~$350 to fix
- electrical — 245 owner reports · tends to show around 11,238 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 45 owner reports · tends to show around 31,851 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 24,616 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 24,616 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2020 Subaru Outback
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2020 Subaru Outback
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~6,300 mielectrical~$850
- ~7,216 mivisibility~$350
- ~9,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~23,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The TomTom navigation system quits unexpectedly while driving and if the Adaptive Cruise Control is on it will stop working and the car will begin to slow down. The computer screen will go black and then a message will come on saying the Navigation System is starting. The…
The vehicle experienced a ~12" crack vertical crack in the windshield. The vehicle was parked and stationary when the windshield cracked. No known pebble, rock, or debris was known to have stuck the windshield. There was a relatively loud "pop" sound and the crack appeared in…
Windshield cracked in a relatively new (1-year-old) vehicle. I discovered the crack in the morning when the vehicle was stationary. I believe it wasn't there yesterday when I last parked the car.
After a 650 mile drive with no impacts to windshield or perceptible cracks, parked the car overnight. In the morning, a crack had developed from the lower driver side of the windshield moving up and to the passenger side. With no further driving, the crack continued to grow…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Subaru Outback reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 893 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Subaru Outback has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2020 Subaru Outback?
The 2020 Subaru Outback is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Subaru Outback?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 354 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 14,320 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Subaru Outback a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 893 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Typical failure occurs around 14,320 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 354 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 14,320 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 14,320 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Outback has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Subaru Outback?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 893 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.