subaru Outback problems
0 safety recalls. 888 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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…
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO IMPACT, JUST CRACKED AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD (ABOUT 10MPH).
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.
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 888 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.
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. 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. 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 888 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 aren't always better value.