Every 2020 Subaru Outback recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 24V227000
Mar 22, 2024Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
- Problem
- Subaru 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.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Full recall details for 24V227000 →Power Train · NHTSA 22V485000
Aug 7, 2022Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
- Problem
- Subaru 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.
- Risk
- An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.
Full recall details for 22V485000 →Power Train · NHTSA 21V955000
Sep 12, 2021Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
- Problem
- Subaru 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.
- Risk
- An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.
Full recall details for 21V955000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 21V587000
Jul 29, 2021Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- Problem
- Subaru 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.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Full recall details for 21V587000 →Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 20V766000
Oct 12, 2020Back Over Prevention:Display Function
- Problem
- Subaru 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."
- Risk
- The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software and, if necessary, replace the Cockpit Control Module, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-20.
Full recall details for 20V766000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 19V664000
Sep 18, 2019Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals and Linkages
- Problem
- Subaru 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 October 1, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUL-97.
Full recall details for 19V664000 →
2020 Subaru Outback complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 899 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Outback, reporting 19 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries. Subaru has issued at least 620 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Visibility/Wiper313
- Electrical System261
- Unknown Or Other152
- Forward Collision Avoidance73
- Visibility71
- Engine48
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (379)
- Equipment (194)
- Power Train (75)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (59)
- Engine (53)
- Seats (30)
Read Subaru Outback owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 899 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Outback. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“I was parking my car slowly until it suddenly accelerated. I hit a wall and car got totaled.”
2020 SUBARU OUTBACKMar 19, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11725434
Fire
“No warning lamps or messages. A driver in a pickup truck behind me came up close and signaled me to pull over. He got out of his truck, ran up to my window and yelled to me "get out of your car, it is on fire". I was completely unaware of any problem.”
2020 SUBARU OUTBACKFeb 14, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11718035
Fire
“A fire started under the hood of my car while I was driving. There were no warning lights on in my car and the temperature gauge was in the middle where it usually is.”
2020 SUBARU OUTBACKNov 2, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11697021
Crash
“While in a Dairy Queen drive-up lane, I stepped on the brake pedal and it went right to the floor. The car did not stop, causing me to hit the car in front of me. When backing away from the car in front, the brakes again failed and I hit the car in back.”
2020 SUBARU OUTBACKJun 11, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11666216
Crash
“The Subaru front camera incorrectly detected a hazard. The automatic braking system engaged and locked the steering. I skidded off the pavement, causing damage to the car. At the time of the accident, the blind sight warning lights flashed on the dash signaling that they were disabled.”
2020 SUBARU OUTBACKJan 4, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11634070
Check your Outback by VIN
Not every 2020 Subaru Outback is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Subaru dealer.
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