2020 Subaru Outback Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2020 Subaru Outback has 1,113 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve visibility/wiper and electrical system.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 1,113 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
VISIBILITY/WIPER
313 28.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
250 22.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
149 13.4%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
64 5.8%
ENGINE
44 4%
Quick Insights
The top category is VISIBILITY/WIPER, accounting for 28.1% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 52 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2020 Subaru Outback
The 2020 Subaru Outback has 1,113 owner complaints in this dataset. VISIBILITY/WIPER is the most common complaint category, representing about 28% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2020 Subaru Outback are VISIBILITY/WIPER (313), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (250), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (149).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 367 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2020 Subaru Outback?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 20 of 20 systems
VISIBILITY/WIPER
106 Reports42% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT.
12/6/2019
2 SEPARATE INCIDENT WINDSHIELD CRACKS WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF NEW PURCHASE
12/14/2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
55 Reports22% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND (2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (541) 389-3031) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 520.*CW*JB
10/30/2019
1. THE BACKUP AND FRONT CAMERA ARE DOWNGRADED FROM PREVIOUS MODELS OF OUTBACK.SUBARU OF AMERICA DENIES THIS. THE NIGHT VISIBILITY IS DANGEROUS. THE DEALERSHIP AGREES. I HAVE PURCHASED FOUR OUTBACKS IN SIX YEARS AND I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. IT IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. SUBARU WILL NOT TELL ME IF THEY PLAN TO CHANGE THE CAMERAS OR UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE. ALSO, THE EQUALIZER WILL NOT HOLD ITS SETTING EVERY TIME YOU GET IN THE CAR. I AM SURE THIS IS A SOFTWARE SETTING AS WELL. TO CHANGE THE SETTING, YOU EITHER HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD OR DO IT WHILE DRIVING WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS MANEUVER.
12/23/2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
33 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ALL FOUR FRONT VENTS IN DASH BOARD RATTLE WHEN GOING ABOUT 40 MPH ON SLIGHTLY ROUGH SURFACE. ALSO LOUD SOUND THAT SOUNDS LIKE POPCORN POPPING ON PASSENGER SIDE THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER CORNER OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OR DASH BOARD. THE POPCORN SOUND STARTS WHEN DRIVING AT 65 TO 70 MPH.
11/22/2019
I EXPERIENCED TWO INCIDENTS WITH THE LIFT GATE ON MY 2020 OUTBACK LIMITED XT WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. THEY BOTH HAPPENED ON 11/23/2019. FIRST INCIDENT: THE CAR WAS IN AN INDOOR PARKING GARAGE, BACKED UP TO THE WALL WITH ABOUT 4 FT OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE CLOSED LIFT GATE AND THE WALL. I HAD JUST PUT MY 2-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON INTO HIS STROLLER, AND WE WERE BETWEEN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND THE WALL. AS I WAS WHEELING THE STROLLER AWAY FROM THE CAR, THE LIFT GATE AUTOMATICALLY OPENED AND PINNED THE STROLLER AGAINST THE WALL! I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE KEY FOB IN ANY WAY. THE GATE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY SENSE THE OBSTRUCTION, AND IT CONTINUED TO FORCE ITSELF AGAINST THE STROLLER. I HAD TO PUSH FORCEFULLY AGAINST THE LIFT GATE IN ORDER TO FREE MY GRANDSON AND ME. SECOND INCIDENT: AFTER RETURNING TO THE CAR WHICH WAS PARKED AS DESCRIBED IN THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE LIFT GATE FORCEFULLY HIT MY WIFE ON THE HEAD! I HAD RAISED THE GATE, AND AFTER THE GATE WAS ALL THE WAY UP, MY WIFE BENT DOWN TO PUT AN ITEM IN. THE LIFT GATE CAME DOWN ON HER HEAD. SHE WAS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN! IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 24 HOURS SINCE THIS OCCURRED, AND SHE IS STILL EXPERIENCING HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND BLURRED VISION. WE ARE NOW SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION. LATER THAT AFTERNOON I EXPERIMENTED WITH THE GATE, AND IT MALFUNCTIONED THE SAME WAY (2ND INCIDENT) 2 MORE TIMES! AFTER IT WENT UP ALL THE WAY, THE GATE IMMEDIATELY CAME DOWN AUTOMATICALLY! (WITHOUT THE KEY FOB BEING PHYSICALLY CONTACTED IN ANY WAY)
11/25/2019
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
12 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE INSIDE THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FRACTURE ON THE LOWER PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE WIPER BLADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CASTLE SUBARU (6100 US HWY 6, PORTAGE, IN 46368, (219) 764-5020) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
5/20/2020
THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVELOPED A CRACK WITH NO SIGNS OF A CHILD OR ANY REASON FOR THE CRACK TO HAVE DEVELOPED. *TR
5/27/2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
7 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE TOO BRIGHT OR NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY. I HAVE BEEN HIGH BEAMED ON MANY OCCASIONS. 9 TIMES ONE EVENING, 13 TIMES ANOTHER EVENING, AND 17 TIMES ON ANOTHER EVENING. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOT ONLY FOR ME BUT FOR THE OTHER DIVERS AS WELL. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE ALSO HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD "THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE" "JUST IGNORE THE OTHER DRIVERS" WELL, I CAN'T DO THAT WHEN I AM CONSTANTLY BEING HIGH BEAMED FROM SO MANY OTHER VEHICLES. NOT JUST CARS. CARS, FULL SIZE PICKUP TRUCKS, SEMI'S, SUV'S ETC. I HAVE EVEN BEEN HIGH BEAMED NOT ONLY ON OUR 2 LANE HIGHWAYS BUT ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH ME IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND THE OTHER DRIVER GOING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I TALKED WITH SUBARU AGAIN TODAY AND WAS TOLD "IF YOU TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE, AND THE TECHNICIAN SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS THEN, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO." AGAIN, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE NEVER IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING BEEN HIGH BEAMED SO MANY TIMES.
12/16/2019
MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO BRIGHT AND APPEAR TO BE AIMED TOO HIGH. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM DUE TO THE NUMBER OF OTHER DRIVERS WHO KEEP PUTTING ON THEIR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS THINKING MINE ARE ON WHEN THEY ARE NOT.ALSO I CAN SEE MY BEAMS POINTING HIGHER DOWN THE ROAD THEN FOR ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. I CONTACTED FIRST THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN SUBARU OF AMERICA, THE DEALER WAS APOLOGETIC AND EXPLAINED THERE ARE NO ADJUSTMENTS TO BE MADE ON THE AIM OF LIGHTS BECAUSE NONE WERE BUILT INTO THE CAR AT THE FACTORY. SUBARU OF AMERICA CONFIRMED THIS WHEN I CONTACTED THEM AND SAID, WITHOUT EVEN SEEING MY PARTICULAR CAR THAT MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ALIGNED PROPERLY AND THERE IS NO WAY TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO BRIGHTNESS OR AIM. THIS IS A HAZARD DUE TO BLINDING ONCOMING DRIVERS AND THEY IN TURN PUTTING THEIR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ON BLINDING ME. HOW CAN THEY MAKE LIGHTS WITH NO ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE?
12/20/2019
SERVICE BRAKES
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND (2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (541) 389-3031) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 520.*CW*JB
10/30/2019
WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS THERE IS A CRACKING SOUND IN THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION OR BRAKE AREA, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN GOING AT HIGH SPEEDS JUST SMALL BUMPS AND BRAKING.
7/29/2020
STEERING
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING. MILLER HILL SUBARU (4710 MILLER TRUNK HWY, DULUTH, MN 55811, (218) 722-5337) WAS CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 600.
11/7/2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I HAD ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND LANE CENTERING TURNED ON. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL JUTTED LEFT VERY HARD. I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT WAS UNPREPARED FOR IT. THIS CAUSED ME TO VERGE INTO THE MEDIAN. I CORRECTED THE VEHICLE STEERING AND CONTINUED DRIVING. A FEW MINUTES LATER, MY VEHICLE DID THIS AGAIN WHILE STILL ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. I STOPPED USING LANCE CENTERING AFTER THIS OCCURRED AND REACHED OUT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA. THEY REQUESTED I TAKE THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL SHOP WHICH I DID. THE DEALER DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH LANE CENTERING AND HAD NO REASON WHY THIS WOULD OCCUR.
12/6/2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
GOT INTO THE CAR , SHUT THE DOOR AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THE CAR IS TWO WEEKS OLD.
1/11/2020
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, 65 MPH. HEAR A SMALL "CLICK." LOOK OVER AND DISCOVER A 6" CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 40 YEAR AND KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN A STONE HITS THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WASN'T A STONE.
1/22/2020
ENGINE
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
BATTERY IS INADEQUATE FOR THE ELECTRONICS IN THIS CAR AND WILL BE DEAD IF NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AFTER BEING A UNABLE TO START MY CAR TWICE WITHIN A MONTH, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW, THERE IS NO OTHER UPGRADE OR REPLACEMENT FOR THE BATTERY AND THAT THE FACTORY RECOMMENDATION IS TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY OTHER DAY. THIS MEANS THAT WHEN I TRAVEL AND LEAVE MY CAR IN AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR A WEEK OR MORE, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START THE CAR WHEN I RETURN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE POST AT THE AIRPORT, THEN RECONNECT THE POST WHEN I RETURN. I AM A 65-YEAR OLD WOMAN AND NOT A MECHANIC. THIS CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND IS A SAFETY RISK FOR ME WHEN I RETURN TO A PARKING LOT LATE AT NIGHT AND MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT HAS LESS THAN 5,000 MILES. *TR
5/8/2020
THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM. IN FLORIDA THE TEMP CAN GET OVER 95 DEGREES. AFTER 10-15 SECONDS OF THE CAR BEING OFF THE CAR STARTS TO HEAT UP. MY WIFE WHO HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS STARTS HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE ASK THE DEALER TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS FEATURE BUT THEY SAID NO. YOU CAN DO IT EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR BUT IT IS SEVERAL SCREENS DEEP ON THE INFORMATION SYSTEM. PEOPLE WHO DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR OFTEN (LIKE MY WIFE) WOULD HAVE TROUBLE TURNING THIS FEATURE OFF AND COULD PASS OUT SITTING AT A LIGHT. I RECOMMEND SUBARU OFFER A WAY TO DISABLE THIS FEATURE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BREATHING ISSUES. AT A VERY MINIMUM THEY NEED TO MOVE THE DISABLING OF THIS FEATURE ON EVERY START TO THE MAIN INFORMATION SCREEN WHERE ANYONE CAN FIND IT.
6/14/2020
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING. MILLER HILL SUBARU (4710 MILLER TRUNK HWY, DULUTH, MN 55811, (218) 722-5337) WAS CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 600.
11/7/2019
DEC 7TH. LANE CENTERING AND CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONS ON. WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-75 IN THE CENTER LANE MY WIFE MOVED TO THE LEFT LANE TO PASS ANOTHER CAR. AFTER PASSING THE CAR SHE HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL TO STAY IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES SHE TOOK HER HANDS OFF THE WHEEL AND THE CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND ACROSS THE DASHED WHITE LINE INTO THE CENTER LANE. AS SHE RIGHTED HERSELF BACK INTO THE LEFT HAND LANE I REACHED OVER AND TURNED THE LANE CENTERING FUNCTION OFF. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER SHE WAS FOLLOWING A BROWN VAN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ON, WAS MAINTAINING A SPEED OF 68 MPH AND SAFE DISTANCE. CRUISE WAS SET AT 70MPH AND DISTANCE AT 4 BARS. THE VAN EXITED THE INTERSTATE AT WHICH TIME THE OUTBACK STARTED A HARD ACCELERATION AND HAD REACHED A SPEED OF 87 MPH BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL. ACCELERATION FACTOR WAS SET TO NORMAL, I THEN SET IT TO ECO DEC 19TH. CRUISE CONTROL ON, LANE CENTERING ON CRUISE SET AT 70 MPH, DISTANCE AT 2 BARS. PASSED A SEMI THAT WAS DOING LESS THAN 70 MPH. I NOW HAD A PACK BEHIND ME AND ANOTHER PACK A GOOD WAYS IN FRONT OF ME. MOVED BACK INTO THE CENTER LANE WHERE I PASSED THE TRUCK. CRUISE STARTED ACCELERATING, AT 77MPH TURNED THE CRUISE OFF. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. CRUISE ACCELERATION WAS STILL ON ECO MODE. SPEED THEN DECREASED AS EXPECTED. I NOW HAVE 2 INSTANTANEOUS OF WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE PASSED THE SET SPEED. I NOW HAVE 1 INSTANTANEOUS OF WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN ITS LANE. NOTE. I LIKE MY SUBARU OUTBACK VERY MUCH. IT IS QUIET, COMFORTABLE AND EASY TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE INCORRECT FUNCTIONING OF THE VEHICLE ON THE ABOVE TWO DATES WARRANT DOCUMENTATION FOR FURTHER SAFETY INVESTIGATION. NEITHER THE DEALER OR SUBARU HAS YET BEEN INFORMED
12/19/2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE AROUND 50-70 IT WILL HESITATE AND ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO STOP. NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON HAVE TAKING BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DO THIS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT COLD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT CAN BE AFTER I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES OR MORE. THIS HAPPENS ON MAIN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.
4/21/2020
WAS DRIVING SUBARU OUTBACK, CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND CAR STOPPED AS IT'S DESIGNED TO DO. WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, CAR STALLED AND NEVER STARTED AGAIN LEAVING ME ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY CALLED ROUTE 19 IN HUDSON FLORIDA.
8/29/2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CAR HAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE STABILITY AND THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. TRANSMISSION ALSO NEEDS REPLACEMENT. PROBLEMS HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAYS. DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS YOUTUBE FOOTAGE AS FOLLOWS: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=OXOJDP_T9LI HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=77WURJDTVZK HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LGQL63LDQVI&T=10S HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=0ACRLYXYHQI&T=11S
4/1/2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED HALFWAY ACROSS THE GLASS AFTER A PEBBLE KICKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CRACK SPIDERED OUT ON ITS OWN ACROSS THE ENTIRE FRONT WINDSHIELD WITHIN FIVE HOURS. CAMERA ON WINDSHIELD NOW HAS TO BE RECALIBRATED OTHERWISE WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
4/2/2020
SUSPENSION
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN NOV. 2019. IT HAS SINCE HAD IT'S WINDSHIELD REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE FREEWAY EACH TIME AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A ROCK. NOW I KNOW ROCKS BREAK GLASS, BUT I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH SUCH A FRAGILE WINDSHIELD. I'VE OWNED MANY MANY CARS AND NONE HAVE EVER NEEDED THEIR WINDSHIELD REPLACED EVEN AFTER BEING HIT BY A ROCK. CHIPPED YES, BUT NEVER CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS LIKE THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A POPPING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE LEFT FRONT, WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NOISE IS.
5/17/2020
WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS THERE IS A CRACKING SOUND IN THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION OR BRAKE AREA, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN GOING AT HIGH SPEEDS JUST SMALL BUMPS AND BRAKING.
7/29/2020
PARKING BRAKE
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND (2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (541) 389-3031) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 520.*CW*JB
10/30/2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND (2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (541) 389-3031) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 520.*CW*JB
10/30/2019
AIR BAGS
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND (2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (541) 389-3031) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 520.*CW*JB
10/30/2019
POWER TRAIN
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE CAR HAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE STABILITY AND THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. TRANSMISSION ALSO NEEDS REPLACEMENT. PROBLEMS HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAYS. DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS YOUTUBE FOOTAGE AS FOLLOWS: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=OXOJDP_T9LI HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=77WURJDTVZK HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LGQL63LDQVI&T=10S HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=0ACRLYXYHQI&T=11S
4/1/2020
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE REAR LIFTGATE. *LD THE CONSUMER INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED THE REAR LIFTGATE BECOMING TRAPPED BETWEEN THE LIFTGATE AND GARAGE DOOR UNTIL IT REACHED IT'S MAXIMUM OPEN CAPABILITY. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED TWO CUTS BEHIND THE RIGHT EAR, SEVERE BRUISING AND SCRAPING ON THE ARM, NECK AND HEAD. *JS
8/17/2020
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF PARK INTO GEAR, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOORS LOCKED WHILE THE REAR HATCH UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE REAR HATCH UNLOCKED THE DOME LIGHT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. W&L SUBARU (535 POINT TOWNSHIP DR, NORTHUMBERLAND, PA 17857 (570) 473-3432) WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE REAR HATCH MECHANISM WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900. Consumer stated Subaru would purchase the vehicle because of all the electrical problems.
9/21/2020
SEAT BELTS
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THIS IS NOT AGAINST SUBARU IT IS AGAINST DOHCLO COMPANY. I PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET SEATBELT EXTENDER. IT IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT SECURE THE SEATBELT TO RESTRAINT YOU IN AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD RESULT IN EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE DURING AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO ASSIST. I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT MAY USE THE ITEM WITHOUT CHECKING THAT IT IS SECURED PROPERLY. I FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED. I HAVE PHOTOS, THE PRODUCT AND COPIES OF ALL MY EMAILS REGARDING THIS.*DT*DT*AS*DT *TR*DT
9/28/2020
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Are complaints about the 2020 Subaru Outback a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Are complaints about the 2020 Subaru Outback severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Subaru Outback: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 1,113
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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