2020 Subaru Outback: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Subaru Outback: 6 recalls, 899 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V664000 · 2019 · 3,467 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #20V766000 · 2020 · 7,741 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
The 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #21V587000 · 2021 · 175,968 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #21V955000 · 2021 · 198,255 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An improperly secured drive chain May slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #22V485000 · 2022 · 182 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An improperly secured drive chain May slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #24V227000 · 2024 · 118,723 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ods sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility/Wiper (313): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), noise or vibration (7), electrical failure (6).
- Electrical (259): the most common themes are electrical failure (211), stalls / loses power (69), won't start (45).
- Other / unknown (152): the most common themes are electrical failure (17), stalls / loses power (11), noise or vibration (8).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (70): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2020 Subaru Outback has 899 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 32 Outback model years for complaints (2.9× the average Outback year). Complaints peaked in 2021 (284 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 5,700 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (1035 complaints, 3 recalls), 2021 (296 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Subaru Outback.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners have filed 899 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (313), electrical (259), other / unknown (152).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Subaru Outback get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (AV-S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Subaru Outback repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.