2020 Subaru Outback — Known Issues & Recalls

I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) on my 2020 Subaru Outback with approximately 20,480 miles. Multiple SRS and occupant detection system warning lights illuminated.

I received letter from Subaru of America saying parts available for recall repair but when I went to the dealer they did not have the parts.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

On December 28, 2025, my 2020 Subaru Outback lost the ability to engage any gear (Drive, Reverse, or otherwise) while maneuvering at low speed to make a U-turn. The vehicle became inoperable immediately and was towed to the dealer.

I'm writing to request assistance with my recall. This recall was first reported to the local dealership over one year ago. They have had me take the car back 4 times for inspection.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the transmission was slipping while attempting to shift gears. There was no warning light illuminated.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the contact was alerted by the message “Eyesight Technology Failure”, before the battery shut down, causing the steering wheel to seize, forcing the contact to come to a complete stop in the middle of the highway. The check engine, air bags, and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that several other unknown warning lights and alerts were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was jump-started, and the contact was escorted by a tow truck operator to the nearest dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,168. The VIN was invalid.

Immediately stop every single traffic light

The contact's husband owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start intermittently, but was able to be jump-started. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Advance Auto, where the contact was informed that the battery and the alternator were in good condition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

No warning, or dash lights. A/C stopped working. It’s 98 degrees outside, to me that is dangerous! Wagner Subaru said it is the actuator doors ($900 in diagnosing) they said it would cost $3600. It’s a 2020. There is no reason there should be a cost that high for that new of a car.

[XXX] and I were driving to Sean’s for dinner on Friday night [XXX] when the sunroof glass exploded at approximately [XXX]. [XXX] was driving on the [XXX] . We heard a loud bang and thought we were in an accident. We noticed sounds from the sunroof so I slide the cover open slightly and saw a massive hole so immediately closed it again. We pulled off and used the emergency ramp to examine the damage and take pictures. We think the glass exploded for no reason as we did not see any debris in front of us and were not under an underpass. We did not find any debris or scratches on the car indicating an external object as the culprit. I dropped my car off with Subaru Carlsbad on June 17, 2025 and am waiting for an update. My service advisor was shocked by the occurrence as she had not seen something like this. I pointed out that the glass exploded outwards and asked her to check the cabin pressure vents as we found discussion pointing to those as a potential issue when researching online. We also heard complaints that Subaru has specifically excluded this piece of glass from the warranty so I let my advisor know that I hope / expect this to be covered under warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While you were parking slowly, your car suddenly accelerated on its own and hit a wall, causing significant damage. This suggests a potential malfunction with either the forward collision avoidance system or the back-over prevention system that may have inadvertently triggered acceleration instead of prevention.

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".

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. Earlier in the day, I smelled gas, but I thought it was a different car as the smell of gas went away after a car that had a lot of exhaust coming out was no longer in sight.

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. I moved forward again , swiping the car in front again. The cars were merely feet apart and my car was thankfully moving very slowly. Had I been traveling at a higher rate of speed there could have been serious injuries. Car was taken to an Auto repair shop where the mechanic experienced the same problem with the brake pedal. He says the pedal went to the floor and the car wouldn’t stop. Car is currently at a collision shop where they report that inspection of the brakes is normal. They also report that the brakes worked when they pulled the car into the shop. The car has not yet been moved to the Subaru dealer service department for inspection of the brake pedal. There were no symptoms, warning lights or messages before the incident and there were none found by the shop after. My car was built in the same time frame as those involved with Recall #19V664000 which involves the brake pedal mechanism although my VIN was not included. The car is available for inspection. I initially received a ticket but it was dismissed after the repair shop owner reported the same failure.

Your 2020 Subaru Outback's engine oil pan seal is leaking oil, which gets pushed backward onto the transmission while you drive. The dealership confirmed this is a known manufacturing problem with the 2.4L Turbo engine, and the leak is significant enough that oil is traveling along the entire transmission assembly. This creates a potential fire hazard if the oil contacts hot exhaust components like the turbocharger or catalytic converter. The repair will likely involve replacing the oil pan seal and cleaning the affected transmission area.

Transmission is failing. Wheel bearing bad. This is a 5 year old car with regular maintenance. No warning lights.

Gas cap was not secured overnight. The next day every ADAS function both safety and convenience was disabled and their lights were on. Users guide said car should recover after a few miles of driving. 100 miles and multiple restarts later it did not. It was taken to the dealer where they cleared the error for free. Poor design that a loose gas cap could cause a collision due to lack of ADAS. Dealer said it is a known condition with all Subaru models.

I was driving to a medical appointment in Ann Arbor Mi, and was in the area where [XXX] has a few big turns in the road .... like at ... [XXX] .All of he sudden the car started to accelerate a little on the turn so I attempted to brake the vehicle and I could not feel the brake pedal. I slowly moved into the right lane and frantically trying to slow the car down. I still could not feel the brake pedal and I believe when I hit the speed control off is when it slowed down and I was able to finally brake the car. It all happened in a matter of 10-20 seconds I would guess and it was absolutely terrifying. I have on occasion used the speed control to slow down the vehicle and wonder if that might have some connection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car stalled in traffic. The engine was cranking but it would not start. Had AAA tow off the road and to my home. Car sat for 10 days waiting for a fuel pump (thought this was the problem). After sitting for 10 days the battery was totally dead! New fuel pump installed battery was jumped but could not start the car. After 2 hours on the charger the battery still did not have enough energy to turn over the engine. Car is in a certified service shop (Wilhelm). Battery replaced and same starting issues with the new battery and the new battery is discharging at a very high rate even though the car is not starting. Bought the car used in 2023 so I have no knowledge of the history of the car. Service provider running factory diagnostic testing but so far no determination as to cause of the high rate of discharge. Verified that the fuel pump is fully operational. What we know is that with a fresh fully charged battery and a working fuel pump the car will not start and remain running. The engine stops and the battery drain is excessive.