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BrakesPart report

2020 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
2%of 902 total for the year
Median mileage
1,434miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 902 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,434 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Car windshield had ice obscuring part of the eyesight system on startup. Warning indicators lit up informing me that the eyesight system was disabled. Concurrent with this fault, the failure of the eyesight system would not allow me to release the electronic parking brake leaving me stranded in the snow.”

NHTSA complaint #11363815, filed 2020-10, 900 miles

“While traveling at about 35 to 40mph approaching a stopped intersection (red light) I tried to slow the vehicle by braking and could not locate the brake petal. I put my foot on the accelerator and moved it to the left at the same level in an effort to find the brake petal. My foot did not hit the petal. I again moved my foot from right to left higher than lower and still did not find a brake petal. I could not stop the vehicle from moving forward. …”

NHTSA complaint #11350471, filed 2020-08, 1,869 miles

“On tuesday 9 february, 2021 I was returning home from picking my two children up from school (age 4 and 6). As I approached the drive way the brakes functioned properly to allow me to turn into the driveway, but suddenly the brakes stopped functioning and the car accelerated driving straight through my closed garage door. I was able to control steering but regardless of my foot pressing firmly on the brake pedal, the car continued to accelerate. Thankfully, installed in the cement was a rogue r3 weight rack that was bolted into the cement at four locations. …”

NHTSA complaint #11396627, filed 2021-02, 1,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11352025, filed 2020-08, 6,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11342057, filed 2020-07, 8,300 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202615%
202578%
202444%
202378%
2022112%
202183%
2020152%
2019222%
2018182%
2017253%
2016193%
2015285%
20142211%
20133110%
20124014%
20117812%
20104011%
200988%
20083114%
200786%
2006197%
20053111%
200433%
200378%
20023122%
20013018%
2000126%
199998%
19981512%
1997911%
1996715%

Other parts of the 2020 Subaru Outback

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
383 complaints
Electrical system
259 complaints
Other or unknown
153 complaints
Engine
49 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
49 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
48 complaints
Body and structure
22 complaints
Lane departure
20 complaints
Air bags
18 complaints
Vehicle speed control
18 complaints
Exterior lighting
16 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Subaru Outback

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology