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Fuel systemPart report

2020 Subaru Outback Fuel system Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
2%of 901 total for the year
Median mileage
4,650miles
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 fuel system of the 2020 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 901 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,650 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 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.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11321843, filed 2020-04, 950 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

“Driving on a busy road, made a stop at a light. When I got the green arrow to turn left, car just died in the middle of the intersection. Was fortunate, 4 good individuals jumped out of their vehicles to push us out of the intersection and avoid collision with oncoming traffic. Called Subaru for a tow. During the 2 hour wait, tried to start a couple of times with no luck. When tow truck arrived, was to put it in neutral, so attempted to start again, which it did. Drove immediately to dealership. Stayed there for 2 and a half weeks. …”

NHTSA complaint #11361540, filed 2020-09, 3,300 miles

“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. I got out and could see fire coming from under the front of the car. We moved away and he called 911.”

NHTSA complaint #11718035, filed 2026-02

“We are getting about 24.5 mpg highway on a car that was advertised at 33 mpg highway. We traded in a 2015 outback that did consistently get 32 mpg on the type of driving we do. (mostly Highway). I have taken the car to the dealer where we purchased the vehicle several times but they say the computer shows no problem. They cannot conceive that the sensors or the computer might be in error. This 30%reduction in gas mileage will cost us about $600/year. …”

NHTSA complaint #11425376, filed 2021-07

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202534%
202422%
202322%
202261%
2021103%
2020152%
2019323%
2018466%
2017162%
2016132%
2015184%
2014136%
2013155%
201241%
2011162%
201051%
200977%
200831%
200765%
20064014%
2005197%
200467%
200344%
20023222%
20013219%
2000126%
199944%
199843%
199756%
199624%

Other parts of the 2020 Subaru Outback

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
383 complaintsElectrical system
259 complaintsOther or unknown
153 complaintsEngine
49 complaintsForward collision avoidance
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
48 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsLane departure
20 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Subaru Outback

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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