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Body and structurePart report

2020 Subaru Outback Body and structure Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
2%of 901 total for the year
Median mileage
8,600miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the body and structure of the 2020 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 901 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,600 miles.

Example complaints

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

“The windshield cracked in the garage while it was stationary. Nothing physically damaged the windshield and it cracked on its own. This happened twice on my 2017 Subaru Outback as well. I see that there is a class action lawsuit in place and I would like to get added as this is the third time this has happened.”

NHTSA complaint #11390331, filed 2021-01, 9,000 miles

“While interacting with the rear of the car while it was parked and shut off, I had accidently triggered the hands-free power rear gate feature and the gate began to open. Rather than wait for the tail gate to fully open, I gently pushed the rear tail gate against the automatic opening back into the closed position. At this point, the car beeped at me three times and the rear tail gate would no longer latch itself closed, even when closed manually. …”

NHTSA complaint #11374900, filed 2020-11, 8,200 miles

“We were driving down hiway 50 near gunnison co when we heard a sharp sound followed by the windshield cracking. Within a few seconds, this was repeated but the cracking occurred in a different place on the windshield.”

NHTSA complaint #11348483, filed 2020-08, 2,000 miles

“Sunroof glass exploded out while driving on highway at 70 MPH. Happened at 7 a.m. 5/10/2021 in mechanicsville va. Nothing hit the vehicle and it was about 63 degrees outside. I haven't used the sunroof in weeks. It made no since. I googled and saw where this has been reported to have happened to them on their Outback and some other vehicles too. I thankfully had the inside cover panel slid forward so none of the glass came down on me. I took the car back home but as I drove slower, the glass kept coming apart. …”

NHTSA complaint #11415829, filed 2021-05, 16,000 miles

“Bought brand new, in 5 months the windshield had a cracked windshield, not the impact strike spider type, but from the drivers side edge, straight line crack 2 feet long. The second time a crack, straight line type from the passenger edge. The vehicle was in motion both times, 50 miles an hour, no other vehicles around. While driving with the crack, the crack would get longer. Never scene anything like it.”

NHTSA complaint #11403373, filed 2021-03, 17,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202615%
202511%
202422%
202322%
202272%
202172%
2020212%
2019273%
2018152%
2017263%
2016193%
2015336%
2014115%
2013114%
201252%
2011112%
2010144%
200955%
200863%
200754%
200621%
200573%
200355%
2002107%
2001159%
2000136%
199944%
199822%
199734%
199637%

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
Lane departure
20 complaints
Air bags
18 complaints
Vehicle speed control
18 complaints
Exterior lighting
16 complaints
Brakes
15 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 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