Wagon · Gas
Subaru Outback 2020–2026 (6th gen)

- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $27,700–$41,000
- MPG
- 29
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong reliability
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
How it scores for you10 scores
A supremely safe, comfortable AWD wagon built for long hauls, though modest cargo, unhurried power, and nagging windshield and electrical gripes keep it from perfection.
Recalled somewhat less often than cars of the same model years; 1 of its 11 recalls was serious. About 4% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +2 points for its wider reputation.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4).
About $2,300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 62% of cars we track.
32.5 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 25% of other wagons we track.
Roomy five-seat wagon with generous rear legroom and strong cargo (32.5/75.7 cu ft). Practical, family-friendly layout above segment norm.
Base 182hp is adequate but unhurried; CVT and soft suspension prioritize comfort over engagement. Standard AWD and high ground clearance aid off-pavement confidence, not spirited driving.
Large vertical touchscreen, standard EyeSight driver assist, and good connectivity are competitive. Interface can be sluggish and some functions buried in the screen.
Known for compliant ride, supportive seats, and quiet cabin for the class; raised ground clearance and long-distance comfort are Outback strengths.
Typical resale value for a wagon.
Rated to tow 2,700 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls16 recalls
16 recalls · 10 common complaint areas across 2020–2026
- Visibility/wiper — 284 complaints (2020)
- Recall — Powertrain: driveline: driveshaft (2023)
- Electrical — 246 complaints (2020)
2026
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The driver’s side mirror vibrates excessively at speeds above 20 mph, causing the reflected image to become blurry and difficult to focus. This creates a safety hazard during lane changes and especially at night, when blurred headlight/taillight reflections make it hard to judge the distance and spe
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
New car with only 965 miles. At 580 miles the car when I started it said safety eyesight system not working. I shut off car and restarted it and system connected itself. Today I was on highway doing 62mph and the entire dashboard, information and safety features displays went completely black withou
2025
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other18 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On May 16, 2026, I was driving approximately 65 mph northbound on the Glenn Highway near Anchorage, Alaska, in my 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Traffic was light, and there were no vehicles within approximately 150 yards of my vehicle. Without warning, my wife and I heard a loud bang followed imme
- Complaint clusterElectrical9 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The large LCD screen infront the shifter just goes blank. Been to the dealer the reload the operating system to no avail.
- Complaint clusterLane departure6 complaintscomplaints:LANE DEPARTURE
Lane-keeping/lane-centering: The system repeatedly pulls the vehicle too far to the right. More seriously, while driving on the freeway, it has randomly and suddenly jerked the vehicle to the right with a rapid steering input. This is not simply a matter of the system being imperfect—it creates a se
- Complaint clusterSteering6 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
When engine auto-restarts after Auto Start-Stop has started engine, steering wheel jerks violently if it is not completely straight, dislocated my 5th finger.
- Complaint clusterForward collision avoidance5 complaintscomplaints:FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Twice in one week I was backing slowly out of my driveway. No cars were in sight and the Subaru slammed on the breaks. The first time tweaked my back as I was looking over my shoulder when it broke so aggresively. I am fine.
2024
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other21 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2024 Subaru Outback rapidly deaccelerated/tried to stop in the middle of the highway twice! This is a safety issue and an accident waiting to happen. This car has been to the Subaru dealer 4 times for this issue and the dealer says they can’t figure it out. The last time the car slowed drastic
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper17 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
The moon roof shattered. Have not even had the vehicle two days yet. It was fine yesterday (5/26/2023). Went out this afternoon (5/27/2023) and found the moon roof completely shattered and fractured. There is a hole near the rear center and fractures covering the entire moon roof window. We had
- Complaint clusterElectrical14 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My battery prematurely drained and it caused my car to not start at all. It's a new car and was checked at the dealership and was confirmed to be in perfect working order when I bought it. Not even six months of owning it and then battery died, I had to pay out of pocket for a replacement battery. I
- Complaint clusterForward collision avoidance10 complaintscomplaints:FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
I own a 2024 Subaru Outback Limited XT, VIN [XXX]. While traveling approximately 45–50 mph on a four-lane road with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) engaged, my vehicle suddenly and rapidly decelerated and automatically applied the brakes as I approached a police vehicle traveling in the lane immediate
- Complaint clusterAirbags6 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
Accident! Deer walked out in front of car resulting in front end collision then semi truck smashed into rear of vehicle car then spun around resulting in side impact. No air bag deployed in the vehicle. Vehicle was considered a total loss! Both individuals in the vehicle were transported to hos
2023
- RecallPowertrain: driveline: driveshaft23V647000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch23V755000
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- Complaint clusterElectrical16 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Advanced Driver Assistance System (EyeSight/Automatic Emergency Braking), the Service Brakes, and the Central Electrical System malfunctioned. The vehicle is currently held at an authorized dealership and is available for inspection.On Monday, June 22, 2026, at approximately 4:47 PM, while trave
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper15 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield was struck by a small stone. There was no immediate damage but over a period of several weeks 5 cracks appeared traversing the windshield top to bottom.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other14 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have had no working SOS safety button in case of a crash despite having a 3 year plan. This started after a Starlink update failed to load to this date. I took it to the dealer and my software was found to be up to date and I was told not a Subaru problem for months. I wrote to Subura America an
- Complaint clusterForward collision avoidance12 complaintscomplaints:FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Phantom Braking of Pre-Collision Braking 2023 Subaru Outback Turbo Wednesday, July 29, 2026. 9:30 am, sunny day Driving south on local city street. Brakes slammed on, car stopped, flashing yellow lights on left Combination Meter stating that Pre-Collision Braking was activated. There was no vehic
- Complaint clusterExterior lighting6 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim while driving at night. Additionally, the contact stated that a black square shadow would appear in the illumination of both headlights which also impaired her vision while driving at night. The vehicle was
2022
- RecallElectrical: wiring; engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ecm)22V473000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
- RecallVisibility: windshield22V712000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Veh
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch23V755000
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger24V227000
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.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper239 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Vehicle is exhibiting signs of a possible design defect which causes windshields to prematurely crack, break, or shatter. My vehicle is a 22 Subaru Outback that when bought new, in the first week of ownership developed a windshield crack that the dealer ship refused to replace under warranty. We wor
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other77 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting a complaint regarding the battery in my 2022 Subaru Outback. The original battery failed after only approximately 2½ years of normal use. This issue became a serious safety concern when my vehicle stopped at a traffic light at a very busy intersection and died. I was unable to safel
- Complaint clusterElectrical48 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2022 Subaru Outback Premium has had repeated intermittent stall/no-start events. The exact failed component is UNKNOWN, but the issue appears related to the fuel system, engine control, electrical system, or heat-related sensor/relay failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
- Complaint clusterVisibility24 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the morning, she became aware of a 16-inch crack on the windshield. The contact stated that the crack had started close to the passenger’s side A-pillar, approximately 3-inches above the passenger’s side wi
- Complaint clusterPowertrain15 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
When traveling eat 6-65 mph and needing to merge and stepping on the gas pedal all the way the car would just sit there and do nothing for 1-2 seconds. this was not a one off situation. The car would do this regularly until I found out subaru had a fix for the transmission software. I recently ha
2021
- RecallPowertrain: shift linkage/cable/rod21V024000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); power train: driveline: chain/belt22V485000
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.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch23V755000
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger24V227000
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.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper89 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving when I heard a loud explosion sound. I first thought a rock or gunshot hit my car and pulled over to examine my car. I checked all around the car and didn't notice any damage on the side of my car but then I noticed that my sunroof was shattered. The glass was pushed outward which m
- Complaint clusterElectrical74 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle's Auto Start-Stop system shut the engine off while stopped at a red light in [XXX], in rainy conditions in late XXX at approximately 29,000 miles. When the brake was released after the light turned green, the engine did not restart, leaving it stopped in the travel lane in live traffic. The
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other47 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
First battery drain in car. Bought a new battery and it drained again for the second time. Called Suburu to ask about a parasitic drain from the DCM and they said it was likely that and told me to call Suburu America. Did that but they wanted me to take it to a Suburu dealer to get the problem verif
- Complaint clusterAirbags16 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
We are VERY concerned about the failure of some very important safety features of our 2021 Subaru Outback Touring Edition. We were involved in a bad car accident caused by a person under the influence who was in handcuffs when we were taken away by ambulance. As you can see by the photos, there wa
- Complaint clusterPowertrain11 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Good Day! I bought my 2021 Subaru Outback XT Onyx in Jan 2021. I had waiting 6 yrs for Subaru to use the Turbo Motor in the Outback again. I've had this car for 5 years with my warranty running out Jan 2026, but I only drive 5000-7000 miles per/yr. Current odometer is 29,901 miles. At my most recent
2020
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages19V664000
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.
- RecallBack over prevention: display function20V766000
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
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump21V587000
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.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); power train: driveline: chain/belt21V955000
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.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); power train: driveline: chain/belt22V485000
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.
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger24V227000
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.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper284 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked from a rock chip. Within 1 day, the crack had expanded to 12 inches across the windshield.
- Complaint clusterElectrical246 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In the first 2 weeks after financing vehicle it started having passenger window issues when it rained it caused window to not wat to go up or would try coming down when trying to let it up when it rained next qas battary kept killing my battery I've replaced 4 batteries in 2.5 years and then my rear
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other124 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle stalled out, stopped and promptly caught fire.
- Complaint clusterVisibility70 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side mirror had started to detach from the vehicle without an impact to the vehicle, and the mirror had become inoperable. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was
- Complaint clusterPowertrain46 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
From when we purchased this car new until the day we traded it. There were many times on the freeway at 60-65 MPH that you would need to move over a couple of lanes and went to wide open throttle and the car would simply do nothing for 1 to 2 seconds. I recently learned that in 22' Subaru had a
Cost to own$23,900 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$27,700–$41,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,300/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
26
Highway MPG
33
Combined MPG
29
Horsepower
182 hp
Doors
4
Length
192.1 in
Width
74.4 in
Height
66.1 in
Wheelbase
108.3 in
Curb weight
3,651 lb
Cargo volume
32.5 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
75.7 cu ft
Towing capacity
2,700 lbs
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