2020–2025 BT (6th generation)
2020–2025 Subaru Outback Common Problems and Years to Avoid
6 documented problems with the 2020–2025 Subaru Outback, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 5 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2020–2025 Subaru Outback recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA 19V-664 (Subaru campaign WUL-97) | Brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall) | major |
| NHTSA 24V-227 | Front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall) | major |
| Powell v. Subaru of America, Inc. | Spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement) | moderate |
| Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 2:26-cv-4935 (D.N.J.), pending as of 2026 | Parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation) | moderate |
| Subaru CVT customer support program (10-yr/100k extension) | CVT chain slip / shudder carried into early production | moderate |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
Brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall)
majorOn certain early-production 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles, the brake pedal mounting bracket has a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt, which can let the pedal mounting area deform and reduce braking performance. Subaru recalled the affected VINs; dealers inspect and tighten or replace the hardware free of charge.
Front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall)
majorA capacitor in the front passenger occupant-detection sensor can short-circuit, which can prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying in a crash. Subaru recalled about 118,723 2020–2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles; dealers replace the sensor free of charge.
Spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement)
moderateAs with the prior generation, owners of 2020–2022 Legacy and Outback (and 2019–2022 Ascent/Forester) reported windshields cracking or chipping with no apparent impact. A class action (Powell v. Subaru of America, Inc.) settled with an extended warranty for qualifying windshield claims experienced on or after the settlement's notice date, plus reimbursement options for prior repairs.
Parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation)
moderateOwners report the 12V battery draining dead after the car sits for a day or two, often traced to a control module failing to enter its low-power sleep state. The earlier 2015–2020 settlement (see BS generation) covers 2020 model-year Outbacks; a newer proposed class action (Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., filed May 2026) alleges the same defect persists across 2019–2025 Subaru vehicles and is still working through the courts as of this writing. It is not yet a settled claim.
CVT chain slip / shudder carried into early production
moderateSome 2019–2020 model-year vehicles (built on the tail end of the outgoing platform's CVT hardware) exhibit the same shudder/hesitation symptoms as the prior generation. Subaru's 10-year/100,000-mile CVT warranty extension applies to many of these VINs. Check eligibility with Subaru before paying for a CVT repair out of pocket.
Starlink infotainment glitches and backup camera delay
minorThe 11.6-in (or 6.5/8-in on base trims) touchscreen occasionally freezes, reboots, or shows a delayed backup camera feed. Software updates resolve most cases; persistent issues need a head unit reflash or replacement at the dealer.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2020–2025 Subaru Outback. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.
Which Subaru Outback model years does this cover?
These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Subaru Outback built from 2020 through 2025 — the BT (6th generation), mid-size wagon/crossover (subaru global platform). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2020–2025 Subaru Outback
- 2020Generation launch on the Subaru Global Platform; direct-injected FB25D replaces the port-injected FB25; 3.6R/EZ36 discontinued; EyeSight standard
- 2022Wilderness trim introduced. First Outback to use the turbocharged 2.4L FA24F, plus raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and a full-size spare option
- 2023XT trims (Touring XT, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT) broaden 2.4T availability beyond Wilderness; minor styling refresh
- 2025Final model year of this generation before the next redesign; largely a carryover year
2020–2025 Subaru Outback problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020–2025 Subaru Outback?
- The recurring ones are: brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall); front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall); spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement); parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation); cvt chain slip / shudder carried into early production. Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2020–2025 Subaru Outback years should you avoid?
- The years to be most careful with are those affected by brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall) (2020) and front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall) (2020–2022). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2020–2025 Subaru Outback?
- 5 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: NHTSA 19V-664 (Subaru campaign WUL-97) (brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall)), NHTSA 24V-227 (front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall)), Powell v. Subaru of America, Inc. (spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement)), Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 2:26-cv-4935 (D.N.J.), pending as of 2026 (parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation)), Subaru CVT customer support program (10-yr/100k extension) (cvt chain slip / shudder carried into early production). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2020–2025 Subaru Outback repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall), Free under recall; front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall), Free under recall; spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement), Covered under the settlement's extended warranty for qualifying cracks; $400–$1,200+ out of pocket including ADAS/EyeSight camera recalibration; parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation), $0–$300 for a battery swap that often doesn't fix the underlying drain; monitor for a resolved recall/settlement.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Subaru FB engine (FB25D direct-injection, 2020 Outback/Legacy)
- AMSOIL lookup, 2022 Outback 2.4L FA24 turbo oil spec/capacity
- NHTSA, 19V-664 brake pedal mounting bracket recall (WUL-97)
- NHTSA, 24V-227 front passenger airbag sensor recall
- Out Motorsports, 2022 Outback Wilderness review (260 hp FA24F introduction)
- classaction.org, Subaru lawsuit: 2019–2025 vehicles, parasitic battery drain (Taylor v. Subaru)
- AutoZone, 2023 Outback wiper blade fitment (26/18/16)
- Edmunds, 2023 Subaru Outback review (XT/Wilderness turbo trim lineup)