NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Subaru Outback Safety Ratings
The 2020 Subaru Outback scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 889 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
Five-star overall NHTSA crash protection anchors the 2020 Subaru Outback's NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. This score, while solid, sits three points below the 2019 model, a consequence of six recall campaigns and a weakened defect record sub-score.
The 2020 Subaru Outback holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100 and a 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Subaru Outback ranks 54 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 84 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 18.5% |
| Recalls on file | 6 |
| Owner complaints | 889 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 54 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Subaru Outback?
The 2020 Outback represents a notable generational reset for Subaru's mid-size SUV, and the safety data reflects both its strengths and its growing pains. The Safety Index lands at 84 out of 100, a three-point drop from the 2019 model's 87, driven almost entirely by the defect record sub-score falling to 8 out of a possible 20. That sub-score reflects six recall campaigns, a meaningful accumulation for a single model year. Two of those campaigns target the same component category, the transmission control module, through separate programming-error recalls issued roughly seven months apart, suggesting the initial fix required a follow-up remedy. A third recall addresses the front-passenger occupant classification sensor, which is directly tied to airbag deployment accuracy, making it one of the more consequential campaigns on this list. Against that backdrop, the crash-test picture is genuinely strong: a 5-star overall NHTSA rating backed by perfect frontal and side scores, plus standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across the lineup. The avoidance-tech sub-score of 10 out of 10 reflects that full suite. The 889 reported complaints, with Visibility and Wipers alone accounting for 313 unverified allegations, add a layer of concern worth monitoring, even if complaints carry no established-defect weight.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Subaru Outback perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Subaru Outback achieved a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA. While its frontal and side crash tests both earned 5-star ratings, the rollover assessment presents a relative weakness at 4 out of 5 stars, with a 19 percent rollover risk, despite a "No Tip" result in the dynamic tip-test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14808
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Six recall campaigns cover this model year. Components affected include the front-passenger occupant classification sensor capacitor, two separate transmission control module programming errors, a fuel pump, and a backup-camera display function. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the available data, but used-market buyers should verify remedy completion by VIN before purchase.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V227000
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Reported 2024-03-22
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)22V485000
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is W
Reported 2022-07-08
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)21V955000
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 wi
Reported 2021-12-09
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V587000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Reported 2021-07-29
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION20V766000
Risk: The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software and, if necessary, replace the Cockpit Control Module, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-20.
Reported 2020-12-10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES19V664000
Risk: A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware and replace the hardware or brake pedal assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUL-97.
Reported 2019-09-18
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has received 889 unverified owner complaints for the 2020 Outback. Alleged problem areas include Visibility and Wipers at 313 reports, Electrical System at 257, and Forward Collision Avoidance at 49. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
889 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Confirming completed recall remedies at a Subaru dealership is a critical pre-purchase step for any shopper considering a used 2020 Outback. The model has six campaigns on record, including airbag sensor and transmission control module recalls.
- The Safety Index dropped three points year-over-year, from 87 in 2019 to 84 in 2020, with the defect record sub-score of 8 out of 20 as the primary driver of that decline.
- Two distinct recall campaigns both target transmission control module programming errors, one issued in December 2021 and a separate campaign issued in July 2022, indicating a multi-stage remediation effort for the same system.
- The front-passenger occupant classification sensor recall, the most recent of the six campaigns, directly affects airbag deployment for the front passenger seat and should be treated as a priority remedy check.
- Unverified owner complaints total 889, with the Visibility and Wiper category alone generating 313 allegations, the single largest complaint cluster for this model year by a wide margin.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Subaru Outback places
The 2020 Subaru Outback qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Subaru Outback safety questions
Was the 2020 Subaru Outback crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Subaru Outback, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Subaru Outback crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Subaru Outback earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 18.5%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Outback have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Subaru Outback. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Subaru Outback?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 889 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Subaru Outback. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Outback years
Rivals in SUV (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14808), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Subaru Outback 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 54 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.