2020 Subaru Outback engine problems
48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2020 Subaru Outback — 5% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on various occasions upon bringing the vehicle to a stop or upon acceleration the vehicle had experienced a total loss of automotive power, and all of the warning lights would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer…”
filed Aug 19, 2026
“The warning lights on our 2020 Subaru Outback have lit intermittently for the past 2 years. When bringing the vehicle into the dealer for service and oil changes, this was reported. Recently the TPMS light began to light intermittently. Tire pressure was checked and adjusted but the problem…”
filed Jul 21, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the exhaust after startup. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
02-196-26R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 20, 2026
Engine problems in other Outback years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 Outback | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 Outback | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Outback | 21 | 5% |
| 2021 Outback | 21 | 7% |
| 2019 Outback | 39 | 4% |
| 2018 Outback | 37 | 5% |
| 2017 Outback | 43 | 5% |
| 2016 Outback | 53 | 8% |
| 2015 Outback | 47 | 9% |
| 2014 Outback | 35 | 17% |
| 2013 Outback | 67 | 23% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Subaru Outback
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.