Most vehicle buyers consider reliability a major selling point when purchasing a new car or truck. We all want to get from Point A to Point B with no hiccups or unexpected twists and turns. Luckily, the Subaru family continues its established reliability trend with the 2020 Subaru Outback.
How reliable is the 2020 Subaru Outback?
The 2020 Subaru Outback earned a “Great” quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power, with a score of 70 out of 100. This places the Outback in the same category as respected competitors such as the 2020 Honda Passport and Toyota 4Runner.
- Owner Reviews: 4.59 Stars
- Expert Reviews: 4.60 Stars
Read on for a comprehensive reliability report featuring expert industry ratings, official recalls, consumer complaints and authentic user reviews. You can count on trustworthy resources to guide your vehicle purchase, including the NHTSA and our in-depth Vehicle History information database.
Subaru Outback History
Subaru Outback history begins with the earlier mid-size Legacy platform. The Outback debuted in 2000 as an appealing alternative to large sport utility vehicles. With its all-wheel drive and capacity for five passengers, it satisfied buyers who wanted the Legacy trim level in a more rugged vehicle.
At various times, Subaru offered an Outback Sedan and Impreza Outback Sport. Touted as an SUV alternative by Australian star Crocodile Dundee, the Outback Sport model lasted until 2011.
The second generation Subaru Outback from 2000 to 2004 featured longer and wider dimensions. It also offered a 3.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. The third generation from 2005 to 2009 introduced a third turbocharged engine option in the Outback XT.
The Subaru Outback evolved from 2010 to 2014 with a fourth generation that ditched the turbo engine. But it gained a considerably larger cabin. With the fifth generation through 2019, Outback lovers got an advanced safety suite and brand-new infotainment system.
2020 Subaru Outback Safety, Complaints and Recalls
To most of us, a vehicle’s reliability is closely tied its safety features and ratings. That’s where information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) plays a vital role in purchasing decisions. Who doesn’t want to transport family and friends in a reliable, safe vehicle?
The NHTSA awards the 2020 Subaru Outback 5 out of 5 stars on its overall safety rating system. This makes it stand out among competitors in the all-wheel-drive SUV category. In both frontal and side crash tests, it receives perfect 5 stars.
These NHTSA tests cover driver, passenger, front and back seats. Subaru itself proudly proclaims a 40-percent improvement in the 2020 Subaru Outback’s ability to absorb crash energy in both front and side collision scenarios.
Rollover Resistance crash testing from the NHTSA fared slightly worse at 4 out of 5 stars. This test measured the risk of a single Outback rollover when experiencing a loss of vehicle control. The Rollover Risk rate clocked in at 18.5 percent.
As the saying goes, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” This certainly applies to the car-buying public who are more than willing to speak out when something fails to measure up. As of October 2020, the Subaru Outback has received just over 200 customer complaints to the NHTSA.
The largest number of concerns fell in categories such as wiper visibility and electrical system components. Many customers noted quickly dying batteries, some just two months after purchasing the 2020 Subaru Outback.
The NHTSA issued one safety recall in September 2019. This recall was for a loose or missing brake pedal mounting bracket bolt. If unaddressed, the affected bolt could cause deformity to the brake pedal mounting area. This raises concerns of potentially reduced brake performance and higher crash risk.
Most consumer and industry professionals consider the 2020 Subaru Outback one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick + for 2020. In addition to crash testing, the IIHS rated the Outback for things such as roof strength, head restraints, seats, child-seat anchors and headlights.
