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2020 vs. 2021 Subaru Outback: What Changed

EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types for the 2020 and the 2021 Subaru Outback. Check the individual trims for equipment and production changes these records do not cover.

Two campaigns cover both years. Four campaigns (back over prevention, fuel system, power train and others) cover the 2020 and not the 2021, while two campaigns (power train) cover the 2021 and not the 2020.

Fewer campaigns do not establish better reliability. Confirm each car's coverage and repair status by VIN.

The campaigns that separate them

Imported NHTSA recall campaigns that name one of these two model years but not the other, with their component labels. Campaigns covering both years are left out of this list.

Only the 2020

  • 19V664000 service brakes
  • 20V766000 back over prevention
  • 21V587000 fuel system
  • 21V955000 power train

Only the 2021

  • 21V024000 power train
  • 23V755000 power train
A campaign may cover only part of a model year's production. Use the campaign number to ask an authorized dealer whether the car's VIN is included and what work remains. Our recall tool finds model-year campaigns; this guide explains the vehicle-specific check.

Side by side

2020 2021
Engines listed 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl
Drive types All-Wheel Drive All-Wheel Drive
Fuel types Regular Gasoline Regular Gasoline
Combined MPG 26–29 26–29
Recall campaigns 6 4
Complaints on file 896 296
Investigations 0 0
Complaint totals reflect different time on the road, sales and reporting. They cannot rank these years for reliability. The categories below identify symptoms to read about, not failure odds. How reporting time affects the comparison.

What owners reported, by system

2020

Visibility & lighting 385 (43%)
Electrical 247 (28%)
Other 153 (17%)

2021

Visibility & lighting 106 (36%)
Electrical 74 (25%)
Other 70 (24%)

Full reports

Open each year's report to read the recall, investigation, manufacturer communication and EPA variant records on file:

2020 Outback full report 2021 Outback full report Every Outback year compared

Sources and methodology