6th Generation · 2020–2024

Subaru Outback: Owner & Buyer Guide

What breaks, what it should cost to fix at an independent shop versus a dealer, when routine service comes due, and what to check before you buy.

Last reviewed: July 2026Reviewed by a drivway-verified technicianTODO confirm trim/engine split — 2.5L 4-cylinder (base/Premium/Limited/Touring), plus 2.4L turbo (XT/Wilderness) variants

The short version

The 6th-generation Subaru Outback (2020–2024) pairs standard all-wheel drive and Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist suite with a CVT that owners report as meaningfully more reliable than earlier generations. The main asterisks are well-documented Starlink touchscreen complaints and a heavy volume of windshield-cracking reports, both concentrated in the 2020–2023 model years. This guide is a research skeleton: the recall/campaign history and known-issue list are sourced, but repair cost ranges and several other details are marked TODO pending follow-up research.

Reliability: Average to above average — standard AWD and a genuinely improved CVT make this a safer used buy than earlier Outback generations, with the caveats below.

What owners like

Standard all-wheel drive across the entire lineup, unusual for a wagon-height crossover in this price range
Standard Subaru EyeSight driver-assist suite (adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist) on most trims
Generation-over-generation CVT reliability has reportedly improved noticeably versus the 2015–2019 Outback
Genuine off-pavement capability (8.7 in ground clearance, optional X-MODE) rare in the wagon/crossover segment

What to watch

Starlink touchscreen infotainment has a well-documented "ghost touch" / unresponsive-touch complaint pattern across 2020–2023 model years
Windshield cracking (including while parked, with no impact) is a heavily-reported complaint concentrated in 2022–2023 models
CVT-related complaints still exist on a minority of units — TCU software and select-lever cable issues were significant enough to prompt recalls
TODO confirm — turbo (XT) head-gasket or oil-consumption history on this specific generation, as older Subaru turbo engines have a reputation here

Common problems & what they should cost

Independent ranges reflect typical parts + labor at a competent independent shop. Dealer ranges reflect published estimator averages. Your quote depends on your area, parts choice, and related work.

Starlink infotainment touchscreen faults ("ghost touch," freezing, rebooting)

Reported across 2020–2023 model years, various mileages

Owners report the touchscreen registering phantom inputs or failing to register real ones, along with freezing, rebooting, and Bluetooth audio skipping. Because the same screen also displays the backup camera and can affect EyeSight functionality when it fails, this is a safety-relevant complaint, not just an annoyance. It is the subject of an active class-action lawsuit covering 2019–2023 Subaru models; check for a software update or unit replacement history before buying.

Independent$TODO–TODOusually a dealer-only unit replacement or software flash under Subaru's warranty/goodwill program — TODO confirm typical out-of-pocket cost once out of warrantyDealer / chain$TODO–TODO (may be covered by goodwill or the pending class action depending on timing)

Windshield cracking, including while parked

Concentrated in 2022–2023 model years

A large volume of owner complaints describe cracks appearing without any rock strike or visible impact, pointing to a possible manufacturing/glass-stress issue rather than road debris. There is no recall as of this writing — TODO confirm current status and whether Subaru has issued any guidance or extended coverage.

Independent$TODO–TODOstandard aftermarket windshield replacement pricing; ask whether ADAS/EyeSight camera recalibration is bundled inDealer / chain$TODO–TODO

CVT Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software fault

Reported on 2019–2021 Legacy/Outback

A programming error could allow the drive clutch to engage before the drive chain was fully clamped, which owners described as hesitation, slipping, or an unexpected drop into neutral. Subaru addressed this with a TCU reflash campaign — confirm the update has been applied via the VIN/service history before buying an affected model year.

IndependentFree if still within the campaign; TODO confirm if it ever falls outside coveragesoftware update, typically no part replacement neededDealer / chainFree (recall/service campaign)

CVT select-lever cable nut loosening

TODO confirm typical mileage of onset

On some units, the nut securing the CVT shifter cable was not tightened to spec, which could allow the cable to disconnect. Subaru issued a service campaign to inspect and re-torque it. TODO confirm which model years/production windows are affected.

IndependentFree if covered by the campaign; confirm VIN eligibility firstDealer / chainFree (service campaign)

Heads up: this guide is a research skeleton — the recall/campaign items above have a sourced (free) fix path, but every dollar range is a TODO placeholder and must be filled in from real quotes before this guide is treated as complete.

Maintenance milestones

Interval	What's due
Every 6,000 mi or 6 months	Oil & filter change — Subaru's stated interval for normal conditions; drop to every 5,000 mi/6 months if you regularly drive on roads salted in winter.
~30,000 mi	TODO confirm — cabin/engine air filters, brake inspection, multi-point check per Subaru's official schedule.
Every 3 years	Brake fluid — time-based, not mileage.
30,000–60,000 mi	CVT fluid change. Subaru markets the CVT fluid as long-life, but real-world conditions (towing, elevation changes, cargo loads) degrade it well before 100,000 mi — do not skip this on a 'lifetime fluid' assumption.

Good to know: TODO confirm — the 2.5L and 2.4L turbo engines in this generation are commonly reported as timing-chain (not belt), which would mean no scheduled belt-replacement interval to budget for; verify before publishing.

Buying a used one? Check these first

A 20-minute inspection catches the issues that actually cost money on this generation. Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

Test the touchscreen thoroughly before buying. Tap rapidly across the whole screen, including corners, and watch for unregistered touches, phantom taps, freezing, or a reboot. Also confirm the backup camera and EyeSight camera feed both display correctly, since a failing screen can take those down with it.
Inspect the windshield closely, edge to edge, in good light. Look for any crack or chip, even a small one starting at the edge — this generation has a disproportionate number of parked-car cracking complaints, and a previously-replaced windshield may signal a recurring issue.
Check the VIN against Subaru's recall/service campaign database. Confirm the CVT TCU software update and the select-lever cable inspection campaign have both been completed.
Drive it at low speed and watch for CVT hesitation or an unexpected drop to neutral. Especially relevant on 2020–2021 models built before the TCU update; a fixed unit should feel smooth with no hesitation on initial acceleration.
Ask for full CVT fluid change records, not just oil change records. Because Subaru's own language calls the fluid long-life, many owners skip this entirely — a car with zero CVT fluid service history over 60,000+ mi is a bigger risk than the mileage alone suggests.
Review full service records for the specific engine variant. TODO confirm turbo (XT/Wilderness) specific inspection points — oil consumption history in particular — once sourced further.

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Frequently asked

Is the Subaru Outback reliable?

Generally average to above average for this generation — the CVT complaint rate is reportedly much lower than the 2015–2019 Outback at the same age, and standard AWD plus EyeSight are strong points. The main asterisks are the Starlink touchscreen "ghost touch" complaints and a heavy volume of windshield-cracking reports, both concentrated in 2020–2023 models.

What are common Subaru Outback problems?

The most-reported issues on 2020–2024 (6th-gen) models are Starlink infotainment touchscreen faults (freezing, unresponsive or phantom touches), windshield cracking without impact, and two CVT-related service campaigns (a TCU software fault and a select-lever cable nut issue) that Subaru addressed via free recalls/campaigns. TODO — add turbo-specific issues once further researched.

Are Subaru Outback repairs expensive?

TODO — needs real independent-vs-dealer cost research; do not guess at figures here.

Does the Outback have a CVT, and is that a problem?

Yes — every 2020–2024 Outback uses Subaru's Lineartronic CVT, including the turbo XT/Wilderness. Reliability appears meaningfully improved over earlier generations, but treat the fluid as a real maintenance item (every 30,000–60,000 mi) rather than truly lifetime, and confirm any TCU software recalls have been applied before buying.