Subaru Outback problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 3,749 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls for the Subaru Outback. That averages 77.0 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.83 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #12 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Subaru Outback has logged 3,749 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls, averaging 77.0 complaints per year which is higher than typical but improving over time. The 2019 and 2020 model years run at least 50% above the average with rates of 134.6 and high early filings, while 2023 and 2024 models sit well below average with only 24.2 complaints per year. The most common problem area is Body & structure at 39.2%, where complaints are 4.3 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles, followed by Electrical issues at 27.4% and Interior & equipment at 12.7%. Recurring terms in owner reports include "windshield", "crack", "battery", "impact" and "rock", with 128 complaints describing a crash or fire resulting in 59 injuries and 0 deaths across all model years.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 75% below the 2018 and 2019 models (68 early complaints per model year versus 297).
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (134.6 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (24.2). Model years 2019 and 2020 run at least 50% above the model's own average — the ones to research most carefully. Model years 2023 and 2024 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (39.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (27.4%) and Interior & equipment (12.7%). Body & structure complaints are 4.3 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “crack”, “battery”, “impact” and “rock”. 128 complaints (3.4%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 59 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 241 complaints versus 276 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (52). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 21 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 15 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (3). No NHTSA defect investigation covers the tracked model years.
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Dodge Durango, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento; Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Palisade have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 807 | 93.0 | 2.21 | 242 | 2.72 | 37 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2019 Years to research carefully | 1,033 | 134.6 | 3.2 | 352 | 4.36 | 25 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2020 Years to research carefully | 896 | 134.2 | 3.19 | 544 | 9.56 | 21 | 6 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2021 | 296 | 52.2 | 1.24 | 169 | 2.76 | 21 | 4 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2022 | 462 | 98.9 | 2.35 | 328 | 4.44 | 39 | 4 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2023 Fewest complaints | 89 | 24.2 | 0.58 | 72 | 0.87 | 10 | 2 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2024 | 91 | 34.0 | 0.81 | 64 | 0.91 | 36 | 0 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2025 | 75 | 44.8 | 1.06 | — | — | 52 | 0 | Interior & equipment | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 241 · Previous 12 months: 276 Steady
Problem areas
Body & structure ›
1,468 · 39.2% · 4.27 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- windshield1355
- crack924
- impact353
- rock247
Interior & equipment ›
476 · 12.7% · 1.42 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- windshield241
- crack142
- rock55
- glass66
Driver-assist systems ›
130 · 3.5% · 0.6 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- eyesight33
- windshield52
- crack30
- lane34
Transmission / powertrain ›
95 · 2.5% · 0.22 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- transmission42
- cvt13
- train recall10
- power train13
Airbags & seat belts ›
73 · 1.9% · 0.51 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- air33
- seat30
- bags recall16
- passenger29
Steering ›
71 · 1.9% · 0.29 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering58
- hydroplaning11
- feels21
- wind14
Brakes ›
63 · 1.7% · 0.28 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake40
- pedal25
- braking22
- forward16
Fuel system ›
58 · 1.5% · 0.36 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel34
- gas19
- pump15
- ran10
Other
46 · 1.2% · 0.68 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- accelerated18
- seat16
- began accelerate4
- pedal12
Wheels, tires & suspension
30 · 0.8% · 0.32 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tires12
- yokohama3
- tread4
- wheel bearing3
Lighting
29 · 0.8% · 0.49 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- beams15
- headlights17
- bright10
- high17
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- windshield1685
- crack1115
- battery766
- impact429
- rock314
- eyesight198
- dead291
- side737
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 21 months
What owners report
When engine auto-restarts after Auto Start-Stop has started engine, steering wheel jerks violently if it is not completely straight, dislocated my 5th finger.
My complaint/safety issue is that while I was in my 2019 Subaru Outback, I experienced Unintentional acceleration. While waiting for the large chain-link fence at my storage unit to open, the Outback raced into the gate!
The Starlink infotainment touchscreen in my 2019 Subaru Outback Touring has progressively failed. Visible bubbles have formed under the glass, consistent with screen delamination.
While driving on the highway I had my cruise control on with my driving assist turned on. My car tried to veer to the left, hard, almost into the guardrail. It had happened before but not as severe as this time.
During normal vehicle operation, the castle nut came off the control arm causing it to disengage from the wheel. It is currently with the dealer for inspection and service.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge Durango | 752 | 15.2 | 0.36 | Improving | Steady | 18 | Lighting |
| 2 | Honda Passport | 652 | 17.6 | 0.42 | Improving | Rising | 16 | Engine |
| 3 | Nissan Pathfinder | 566 | 20.1 | 0.48 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | Engine |
| 4 | Kia Sorento | 1,382 | 36.2 | 0.86 | Stable | Rising | 17 | Engine |
| 5 | Ford Edge | 2,164 | 43.6 | 1.04 | Improving | Steady | 20 | Engine |
| 6 | Chevrolet Traverse | 1,657 | 43.8 | 1.04 | Stable | Steady | 13 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Toyota Highlander | 2,062 | 44.5 | 1.06 | Improving | Rising | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 8 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 1,968 | 58.3 | 1.38 | Worsening | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 9 | Ford Explorer | 3,122 | 65.6 | 1.56 | Improving | Steady | 70 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 10 | Honda Pilot | 2,824 | 67.4 | 1.6 | Stable | Steady | 26 | Engine |
| 11 | Kia Telluride | 1,945 | 73.6 | 1.75 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Body & structure |
| 12 | Subaru Outback | 3,749 | 77.0 | 1.83 | Improving | Steady | 15 | Body & structure |
| 13 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 3,335 | 85.9 | 2.04 | Worsening | Rising | 49 | Electrical |
| 14 | Hyundai Palisade | 2,277 | 102.2 | 2.43 | Worsening | Steady | 13 | Airbags & seat belts |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 15
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (3) · 2019 (3) · 2020 (6) · 2021 (4) · 2022 (4) · 2023 (2) · 2024 (0) · 2025 (0)
Investigations
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Outback model year has the most complaints?
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (134.6 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (24.2).
Is the Subaru Outback getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 75% below the 2018 and 2019 models (68 early complaints per model year versus 297). In the last 12 months owners filed 241 complaints versus 276 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Subaru Outback problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (39.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (27.4%) and Interior & equipment (12.7%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “crack”, “battery”, “impact” and “rock”.
How does the Subaru Outback compare with other Midsize SUVs?
Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #12 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Dodge Durango, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento; Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Palisade have more.
Does the Subaru Outback have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 15 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (3). No NHTSA defect investigation covers the tracked model years.