Subaru Outback Driver-assist systems problems

0.66 vs. all vehicles Rising

144 of the 3,816 complaints about the Subaru Outback (3.8%) concern Driver-assist systems, making it the model's #5 problem area. That share is 0.7× the Driver-assist systems share across all tracked vehicles.

144Complaints · Driver-assist systems

3.8%Share of complaints

0.66×vs. all vehicles

24Last 12 months

4.9%Share involving a crash or fire

0Related recalls

Analysis

24 Driver-assist systems complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 15 in the 12 months before — up 60%.

7 of these reports (4.9%) describe a crash or fire, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.

No recall campaign addresses Driver-assist systems for the tracked model years.

By model year

Year	Complaints	Share of complaints
2018	8	1.0%
2019	23	2.2%
2020	32	3.6%
2021	16	5.4%
2022	16	3.4%
2023	14	15.7%
2024	14	14.1%
2025	13	15.9%
2026	8	22.9%

When complaints were filed

Last 12 months: 24 · Previous 12 months: 15

What owners report

1. Pre-collision warning system malfunctioned. On my vehicle it has activated 4 different times when there was no obstacle in the roadway -- one of which happened in front of a semi truck and the semi truck almost rear ended me.

Driver-assist systems · 2025-09-16 · ODI 11687671 · Crash
The Subaru front camera incorrectly detected a hazard. The automatic braking system engaged and locked the steering. I skidded off the pavement, causing damage to the car.

Driver-assist systems · 2025-01-04 · ODI 11634070 · Crash
The pre-collision breaking system activated while I was driving 35mph on a straight road with no cars or obstacles present. There was enough force generated in the abrupt stop that the seatbelt locked and unsecured items were thrown to the floor.

Driver-assist systems · 2026-10-12 · ODI 11770721
I have owned this vehicle since January 2026. It's the first vehicle I have owned with a forward collision warning system and active emergency braking. And this is the first time this "failure" has happened, so far...

Driver-assist systems · 2026-09-15 · ODI 11764559
While traveling along I-94E outside of Macomb County on September 10th at around 8:30AM, forward collision warning triggered twice while facing the direct sun. It triggered for around 6 seconds.

Driver-assist systems · 2026-09-14 · ODI 11764235
I was pulling into a handicapped parking spot at the grocery store, turning right into it, and was almost stopped, with my right foot on the brake, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at top speed, surging over the median strip, flattening the "Handicapped…

Driver-assist systems · 2026-09-13 · ODI 11763914

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Related recalls