1,478 of the 3,816 complaints about the Subaru Outback (38.7%) concern Body & structure, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 4.2× the Body & structure share across all tracked vehicles.
1,478Complaints · Body & structure
38.7%Share of complaints
4.25×vs. all vehicles
28Last 12 months
0.2%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
28 Body & structure complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 52 in the 12 months before — down 46%.
3 of these reports (0.2%) describe a crash or fire, with 8 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 22V712000 (2022-09-22, model year 2022).
I opened the hood all the way to add washer fluid. While doing so, the hood came crashing down on my head.
Body & structure · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770879
I am reporting a severe saftey and crash-compatibility defect on the front passenger side of the 2026 Subaru Outback Premium trim.
Body & structure · 2026-06-02 · ODI 11741702
This complaint is regarding a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness with approximately 68,000 miles. The vehicle's low windshield-washer-fluid warning remains illuminated even when the washer-fluid reservoir is full.
Body & structure · 2026-10-07 · ODI 11769527
I am experiencing a serious visibility defect in my 2026 Subaru Forester. When driving at night with headlights on, a dark curtain or shadow drops down over more than half of the windshield. This occurs consistently and severely reduces forward visibility.
Body & structure · 2026-10-02 · ODI 11768506
I was driving on the highway going 70 MPH when the hood latch suddenly came unlatched. The hood flew up and smashed into the windshield, blocking my view.
Body & structure · 2026-09-09 · ODI 11763120
While the vehicle was stationary and off, the rear windshield shattered and fell in the vehicle for the second time in just over 3 weeks.
Body & structure · 2026-09-07 · ODI 11762577
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Campaign 22V712000 · 2022-09-22 · Model years: 2022
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-22.
STRUCTURE Campaign 19V493000 · 2019-06-26 · Model years: 2019
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUH-93.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES Campaign 18V935000 · 2018-12-31 · Model years: 2018
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
