Reliability & cost of ownership
Subaru Outback Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Subaru Outback? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Subaru Outback problems by model year
199 recall entries across 29 model years and 9,781 owner complaints across 32 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 3 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Subaru Outback, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- electrical system2,285 complaints
- visibility/wiper1,759 complaints
- unknown or other1,333 complaints
- power train989 complaints
- engine721 complaints
- air bags694 complaints
- vehicle speed control531 complaints
- service brakes431 complaints