Reliability & cost of ownership
Subaru Outback Sport Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Subaru Outback Sport? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Subaru Outback Sport problems by model year
2 recall entries across 2 model years and 14 owner complaints across 3 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining model year — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Outback Sport | 1 | 6 | No NCAP test | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2008 Outback Sport | 1 | 4 | No NCAP test | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2006 Outback Sport | Not confirmed | 4 | No NCAP test | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Subaru Outback Sport, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- air bags6 complaints
- power train3 complaints
- unknown or other2 complaints
- engine2 complaints
- structure1 complaint
- electronic stability control (esc)1 complaint
- interior lighting1 complaint
- exterior lighting1 complaint