Subaru Outback problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 5,375 owner complaints and 56 recalls on file for the Subaru Outback (2005–2026). The 2019 Outback has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints: 5,375
Recalls: 56
Model years: 22
Worst year: 2019

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Subaru Outback model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Subaru Outback years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2019 Subaru Outback — 913 complaints, 21 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
2020 Subaru Outback — 883 complaints, 18 crashes, 7 fires; top problem: Visibility & Wipers
2017 Subaru Outback — 726 complaints, 21 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Electrical System
2018 Subaru Outback — 571 complaints, 22 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
2022 Subaru Outback — 465 complaints, 10 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Visibility & Wipers

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2007 (17 complaints).

Every Subaru Outback model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2026 Outback	16	1	0	4	0	Electrical System
2025 Outback	82	5	2	1	0	Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 Outback	104	5	2	4	0	Visibility & Wipers
2023 Outback	89	8	1	3	2	Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2022 Outback	465	10	4	6	4	Visibility & Wipers
2021 Outback	296	9	1	4	4	Visibility & Wipers
2020 Outback	883	18	7	3	6	Visibility & Wipers
2019 Outback	913	21	2	16	3	Electrical System
2018 Outback	571	22	2	15	3	Electrical System
2017 Outback	726	21	3	15	4	Electrical System
2016 Outback	431	11	2	7	4	Electrical System
2015 Outback	219	9	1	9	5	Electrical System
2014 Outback	48	3	1	2	10	Electrical System
2013 Outback	87	5	3	2	12	Engine
2012 Outback	95	6	2	4	16	Transmission & Drivetrain
2011 Outback	157	5	1	4	16	Transmission & Drivetrain
2010 Outback	67	1	1	0	18	Brakes
2009 Outback	23	0	2	1	13	Electrical System
2008 Outback	32	2	2	0	8	Brakes
2007 Outback	17	1	0	0	8	Airbags
2006 Outback	32	0	1	0	7	Acceleration & Cruise Control
2005 Outback	22	0	0	0	8	Brakes

Most common Subaru Outback problem areas (all years)

Electrical System
1,815 complaints
Visibility & Wipers
1,586 complaints
Engine
396 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
344 complaints
Transmission & Drivetrain
315 complaints
Brakes
253 complaints
Body & Structure
156 complaints
Acceleration & Cruise Control
153 complaints
Airbags
140 complaints
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
136 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Subaru Outback received by NHTSA each month.

Subaru Outback recalls

Recall 24V227000Mar 22, 2024118,723 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Recall 23V755000Nov 9, 202395,830 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023
Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V647000Sep 21, 20234,311 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V712000Sep 22, 202242 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 22V485000Jul 8, 2022182 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V473000Jul 1, 202215 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V955000Dec 9, 2021198,255 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V587000Jul 29, 2021175,968 vehiclesModel years 2018–2020
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V024000Jan 26, 2021383 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Recall 20V766000Dec 10, 20207,741 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
Recall 20V218000Apr 16, 2020188,207 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 20V003000Jan 2, 2020111,562 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 20V001000Jan 2, 2020258,813 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 20V002000Jan 2, 2020127,547 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V910000Dec 19, 201946 vehiclesModel years 2016–2017
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 19V664000Sep 18, 20193,467 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V493000Jun 26, 20192,107 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Recall 19V297000Apr 11, 2019511 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 19V008000Jan 9, 2019330,120 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V009000Jan 9, 2019452,630 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V007000Jan 9, 201943,394 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V935000Dec 31, 201871,190 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Recall 18V773000Nov 1, 2018228,648 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V626000Sep 13, 201827,175 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V012000Jan 9, 201864,179 vehiclesModel years 2009–2013
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Other Subaru models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology