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Subaru Outback

Model years 1995–2023 · 71 recall campaigns · 3,853 complaints · 4 investigations · filed by SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Across 29 model years (1995–2023), the Subaru Outback has 71 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,853 complaints on file.

The component named most often in complaints is power train (120.7 per 1,000 component mentions), followed by air bags (109.2).

The 2011 model year has the most complaints (441). Recall campaigns peaked in 2016 with 9; complaints were received in the largest number in 2016 (455). Within Subaru, this line ranks 1 of 29 by total complaints.

Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.

Model years

Model yearRecallsComplaintsvs line averageUnits in campaigns
1995 Subaru Outback NHTSA record122%180,000
1996 Subaru Outback24635%209,442
1997 Subaru Outback47959%289,943
1998 Subaru Outback212796%199,386
1999 Subaru Outback111184%180,000
2000 Subaru Outback1207156%170,000
2001 Subaru Outback3171129%470,144
2002 Subaru Outback4143108%471,396
2003 Subaru Outback149370%1,916,339
2004 Subaru Outback108866%1,580,644
2005 Subaru Outback9244184%1,672,351
2006 Subaru Outback7243183%1,666,189
2007 Subaru Outback810680%1,766,316
2008 Subaru Outback8189142%1,766,316
2009 Subaru Outback138262%1,988,974
2010 Subaru Outback18282212%3,242,605
2011 Subaru Outback16441332%3,115,845
2012 Subaru Outback16172129%2,142,573
2013 Subaru Outback12184138%2,061,376
2014 Subaru Outback10139105%1,944,601
2015 Subaru Outback5265199%124,244
2016 Subaru Outback4160120%55,009
2017 Subaru Outback411687%49,018
2018 Subaru Outback3138104%475,806
2019 Subaru Outback32519%366,282
2020 Subaru Outback600%504,336
2021 Subaru Outback400%215,118
2022 Subaru Outback400%214,610
2023 Subaru Outback200%100,141

"vs line average" is the model year's complaints as a share of the line's average per model year (100% = average). A campaign covering several model years counts once per year. Model years with one campaign and fewer than 25 complaints are listed but have no page of their own; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record.

Components most reported

Power Train120.7
Air Bags109.2
Electrical System83.1
Vehicle Speed Control73.2
Engine60.4
Engine and Engine Cooling59.2
Unknown or Other52.8
Suspension52.2
Exterior Lighting50.7
Visibility/Wiper50.3

Per 1,000 component mentions across all Subaru Outback complaints (4,947 mentions).

Campaigns by year reported

98
02
06
10
14
18
22
26
Distinct NHTSA campaigns naming the Subaru Outback, by the year the Part 573 report was received.

Complaints by year received

97
01
05
09
13
17
21
25
Complaints about any Subaru Outback model year, by year received.

Other Subaru model lines

Questions and answers

Which Subaru Outback model years have the most recalls?

2010 (18), 2011 (16), 2012 (16). Across model years 1995–2023 there are 71 distinct campaigns.

Which Subaru Outback model year has the most complaints?

2011, with 441 of the line's 3,853 complaints. Newer model years have had less time to accumulate reports.

What do owners of the Subaru Outback complain about?

power train (120.7 per 1,000 mentions), air bags (109.2 per 1,000 mentions), electrical system (83.1 per 1,000 mentions). Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.

Where does this data come from?

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint flat files, public domain, dated 29 Sep 2026 and 15 May 2019.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, dated 29 Sep 2026 and 15 May 2019. Model names are as NHTSA records them; variants such as "Accord" and "Accord Hybrid" are separate lines. See the methodology.