Subaru Outback owners filed 5,835 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2019 Subaru Outback drew the most complaints (1,033); across all years, owners complain most about electrical system (32% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2019, with 1,033 complaints, led by electrical system (363) and 3 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Electrical system drew 1,884 complaints but one recall, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Stop-driving recalls: One recall told owners to stop driving until repaired (16V292000).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2017 (1.8 times as many complaints), 2018 (1.6 times as many complaints), 2019 (2.0 times as many complaints), 2020 (1.8 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: steering complaints came at a median 4k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 34 complaints mention a fire and 181 a crash, with 114 injuries reported.
Subaru Outback complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 5 recalls | 504 | Wipers / visibility (129), Electrical system (126), Engine (46) median 22k mi · 20 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2016 4 recalls | 643 | Electrical system (309), Wipers / visibility (83), Engine (53) median 35k mi · 22 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2017 4 recalls | 917 | Electrical system (391), Wipers / visibility (205), Transmission / powertrain (47) median 30k mi · 32 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2018 3 recalls | 811 | Electrical system (265), Wipers / visibility (233), Fuel system (43) median 17k mi · 27 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2019 3 recalls | 1,033 | Electrical system (363), Wipers / visibility (326), Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) (63) median 10k mi · 24 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2020 6 recalls | 897 | Wipers / visibility (313), Electrical system (259), Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) (70) median 6k mi · 19 crashes · 7 fires |
| 2021 4 recalls | 296 | Wipers / visibility (97), Electrical system (75), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (29) median 4k mi · 9 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2022 4 recalls | 463 | Wipers / visibility (255), Electrical system (51), Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) (26) median 14k mi · 10 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2023 2 recalls | 89 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (22), Electrical system (17), Wipers / visibility (16) median 9k mi · 8 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2024 no recall | 102 | Wipers / visibility (21), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (18), Electrical system (16) median 3k mi · 5 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2025 no recall | 80 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (19), Lane departure assist (14), Electrical system (12) median 2k mi · 5 crashes · 2 fires |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 35, more than the 24 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Subaru Outback problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1,884 | 32% | 1 | 20k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Wipers / visibility | 1,683 | 29% | 2 | 12k mi | Wiper replacement cost |
| Engine | 321 | 6% | 1 | 17k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | 267 | 5% | 2 | 25k mi | — |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 249 | 4% | 1 | 15k mi | — |
| Transmission / powertrain | 247 | 4% | 7 | 30k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 172 | 3% | 0 | 9k mi | — |
| Steering | 165 | 3% | 2 | 4k mi | Power steering repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Subaru Outback owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Electrical system
2018 Subaru Outback, only 10,500 miles, battery keeps draining, and finally would not crank the engine. This happened 10-24-2020 (sat.) dealer white bear Subaru would not answer his phone in service department. Called Subaru roadside assistance, they would not tow to a Subaru dealer, only a nearby independent repair facility.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11366192
Battery died at 22928 miles and less than 2 years. Dealer replaced, but 18 months later, and several jump starts, we took it back to the dealer. Now, out of warranty, we spent $673 to replace a defective circuit board that was draining the battery.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11374176
Related recalls: 18V773000 (2018): 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.
1,884 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Wipers / visibility
I purchased new 2017 Subaru Outback on august 2017. However, the windshield was cracked without any reason after two weeks. I found it in the morning. I called to local dealer, but they said that I need to pay over $800 to replace the windshield. To save money, I replaced the windshield on safelife autoglass. I paid around $500, but my eyesight was not adjusted.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11310917
The car was purchased certified pre owned with less than 20000 miles. After I got my first car wash noticed thousands of pit in the window. They had it super covered with a compound the wash took off. Now for no reason a huge crake went through the windshield! Warranty of course won't cover it. Wham!!! $$1000 repair! I have had car less then three months.
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11352570
Related recalls: 22V712000 (2022): An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. 18V935000 (2018): Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
1,683 owners reported wipers / visibility problems; the wiper replacement cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Engine
I was driving and suddenly 13 flashing lights and codes from check engine to loss of cruise control and rab -dealer says it needs a new thermo control valve (thermostat). This failed part has been common on subarus for 3 years-reported on internet and even to the point where a guy sitting next to me today with same car and year and same $1800 bill and diagnosis. Should be a recall. Part was redesigned in 2022 I read.
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11543033
Engine cam carrier seals are leaking. Repair cost is $5,700 plus tax. Vehicle is well cared for and well maintained with only 96,000 miles the Subaru manufacturer was contacted and will do nothing to fix and does not admit engineer defect nor manufacturing defect. Basically, 96,000 and needs a new engine. Please put out a national recall.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11750422
Related recalls: 22V473000 (2022): A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
321 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Subaru Outback recalls
Check these first: 16V292000 (2015–2017, steering: do not drive).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V227000 | 2024-03-22 | 2020–2022 | Air bags | An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V755000 | 2023-11-09 | 2021–2023 | Transmission / powertrain | An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V647000 | 2023-09-21 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash. |
| 22V712000 | 2022-09-22 | 2022 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 22V485000 | 2022-07-08 | 2020–2021 | Transmission / powertrain | An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V473000 | 2022-07-01 | 2022 | Engine and cooling | A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V955000 | 2021-12-09 | 2020 | Transmission / powertrain | An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V587000 | 2021-07-29 | 2018–2020 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V024000 | 2021-01-26 | 2021 | Transmission / powertrain | 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. |
| 20V766000 | 2020-12-10 | 2020 | Backup camera / rear sensors | The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash. |
| 20V218000 | 2020-04-16 | 2019 | Fuel System, Gasoline | If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V910000 | 2019-12-19 | 2016–2017 | Air bags | In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 19V664000 | 2019-09-18 | 2020 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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. |
| 19V493000 | 2019-06-26 | 2019 | Body structure | In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury. |
| 18V935000 | 2018-12-31 | 2018 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash. |
| 18V773000 | 2018-11-01 | 2018 | Electrical system | 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. |
| 16V716000 | 2016-10-06 | 2017 | Steering | If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 16V576000 | 2016-08-03 | 2017 | Suspension | If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash. |
| 16V292000 | 2016-05-11 | 2015–2017 | Steering | The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash. |
| 16V251000 | 2016-04-27 | 2015 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V794000 | 2015-11-24 | 2016 | Transmission / powertrain | If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 15V502000 | 2015-08-10 | 2015–2016 | Transmission / powertrain | If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire. |
| 15V366000 | 2015-06-12 | 2015 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 14V577000 | 2014-09-19 | 2015 | Trailer Hitches | The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
5,835 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Subaru models in the index
- Subaru Forester (4,033)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.