Subaru Outback: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 24 model years of the Subaru Outback on record, 2025 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about forward collision avoidance). 2010 has the most recall campaigns (18). 2023 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (7).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 24 MPG |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 24 MPG |
| 2025 | 0 | 40 | 5 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 25 MPG |
| 2024 | 0 | 2 | 0 | EQUIPMENT | 25 MPG |
| 2023 | 2 | 40 | 7 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 25 MPG |
| 2022 | 4 | 40 | 3 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 26 MPG |
| 2021 | 4 | 40 | 6 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 MPG |
| 2020 | 6 | 40 | 6 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 MPG |
| 2019 | 3 | 40 | 5 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 28 MPG |
| 2018 | 3 | 40 | 3 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 28 MPG |
| 2017 | 4 | 40 | 5 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 28 MPG |
| 2016 | 4 | 40 | 3 | ENGINE | 28 MPG |
| 2015 | 5 | 40 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 28 MPG |
| 2014 | 10 | 40 | 3 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 26 MPG |
| 2013 | 12 | 40 | 6 | ENGINE | 26 MPG |
| 2012 | 16 | 40 | 2 | POWER TRAIN | 24 MPG |
| 2011 | 16 | 40 | 4 | SERVICE BRAKES | 24 MPG |
| 2010 | 18 | 40 | 1 | SERVICE BRAKES | 24 MPG |
| 2009 | 13 | 40 | 2 | AIR BAGS | 20 MPG |
| 2008 | 8 | 40 | 4 | SERVICE BRAKES | 22 MPG |
| 2007 | 8 | 40 | 3 | AIR BAGS | 22 MPG |
| 2006 | 7 | 40 | 1 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 22 MPG |
| 2005 | 9 | 40 | 0 | SERVICE BRAKES | 22 MPG |
| 2003 | 15 | 40 | 3 | AIR BAGS | — |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Subaru OutbackQuestions
- Which Subaru Outback year has the most complaints?
- Of 24 model years of the Subaru Outback on record, 2025 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about forward collision avoidance).
- Which Subaru Outback year has the most recalls?
- 2010 has the most recall campaigns (18).
- Which Subaru Outback years have no complaints or recalls on record?
- 2027, 2026. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.