AI DamageSubaru Outback: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru Outback across 11 model years: 5,251 owner complaints and 1,057 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 34% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 4% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 2% of all complaints
- Visibility: 1,780 complaints (34% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Electrical system: 1,749 complaints (33% of all), 19 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2,129.
- Engine: 271 complaints (5% of all), 14 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 370.
- Forward collision avoidance: 228 complaints (4% of all), 38 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 43.
- Powertrain: 210 complaints (4% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 418.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2020–2027named in 2 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2018–2027named in 2 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2018–2019named in 1 complaints
- CVT 2018–2027named in 16 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5,251 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 1,780 | 6 | 52 |
| Electrical system | 1,749 | 19 | 2,129 |
| Engine | 271 | 14 | 370 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 228 | 38 | 43 |
| Powertrain | 210 | 12 | 418 |
| Steering | 151 | 9 | 30 |
| Vehicle speed control | 143 | 46 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 128 | 18 | 99 |
| Service brakes | 128 | 40 | 41 |
| Structure | 125 | 4 | 107 |
| Air bags | 94 | 32 | 84 |
| Lane departure | 94 | 5 | 18 |
| Exterior lighting | 65 | 0 | 10 |
| Backover prevention | 55 | 12 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The brakes failed and could be inspected upon request. My safety and the safety of two other passengers was put at risk because my vehicle rear ended an another vehicle at a red light.
No warning lights or strange sounds were emitted prior to the crash. A police report was filed. The contact was injured while seated in the drivers seat. No one outside of the vehicle was injured. The contact sustained whip lash and bruising from the seat belt. Medical treatment was needed for the injuries.
The driver recalls being thrown about within the seat during the incident, as the seat belt's emergency locking retractor appeared to fail. The seat belt did not lock during the collision sequence, which is supported by the absence of visible bruising across the chest area.
I pressed the parking brake button with no effect. The collision avoidance system did not engage. I clipped the rear of the Toyota Corolla as I jumped the curb to avoid cars using the friction against the curb and move further left when oncoming cars were clear and was able to stop the car.
On 05/08/2026 the brakes failed while in a queue at a drive-up restaurant. The car was steered away to a flat part of the parking lot. After a restart the brakes returned to operation and the car was taken to the dealership where the brake line were flushed and the brake fluid replaced.
The car was propelled into a metal post, resulting in my glasses flying off and a seat belt bruise, although the airbag did not deploy. I was examined by ambulance personnel at the scene. The car was towed, inspected by an insurance adjuster and eventually declared a total loss.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This service information bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
- This bulletin announces a repair procedure developed to address cases of the driver side mirror glass…
- This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- The 2026 Subaru Outback Is The BEST Outback Yet… So Why Are Sales CRASHING?!amount per author: 51,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 7 Issues That Ruin The 2026 Subaru Outbackamount per author: 50,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Ремонт рихтовка Subaru Outback 2018 із США (авто із аукціону)
- How to Reset Dashboard Warning Lights on Subaru Outback (Crash, ABS, Eyesight, VDC)
- SUBARU OUTBACK 2018 із США. За скільки привезти з Америки? Як відремонтувати? Із аукціону.
- Top 5 Problems Subaru Outback Wagon 2015 - 2019 5th Generation
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.