AI Damage2023 Subaru Outback: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Outback filed 89 complaints with NHTSA, most often about forward collision avoidance and visibility. The maker issued 324 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 89
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 324
What fails most often
- 1 Forward collision avoidance 25% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 3% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- Forward collision avoidance: 22 complaints (25% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Visibility: 19 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electrical system: 17 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 215.
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (8% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Exterior lighting: 6 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVT
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 89 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 22 | 3 | 6 |
| Visibility | 19 | 0 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 1 | 215 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3 | 8 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 1 | 42 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,300.
My car had an unintended acceleration that caused me to go in a ditch and hit a tree. I could not get car to stop when I realized it was increasing speed. It all happened very fast. My car was totaled. All airbags deployed. front right side of car was completely destroyed. There were no warnings.
The contact stated that his wife was driving the vehicle and as she was entering into a parking spot and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. The contact's wife reported that the vehicle had made an abnormal revving sound as if she had applied the accelerator.
While they were talking with the other driver and the police, a fire started under the hood of the vehicle and within several minutes the entire vehicle was consumed. The wreckage was towed to 1022 Shannon Court, Livermore [ZIP].
I know that the car accelerated on its own- I had no control as I avoided hitting the cabin and plowing through the woods. I had my new car for 32 days and did not see any warning signs. It was towed on December 12, 2022, the day after the incident.
The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. There were no warning lights. A police report was filed. The front end, bumper, hood, side panels, and fog lights were all damaged. The storefront, a nearby pillar, and decorative stone were also damaged. There were no injuries.
While driving on the highway I had my cruise control on with my driving assist turned on. My car tried to veer to the left, hard, almost into the guardrail. It had happened before but not as severe as this time. Going highway speed, I was lucky enough no one was next to me. Someone could have got seriously injured!
Driving at speeds around 40 and when braking to turn, the brakes jerk and feel like they are not engaging properly. It has happened to a different driver, twice both times on a 90 degree day, a few minutes after the vehicle had been started and the air conditioner was running on high.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 624 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Outback has 477 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 89, below average.
What to check before buying
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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 Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 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…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 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 diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top…
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on…
This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the…
This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the exhaust after startup. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for…
This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address SYMPTOM 1
A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. This is an revised version of the…
NHTSA lists 324 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Outback?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: forward collision avoidance, visibility, electrical system. Total complaints: 89. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (10%), warning lights, check engine (9%), infotainment or screen glitches (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA lists 324 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 Subaru Outback from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
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.