Subaru Outback Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru Outback model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2009 drew the fewest (106) and the 2019 the most (1,035).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
16 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 23–27 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
81 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 23–28 |
| 2023 | 89 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 23–28 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
102 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 23–28 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
106 | 13 | Air bags | — | 20–22 |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
129 | 8 | Air bags | — | 20–22 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
208 | 10 | Air bags | 5★ | 20–26 |
| 2008 | 226 | 8 | Air bags | — | 20–22 |
| 2012 | 292 | 16 | Power train | 4★ | 20–24 |
| 2021 | 296 | 4 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 26–29 |
| 2013 | 297 | 12 | Engine | 5★ | 20–26 |
| 2010 | 360 | 18 | Power train | — | 20–24 |
| 2022 | 464 | 4 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 24–29 |
| 2015 | 510 | 5 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 22–28 |
| 2016 | 643 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–28 |
| 2011 | 652 | 16 | Power train | 4★ | 20–24 |
| 2018 | 813 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–28 |
| 2020 Among the most complaints |
899 | 6 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 26–29 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
917 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–28 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
1,035 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–28 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru Outback years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Subaru Outback: 1,035 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 364 (35%); Visibility/wiper 326 (31%); Visibility 63 (6%).
Reports mention 24 crashes, 2 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,200 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Subaru Outback: 917 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 391 (43%); Visibility/wiper 205 (22%); Power train 47 (5%).
Reports mention 32 crashes, 3 fires, 25 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 30,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Subaru Outback: 899 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 313 (35%); Electrical system 259 (29%); Visibility 70 (8%).
Reports mention 19 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 5,700 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Subaru Outback years with the fewest complaints
2009 Subaru Outback: 106 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 30 (28%); Electrical system 23 (22%); Engine 15 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 3 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,503 miles. 13 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Subaru Outback: 129 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 46 (36%); Electrical system 20 (16%); Vehicle speed control 17 (13%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 83,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Subaru Outback: 208 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 38 (18%); Engine 35 (17%); Electrical system 32 (15%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 2 fires, 21 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru Outback owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 81 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 102 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 89 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9,000 |
| 2022 | 464 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 13,947 |
| 2021 | 296 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3,600 |
| 2020 | 899 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 5,700 |
| 2019 | 1,035 | 24 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 10,200 |
| 2018 | 813 | 27 | 4 | 19 | 0 | 16,927 |
| 2017 | 917 | 32 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2016 | 643 | 22 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2015 | 510 | 20 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2014 | 208 | 14 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2013 | 297 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 45,000 |
| 2012 | 292 | 15 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2011 | 652 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2010 | 360 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2009 | 106 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 70,503 |
| 2008 | 226 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 79,600 |
| 2007 | 129 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 83,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru Outback recalls
- Accessory Puddle Light may Short-circuit (2010–2011 model years; 633,842 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2012; 12V602000)
- Windshield Wiper Motor Bottom Cover may Melt (2010–2014 model years; 592,647 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V694000)
- Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion (2005–2009 model years; 461,338 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2014; 14V311000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2014 model years; 452,630 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V009000)
- Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture (2003–2008 model years; 432,016 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V323000)
All 71 Subaru Outback recall campaigns · Subaru Outback problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru Outback years FAQ
Which Subaru Outback year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2009 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (106). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru Outback years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2017 and 2020 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru Outback problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (2,163 of 8,135 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 71 recall campaigns covering the Subaru Outback. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru Outback recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.