Subaru Outback Reliability

12,136 NHTSA complaints (1995–2026). Complaint rate: 86.6 per 1,000 vehicles.

Severity Score
136.6
Complaints
12,136
Crash Rate
5.4%
Fire Rate
1.1%
Injuries
397
Fatalities
8

Subaru Outback Generations

Manufacturer redesigns the car every few years (a “generation”). Each generation has different engineering and common issues. Click a generation to see year-by-year breakdown.

GenerationYearsComplaints
Gen 11995–1999469
Gen 22000–2004850
Gen 32005–20091,358
Gen 42010–20142,364
Gen 52015–20194,733
2015634View→
2016762View→
20171,095View→
2018965View→
20191,277View→
Gen 62020–20252,361
Gen 72026–present0

Which Years to Buy & Avoid

Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.

Bottom line: Avoid the 2015–2020 Subaru Outback (256 crash-related complaints). The 2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Avoid These Years

2015–2020
~976/yr complaints · 256 crashes
2010–2011
~660/yr complaints · 55 crashes
2022
~523/yr complaints · 18 crashes

Average

2000–2002
~209/yr complaints
2005–2008
~304/yr complaints
2012–2014
~348/yr complaints
2021
~394/yr complaints

Better Years

2023
~118/yr complaints
2009
~141/yr complaints
2003–2004
~112/yr complaints
1995–1999
~94/yr complaints

Too New

2024–2025
203 complaints so far

Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.

Looking at a specific Subaru Outback?

A model's reputation is just the start.

Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

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Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA complaint count per model year

Subaru Outback — Complaints by Model YearPeak: 2019 (1,277)
03677341,1011,46919951998200120042007201020132016201920222025

Common Subaru Outback Problems

Most reported component complaints to NHTSA

ComponentComplaintsCrash %
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,1441.1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER1,7520.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,2732.6%
POWER TRAIN7644.2%
ENGINE6903.2%
AIR BAGS62914.0%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL46920.9%
SERVICE BRAKES41614.4%
STEERING3378.0%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2970.7%

Year-by-Year Breakdown

NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.

YearGenerationComplaintsCrashesFiresDetails
1995GOODGen 132—View→
1996GOODGen 157192View→
1997GOODGen 19472View→
1998GOODGen 1165132View→
1999GOODGen 1150222View→
2000Gen 2247229View→
2001Gen 2207186View→
2002Gen 217214—View→
2003GOODGen 211671View→
2004GOODGen 2108166View→
2005Gen 3354206View→
2006Gen 3404124View→
2007Gen 3182172View→
2008Gen 3277122View→
2009GOODGen 314123View→
2010AVOIDGen 4466203View→
2011AVOIDGen 48533511View→
2012Gen 43671811View→
2013Gen 4403347View→
2014Gen 4275263View→
2015AVOIDGen 5634367View→
2016AVOIDGen 5762376View→
2017AVOIDGen 51,095565View→
2018AVOIDGen 5965426View→
2019AVOIDGen 51,277483View→
2020AVOIDGen 61,123378View→
2021Gen 6394162View→
2022AVOIDGen 6523188View→
2023GOODGen 6118153View→
2024TOO NEWGen 611592View→
2025TOO NEWGen 6889—View→

See also: Subaru Outbackaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.

Buying a Subaru Outback?

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Subaru Outback Years to Avoid (1995–2026) — Reliability, Problems & Best Years to Buy | VinItel