Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Subaru Outback, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2017 Subaru Outback - 904 complaints in its first 8 years (918 to date)
- 2018 Subaru Outback - 813 complaints in its first 8 years (813 to date)
- 2016 Subaru Outback - 606 complaints in its first 8 years (643 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 1996 Subaru Outback - 33 complaints in its first 8 years (46 to date)
- 2004 Subaru Outback - 51 complaints in its first 8 years (90 to date)
- 2003 Subaru Outback - 60 complaints in its first 8 years (93 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Outback | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2025 Subaru Outback | 82 | 82 | 0 |
| 2024 Subaru Outback | 104 | 104 | 0 |
| 2023 Subaru Outback | 89 | 89 | 2 |
| 2022 Subaru Outback | 465 | 465 | 4 |
| 2021 Subaru Outback | 296 | 296 | 4 |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 899 | 899 | 6 |
| 2019 Subaru Outback | 1,035 | 1,035 | 3 |
| 2018 Subaru Outback | 813 | 813 | 3 |
| 2017 Subaru Outback | 918 | 904 | 4 |
| 2016 Subaru Outback | 643 | 606 | 4 |
| 2015 Subaru Outback | 510 | 463 | 5 |
| 2014 Subaru Outback | 208 | 193 | 10 |
| 2013 Subaru Outback | 297 | 247 | 12 |
| 2012 Subaru Outback | 292 | 227 | 16 |
| 2011 Subaru Outback | 652 | 495 | 16 |
| 2010 Subaru Outback | 360 | 268 | 18 |
| 2009 Subaru Outback | 106 | 74 | 13 |
| 2008 Subaru Outback | 226 | 151 | 8 |
| 2007 Subaru Outback | 129 | 64 | 8 |
| 2006 Subaru Outback | 277 | 134 | 7 |
| 2005 Subaru Outback | 273 | 154 | 9 |
| 2004 Subaru Outback | 90 | 51 | 10 |
| 2003 Subaru Outback | 93 | 60 | 14 |
| 2002 Subaru Outback | 143 | 109 | 4 |
| 2001 Subaru Outback | 171 | 130 | 3 |
| 2000 Subaru Outback | 207 | 175 | 1 |
| 1999 Subaru Outback | 111 | 95 | 1 |
| 1998 Subaru Outback | 127 | 109 | 2 |
| 1997 Subaru Outback | 79 | 64 | 4 |
| 1996 Subaru Outback | 46 | 33 | 2 |
| 1995 Subaru Outback | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V227000 | 2020-2022 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. |
| 23V755000 | 2021-2023 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. |
| 23V647000 | 2023 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. |
| 22V712000 | 2022 | Visibility | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. |
| 22V485000 | 2020-2021 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. |
| 22V473000 | 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the... |
| 21V955000 | 2020 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. |
| 21V587000 | 2018-2020 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. |
| 21V024000 | 2021 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. |
| 20V766000 | 2020 | Back Over Prevention | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia navigation. |
| 20V218000 | 2019 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative. |
| 20V003000 | 2003-2014 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and... |
| 20V002000 | 2003-2014 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006... |
| 20V001000 | 2003-2014 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and... |
| 19V910000 | 2016-2017 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the... |
| 19V664000 | 2020 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt. |
| 19V493000 | 2019 | Structure | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. |
| 19V297000 | 2005-2014 | Electrical System | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback... |
| 19V009000 | 2010-2014 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever... |
| 19V008000 | 2010-2014 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or... |
| 19V007000 | 2010-2014 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the... |
| 18V935000 | 2018 | Visibility | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. |
| 18V773000 | 2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. |
| 18V626000 | 2010-2014 | Parking Brake | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. |
| 18V014000 | 2009 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska,... |
| 18V013000 | 2009-2010 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona,... |
| 18V012000 | 2009-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in... |
| 17V026000 | 2009 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles... |
| 17V014000 | 2009-2012 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy,... |
| 16V738000 | 2007-2009 | Electrical System | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all... |