Federal complaints
127
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 106 of 127 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 58 of 127 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
46 complaint records
"CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL ,AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Power train
21 complaint records1 fire report1 crash report
"WHEN MAKING A TURN ON ROAD THERE IS SLIGHT VIBRATION. TRANSFER CASE HAD FAILED, CAUSING LOUD NOISE WHILE TURNING.DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Brakes
16 complaint records1 crash report
"ABS RECALL WAS COMPLETE, HOWEVER 2 WEEKS LATER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS OUT. *SLC..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
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. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01V216000 | Suspension | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND,... | Normally free |
| 98V042000 | Power Train | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998176 1998-09-08 | Engine | 2,207 | THE ORIGINAL OIL FILTER CANS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE CAUSING AN INITIAL VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-249-23R Jul 2023 | Equipment | This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles. | |
| 15-302-22 Aug 2022 | Electrical System | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. | |
| 01-167-08R Aug 2022 | Equipment | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. | |
| 15-192-22R Mar 2022 | Electrical System | This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment). | |
| 01-167-08R Jun 2021 | Electrical System | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models |
Show 11 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09-51-08R Jun 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure. | |
| 14-22-16R Feb 2021 | Equipment | To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool. | |
| 14-22-16R Aug 2020 | Equipment | Special Service Tools Cross Reference List. | |
| 01-181-20 Apr 2020 | Equipment | All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices) | |
| 06-68-19R Jul 2019 | Service Brakes | This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. | |
| Subaru Tech Tips May 2019 | Equipment | Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter. | |
| 14-22-16R May 2019 | Equipment | To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool. | |
| SB-05-50-10R Feb 2011 | Tires | SUBARU: THERE IS A STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO AN IMPORPER WHEEL BALANCE. *RM | |
| 07 Jul 2007 | Exterior Lighting | HEADLIGHT BULB SOCKET REPAIRS. *KB | |
| 063103 Dec 2004 | Service Brakes | REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) REPAIR. *TT UPDATE. *TT | |
| 010102 Jan 2002 | Suspension | INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT SPRING GUARD BULLETIN UPDATE. *YD |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Subaru Outback →