Subaru Outback recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 67 recalls and 9,413 owner complaints for the Subaru Outback (model years 2000–2026). The most reported problem area is electrical system (2,263 complaints), followed by visibility/wiper (1,744 complaints). The 2010 model year has the most recalls (18).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 0 | 83 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 104 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 89 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 4 | 465 | 10 | 4 | |
| 2021 | 4 | 298 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 6 | 901 | 19 | 7 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 1,036 | 24 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 816 | 27 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 919 | 32 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 4 | 643 | 22 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 5 | 510 | 20 | 5 | |
| 2014 | 10 | 208 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 12 | 297 | 18 | 6 | |
| 2012 | 16 | 294 | 15 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 16 | 653 | 24 | 6 | |
| 2010 | 18 | 360 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 13 | 106 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 8 | 226 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 8 | 130 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 7 | 277 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 9 | 273 | 13 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 10 | 90 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 14 | 93 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 4 | 143 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 171 | 16 | 5 | |
| 2000 | 1 | 207 | 17 | 5 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2019 (1,036), 2017 (919) and 2020 (901). Among model years at least two years old, the 2023 has the fewest complaints on file (89).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Subaru Outback model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2,263 | 26 of 27 | |
| Visibility/wiper | 1,744 | 17 of 27 | |
| Power train | 898 | 25 of 27 | |
| Engine | 715 | 23 of 27 | |
| Air bags | 645 | 24 of 27 |
Latest 8 of 67 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V227000 | Mar 22, 2024 | Air bags: sensor, occupant classification, front passenger | 2020–2022 | 118,723 |
| 23V755000 | Nov 9, 2023 | Power train: automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switch | 2021–2023 | 95,830 |
| 23V647000 | Sep 21, 2023 | Power train: driveline, driveshaft | 2023 | 4,311 |
| 22V712000 | Sep 22, 2022 | Visibility: windshield | 2022 | 42 |
| 22V485000 | Jul 8, 2022 | Power train: driveline, chain/belt | 2020–2021 | 182 |
| 22V473000 | Jul 1, 2022 | Engine and engine cooling: engine, engine control module (ECU/ECM) | 2022 | 15 |
| 21V955000 | Dec 9, 2021 | Power train: driveline, chain/belt | 2020 | 198,255 |
| 21V587000 | Jul 29, 2021 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump | 2018–2020 | 175,968 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 365 complaints and a fire in 87 complaints; 238 people injured and 4 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.