Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 as the Outback years to avoid, with 2019 having the highest complaint index at 100 and the most complaints at 1,034.

Which Ford Explorer years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as the Explorer years to avoid. The 2016 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and the most complaints at 2,451.

Which has more recalls, the Outback or the Explorer?

The Ford Explorer has 93 total recall campaigns across 16 model years versus 49 for the Subaru Outback.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Outback or the Explorer?

The Subaru Outback averages 24.7 MPG combined across its model years, compared to 20.3 MPG combined for the Ford Explorer.

Does complaint count mean the Explorer is less reliable than the Outback?

Not necessarily. NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals (15,150 for Explorer vs 7,647 for Outback) are not normalized per vehicle sold.

Subaru Outback vs Ford Explorer: Which Years to Avoid

Subaru Outback owners should avoid 2017-2020; Ford Explorer owners should avoid 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020. The Outback logs 7,647 total complaints and 49 recalls across 16 model years versus the Explorer's 15,150 complaints and 93 recalls. Outback averages 24.7 MPG combined; Explorer averages 20.3 MPG.

Head to head

Subaru Outback

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 7,647
Per model year: 478
Recall campaigns: 49
Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2023
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Ford Explorer

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 15,150
Per model year: 947
Recall campaigns: 93
Years to avoid: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020
Best years: 2010, 2019, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Outback				Explorer
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Best	356	18	22	Best	113	1	16
2011	Caution	651	16	22	Caution	1,197	6	19.5
2012	Best	292	16	22	Good	827	5	20
2013	Good	297	12	24	Avoid	2,234	11	19.5
2014	Best	208	10	24	Caution	1,678	6	19.5
2015	Caution	510	5	25	Avoid	1,791	8	19.5
2016	Caution	643	4	25	Avoid	2,451	14	20
2017	Avoid	917	4	25	Caution	1,691	13	20
2018	Avoid	811	3	25	Caution	731	7	20
2019	Avoid	1,034	3	25	Best	296	6	20
2020	Avoid	897	6	27.5	Avoid	1,218	33	23.5
2021	Good	296	4	27.5	Good	426	26	23
2022	Caution	463	4	26	Good	267	24	22
2023	Best	89	2	25	Best	109	15	21
2024	Good	102	0	25	Best	21	10	20.5
2025	Good	81	0	25	Good	100	20	21

Complaint Index by year

Subaru Outback

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford Explorer

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 as the Outback years to avoid, with 2019 having the highest complaint index at 100 and the most complaints at 1,034.
Which Ford Explorer years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as the Explorer years to avoid. The 2016 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and the most complaints at 2,451.
Which has more recalls, the Outback or the Explorer?: The Ford Explorer has 93 total recall campaigns across 16 model years versus 49 for the Subaru Outback.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Outback or the Explorer?: The Subaru Outback averages 24.7 MPG combined across its model years, compared to 20.3 MPG combined for the Ford Explorer.
Does complaint count mean the Explorer is less reliable than the Outback?: Not necessarily. NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals (15,150 for Explorer vs 7,647 for Outback) are not normalized per vehicle sold.