Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 as Avoid years for the Outback, based on complaint index values ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the lineup.

Which Nissan Rogue years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2025 as Avoid years for the Rogue, with complaint index values as high as 94 in 2017 and 100 in 2023.

Does either model have a year with no complaint or recall concerns?

No. The Outback has no Good or Best year across its 21 covered model years because recall campaigns cap several otherwise low-complaint years. The Rogue does have three Best years: 2010, 2012, and 2020.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy?

The Nissan Rogue averages 27.8 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.6 mpg combined for the Subaru Outback.

Which model has more total complaints?

The Outback has 8,662 total complaints over 21 model years (412 per year); the Rogue has 7,231 total complaints over 19 model years (381 per year). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

Subaru Outback vs Nissan Rogue: Which Years to Avoid

The Subaru Outback logs 8,662 complaints across 21 model years (412 per year) with 57 recall campaigns; the Nissan Rogue logs 7,231 complaints across 19 model years (381 per year) with 42 recalls. Outback has no Good or Best year, while Rogue has three Best years (2010, 2012, 2020). Rogue averages better fuel economy, 27.8 mpg combined versus 23.6 mpg for Outback.

Head to head

Subaru Outback

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 8,662
Per model year: 412
Recall campaigns: 57
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
Best years: —
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 23.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Nissan Rogue

Model years: 2007–2025 (19)
NHTSA complaints: 7,231
Per model year: 381
Recall campaigns: 42
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2020
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 27.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.3 ★

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				Rogue
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Caution	273	9	20	—	—	—	—
2006	Good	277	7	20	—	—	—	—
2007	Caution	129	8	21	No verdict	1	0	—
2008	Caution	226	8	20	Good	429	5	23.5
2009	Caution	106	13	20	Good	320	3	23.5
2010	Caution	360	18	22	Best	282	2	23.5
2011	Caution	651	16	22	Good	362	2	24
2012	Caution	292	16	22	Best	318	2	24
2013	Caution	297	12	24	Caution	610	1	24.5
2014	Caution	208	10	24	Caution	440	10	26
2015	Caution	510	5	25	Caution	553	9	26
2016	Avoid	643	4	25	Avoid	540	7	27.5
2017	Avoid	917	4	25	Avoid	596	5	31
2018	Avoid	811	3	25	Avoid	668	3	31
2019	Avoid	1,034	3	25	Caution	337	3	31
2020	Avoid	897	6	27.5	Best	151	1	28
2021	Caution	296	4	27.5	Caution	288	10	31
2022	Avoid	463	4	26	Good	237	1	31.5
2023	Good	89	2	25	Avoid	716	6	31.5
2024	Good	102	0	25	Caution	201	4	31.5
2025	Caution	81	0	25	Avoid	182	3	31

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 as Avoid years for the Outback, based on complaint index values ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the lineup.
Which Nissan Rogue years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2025 as Avoid years for the Rogue, with complaint index values as high as 94 in 2017 and 100 in 2023.
Does either model have a year with no complaint or recall concerns?: No. The Outback has no Good or Best year across its 21 covered model years because recall campaigns cap several otherwise low-complaint years. The Rogue does have three Best years: 2010, 2012, and 2020.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy?: The Nissan Rogue averages 27.8 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.6 mpg combined for the Subaru Outback.
Which model has more total complaints?: The Outback has 8,662 total complaints over 21 model years (412 per year); the Rogue has 7,231 total complaints over 19 model years (381 per year). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.