Which 4Runner years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years, with 2006 carrying the highest complaint index at 100 and 2005 tied to 5 recalls.

Which Outback years should I avoid?

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 are Avoid years; 2020 has the highest complaint index at 100 with 897 complaints and 6 recalls, including a do-not-drive recall.

Does the Outback have more complaints than the 4Runner?

Yes, the Outback totals 8,662 complaints (412 per model year) versus the 4Runner's 2,124 (101 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales data so these totals aren't normalized per vehicle sold.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy?

The Outback averages 23.6 MPG combined across its years versus 17.8 MPG combined for the 4Runner.

Does either model have a year with no Good or Best verdict?

The Outback has no Best years at all and several years capped to Caution due to recall campaigns, such as 2005 with 9 recalls and 2009 with 13 recalls; the 4Runner does have Best years, including 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2024.

Toyota 4Runner vs Subaru Outback: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota 4Runner years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023 and 2025; Subaru Outback years to avoid are 2016-2020 and 2022. The 4Runner logs 2,124 total complaints (101 per model year) versus the Outback's 8,662 (412 per model year), though totals aren't sales-normalized. The Outback gets better fuel economy at 23.6 MPG combined vs the 4Runner's 17.8.

Head to head

Toyota 4Runner

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 2,124
Per model year: 101
Recall campaigns: 36
Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2013, 2017, 2021, 2024
Top problem area: Structure & Body
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

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 ★

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	4Runner				Outback
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Avoid	425	5	16.5	Caution	273	9	20
2006	Avoid	381	5	16.5	Good	277	7	20
2007	Caution	154	5	17	Caution	129	8	21
2008	Caution	96	5	17	Caution	226	8	20
2009	Good	22	6	17	Caution	106	13	20
2010	Avoid	145	12	19	Caution	360	18	22
2011	Avoid	163	10	19	Caution	651	16	22
2012	Caution	96	8	19	Caution	292	16	22
2013	Best	36	6	18	Caution	297	12	24
2014	Good	77	7	18	Caution	208	10	24
2015	Caution	86	9	18	Caution	510	5	25
2016	Caution	79	8	18	Avoid	643	4	25
2017	Best	36	5	18	Avoid	917	4	25
2018	Good	58	5	18	Avoid	811	3	25
2019	Good	65	4	18	Avoid	1,034	3	25
2020	Good	33	1	17	Avoid	897	6	27.5
2021	Best	36	1	17	Caution	296	4	27.5
2022	Caution	39	3	17	Avoid	463	4	26
2023	Avoid	32	1	17	Good	89	2	25
2024	Best	8	1	17	Good	102	0	25
2025	Avoid	57	1	22	Caution	81	0	25

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which 4Runner years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years, with 2006 carrying the highest complaint index at 100 and 2005 tied to 5 recalls.
Which Outback years should I avoid?: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 are Avoid years; 2020 has the highest complaint index at 100 with 897 complaints and 6 recalls, including a do-not-drive recall.
Does the Outback have more complaints than the 4Runner?: Yes, the Outback totals 8,662 complaints (412 per model year) versus the 4Runner's 2,124 (101 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales data so these totals aren't normalized per vehicle sold.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy?: The Outback averages 23.6 MPG combined across its years versus 17.8 MPG combined for the 4Runner.
Does either model have a year with no Good or Best verdict?: The Outback has no Best years at all and several years capped to Caution due to recall campaigns, such as 2005 with 9 recalls and 2009 with 13 recalls; the 4Runner does have Best years, including 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2024.