Subaru Outback Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid 2017–2020 Subaru Outback years, which carry complaint index scores of 87, 80, 100, and 93 and rank 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th worst out of 16 model years. Best years are 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2023, each with low complaint index scores of 20, 13, 7, and 0.
Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Best 2010Best 2012Best 2014Best 2023
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 7,647
- Recall campaigns
- 49
- Crashes reported
- 263
- Fires reported
- 57
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Outback Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Subaru Outback problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 356 | 12 | 3 | 18 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 60 | 651 | 23 | 6 | 16 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 13 | 292 | 15 | 6 | 16 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 297 | 18 | 6 | 12 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Best | 7 | 208 | 14 | 2 | 10 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 53 | 510 | 20 | 5 | 5 ! | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 643 | 22 | 3 | 4 ! | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 87 | 917 | 32 | 3 | 4 ! | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 80 | 811 | 27 | 4 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 1,034 | 24 | 2 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 93 | 897 | 19 | 7 | 6 | Visibility & Wipers | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 47 | 296 | 9 | 1 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 73 | 463 | 10 | 4 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 26 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 89 | 8 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 33 | 102 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 81 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 25 | 5★ |
Outback years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Subaru Outback Index 100 · 1,034 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2019 Outback has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, making it the worst-ranked year of 16. Visibility & Wipers issues make up 37% of complaints at a median of 11,000 miles, and Electrical System problems add 35% at 12,500 miles. Owners reported brakes and cruise control behaving unexpectedly, including a pre-collision braking system that did not activate before a crash. NHTSA recalls address a low-pressure fuel pump and improperly applied spot welds affecting body strength.
2019 visibility & wipers problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →
2020 Subaru Outback Index 93 · 897 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2020 Outback has a complaint index of 93, ranking 2nd worst of 16 years. Visibility & Wipers complaints represent 43% of the total at a median of just 6,000 miles, and Electrical System issues add 30% at 4,992 miles, pointing to early failures. Owners described unexpected emergency braking, repeated no-start events requiring jump starts, and windshield cracking incidents. NHTSA recalls cover an occupant detection sensor issue and two separate transmission control unit programming errors affecting drive chain engagement.
2020 visibility & wipers problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →
2017 Subaru Outback Index 87 · 917 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Outback has a complaint index of 87 and ranks 3rd worst of 16 years. Electrical System problems make up 43% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 30,000, and Visibility & Wipers issues add another 25% at a median of 36,000 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and unexpected braking or acceleration events. NHTSA lists three recalls tied to this year, including an airbag control module mismatch and a knee guard bracket issue, plus a front brake bolt torque recall.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 visibility & wipers problems →2017 engine problems →
2018 Subaru Outback Index 80 · 811 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2018 Outback carries a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst of 16 years. Visibility & Wipers complaints account for 34% (median 24,000 miles) and Electrical System issues 33% (median 16,250 miles). Owners described brake pedals failing to respond, airbags not deploying in low-speed crashes, and an engine fire reported at low mileage. NHTSA recalls for this year cover a low-pressure fuel pump, an audio display software issue affecting the camera display, and a combination meter software error tied to the fuel warning light.
2018 visibility & wipers problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →
Most common Subaru Outback problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System2,273 (30%)
- Visibility & Wipers2,004 (26%)
- Other1,298 (17%)
- Engine869 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain750 (10%)
- Brakes402 (5%)
- Airbags350 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras304 (4%)
- Steering303 (4%)
- Structure & Body281 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Subaru Outback years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Subaru Outback have the highest complaint index scores (87, 80, 100, and 93) and rank as the four worst years out of 16 model years covered.
- Which Subaru Outback year is the best?
- The 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2023 Outback rank as the best years, with complaint index scores of 20, 13, 7, and 0, the lowest among all 16 model years in the data.
- What are the most common Outback problems overall?
- Across all years, Electrical System complaints make up 30% of the total (2,273 complaints) and Visibility & Wipers issues make up 26% (2,004 complaints), the two largest problem categories reported to NHTSA.
- Is the 2019 Subaru Outback reliable?
- The 2019 Outback has the highest complaint index of any year at 100 and ranks 1st worst out of 16 years, with Visibility & Wipers and Electrical System issues making up 37% and 35% of its complaints.
- Does the Outback have transmission recalls?
- Yes, the 2020 Outback is tied to two separate NHTSA recalls (21V955000 and 22V485000) for a Transmission Control Unit programming error that could allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain fully engages.