Subaru Outback Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Subaru Outback years to avoid are 2016-2020 and 2022, which post the highest complaint index scores (75-100) and cluster around electrical system and visibility/wiper problems. No year is rated Best; 2023 and 2024 are the lowest-risk Good years, while 2006 also rates Good despite incomplete early-era records.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2022
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 8,662
- Recall campaigns
- 57
- Crashes reported
- 305
- Fires reported
- 71
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 15 | 273 | 13 | 3 | 9 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 20 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 10 | 277 | 7 | 3 | 7 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 0 | 129 | 9 | 2 | 8 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 20 | 226 | 12 | 3 | 8 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 5 | 106 | 1 | 3 | 13 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 55 | 360 | 12 | 3 | 18 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 70 | 651 | 23 | 6 | 16 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 40 | 292 | 15 | 6 | 16 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 35 | 297 | 18 | 6 | 12 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 30 | 208 | 14 | 2 | 10 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 65 | 510 | 20 | 5 | 5 ! | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 75 | 643 | 22 | 3 | 4 ! | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 90 | 917 | 32 | 3 | 4 ! | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 85 | 811 | 27 | 4 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 95 | 1,034 | 24 | 2 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 100 | 897 | 19 | 7 | 6 | Visibility & Wipers | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 296 | 9 | 1 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 80 | 463 | 10 | 4 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 26 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 25 | 89 | 8 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 45 | 102 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 50 | 81 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 25 | 5★ |
Outback years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Subaru Outback Index 100 · 897 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2020 Outback has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, and ranks worst overall. Visibility & Wipers issues make up 43% of complaints at a 6,000-mile median, and Electrical System adds 30% at just 4,992 miles, indicating early-life failures. Owners described an electronic parking brake engaging unexpectedly and vehicles rolling away after the stop-start feature activated. Three recalls apply, including an airbag occupant-detection sensor that can crack and short circuit, and two separate transmission control unit programming errors affecting clutch engagement.
2020 visibility & wipers problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →
2019 Subaru Outback Index 95 · 1,034 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2019 Outback posts a complaint index of 95, the 2nd worst year overall. Visibility & Wipers complaints are 37% of the total at a median 11,000 miles, with Electrical System close behind at 35% and 12,500 miles. Owners reported braking systems that failed to slow the vehicle and adaptive cruise control that sped up instead of maintaining set speed before a crash. Three recalls cover fuel pump failure (two campaigns) and improperly applied spot welds on the body structure below the cowl panel.
2019 visibility & wipers problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →
2017 Subaru Outback Index 90 · 917 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Outback has a complaint index of 90, the 3rd worst year. Electrical System problems account for 43% of complaints at a median 30,000 miles, and Visibility & Wipers add another 25% at 36,000 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and sudden acceleration events while braking. Recalls cover an incompatible passenger airbag control module, an improperly welded knee guard bracket, and improperly tightened front brake bolts, the last two both requiring dealer inspection and repair.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 visibility & wipers problems →2017 engine problems →
2018 Subaru Outback Index 85 · 811 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2018 Outback scores a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst. Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 34% of complaints (24,000-mile median), followed closely by Electrical System at 33% (16,250-mile median). Owners described brake pedals that failed to respond and an engine fire reported at low mileage. Three recalls apply: a low-pressure fuel pump that may fail, a software bug preventing the camera display from initializing, and a combination meter software error that misreports fuel level and range.
2018 visibility & wipers problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →
2022 Subaru Outback Index 80 · 463 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Outback carries a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst. Visibility & Wipers complaints dominate at 60% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 6,750. Owners reported blind-spot warning sensors that failed to alert before a collision and unintended acceleration during low-speed turns. Recalls include an airbag occupant-detection sensor defect, a transmission inhibitor switch that can fail after water intrusion through an insufficient weld, and a windshield clearcoat issue that can leave the glass insufficiently bonded to the body.
2022 visibility & wipers problems →2022 electrical system problems →2022 engine problems →
2016 Subaru Outback Index 75 · 643 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2016 Outback carries a complaint index of 75 and ranks 6th worst of 21 model years. Electrical System complaints make up 48% of its issues, with a median failure mileage of 40,000. Owners describe unintended vehicle movement while in park and battery drain requiring frequent jump starts. NHTSA lists three recalls tied to this year: a passenger airbag module mismatch, a do-not-drive steering column defect, and loose transmission fastening nuts. The steering recall required owners to stop driving until repaired.
2016 electrical system problems →2016 visibility & wipers problems →2016 engine problems →
Most common Subaru Outback problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System2,462 (28%)
- Visibility & Wipers2,035 (23%)
- Other1,340 (15%)
- Engine1,141 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain814 (9%)
- Airbags608 (7%)
- Brakes529 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires343 (4%)
- Steering342 (4%)
- Structure & Body315 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores ranging from 75 to 100, the highest of the 21 model years covered.
- What is the worst Subaru Outback year?
- The 2020 Outback has the highest complaint index at 100 and ranks worst of all 21 model years tracked, driven mainly by Visibility & Wipers and Electrical System complaints.
- Are there any good Subaru Outback years?
- Yes. NHTSA complaint data rates 2006, 2023, and 2024 as Good years, with complaint indexes of 10, 25, and 45 respectively, well below the avoid-year range of 75-100.
- What are the most common Subaru Outback problems?
- Across all 21 model years, Electrical System issues account for 28% of the 8,662 total complaints and Visibility & Wipers account for 23%, making these the two largest problem areas.
- Does the Subaru Outback have transmission recalls?
- Yes. The 2020 Outback was subject to two separate transmission control unit programming recalls (22V485000 and 21V955000) that could allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain fully engaged.