2011 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 113 engine complaints for the 2011 Subaru Outback, 17% of all complaints filed for that model year. Owners most often report sudden unintended acceleration while parking, and one report describes an engine fire. No related recall covers this pattern.
- Engine complaints
- 113
- 17% of 651 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 651
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 93,734 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while slowing to park, with the vehicle surging forward or jumping a curb even though the brake was applied.
- Several reports describe the vehicle losing control right after shifting into drive or reverse in a parking space, ending in a collision with a pole, fence, or wall.
- One owner reported a complete engine fire at high mileage.
- One long-term owner reported repeated head gasket, thermostat, timing belt, alternator, and radiator replacements tied to recurring oil leaks and the engine seizing on the freeway.
- A couple of early, low-mileage reports describe the engine stalling and loss of power steering while turning or coming to a stop.
When 2011 Subaru Outback engine complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 8, 2010, latest May 13, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2011 Subaru Outback
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Outback model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA lists 113 engine complaints for the 2011 Outback, which is 17% of the 651 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2011 Subaru Outback engine problems?
- No related recall is listed for this engine complaint pattern in NHTSA data.
- What is the most common engine complaint on the 2011 Subaru Outback?
- The most common pattern is sudden unintended acceleration while parking or shifting gears, sometimes ending in a collision.
- At what mileage do these engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 93,733 miles, though some incidents were reported at much lower mileage.
- Were there any injuries or fires linked to engine complaints?
- NHTSA records list 9 crashes, 4 injuries, and 1 fire among the 113 engine complaints for the 2011 Outback.