Subaru Outback 2010–2014 problems by year and mileage
4th generation (BR)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,811 complaints, 1,292 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2010 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 68,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 360
- Recalls naming this year
- 18
Most reported on the 2010
- Transmission and driveline94 reports · median 94,000 mi
- Airbag system44 reports
- Engine44 reports · median 111,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition · Parking brake
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 85,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 652
- Recalls naming this year
- 16
Most reported on the 2011
- Transmission and driveline216 reports · median 114,000 mi
- Exterior lighting117 reports · median 53,000 mi
- Engine85 reports · median 104,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition · Parking brake
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 90,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 294
- Recalls naming this year
- 16
Most reported on the 2012
- Transmission and driveline108 reports · median 101,000 mi
- Engine50 reports · median 114,000 mi
- Airbag system39 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition · Parking brake
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 44,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 297
- Recalls naming this year
- 12
Most reported on the 2013
- Engine67 reports · median 48,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline60 reports · median 95,000 mi
- Airbag system42 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition · Parking brake
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 35,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 208
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2014
- Airbag system38 reports
- Engine35 reports · median 32,000 mi
- Electrical system32 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition · Parking brake
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2012; earliest: the 2014, and the 2012 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2010–2014 Subaru Outback reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 70,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 143,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,292
- Recalls
- 25
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline27.8% of complaints · median 106,000 mi
- Engine15.5% of complaints · median 88,000 mi
- Airbag system13.0% of complaints · median 40,000 mi
Owners filed 1,811 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2014 Subaru Outback; the transmission and driveline leads with 27.8% of them, and half of the 1,292 that record an odometer reading came by 70,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
23% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 6.3 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2010–2014 Subaru Outback last?
On the 2010–2014 Subaru Outback, half of the 1,292 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 70,000 miles and 90% by 143,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
107 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 15 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Outback reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Subaru Outback 2010–2014 · 1,292 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 215 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 23% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 15 complaints (1.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,000
- 25%
- 15,000
- Median
- 70,000
- 75%
- 113,000
- 90%
- 143,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 215 | 16.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 60 | 4.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 42 | 3.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 23 | 1.8% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 36 | 2.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 29 | 2.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 34 | 2.6% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 29 | 2.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 33 | 2.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 31 | 2.4% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 32 | 2.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 21 | 1.6% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 35 | 2.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 27 | 2.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 42 | 3.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 30 | 2.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 39 | 3.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 32 | 2.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 49 | 3.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 26 | 2.0% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 42 | 3.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 34 | 2.6% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 48 | 3.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 37 | 2.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 43 | 3.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 26 | 2.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 39 | 3.0% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 14 | 1.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 20 | 1.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 17 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 24 | 1.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 16 | 1.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 10 | 0.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 15 | 1.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Outback problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Subaru Outback 2010–2014
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Steering137 reportsmedian 1,500middle half 250–20,000
- Airbag system236 reportsmedian 40,000middle half 8,500–68,000
- Exterior lighting185 reportsmedian 55,000middle half 24,000–84,000
- Electrical system192 reportsmedian 64,000middle half 24,000–97,000
- Brakes183 reportsmedian 76,000middle half 40,000–120,000
- Engine281 reportsmedian 88,000middle half 43,000–120,000
- Transmission and driveline503 reportsmedian 106,000middle half 70,000–128,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 503 | 27.8% | 106,000 | 70,000–128,000 |
| Engine | 281 | 15.5% | 88,000 | 43,000–120,000 |
| Airbag system | 236 | 13.0% | 40,000 | 8,500–68,000 |
| Electrical system | 192 | 10.6% | 64,000 | 24,000–97,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 185 | 10.2% | 55,000 | 24,000–84,000 |
| Brakes | 183 | 10.1% | 76,000 | 40,000–120,000 |
| Steering | 137 | 7.6% | 1,500 | 250–20,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 128 | 7.1% | 90,000 | 53,000–130,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 86 | 4.7% | 31,000 | 8,000–73,000 |
| Suspension | 71 | 3.9% | 3,000 | 500–45,000 |
Known problems with the 2010–2014 Outback
Transmission 2010–2014
Lineartronic CVT (TR580) chain, valve body and torque converter lock-up faults producing shudder, judder and failure. Subaru extended CVT coverage to 10 years / 100,000 miles on MY2010-2015 Legacy and Outback (up from 5 years / 60,000 miles) with reimbursement for prior repairs, and issued TSB 16-90-13R revising the lock-up torque converter on 2010-2012 cars.
Engine 2013–2014
FB25 excessive oil consumption from the low-tension piston ring design; subject of a class-action settlement covering certain FB-engine vehicles.
Before you buy a 2010–2014 Outback: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,292 mileage-tagged complaints, 25 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 25 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for steering repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 1,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for suspension repair records. Same question here: a median of 3,000 miles.
- Check transmission on 2010–2014 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine on 2013–2014 cars.
- Years differ here: from 208 to 652 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Outback problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi45% below | At 90k mi61% below | At 120k mi79% below | At 150k mi92% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 70,000–128,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 43,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 8,500–68,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 24,000–97,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 24,000–84,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 40,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 250–20,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Subaru Outback 2010–2014 · 1,292 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 45% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 61% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 79% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 92% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2010–2014 Subaru Outback recalls (25)
NHTSA records 25 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (11), visibility equipment (3), the transmission and driveline (2) (why one area can repeat).
Jan 2020 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may…
Jan 2020 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may…
Jan 2020 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7…
Apr 2019 · 2010–2014 · Electrical SystemThe engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition…
What can happen. The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Sep 2018 · 2010–2014 · Parking BrakeA vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not…
What can happen. A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's…
Jan 2018 · 2010 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2018 · 2010–2013 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2017 · 2010–2012 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.…
Sep 2016 · 2010–2014 · VisibilityIf the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within…
What can happen. If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
May 2016 · 2010–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may…
Aug 2013 · 2014 · Power TrainAs a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park"…
The defect. Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may…
What can happen. As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is…
May 2013 · 2013 · SteeringIf the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
What can happen. If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.…
Mar 2013 · 2012 · Visibility/WiperIf the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire.
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.
What can happen. If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire.
The free fix. Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at…
Mar 2013 · 2012 · VisibilityThe moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately…
What can happen. The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru has notified the affected owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall…
Feb 2013 · 2010–2013 · EquipmentThe engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes.
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission…
What can happen. The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Dec 2012 · 2010–2011 · Exterior LightingOver time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650…
What can happen. Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Feb 2012 · 2012 · Air BagsThe side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 legacy and Outback vehicles, manufactured from december 1, 2011, through december 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator…
What can happen. The side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, free of february 21, 2012. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Nov 2011 · 2012 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThe driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance.
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from april 21, 2011, through november 15, 2011, and legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured from october 17, 2011, through november 23, 2011. These…
What can happen. The driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance. This could occur unexpectedly and without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may…
Sep 2011 · 2011 · VisibilityThe moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 Outback and legacy vehicles manufactured from august 3, 2010, through july 1, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was…
What can happen. The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to…
Jul 2010 · 2010–2011 · Power TrainIf the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop alerting the…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from april 28 through june 23, 2010. Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole within the 6-speed manual transmission was omitted.
What can happen. If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop alerting the driver of a problem. If the sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by drilling an oil lubrication hole and, if necessary, replace the internal parts with new ones free of charge. The safety recall began…
Jun 2010 · 2010 · SteeringPossible circuits affected are the driver's frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 Outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from february 16, 2009 through april 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle's steering wheel may develop…
What can happen. Possible circuits affected are the driver's frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control and radio functions increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will check lot number of the steering roll connector. The roll connector will be replaced with a new one if the lot number showed any affected range of the failure occurrence. This service…
May 2010 · 2010 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 Outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from july 31 through december 1, 2009. A crack or split can occur in the CVT cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak.
What can happen. If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on june 8, 2010. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-subaru3 (1-800-782-2783).
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,811 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 82 (4.5%)
- Fires
- 23
- Injury reports
- 40
- Fatality reports
- 1
Outback problems by model year
The 2011 drew the most complaints of this generation, 652, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2014 the fewest, 208. A typical year drew about 297.
That makes the 2011 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 360 | 277 | 68,000 | Transmission and driveline (94) | 18 |
| 2011 | 652 | 462 | 85,000 | Transmission and driveline (216) | 16 |
| 2012 | 294 | 199 | 90,000 | Transmission and driveline (108) | 16 |
| 2013 | 297 | 204 | 44,000 | Engine (67) | 12 |
| 2014 | 208 | 150 | 35,000 | Airbag system (38) | 10 |
What Outback owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Subaru Outback. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase on 2/26/2026, the mileage was 95,999. The contact found a bill of sale from 07/29/2026, that stated that the mileage was…
2011 · 96,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission output shift was bent and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
2011 · 100,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under a recall. The vehicle was then…
2010 · 100,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that during rainy…
2012 · 98,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 1,292 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Outback generations
- Outback 1995–1999 155 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Outback 2000–2004 418 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Outback 2005–2009 761 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Outback 2015–2019 2,165 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Outback 2020–2025 574 reports with mileage, most about visibility/wiper