Subaru Outback 2010–2014 problems by year and mileage
4th generation (BR)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,808 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
18 recall campaigns name the 2010: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — ignition; Parking brake. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2011 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 85,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 651
- 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
16 recall campaigns name the 2011: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — ignition; Parking brake. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2012 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 90,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 292
- Recalls naming this year
- 16
Most reported on the 2012
- Transmission and driveline107 reports · median 101,000 mi
- Engine50 reports · median 114,000 mi
- Airbag system39 reports
16 recall campaigns name the 2012: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — ignition; Parking brake. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
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
12 recall campaigns name the 2013: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — ignition; Parking brake. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
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
10 recall campaigns name the 2014: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system — ignition; Parking brake. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2012 reports latest and the 2014 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2012 has had 2 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
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 system13.1% of complaints · median 40,000 mi
Owners filed 1,808 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. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
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?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. 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.
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
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a 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%
- 1,200
- 25%
- 15,000
- Median
- 69,500
- 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. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Outback problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Subaru Outback 2010–2014
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Steering137 reports1,500250–20,000Steering: 137 reports, median 1,500 miles, middle half 250 to 20,000 miles.
- Airbag system236 reports40,0008,500–68,000Airbag system: 236 reports, median 40,000 miles, middle half 8,500 to 68,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting185 reports55,00024,000–84,000Exterior lighting: 185 reports, median 55,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 84,000 miles.
- Electrical system192 reports64,00024,000–97,000Electrical system: 192 reports, median 64,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 97,000 miles.
- Brakes182 reports76,00040,000–120,000Brakes: 182 reports, median 76,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Engine281 reports88,00043,000–120,000Engine: 281 reports, median 88,000 miles, middle half 43,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline502 reports106,00070,000–128,000Transmission and driveline: 502 reports, median 106,000 miles, middle half 70,000 to 128,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 502 | 27.8% | 106,000 | 70,000–128,000 |
| Engine | 281 | 15.5% | 88,000 | 43,000–120,000 |
| Airbag system | 236 | 13.1% | 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 | 182 | 10.1% | 76,000 | 40,000–120,000 |
| Steering | 137 | 7.6% | 1,500 | 250–20,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 127 | 7.0% | 90,000 | 53,000–130,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 86 | 4.8% | 31,000 | 8,000–73,000 |
| Suspension | 71 | 3.9% | 3,000 | 500–45,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 27.8% of complaints (502 reports, 412 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 106,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 128,000 miles.
A single system taking 27.8% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The engine accounts for 15.5% of complaints (281 reports, 206 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 88,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 43,000 and 120,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 13.1% of complaints (236 reports, 95 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 40,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,500 and 68,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.6% of complaints (192 reports, 143 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 64,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 97,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 10.2% of complaints (185 reports, 141 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 84,000 miles.
The brakes account for 10.1% of complaints (182 reports, 116 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 76,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 120,000 miles.
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. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 25 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- 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. Reports on this area come at a median of 3,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check transmission on 2010–2014 cars. 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…
- Check engine on 2013–2014 cars. FB25 excessive oil consumption from the low-tension piston ring design; subject of a class-action settlement covering certain FB-engine vehicles.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 23% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 88,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Outback problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| 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
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 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 staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.2% of reports (15) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2010–2014 Subaru Outback recalls (25)
NHTSA records 25 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (11), visibility equipment (3), the transmission and driveline (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
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
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,808 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 82 (4.5%)
- Fires
- 23
- Injury reports
- 40
- Fatality reports
- 1
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Outback problems by model year
The 2011 drew the most complaints of this generation, 651, 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. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 360 | 277 | 68,000 | Transmission and driveline (94) | 18 |
| 2011 | 651 | 462 | 85,000 | Transmission and driveline (216) | 16 |
| 2012 | 292 | 199 | 90,000 | Transmission and driveline (107) | 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 2026-09-26 · 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 2,164 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Outback 2020–2025 572 reports with mileage, most about visibility/wiper