Is the 2011 Subaru OUTBACK reliable?

The 2011 Subaru OUTBACK has 855 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Subaru OUTBACK?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (216 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (117 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (93 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Subaru OUTBACK?

Yes, there are 16 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, PARKING BRAKE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Subaru OUTBACK?

The 2011 Subaru OUTBACK gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2011 Subaru OUTBACK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru OUTBACK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Subaru OUTBACK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Subaru OUTBACK is approximately $1,270/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Subaru OUTBACK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Subaru OUTBACK has 855 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 539. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: when coming to a rolling stop and then stepping on the accelerator as our 2011 outback was turning, the new vehicle, with 9 miles on the odometer, experienced a brief hesitation followed by a hard transmission clunk and the vehicle lurched forward a few feet before driving normally. this occurred s. There are 16 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.

9 fire reports 28 crash reports 8 injuries

855

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

216 complaints

25%

• WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AND THEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR AS OUR 2011 OUTBACK WAS TURNING, THE NEW VEHICLE, WITH 9 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, EXPERIENCED A BRIEF HESITATION FOLLOWED BY A HARD TRANSMISSION CLUNK AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS OCCURRED S
• I TURNED RIGHT INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP UPWARD INCLINE AND HAD TO STOP MY CAR BRIEFLY TO SPEAK TO A PERSON HELPING WITH PARKING FOR AN EVENT. MY CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, SO I ENGAGED THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR SO I COULD GET MOVING AGAIN WITHOUT ROLLING BACKWARDS. HOWE
• I HAVE A SUBARU BECAUSE I LIVE OFF THE PAVED ROAD AND IT IS AN OFF-ROAD CAR. TWO PROBLEMS: 1) IF DRIVING IN SNOW, SNOW PACKS INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND PREVENTS FRONT WHEELS TURNING PROPERLY. I CARRY A WEEDOUT, OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO CARRY ICE PICKS AND TROWELS FOR GETTING THE SNOW OUT. THIS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AND THEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR AS OUR 2011 OUTBACK WAS TURNING, THE NEW VEHICLE, WITH 9 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, EXPERIENCED A BRIEF HESITATION FOLLOWED BY A HARD TRANSMISSION CLUNK AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS OCCURRED S”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Subaru OUTBACK

Based on 605 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 81K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

129

30-60K

60-100K

139

100-150K

193

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 2K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 21K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 77K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 11K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 34K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Earlier than typicalmedian 23K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (16)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2019

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 Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: 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 death.

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 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Subaru OUTBACK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Subaru OUTBACK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,270

Full coverage / month

$106

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-24%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1270

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru OUTBACK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2011 OUTBACK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 855 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AND THEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR AS OUR 2011 OUTBACK WAS TURNING, THE NEW VEHICLE, WITH 9 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, EXPERIENCED A BRIEF HESITATION FOLLOWED BY A HARD TRANSMISSION CLUNK AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS OCCURRED S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE LOW BEAMS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT WHICH THE CONTACT BELIEVED TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE HEADLI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE IN SECOND GEAR. LOST ALL POWER, PLUS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER TURNING VEHICLE ON AND AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN. I QUICKLY CLUTCHED AND TURNED THE VEHICL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I HAVE TOLD THE SUBARU DEALER(S) THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT SAYS "OFF" UNLESS THE PASSENGER WEIGHS OVER 150 LBS OR SO. THE DEALER(S) DENY KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HOWEVER, IT IS ON A SUBARU BLOG AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO TELL ME IF THE AIRBAG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 16 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)