Subaru OUTBACK — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2019 Subaru OUTBACK
1281 complaints (238% of segment average)
Main issue: NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILURE! I HAVE 3200 MILES ON MY 2019 OUTBACK AND SINCE DAY 1 HAVE HAD PROBLEMS USING THE NAV SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM FREEZES UP COMPLETELY CAUSING EVERYTHING NOT WORK RADIO BACK UP CAMERA ETC. SYSTEMS STAYS ON AT NIGHT DRAINING BATTERY. IT SPORADICALLY WORKS AND WORKS LESS AND LESS
2020 Subaru OUTBACK
1125 complaints (209% of segment average)
Main issue: WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT.
2017 Subaru OUTBACK
1102 complaints (204% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE ALL THE WINDOWS FAILED TO FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDO
2018 Subaru OUTBACK
983 complaints (182% of segment average)
Main issue: DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT ADJUST FAIR ENOUGH TO SEE MY BLIND SPOT WELL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE READ COUNTLESS FORUMS ON POPULAR SUBARU FORUM WEBSITES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
2011 Subaru OUTBACK
855 complaints (159% of segment average)
Main issue: 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
2016 Subaru OUTBACK
769 complaints (143% of segment average)
Main issue: MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER; THEY SEE THIS OFTEN FROM
2015 Subaru OUTBACK
638 complaints (118% of segment average)
Main issue: THIS CAR HAS A SCREEN IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLS THE STEREO, PHONE, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. IT HAS A VERY REFLECTIVE GLASSY FINISH. THE SCREEN IS NOT SURROUNDED BY A HOOD OF ANY SORT AND IT IS TITLED AT ABOUT A 50-DEGREE ANGLE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS SCREEN REFLECTS A LOT OF S
Safe to Buy
2025 Subaru OUTBACK
102 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Subaru OUTBACK
119 complaints — well below segment average
2024 Subaru OUTBACK
130 complaints — well below segment average
2014 Subaru OUTBACK
275 complaints — well below segment average
2012 Subaru OUTBACK
367 complaints — well below segment average