Subaru Outback years to avoid and best years
Newer Subaru Outback years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2020 has the most complaints per year, at 240 (897 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2024 at 1 (from 2 complaints), 2012 at 13 (from 292 complaints), and 2014 at 22 (from 208 complaints). The Subaru Outback 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2020 Subaru Outback, 272 of 897 complaints name Visibility and wipers.
Data as of .
2024
2012
2014
2025–26
Subaru Outback reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Subaru Outback. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 24.7 |
| 2025 → Too early | 41 | 81 | 0 | Electrical system | 25.3 |
| 2024 Fewest | 1 | 2 | 0 | Equipment | 25.3 |
| 2023 → | 28 | 89 | 2 | Visibility and wipers | 25.3 |
| 2022 → | 132 | 463 | 4 | Visibility and wipers | 26.3 |
| 2021 → | 75 | 296 | 4 | Visibility and wipers | 27.5 |
| 2020 → Most | 240 | 897 | 6 | Visibility and wipers | 27.5 |
| 2019 → | 184 | 1,034 | 3 | Electrical system | 25 |
| 2018 → | 135 | 811 | 3 | Visibility and wipers | 25 |
| 2017 → | 64 | 917 | 4 | Electrical system | 25 |
| 2016 → | 48 | 642 | 4 | Electrical system | 25 |
| 2015 → | 73 | 509 | 5 | Visibility and wipers | 25 |
| 2014 → Fewest | 22 | 208 | 10 | Air bags | 23.3 |
| 2013 → | 29 | 297 | 12 | Engine | 23.3 |
| 2012 → Fewest | 13 | 292 | 16 | Powertrain | 22 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Wagon
- Oil
- 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.1 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/60R17, 225/55R17 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
Recall 19V-008 covers certain 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles (among other Subaru models) sold or ever registered in listed Zone B states: the front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Dealers replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no charge. Related Takata zonal campaigns 19V-007, 19V-009, and 20V-001 through 20V-003 cover overlapping Outback model years in other humidity zones with the same inflator remedy. Recall 18V-626 covers certain 2010-2014 Legacy and Outback vehicles with a manual transmission whose electronic parking brake may not engage as intended, allowing rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked; dealers replace the EPB actuator assembly.
- Body styles
- Wagon
- Oil
- 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L FB25; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.1 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/65R17 (base), 225/60R18 (Limited/Touring)
Known issues for this generation
Safety recall 20V-218 (Subaru WRD-20) covers certain 2019 Outback, Legacy, Impreza, and Ascent vehicles whose low-pressure fuel pump may become inoperative; if the pump fails, the engine may stall without restart capability. Dealers replace the low-pressure fuel pump free of charge. The campaign unit total covers those models together, not Outback alone. Safety recall 19V-493 (Subaru WUH-93) covers a small build run of 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles whose spot welds on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, reducing body strength in a crash; dealers inspect and repair or repurchase as needed. Safety recall 18V-935 (Subaru WTZ-85) covers certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles when audio-display software can leave the backup camera blank, failing FMVSS 111; dealers reprogram the display.
- Body styles
- Wagon
- Oil
- 0W-20 synthetic (2.4L turbo and 2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.1 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/65R17 to 225/60R18 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
Recall 20V-766 covers certain 2020 Legacy and Outback models with mid- or high-grade multimedia navigation when an August 2020 over-the-air update can time out and corrupt data, intermittently shutting off the rearview display and failing FMVSS 111. Subaru's remedy is software reprogramming and, if needed, replacement of the cockpit control module (recall WRH-20). Recall 22V-485 covers certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles: Transmission Control Unit programming may engage the clutch before the drive chain is fully clamped, risking chain slip or break and loss of drive; dealers reprogram the TCU and replace the transmission if damage is found. Recall 24V-227 covers certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles: an Occupant Detection System sensor capacitor may short and prevent passenger air bag deployment; dealers replace the ODS sensors. Legacy and Outback share these campaign unit totals.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Outback years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2024 at 1 (from 2 complaints), 2012 at 13 (from 292 complaints), and 2014 at 22 (from 208 complaints).
Which Subaru Outback year has the most owner complaints?
2020 has the most complaints per year, at 240 (897 complaints). On the 2020 Subaru Outback, 272 of 897 complaints name Visibility and wipers.
How do Subaru Outback owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Subaru Outback years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones.
Which Subaru Outback years are too early to compare?
The Subaru Outback 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What engine oil does a Subaru Outback use?
US manuals specify 0W-20 synthetic for recent FB and turbo engines, with temporary 5W-30 only when 0W-20 is unavailable.
What does NHTSA recall 19V-008 cover on the Subaru Outback?
Recall 19V-008 covers certain 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles (among other Subaru models) sold or ever registered in listed Zone B states: the front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin.
What generation is the 2013 Subaru Outback?
4th generation (BR) (2012-2014).