Is the Subaru Outback Reliable?
2000–2026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Subaru Outback? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Subaru Outback Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 11 | 3 | — | 77 | Good |
| 2025 | 0 | 62 | — | — | 71 | Good |
| 2024 | 0 | 90 | 2 | — | 73 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 59 | — | — | 80 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 283 | 5 | — | 64 | Fair |
| 2021 | 2 | 221 | 7 | — | 69 | Good |
| 2020 | 2 | 569 | 1 | — | 62 | Fair |
| 2019 | 2 | 652 | 10 | — | 58 | Fair |
| 2018 | 2 | 520 | 13 | — | 61 | Fair |
| 2017 | 2 | 542 | 23 | — | 57 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Outback Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Outback scores 1 points below the average suv. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Subaru Outback Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 3009 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Subaru Outback reliable?+
The Subaru Outback scores 67/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 12 recall campaigns and 3009 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Outback is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2023 Outback achieved the highest reliability score of 80/100 with 1 recall and 59 complaints.
How many miles does a Outback last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Subaru Outback owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Outback will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Subaru Outback Research
Check a Specific Subaru Outback VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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