Subaru Outback Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Subaru Outback model year (2000–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Subaru Outback Years to Avoid
1 recall · 659 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 682
1 recall · 543 complaints
23 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 592
3 recalls · 573 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem score: 584
Best Subaru Outback Years to Buy
0 recalls · 20 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 26
5 recalls · 51 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 66
2 recalls · 61 complaints
Main area: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Problem score: 67
Found the right year? Verify that specific Outback with a free VIN report.
Subaru Outback — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 20 | 3 | — | 26 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 78 | 1 | — | 80 | Good |
| 2024 | 0 | 95 | 2 | — | 99 | Good |
| 2023 | 2 | 61 | — | — | 67 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 293 | 5 | — | 306 | Caution |
| 2021 | 2 | 227 | 8 | — | 249 | Caution |
| 2020 | 3 | 573 | 1 | — | 584 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 1 | 659 | 10 | — | 682 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 0 | 529 | 13 | — | 555 | Avoid |
| 2017 | 1 | 543 | 23 | — | 592 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 1 | 402 | 8 | — | 421 | Caution |
| 2015 | 1 | 319 | 5 | — | 332 | Caution |
| 2014 | 5 | 145 | 8 | — | 176 | Good |
| 2013 | 6 | 197 | 12 | 2 | 249 | Caution |
| 2012 | 9 | 156 | 8 | — | 199 | Good |
| 2011 | 8 | 428 | 9 | — | 470 | Avoid |
| 2010 | 9 | 257 | 7 | — | 298 | Caution |
| 2009 | 6 | 95 | 2 | — | 117 | Good |
| 2008 | 6 | 141 | 6 | — | 171 | Good |
| 2007 | 5 | 101 | 1 | — | 118 | Good |
| 2006 | 4 | 185 | 1 | — | 199 | Good |
| 2005 | 5 | 183 | 15 | — | 228 | Good |
| 2004 | 5 | 51 | — | — | 66 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 6 | 61 | 3 | — | 85 | Good |
| 2002 | 2 | 87 | 8 | — | 109 | Good |
| 2001 | 2 | 90 | 4 | — | 104 | Good |
| 2000 | 1 | 120 | 5 | 1 | 138 | Good |
All 27 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Subaru Outback Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Outback models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 26 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Outback units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Outback models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Outback should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2019 Subaru Outback if possible. It has 1 recall, 659 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 682 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Outback to buy?+
The 2026 Subaru Outback is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 26. It has only 0 recalls and 20 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Outback has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2004, 2023 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Subaru Outback Research
Check a Specific Subaru Outback VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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