Subaru Outback: Years to Avoid & Common Problems

The worst model year for the Subaru Outback is 2019, which logged 1,282 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — a rate 4.91 times higher than the model's average across all years. Other years with elevated complaint volumes include 2020, 2017, 2018, and 2011. This report breaks down the data by year and by problem category.

Key Takeaways

• Across all model years, the Outback has accumulated 12,268 complaints, 72 recalls, and 10 investigations with NHTSA.
• The 2019 model year carries the highest complaint ratio at 4.91x the model average, with 1,282 complaints logged.
• Electrical System complaints total 2,367 across all Outback years, the largest single complaint category.
• Visibility & Wipers complaints total 2,086, an unusually high figure for this category compared with most other models.
• Five model years — 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, and 2011 — show complaint ratios above 3 times the model average.

Which Subaru Outback Years Have the Most Complaints?

Five model years stand out for complaint rates well above the Outback's overall average: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, and 2011. The table below lists each year's total complaint count and its ratio relative to the model-wide average.

The ratio compares each year's complaint volume to what would be expected if the Outback's 12,268 total complaints were spread evenly across every model year. The methodology page explains how this figure is derived, and the Subaru Outback model hub shows a year-by-year view of the entire lineup.

What Stands Out About the 2019 and 2020 Outback?

The 2019 and 2020 model years carry the two highest complaint ratios in the Outback lineup, at 4.91x and 4.31x, with 1,282 and 1,126 complaints respectively. Full category-level breakdowns for each are available on the 2019 Outback verdict page and the 2020 Outback verdict page.

It is worth noting that NHTSA complaint counts are unverified, consumer-submitted reports rather than confirmed defects. A high count means more owners filed a report with the agency, not that every report describes the same failure or that a defect has been established. The What Is an NHTSA Complaint? post explains how the reporting and coding process works.

Why Did the 2017 Outback Draw an Investigation?

The 2017 model year combined a high complaint ratio (4.22x, 1,102 complaints) with an open NHTSA investigation, a pairing not seen in the other flagged years. Investigations are opened when a pattern in complaints, warranty data, or field reports prompts formal federal review; an investigation on its own does not confirm that a defect exists or that a recall will follow. Detail specific to this model year is on the 2017 Outback verdict page.

What Are the Most Common Outback Problems Overall?

Across all model years combined, Electrical System complaints lead at 2,367, followed by Visibility & Wipers at 2,086 and Engine at 1,011. These three categories account for a large share of the Outback's total complaint volume.

Electrical System issues are the single largest category for this model, and the Outback's standing relative to other vehicles on that front can be seen on the worst electrical problems ranking. Engine complaints are smaller in volume but still substantial enough to place the Outback on the worst engine problems ranking.

Why Is Visibility & Wipers Such a Large Complaint Category for the Outback?

At 2,086 complaints, Visibility & Wipers is an outsized category for this model compared with most other vehicles, where it typically ranks well behind mechanical systems. Subaru vehicles from around this era, including the Outback, were widely reported to have windshields that cracked more easily than expected, and that widely reported pattern plausibly explains why this category is so disproportionately large here. No specific cause is confirmed within this data set, and the category should be read as a description of complaint volume rather than a diagnosis.

How Should You Use This Data When Shopping for a Used Outback?

Treat the years-to-avoid list as a starting point for questions to ask a seller or independent mechanic, not as a guarantee that every 2019 or 2020 Outback has a problem. Ask about maintenance history around electrical components and the windshield, and check whether any recalls tied to the vehicle's specific model year have been completed. The Subaru Outback model hub lists every model year with its own complaint and recall totals for closer comparison before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the worst year for the Subaru Outback?

The 2019 Outback has the highest complaint ratio in the lineup, at 4.91 times the model average, with 1,282 complaints filed with NHTSA. The 2020, 2017, 2018, and 2011 model years also show complaint ratios above 3 times the average and are worth extra scrutiny before purchase.

How many complaints does the Subaru Outback have in total?

Across every model year, the Subaru Outback has accumulated 12,268 complaints filed with NHTSA, along with 72 recalls and 10 investigations. These figures span the full range of Outback production years tracked in NHTSA's public databases, not any single model year.

Does the Subaru Outback have common electrical problems?

Yes. Electrical System complaints total 2,367 across all Outback model years, making it the single largest complaint category for this model. That volume is high enough to place the Outback among vehicles worth checking on electrical-specific complaint rankings before purchase.

Why does the Outback have so many windshield-related complaints?

Visibility & Wipers complaints total 2,086 across all Outback years, an unusually high figure for this category. Subaru vehicles from this era, including the Outback, were widely reported to have windshields that crack more easily than expected, which plausibly accounts for much of this category's size, though no specific cause is confirmed in this data.

Is a high NHTSA complaint count proof of a defect?

No. NHTSA complaint counts reflect unverified reports submitted directly by vehicle owners, not confirmed defects verified by the agency or the manufacturer. A high count indicates that many owners took the time to report an issue, which is useful for spotting patterns, but each individual complaint should be read as an unverified account rather than an established fact.