VehicleVerdict

Subaru Outback years to avoid

The Subaru Outback years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2011, 2016, 2015, 2022, 2010, 2013, 2021, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2004 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1995 is the cleanest year on record.

12,268

Total complaints

72

Recall campaigns

1995–2026

Years covered

15

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Subaru Outback NHTSA complaints by model year1,282 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 57 complaints1997: 94 complaints1998: 165 complaints1999: 150 complaints2000: 247 complaints2001: 207 complaints2002: 172 complaints2003: 116 complaints2004: 108 complaints2005: 354 complaints2006: 404 complaints2007: 182 complaints2008: 281 complaints2009: 142 complaints2010: 466 complaints2011: 855 complaints2012: 367 complaints2013: 406 complaints2014: 275 complaints2015: 640 complaints2016: 769 complaints2017: 1,102 complaints2018: 986 complaints2019: 1,282 complaints2020: 1,126 complaints2021: 405 complaints2022: 543 complaints2023: 119 complaints2024: 130 complaints2025: 104 complaints2026: 11 complaints
Subaru Outback NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Outback years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2019High complaint rate1,282
2020High complaint rate1,126
2017High complaints + open investigation1,102
2018High complaint rate986
2011High complaint rate855
2016High complaints + open investigation769
2015High complaints + open investigation640
2022High complaint rate543
2010High complaint rate466
2013High complaint rate406
2021High complaint rate405
2006High complaint rate404
2005Open safety investigation354
2003Open safety investigation116
2004Open safety investigation108

Every Outback year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026110
20251040
20241300
20231192
2022avoid5434
2021avoid4054
2020avoid1,1266
2019avoid1,2823
2018avoid9863
2017avoid1,1024
2016avoid7694
2015avoid6405
201427510
2013avoid40612
201236716
2011avoid85516
2010avoid46618
200914213
20082818
20071828
2006avoid4047
2005avoid3549
2004avoid10811
2003avoid11615
20021725
20012074
20002472
19991501
19981652
1997944
1996572
199531

Common questions

What are the worst Subaru Outback years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Outback years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2011, 2016, 2015, 2022, 2010, 2013, 2021, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2004. The cleanest year on record is 1995.

What is the best year for the Subaru Outback?

By complaint volume, 1995 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Outback years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Subaru Outback have?

Across all model years, the Outback has 72 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 12,268 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.