VehicleVerdict

Subaru Outback years to avoid

The Subaru Outback years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2011, 2016, 2015, 2022, 2010, 2021, 2013, 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.

12,381

Total complaints

72

Recall campaigns

1995–2026

Years covered

15

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Subaru Outback NHTSA complaints by model year1,288 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: 143 complaints2010: 469 complaints2011: 857 complaints2012: 369 complaints2013: 408 complaints2014: 276 complaints2015: 649 complaints2016: 775 complaints2017: 1,106 complaints2018: 991 complaints2019: 1,288 complaints2020: 1,135 complaints2021: 416 complaints2022: 556 complaints2023: 126 complaints2024: 138 complaints2025: 120 complaints2026: 19 complaints
Subaru Outback NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Outback years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2019High complaint rate1,288
2020High complaint rate1,135
2017High complaints + open investigation1,106
2018High complaint rate991
2011High complaint rate857
2016High complaints + open investigation775
2015High complaints + open investigation649
2022High complaint rate556
2010High complaint rate469
2021High complaint rate416
2013High complaint rate408
2006High complaint rate404
2005Open safety investigation354
2003Open safety investigation116
2004Open safety investigation108

Every Outback year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026190
20251200
20241380
20231262
2022avoid5564
2021avoid4164
2020avoid1,1356
2019avoid1,2883
2018avoid9913
2017avoid1,1064
2016avoid7754
2015avoid6495
201427610
2013avoid40812
201236916
2011avoid85716
2010avoid46918
200914313
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, 2021, 2013, 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 12,381 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.