VehicleVerdict

2011 Subaru Outback transmission problems

The 2011 Subaru Outback has 216 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 25% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

216

Transmission complaints

25%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Outback transmission complaints by model year216 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 32 complaints2000: 44 complaints2001: 23 complaints2002: 20 complaints2003: 13 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 17 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 9 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 94 complaints2011: 216 complaints2012: 107 complaints2013: 58 complaints2014: 25 complaints2015: 37 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 46 complaints2018: 14 complaints2019: 15 complaints2020: 46 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 4 complaints2024: 6 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Outback transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V326000TransmissionJuly 20, 2010 · 809 units

Defect

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.

Consequence

IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE CONTACT FORGOT TO SHIFT THE LEVER INTO THE PARK POSITION BUT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A GATE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 19, 2015 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2011 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 216 complaints about the 2011 Subaru Outback transmission — 25% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Subaru Outback transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 10V326000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.