2016 SUBARU OUTBACK

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    battery and charging

    108 stranded, 105 unsafe, 4 broken, 7 annoyance

    224
    incidents
    Typical range: 24,000–59,000 mi

    Median 39,500 mi, based on 120 reports (53% had no usable mileage)

    • "WE STARTED DRAINED BATTERIES AT 57,000 MILES (WE ARE AT 61,000 MILES NOW), WHICH WAS ABOUT NOVEMBER 2020. AS OF TODAY, THIS IS OUR 4TH TIME HAVING A DEAD BATTERY. WE HAD A SERVICE CHECK FROM VAN SUBARU KANSAS CITY, MO IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO. THEY TOLD US N…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1723595
    • "BATTERY DIED AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES AND PARKING FOR AN HOUR. COULDN'T MOVE SHIFT LEVER OR RELEASE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE. SOMEONE FINALLY JUMPED THE CAR FOR ME Y AND I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY (BATTERY $151.19 AND JUMPER CABLES 26.99 AT PEPBOYS, DB…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1662332
    • "THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND IT WAS ABOVE FREEZING. NONE OF THE LIGHTS HAD BEEN LEFT ON/DOORS OPEN... THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE A FOB KEPT TOO CLOSE... THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WE'RE NOT SURE IF IT'S A BATTERY,…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1737467
    • "BATTERY RUNS OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON, ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT DRIVEN FAR OR FREQUENTLY. FIRST BATTERY REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP BEFORE 2 YEARS, AFTER 3 INCIDENTS. SECOND BATTERY JUST BEGAN THE SAME PROBLEMS, IT IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. POSSIBLE THAT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1670509
    • "THE BATTERY IN THE CAR HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. SUBARU CANNOT FIND THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND APPEARS TO BE DEFECT IN THE CAR. I AM NOT GETTING ANY ANSWERS FROM SUBARU ON WHY IS THIS HAPPENING.THE CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME OVER NIGHT…"~690,000 mi, complaint #1680462
  2. #2

    glass and windshield

    91 unsafe, 1 broken

    92
    incidents
    Typical range: 6,000–54,500 mi

    Median 34,000 mi, based on 74 reports (25% had no usable mileage)

    • "I BOUGHT A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ON MARCH 5TH, 2016. AFTER TWO WEEKS I TOOK A TRIP DOWN TO ATLANTA AND BACK TO KNOXVILLE, TN. I WAS DRIVING ON I-75 AND GOING 70MPH. I HEARD NO SOUND NOR DID I SEE A ROCK OR DEBRIS HIT MY WINDSHIELD, BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW A C…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1269578
    • "THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE FROM THE ROAD OR OTHER SOURCES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY DOZENS OF OWNERS OF SUBARU OUTBACKS, ESPECIALLY ONES WITH THE SUBARU EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM, WHICH MY VEHICLE H…"~7,500 mi, complaint #1406651
    • " PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE ONTO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN AT SUBARU OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE. 2016 OUTBACK 3.6R BULLETIN NUMBER: 12-192-15R; NHTSA ID:10093903; REVISED: 11/19/15 UPDATE BULLETIN NUMBER: 12-192-15R; NHTSA ID:10093903; REVISED: 03/06/1…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1549022
    • "WE PURCHASED A CAR BRAND NEW IN SAVANNAH, GA AND SINCE HAVE REPLACED WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES. IT HAS A SMALL CRACK AGAIN. ALL OUR REPLACEMENTS OCCURRED AGAINST OUR INSURANCE. OUR COVERAGE HAS INCREASE IN PREMIUMS. PREVIOUSLY, I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH WINDSHI…"~56,210 mi, complaint #1691950
    • "SPONTANEOUS CRACK DEVELOPED DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK WHILE DRIVING. NO OBVIOUS REASON SUCH AS IMPACT WITH STONE OR ROCK WAS INVOLVED- LARGE CRACK JUST SUDDENLY APPEARED. HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF OTHERS HAVING SAME IS…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1669895
  3. #3

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 stranded, 40 unsafe, 23 annoyance

    64
    incidents
    Typical range: 29,000–60,000 mi

    Median 47,500 mi, based on 52 reports (37% had no usable mileage)

    • "AT 9AM ON APRIL 20, 2016, I WALKED PAST THE FRONT OF MY OUTBACK, PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF, IN MY GARAGE. THE REAR TAILGATE SUDDENLY BEEPED AND OPENED FULLY. I HAD NO KEY FOB OPENERS ON MY PERSON NOR WERE ANY OF MY TWO KEY FOBS WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE CAR A…"~1,682 mi, complaint #1276967
    • "SOMETIMES THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CAR OFF (EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK). BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ, THIS IS A DEFECT WITH A SENSOR NOT RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICU…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1677199
    • "I AM NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY YET WHEN TRAVELING I NEED TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, RESTART THE CAR STRESSING MY IGNITION SYSTEM, OR MOVE SLIGHTLY IN REVERSE AND BACK TO PA…"~47,000 mi, complaint #1698406
    • "WHEN I STOP MY 2016 OUTBACK AFTER DRIVING IT MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS ACTING LIKE I AM NOT PUTTING THE CAR ALL THE WAY IN PARK. I AM FORCED TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AT TIMES AND THE CAR WILL BE VERY EA…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1589114
    • "WHEN YOU SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF THEY KEY GETS STUCK IN ACCESSORY MODE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY."~126,000 mi, complaint #1682858
  4. #4

    exhaust system

    18 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    19
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE BELLOWS CRACKED. WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD STARTED AND THEN DRIVEN, A RATTLE CAME FROM THE ENGINE BAY WHEN DRIVEN AT 2500 RPM. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP, THE RATTLE GOES AWAY. WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, EXHAUST FUMES CAN BE SMELLED FROM OUTSIDE…"~122,400 mi, complaint #1717525
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was occupied and parked at residence and attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the underneath the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at vario…"~171,000 mi, complaint #2082295
  5. #5

    other

    1 stranded, 7 unsafe, 8 annoyance

    16
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "PROBLEM IN SHIFTER GATE SO THAT KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION AFTER PLACING IN PARK AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE."~42,000 mi, complaint #1576932
    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN PUT INTO PARK AND CAN'T TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION AFTER TURNING CAR OFF."~52,000 mi, complaint #1589834
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION ON THE TOWING LABEL WAS INCORRECT, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE COULD TOW 3,000 LBS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO TOW ONLY 2,000 LBS. FOR A HITCH. THE MANUFACT…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1267740
    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale, but the contact discovered the seller was associated with…"~207,000 mi, complaint #2237394
  6. #6

    transmission automatic

    3 stranded, 12 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 35,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON STREET OR PULLING INTO INTERSECTION AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN, CAR HAS APPARENTLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE UNTIL PUT CAR INTO PARK AND THEN INTO DRIVE. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALARMS. D…"~4,500 mi, complaint #1474241
    • "LESS THAN 1 WEEK LATER, 2ND OCCURRENCE: WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST FORWARD MOVEMENT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BUT NOT ENGAGING ENOUGH TO PROPEL VEHICLE. TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER REPAIRED PILOT PIN IN TRANSMISSIO…"~7,200 mi, complaint #1336324
    • "SHIFTER ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. LESS THAN 50000 MILES ON CAR AND CAR WON'T SHIFT INTO PARK! READING OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE IT'S A DEFAULT ASSEMBLY! *TR"~47,000 mi, complaint #1572094
    • "WOBBLING AND SHAKING OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION (WHEN ACCELERATING). HAPPENS ON STREET AND ON HIGHWAY. SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS A RESULT OF PREVIOUS COMPLAI…"~92,400 mi, complaint #1592875
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK STARTED MAKING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND VIOLENTLY HALTED THE CAR TO A STOP. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT IT WASN'T DURING A BUSY TIME AND AN ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. THIS TRANSMISSIO…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1691712
  7. #7

    unintended acceleration

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 29,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTE…"~1,100 mi, complaint #1315784
    • "TWICE SINCE NOVEMBER,'19 AND MOST RECENTLY ON 3/14/2020, WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP WILDLY. THEN, IN BOTH INCIDENTS I ATTEMPTED TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. GEARSHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF. AFTER SE…"~23,000 mi, complaint #1654509
    • "SUDDEN ACCELERATION: THIS SERIOUS UNSAFE CONDITION RELATES TO MY 2016 OUTBACK LIMITED 2.5L PURCHASED ON 2/29/2016 IN TAMPA FLORIDA. THE EXACT SAME UNSAFE CONDITION HAS HAPPENED TWICE; FIRST IN OCTOBER 2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 8800 MILES, AND SECOND IN DECEMBER…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1437045
    • "WHILE TRYING TO COME OUT OF DRIVE WAY ONTO THE STREET, I TRIED TO STOP BY PRESSING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED"~34,174 mi, complaint #1556681
    • "UPON SLOWING DOWN & PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, TO PARK MY CAR IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS, MY VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, UP OVER THE SIDEWALK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED A 2ND TIME AS I TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1718266
  8. #8

    control module

    2 stranded, 8 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DIFFICULTY TURNING THE CARS IGNITION INTO THE OFF POSITION TO REMOVE KEY. KEY STOCKS IN IGNITION AND CAR STAYS TURNED ON IN ACCESSORY MODE. OFTEN TAKES UP TO 6 TIMES RESTARTING AND STOPPING TO GET KEY TO RELEASE. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE COMPUTER RELAY THAT I…"~25,500 mi, complaint #1645546
    • "KEY IS CONSTANTLY STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR NOT RECOGNIZING THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. *TR"~25,890 mi, complaint #1664454
  9. #9

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 10 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 30,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I DESCEND A STEEP, CROOKED COUNTRY ROAD TO REACH MY HOUSE AND LOCK MY TRANSMISSION IN SECOND GEAR TO AVOID HAVING TO APPLY BRAKES. IN LOW IDLE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS WELL CONTROLLED BUT WHEN THE FUEL CONTROL SHIFTS TO HIGH IDLE THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASES FROM 2…"~1,500 mi, complaint #1317138
    • "3RD OCCURRENCE: WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE JERKED, ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST MOVEMENT WITH RESISTANCE. TOWED TO DEALER. *TR"~8,000 mi, complaint #1336326
    • "MY WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY AND WAS WAITING IN TRAFFIC TO TAKE A RAMP EXIT. OUR SUBARU OUTBACK'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. CAR HAD TO BE PUT IN PARK GEAR AND THEN RESTARTED BEFORE IT WAS DRIVE-ABLE. THIS SUDDEN STOPPING OF CAR IS HIGHLY WORRISOME."~31,000 mi, complaint #1489710
    • "CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. IT WAS TRULY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THE BABY WAS IN THE CAR AND IT WAS DURING MORNING COMMUTE RUSH HOURS WHEN EVERYONE IS RUSHING. THE CAR IS RELATIVELY NEW WITH 35K MILES AND AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. WAS…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1573384
    • "I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY AND IT JUST TURNED OFF ON ME. VERY QUICKLY TOO. NO TIME TO PULL OVER. JUST DIED IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS NOT USING THE EYE SIGHT AND IT WAS A CLEAR DAY. BUT THE DASH SAID EYE SIGHT OFF. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON BUT IT SAID…"~55,300 mi, complaint #1522004
  10. #10

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 2 broken, 5 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated she pull the window bottom for the front passenger side window to roll up automatically, she stated the window rolled shut but rolled down again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they stated th…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1839537
    • "FRONT WINDOWS KEEP GIVING TROUBLE. I HAVE GONE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT ANY LONG TERM RESOLUTION. FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW AND DRIVER WINDOW ROLLS UP AND DOWN SEVERAL TIMES WHEN YOU TRY TO CLOSE IT. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY…"~27,104 mi, complaint #1448775
    • "THERE WAS A PROBLEM REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY."~36,000 mi, complaint #1504298
    • "THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT ALWAYS FULLY CLOSE. SOMETIMES WHEN I'M CLOSING IT, THE WINDOW GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND THEN GOES DOWN ABOUT HALFWAY AND STAYS THERE. THE ONLY WAY I AM ABLE TO GET IT MOSTLY CLOSED IS WHEN I AM AT A STOP, I HAVE ONE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1607983
  11. #11

    adas collision warning

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 5,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED VARIOUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. TH…"~2,300 mi, complaint #1277849
    • "THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM FAILED TO BRAKE THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY."~3,000 mi, complaint #1363903
    • "I HAD AN ACCIDENT @ 5PM-ENTERING A BUSY ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY-HIT THE SIDE DOOR OF A CAR RACING LEFTTORIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. MY FAULT OF COURSE. I HEARD NO BEEP WARNING FROM THE SO-CALLED COLLISION MITIGATION SYSEM (?), NOR DID I FEEL ANY BRAKING. SUBSEQUENTLY…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1544145
    • "THE SUBARU EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD TWO INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED THE FORWARD-COLLISION WARNING AND STARTED TO BREAK FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO ME. ONCE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE NOT TOO CL…"~9,000 mi, complaint #1334484
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A LOCAL ROADWAY, THE EYESIGHT PRE-COLLISION BRAKE ASSIST SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE BRAKES RELEASED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER (…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1502437
  12. #12

    brake hydraulics

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "BRAKES ARE SOFT AND HARDLY WORK WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. ONCE CAR IS WARMED UP, BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS LESS THAN 40 DEGREES."~10,000 mi, complaint #1515529
    • "3 SEPARATE EPISODES OF ENGINE RACING WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR LURCHING FORWARD. BRAKE PEDAL VERY SPONGY AND WITH CONTINUOUS PRESSING GOES ALMOST DOWN TO FLOORBOARD. OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE MOVING SLOWLY IN CLOSE QUARTERS. ONE EPISODE OF BRAKE PEDAL G…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1375196
    • "IN HOT WEATHER AND BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES VERY SPONGY AND SLOWLY INCHES TO THE FLOOR WITH CONSTANT PRESSURE APPLICATION. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL HOT DAYS, WITH OBSERVED TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 80-100F. ON ONE RECENT O…"~11,100 mi, complaint #1379000
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED IN SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURI…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1357875
    • "COMING TO A STOP AT CURBSIDE. APPLYING LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL FORWARD. WAS ABLE TO STOP BY INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE. ENGINE SPEED INCREASED QUICKLY AFTER I SHIFTED TO PARK. ENGINE SOUND WAS LOUD ENOUGH TO BE NOTICED BY PE…"~111,500 mi, complaint #1553250
  13. #13

    door latch and hinge

    6 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ICE WOULD BUILD UP, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…"~12,029 mi, complaint #1357837
    • "ON 09/19/2017 I HAVE BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO LITHIA RENO SUBARU FOR SERVICE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL. WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE WAS PULLED ON WHILE CLOSING THE DOOR, THE DOOR PANEL PULLED IN EXCESSIVELY. LITHIA RENO SUBARU DETERMINED THAT THREE SCREWS WERE…"~24,645 mi, complaint #1419669
    • "WHILE STATIONARY, MY DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CHILD SAFETY LOCK SWITCH ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE DOOR WAS ENGAGED. TRIED…"~35,500 mi, complaint #1599788
    • "HOOD UNLATCHES UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS HAS PROBABLY OCCURED A HALF DOZED TIMES OR SO IN THE LAST YEAR. JUST YESTERDAY DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IT UNLATCHED. FORTUNATELY THE SAFETY LATCH DIDN'T RELEASE, BUT THAT COULD CERTAINLY HAPPEN ESPECIALLY WITH THE WIND PR…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1647653
  14. #14

    sunroof

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN OPEN ROAD GOING ABOUT 45MPH WITH NO TREES AND NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND US, OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED. I SAY EXPLODED BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WE HAD BEEN SHOT. IT WAS A VERY LOUD POP AND THEN WE WERE INSTANTLY COVERED IN GLASS. LIKE ALMOST THE ENTIR…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1372330
    • "WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND AT ABOUT 55 MPH ON A SMOOTH LEVEL DIVIDED HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY WITH A TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 45 DEGREES MY MOON ROOF EXPLODED. BOTH THE GLASS PORTION AND THE INNER SLIDING COVER WERE CLOSED. THERE WAS A LOUD "WHAM," AND THEN A RATTLI…"~31,156 mi, complaint #1460505
    • "DROVE ON FREEWAY ABOUT 65 MPH PASSED BY THE BIG TRUCK SUDDENLY EXPLODED SUNROOF. NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME AND IT JUST HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. "~51,000 mi, complaint #1480376
    • "WITHOUT WARNING THE SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING 40 MILES PER HOUR"~51,000 mi, complaint #1688878
    • "MOONROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ONCE OPENED. DEALER QUOTED $1400 REPAIR COST. DEALER SUGGESTED DISABLING THE MOON ROOF AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS TO MOONROOFS OVER TIME. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH MOON ROOFS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FI…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1745430
  15. #15

    transmission cvt

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT CAR JOLTING AT STOP LIGHTS ON OCCASION IN GEAR AT FULL STOP AT LIGHTS. NO DIAGNOSIS. CHANGED GAS THINKING IT MIGHT HELP. SEEMED TO. NO DIAGNOSIS. THEN CAR JUMPED HARD BACKWARDS IN REVERSE COMING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. COULD HAVE HIT CAR BEH…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1482399
    • "THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 79K MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING THE CAR TO VIOLENTLY STALL. WE BARELY AVOIDED HITTING THE CARS AROUND US TRYING TO PULL OVER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR TO REAR END US. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. THESE TRANSMISSI…"~79,620 mi, complaint #1631511
  16. #16

    airbag system

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "HIT DEER WITH RIGHT FRONT FENDER AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A DRY, STRAIGHT HWY. IMPACT WAS MINOR, SHEET METAL DAMAGE ONLY,NO FLUID LOSS OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM DAMAGE BUT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY, MUCH SMOKE. SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEFLATE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO…"~2,750 mi, complaint #1369597
    • "WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE PULLED IN FRONT OF LARGE F350 TRUCK, HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE. SHE WAS GOING 15 MPH, AND TRUCK WAS GOING 50-60 MPH. THE SIDE CURTAIN AND FRONT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. HER CAR ALSO HIT A SIGN AND TREE, CAVING IN THE FRONT…"~14,200 mi, complaint #1702662
    • "PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS EXPANDING OUT. DASH IS SPLITTING. CONCERN FOR PREMATURE ACTIVATION."~58,000 mi, complaint #1519239
  17. #17

    wiring harness

    4 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1236417
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine recall repair, and it was diagnosed and determined that the steering roll connector/clock spring had short-circuite…"~50,000 mi, complaint #2153403
    • "SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT BERTERA SUBARU OF HARTFORD STATING IGNITION SWITCH [REDACTED PLATE] REPLACEMENT $650 JOB MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES WITH OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MODEL YEAR"~75,000 mi, complaint #1694128
  18. #18

    engine oil consumption

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "IN 6 MONTHS, I GOT MORE THAN 10 TIMES OF LOW LEVEL ENGINE OIL LIGHT ON. FIRST TIME, IT WAS ON JAN. 2020, IT WAS 3,000 MILES FROM THE LAST OIL CHANGE. SO I CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL WITH NEW OIL. AFTER 2 MONTHS, I GOT LIGHT ON AGAIN. I REFILLED SOME OIL THEN GOT L…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1675142
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be serviced; however, while the mechanic was inspecting the vehicle, he noticed oil splatter inside the engine compartment. The vehicle was diag…"~74,315 mi, complaint #1878810
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine seal had failed and needed…"~110,000 mi, complaint #2123741
  19. #19

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "I WAS IN A STORE PARKING LOT. I DROVE APPROX. 2 BLOCKS AND CAME TO A FULL STOP WHERE THERE WAS A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. I ACCELERATED MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BEGAN CLIMBING A SMALL HILL TO EXIT THE PARKING AREA. I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AND MY CAR LOST…"~560 mi, complaint #1238585
  20. #20

    catalytic converter

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "- Leaking exhaust at bellow - I had to replace the catalytic converter. - I have a bad sense of smell. I did not notice it was an issue until a passenger of mine noted a smell of exhaust while we were driving. - I read a bulletin on your websites that there…"complaint #1931846
    • "I have a vehicle built in 11/15. I had an issue with cracked pipes associated with the catalytic converter that appear to match an existing nhsta recall for vehicles built between 12/09/2013 – 9/30/2015. It appears that the previous recall was not expansive en…"complaint #2001202
    • "The catalytic converter on my vehicle has an air leak causing my engine light to come on and almost all features such as cruise control become disabled. There is a recall that was issued in 2020 for the exact same problem my vehicle is having and the recall co…"complaint #2027648
    • "Catalytic converter is cracked. This is confirmed by an independent service center. Apparently there is a recall for this issue for 2015 and 2016 Subaru Outbacks manufactured up until September 2015. My 2016 Subaru Outback has the same issue and was manufact…"complaint #2133229
  21. #21

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact called on behalf of his mother who owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there were abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1862348
    • "A VALVE SPRING FAILED, CAUSING THE VALVE TO BREAK AND BECOME EMBEDDED IN THE PISTON.THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE."~1,120,000 mi, complaint #1697957
  22. #22

    infotainment head unit

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THE STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IN THE OUTBACK AFFECTS IPHONE MAPPING WHEN CONNECTED TO THE CAR'S USB SLOTS. THE MAPS GO HAYWIRE, ALWAYS POINTING THE WRONG DIRECCION, REROUTING CONSISTENTLY, RESULTING IN VERY DANGEROUS ROUTING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN PRESENT SIN…"~500 mi, complaint #1661715
    • "WE PURCHASED A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6, FULLY-LOADED WITH EVERY BELL AND WHISTLE REGARDING SAFETY, COMFORT, AND CONVENIENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER 2015. THE SUBARU STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM'S TECHNOLOGY FROZE CAUSING THE CLOCK TO FREEZE AT 10:37AM AS WEL…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1286329
    • "ABOUT ONCE A WEEK FOR AT LEAST THE PAST YEAR, THE STARLINK SCREEN FREEZES IN EITHER A BLANK SCREEN OR THE SCREEN GIVING CHOICES BETWEEN CD, FM, ETC. MUSIC WILL PLAY BUT NONE OF THE BUTTONS WILL WORK. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IF I HOLD DOWN THE ON/OFF BUTTON FOR…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1607965
  23. #23

    stability and traction control

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "MY 2016 OUTBACK WILL HAVE A "GHOST SLIDE" WHEN ON ICE. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE ROADS ARE ONLY PARTIALLY ICY. THE BACK END FEELS LIKE IT WILL SLIP OUT AND THE CAR WILL FEEL LIKE IT IS LOSING CONTROL. THIS IS MY 3RD SUBARU AND THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE HAD I…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1626265
    • "INTERSTATE DRIVING. 65 MPH. NIGHTTIME DRIVING. CRUISE CONTROL OFF. SUBARU EYESIGHT STEERING CORRECTION OFF. THREE ADULT PASSENGERS. NO LUGGAGE. NO EXTRA WEIGHT. THULE ROOF CARGO CONTAINER SECURED TO THE ROOF RACKS. SUDDEN ENCOUNTER OF ICE ON ROAD. SIGNIFICA…"~9,500 mi, complaint #1346844
    • "DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN 18F WEATHER WITH LIGHT SNOW AND PREVIOUSLY PLOWED ROAD. NO ISSUES DRIVING AROUND 50-60 MPH UNTIL PASSING UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS. THE CAR TURNED INTO THE OTHER LANE AND THEN CORRECTED ITSELF. THIS KEPT ON HAPPENING AT ALMOST EVERY OVERPA…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1442440
    • "MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ALL OF SUDDEN HAD WARNING LIGHTS SUCH AS: BRAKE, ABS, AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK ANS WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. IT HAS MADE MY STEERING WHEEL REALLY HAR…"~75,495 mi, complaint #1682072
  24. #24

    steering column

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "UNABLE TO REMOVE IGNITION KEY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK, KEY IS TURNED OFF, KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY AND STOPS AT THE ACCESSORY POINT. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST MONTH, SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. MOVE THE SHIFTER BACK AND…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1587419
    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. MUST "SLAM" THE SHIFTER INTO PARK IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY."~50,000 mi, complaint #1607705
    • "MY KEYS KEPT GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE UNABLE TO DETECT WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK. I HAD THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFTER REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAR TOO COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MOD…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1698065
  25. #25

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC NIGHT LEAVING A SCHOOL PARKING LOT ON A SATURDAY MORNING. THE CAR WAS AT A FULL STOP BEFORE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 10-15 MILES/HR, JUST VERY SLOW. MY SUBARU DIDN'T RESPONSE TO MY STEERING. INSTEAD O…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1282634
  26. #26

    mirror

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "REAR VIEW MIRROR BROKE LOOSE FROM WINDSHIELD WHILE BEING ADJUSTED. VEHICLE STATIONARY, VEHICLE OFF, PREPARING TO DRIVE AFTER BEING PARKED DURING THE WORK DAY. A CHUNK OF GLASS REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE BASE OF THE MIRROR. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 600 MILES ON I…"~600 mi, complaint #1296728
    • "VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS IN PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR DO NOT ACTIVATE FOR SEMI-TRUCKS WITH TRAILERS, BUT DO ACTIVATE FOR CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. I TRIED DURING A 40 KM. TRIP ON A FOUR LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. IF PASSED A CAR OR LIGHT DUTY TRUCK THEN THE LIGHT NOTIFIE…"~1,800 mi, complaint #1313923
  27. #27

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE CENTER SEATBELT IN THE BACK SEAT ( THE ONE THAT COMES DOWN FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE) HAS FRAYED AND BECOME TORN THREE TIMES IN 20 MONTHS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE DEC 21, 2016, SECOND WAS OCT 27,2017 AND THE MOST RECENT WAS FEB 13,2018. THE BELT SYST…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1450825
  28. #28

    steering rack mechanical

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "DRIVING AT AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND UNRESPONSIVE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING."~27,800 mi, complaint #1605796
    • "I WAS TRAVELING ON I49 AT ~60 MPH, IN LIGHT RAIN, AND NON FREEZING TEMPERATURE. I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD WITH CRUISE CONTROL OFF. THE TIRES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. I WAS APPROACHING BRUSH CREEK BRIDGE AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STEADY AND STRAIG…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1518000
  29. #29

    throttle and pedal

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHILE SITTING STILL AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD SEVERAL FEET. IT HAPPENS WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT FEELS LIKE I WAS REAR-ENDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JA…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1663449
    • "A FEW TIMES WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR PUTTING ON THE BRAKES I FOUND MY FOOT WAS ALSO ON THE GAS PEDAL. I FIND THAT THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE AND AT THE SAME HEIGHT. THE LAST TIME AT THE DEALER I ASKED TO CHECK OUT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS TOLD EV…"~2,628 mi, complaint #1299964
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his wife was parking the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated forward going down a hill. The vines from the woods prevented the vehicle from going into a lake.…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1806765
  30. #30

    trunk or liftgate

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WHEN THE LIFTGATE IS CLOSING A "CLICKING" NOISE IS MADE DUE TO STRESS ON THE LIFTGATE MOTOR. THIS IS CAUSED BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF STRAIN ON THE MOTOR TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS DESIGNED TO BE U…"complaint #1685538
    • "The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while stationary or while in motion, the tailgate would independently open without warning. The contact stated that due to the failure, the battery was drained. The vehicle was towed to a dealer.…"complaint #1782945
    • "Motorized power liftgate is failing (diagnosed by dealer on 7/7/23) apparently because motor is undersized or 2 motors should have instead been used/designed to deal with load. Safety issue if motor failure causes trunk not to open. Newer models have been re…"complaint #1907887
  31. #31

    adas adaptive cruise

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BASICALLY FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES "EYE SIGHT" AND ENHANCED SAFETY SYSTEM.I.E. CRUISE THAT AUTOMATICALLY KEEPS YOU A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU AND STOPS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT STOPS - TROUBLE IS YOU ARE GOING ALONG…"complaint #1298752
    • "Steering wheel controls frequently fail to work properly on the cruise control system specially the speed control. Also the exhaust system bellow has cracked. The moonroof leaks into the cabin and floor area of the passenger side. Also leaking into the A pilla…"complaint #2143541
  32. #32

    adas blind spot

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I TOOK MY 2016 OUTBACK IN TO A DEALER PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT DETECTION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID WORK AT TIMES. I TOOK IN WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION IN THE FORM OF RECORDED OCCURRENCES OF IT MALFUNCTIONING, BA…"complaint #1283524
    • "The blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning system stopped working. It was safer to drive on the highway when it was working. I had it looked at and I was told that the sensors are known to fail. It is an expensive replacement and not under warran…"complaint #1998040
  33. #33

    alignment and pull

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "2.12 FEBRUARY 2021, VEHICLE MILAGE APPROACHING 42,000. TRAVELING FROM MAZAMA WA TO SEATTLE VIA WA HWY 20, US 97 AND I-90, TRAVELED +/- 200 MILES. TEMPERATURE RANGES FROM 10F TO 20F. TRAVELING WEST ON I-90 +/-50 MPH, LANES CLEAR, SNOW IN BETWEEN LANES. NEW MICH…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1727378
  34. #34

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FRONT RIGHT CV JOINT STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND THAT BECAME EXTREMELY BAD AFTER ONE MONTH. WE WERE TOLD TO REPLACE IMMEDIATELY DUE TO SAFETY HAZARD. HAD TO REPLACE THE CV AXEL COSTING OVER $600. GOT IT BACK FROM THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP, JUST TO BE TOLD THE…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1618112
  35. #35

    engine head gasket

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "At 59,000 miles, engine developed “heavy leak from cam carriers” by dealer service department. It was recommended that it be resealed. Engine was removed and serviced. At 112,000 miles same diagnosis was observed, along with a recommend reseal. It appears…"complaint #1890134
    • "leak in cam carrier gasket caused large ammounts of smoke to fill engine bay and enter cabin air system. Struggled to breath and vision to an extent was obstructed. when car was parked, smoke continued to fill the engine bay. problem was confirmed by an indepe…"complaint #2194218
  36. #36

    horn

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY 2016 OUTBACK'S HORN STOPPED WORKING. OVER A YEAR AGO, IT STARTED WORKING ONLY WHEN I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL, THEN EVENTUALLY IN JULY 2019, IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. IT IS MOSTLY AN ANNOYANCE, BUT I CAN'T USE IT TO WARN OTHERS. I CALLED AN TOLD MY DEAL…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1676155
  37. #37

    parking brake

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "IT IS POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY STOP THE CAR'S ENGINE WHEN PARKING AND TRANSMISSION PUT IN NEUTRAL. THERE IS NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE WARNING TO ALERT DRIVER TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION TO "PARK" POSITION OR AND/OR ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE STOPPING ENGINE AND EXI…"~4,200 mi, complaint #1293645
    • "THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE LOCKED UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT TURNED ON. WHEN MY VEHICLE MOVED IS CREATED A LOUD METALIC SOUND."~30,000 mi, complaint #1508704
  38. #38

    power steering hydraulic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Unable to turn key to off position when in neutral and unable to remove key from the ignition. In order to get the key out of the ignition, the car needs to be restarted and turned back off or the gear shift needs to be pushed as hard as possible into the neut…"complaint #1762928
    • "Brake light comes on while driving and power steering also locks up.."complaint #2173798
  39. #39

    starter

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Car will repeatedly will not start. This has happened many times. New battery and with in weeks would not start again. Had battery checked and alternator both work fine. This is a safety issue if you need your vehicle for and emergency and it will not st…"complaint #1806301
    • "•Yes available upon request. My Subaru Outback has issues starting up even with a battery that tests good. The problem started off as intermittent and continues to happen more often. •I bought this car for Ohio winters and I’m worried me and my kids could get…"complaint #1848016
  40. #40

    wheel bearing

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6 LIMITED HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I NOTICED AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC HE SAID IT NEEDED A WHEEL BEARING AND THE WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. HE REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING/HUB BUT SAID THE NOISE WAS S…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1497768
    • "SUBARU OUTBACK 2016 4DR 2.5I - VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER IN CHANDLER AZ AND DEALER CHANGED RIGHT-REAR WHEEL HUB BEARING. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 67 K MI…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1593850
  41. #41

    wheel or rim

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE LEFTIST LANE (FOUR-LANE IN TOTAL) OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, I SUDDENLY FELT THAT MY CAR LOST BALANCE AND RAN TOWARD/ALONG THE GUARDRAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, WHICH SLOWED MY CAR IN SEVERAL SECONDS AND SAVED MY LIFE. LATER I FOUND THAT MY LEFT…"~500 mi, complaint #1268306
    • "DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY EARLY IN THE MORNING, NO OTHER CARS AROUND, HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A LARGE UPSIDE DOWN "L" CRACK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM."~22,000 mi, complaint #1409847
  42. #42

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE BREAKS LOCKED UP ON ME AS I WAS ABOUT TO PASS A TURNING CAR. THEY ALSO LOCKED UP ON ME ONCE WHEN A CAR WAS GETTING IN MY LANE. I SAW BOTH OF THESE CARS AND WAS NOT IN DANGER OF HITTING ONE OF THEM."complaint #1358822
  43. #43

    adas autonomous driving system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The reporting citizen was driving legally on [XXX] going forward towards the parking lot next to the round about when an uncrewed, autonomous commercial vehicle operated by Waymo suffered a catastrophic software/hardware failure. The 6,000-pound driverless rob…"complaint #2221323
  44. #44

    adas lane keeping

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVING IN THE CENTER OF MY LANE ON A WET HIGHWAY. CRUISE CONTROL ON AT [REDACTED ADDRESS] SWAY ON. THE CAR ACTED AS IF THE LANE SWAY ACTIVATED AND GAVE A STRONG STEERING WHEEL BUMP LIKE IT DOES IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO THE SIDE ROAD STRIPE. I WAS DEAD CENTER IN MY…"~3,400 mi, complaint #1244582
  45. #45

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Media screen failure. Is available for inspection. Safety of pedestrians or other accident at risk because the screen is useless in bright sunlight. Planning to complain to dealer. No warning signal or alert when backing up when screen is unreadable. This h…"complaint #2004956
  46. #46

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY DUE TO SWITCH ASSEMBLY MODULE FAILURE WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT BETWEEN 25-30MPH. CAR STOPPED INSTANTLY, PASSENGERS THROWN FORWARD, ALL-POWER DIED. CARS IN REAR STOPPED SHORT. FAILED TO RESTART AFTER INITIAL ATTE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1524897
  47. #47

    engine cooling

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The cam tower sealant failed, allowing a leak at less than 70,000 miles driven."complaint #1815188
  48. #48

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHENEVER IT RAINS, THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR IS FLOODED WITH WATER. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY MADE 4 ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS MY VEHICLE…"~15,800 mi, complaint #1368374
  49. #49

    fuel tank and lines

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVING 75 MPH ON FREEWAY WITH A LITTLE OVER QUARTER TANK OF GAS ON GAS GAUGE AND SYSTEM INFO ON CAR SAID 110 MILES LEFT TILL EMPTY TANK. CAR SLOWED VERY QUICKLY AND ENGINE DIED. PULLED OVER ON FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF DESERT. TOW TRUCK SERVICE TOOK 3 1/2 H…"~24,500 mi, complaint #1518230
  50. #50

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "INTERMITTENTLY ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH WILL GO OUT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS, THEN COME BACK ON. DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, I HAVE NOTHING ON THE DASH, NO SPEEDOMETER, TURN SIGNALS, EYESIGHT, RADIO, ETC. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAPPENS, SO FA…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1401688
  51. #51

    interior trim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE PLASTICS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE "NEW CAR SMELL" IS ESPECIALLY FRAGRANT, AND AFTER SITTING IN THE CAR FOR LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES, I DEVELOP A METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH THAT LINGERS, EVEN…"complaint #1294685
  52. #52

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE CAR AFTER 6 MONTHS HAS BEEN MAKING AN INTERMITTENT RATTLE NOISE THAT I BROUGHT INTO SUBARU TO INVESTIGATE. I SHARE THE VIDEO BUT THEY STATED THEY NEED TO RECREATE THE NOISE TO KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THEY FINALLY HEARD THE NOISE AND WITH…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1343430
  53. #53

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "FRONT PASSENGER SEATS LOOSENED AT THE FLOOR LEVEL (PERHAPS FROM THEIR ANCHORAGE TO THE FLOOR OR AT THEIR TRACKS). SPECIFICALLY, REAR PART OF SEATS CAN MOVE UP AND DOWN AND FORWARD ON AN ARC WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN RESPECTIVE SEATS. EVENT HAPPENS WHEN DECE…"complaint #1360660
  54. #54

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAD EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER, POP, REVVING RPMS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE A SUDDEN POWER LOSS AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH). I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD LIMITED STEERING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY. THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED BY THE TIME I WAS ON THE SIDE OF TH…"~35,042 mi, complaint #1488343
  55. #55

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/P SPORT AS 225/60R18 100H M&S D97WBZ. THESE ARE VERY DANGEROUS TIRES THAT CAME WITH BRAND NEW SUBARU. TERRIBLE ICE/SNOW TRACTION. SHOULD BE BETTER QUALITY ON AWD CAR. HAD TO BUY NEW MICHELINS WITH 55 MILES ON CAR."complaint #1262319
  56. #56

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASED A NEW 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ON OCTOBER 6, 2015. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON JANUARY 25, 2016, EVEN THOUGH ALL TIRES HAD 35 PSI IN THEM AS RECOMMENDED. SINCE THAT DAY, THE SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED 17 TIMES, AGAIN EVERY TIME THE TIRE…"~1,577 mi, complaint #1272532
  57. #57

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE IGNITION KEY DOESN'T COME OUT WHEN IN PARK. THE GEARS CAN MANUALLY SLIP WHILE IN PARK (WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHAFT). IT'S LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE GEAR 'PARK', WHILE ALSO THE KEY GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THIS HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1727390
  58. #58

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I JUST PURCHASED A 2016 OB 2.5I PREMIUM. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. ON FRIDAY I DECIDED TO WASH MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME. I STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, RAISED THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER, WENT AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND RAISED THE PASSENGER SI…"complaint #1214197

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for SUBARU OUTBACK directly.