Subaru

Outback

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · model years 2005 to 2026

Includes Outback AWD and Outback Wagon AWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 69 Outback trims All Subaru cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Worst year: 2017. complaints: 914, this model typically has none on file; recalls: 4, this model typically has none on file.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Subaru Outback
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2005	6Gas	20	no data	$3,850	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2005
2006	7Gas	20	no data	$3,850	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2006
2007	7Gas	21	no data	$3,650	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2007
2008	5Gas	20	no data	$3,850	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2008
2009	5Gas	20	no data	$3,850	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2009
2010	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	0	0	0	216	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	0	0	0	230	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.3 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	0	0	1	217	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.3 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	3Gas	24	256	$2,600	0	0	0	305	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	3Gas	24	256	$2,600	0	0	0	228	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	2Gas	25	216	$2,525	0	0	1 (1 open)	345	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	2Gas	25	216	$2,525	0	0	1 (1 open)	304	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	2Gas	25	216	$2,525	4	914	1 (1 open)	249	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 36%, VISIBILITY/WIPER 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%
complaints: 914, this model typically has none on file recalls: 4, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 25 NHTSA advised parking the 2017 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	2Gas	25	216	$2,525	0	0	0	222	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	25	216	$2,525	0	0	0	202	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	2Gas	27.5	221	$2,275	6	889	0	289	VISIBILITY/WIPER 29%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 889, this model typically has none on file recalls: 6, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Gas	27.5	221	$2,275	0	0	0	236	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	2Gas	27.5	221	$2,275	4	450	0	197	VISIBILITY/WIPER 49%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 450, this model typically has none on file recalls: 4, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Gas	26.5	221	$2,350	2	84	0	161	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, VISIBILITY/WIPER 15%
complaints: 84, this model typically has none on file recalls: 2, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 7 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	2Gas	26.5	221	$2,350	0	0	0	120	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	2Gas	26.5	221	$2,275	0	0	0	82	no data
complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	2Gas	25.5	no data	$2,350	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2026

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2005: 20 to 2026: 25.5

Owner complaints2010: 0 to 2025: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Subaru Outback to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.