2011 Subaru Outback

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
652
Recalls
16

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 277 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 652 complaints 2011 652 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 297 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 918 complaints 2018: 813 complaints 2019: 1,034 complaints 2019 2020: 899 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2022: 465 complaints 2023: 89 complaints 2023 2024: 103 complaints 2025: 81 complaints 2026: 16 complaints
1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2001 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2005 2006: 277 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 652 complaints 2011 652 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 297 complaints 2013 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 918 complaints 2017 2018: 813 complaints 2019: 1,034 complaints 2019 2020: 899 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2021 2022: 465 complaints 2023: 89 complaints 2023 2024: 103 complaints 2025: 81 complaints 2025 2026: 16 complaints
1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2001 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2005 2006: 277 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 652 complaints 2011 652 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 297 complaints 2013 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 918 complaints 2017 2018: 813 complaints 2019: 1,034 complaints 2019 2020: 899 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2021 2022: 465 complaints 2023: 89 complaints 2023 2024: 103 complaints 2025: 81 complaints 2025 2026: 16 complaints

2011: 652 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006277
2007129
2008226
2009106
2010360
2011652
2012292
2013297
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017918
2018813
20191,034
2020899
2021296
2022465
202389
2024103
202581
202616

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

33% · 216 reports

Most commonly citing torque converter.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I pulled into my driveway (Relatively level) and parked my car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-24

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Exterior lighting

18% · 117 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

FIRE

Engine

13% · 85 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

12% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

1. Propulsion, acceleration, brakes, transmission- no longer available for inspection 2. The vehicle went completely out of control; I stood on the brakes as hard as I could but would not stop or slow the car at all.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-10

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system and vehicle speed control

Air bags

11% · 74 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Our 2011 Outback wagon was hit on the driver's side by a bus. It was totaled. The side airbag did not deploy. The driver sustained a serious head injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-09

Safety timeline

16 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2010-07-28Power train10V326000 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…

    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…

  2. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 652 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2011-10-17Visibility11V467000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from August 3, 2010, through July 1, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to…

  4. R
    2013-02-19Exterior lighting12V602000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

  5. R
    2013-04-22Electrical system, equipment13V061000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

  6. R
    2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

  7. R
    2016-10-25Visibility16V694000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

  8. R
    2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

  9. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

  10. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

  11. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

  12. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  13. R
    2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  14. R
    2019-07-19Parking brake18V626000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

  15. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  16. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

  17. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 216 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 117 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 85 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V326000 · Power train
  • Recall 11V467000 · Visibility
  • Recall 12V602000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V061000 · Electrical system, equipment
  • Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V694000 · Visibility
  • Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 18V626000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V003000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Subaru Outback reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Subaru Outback is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Subaru Outback have?
16 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.