Subaru Outback — YEARS TO AVOID

Data updated 2026-09-01. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

Avoid: 2019, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2011, 2016 · Best bets: 1996, 2025, 1997, 2023, 2004, 2003

COMPLAINT HISTORY

2026: 13 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	2
1996	46
1997	79
1998	127
1999	111
2000	207
2001	171
2002	143
2003	93
2004	90
2005	273
2006	276
2007	129
2008	226
2009	106
2010	360
2011	651
2012	292
2013	296
2014	208
2015	509
2016	642
2017	917
2018	807
2019	1032
2020	896
2021	296
2022	461
2023	88
2024	96
2025	75
2026	13

EVERY YEAR, RANKED

Year	Ranking	Complaints	Why
2026	Not enough data	13	Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2025	Recommended	75	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2024	Recommended	96	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2023	Recommended	88	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2022	Avoid	461	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2021	Caution	296	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2020	Avoid	896	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2019	Avoid	1032	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2018	Avoid	807	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2017	Avoid	917	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2016	Avoid	642	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2015	Avoid	509	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2014	Recommended	208	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2013	Caution	296	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2012	Caution	292	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2011	Avoid	651	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2010	Caution	360	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2009	Recommended	106	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008	Recommended	226	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007	Recommended	129	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2006	Caution	276	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2005	Caution	273	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2004	Recommended	90	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2003	Recommended	93	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2002	Recommended	143	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2001	Recommended	171	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000	Recommended	207	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999	Recommended	111	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1998	Recommended	127	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1997	Recommended	79	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1996	Recommended	46	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1995	Not enough data	2	Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.