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Subaru Outback: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Subaru Outback problems by model year, from 7,471 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2011 (62%, 288 drivetrain complaints), 2012 (62%, 146 drivetrain complaints) and 2010 (52%, 148 drivetrain complaints). 5 of the 14 Subaru Outback years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 2 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2019 (7%), 2023 (9%) and 2022 (9%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2014 (41%) to 2015 (18%), down 23 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2011 drew the most drivetrain complaints (288 of 1,391 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Subaru Outback year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Outback | high | 52% | 148 | 360 | 3/14 | 18 |
| 2011 Outback | very high | 62% | 288 | 652 | 1/14 | 16 |
| 2012 Outback | very high | 62% | 146 | 292 | 2/14 | 16 |
| 2013 Outback | high | 49% | 122 | 297 | 4/14 | 12 |
| 2014 Outback | high | 41% | 67 | 208 | 5/14 | 10 |
| 2015 Outback | no elevated signal | 18% | 89 | 509 | 6/14 | 5 |
| 2016 Outback | no elevated signal | 16% | 99 | 642 | 7/14 | 4 |
| 2017 Outback | no elevated signal | 11% | 97 | 917 | 10/14 | 4 |
| 2018 Outback | no elevated signal | 10% | 82 | 812 | 11/14 | 3 |
| 2019 Outback | no elevated signal | 7% | 72 | 1,034 | 14/14 | 3 |
| 2020 Outback | no elevated signal | 11% | 98 | 899 | 9/14 | 6 |
| 2021 Outback | no elevated signal | 13% | 36 | 296 | 8/14 | 4 |
| 2022 Outback | no elevated signal | 9% | 40 | 464 | 12/14 | 4 |
| 2023 Outback | no elevated signal | 9% | 7 | 89 | 13/14 | 2 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Subaru Outback years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Subaru Outback engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns on the Subaru Outback involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 49 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2010 | 10V196000 | engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings | 2010 |
| Jul 2010 | 10V326000 | power train: manual transmission | 2010–2011 |
| Aug 2013 | 13V336000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2014 |
| Aug 2015 | 15V502000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2015–2016 |
| Nov 2015 | 15V794000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2016 |
| Apr 2020 | 20V218000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019 |
| Jan 2021 | 21V024000 | power train: shift linkage/cable/rod | 2021 |
| Jul 2021 | 21V587000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2018–2020 |
| Dec 2021 | 21V955000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2020 |
| Jul 2022 | 22V473000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ecm) | 2022 |
| Jul 2022 | 22V485000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2020–2021 |
| Sep 2023 | 23V647000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2023 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V755000 | power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch | 2021–2023 |
36 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2010 | 10V283000 | steering: column | 2010 |
| Sep 2011 | 11V467000 | visibility: sun/moon roof assembly | 2011 |
| Nov 2011 | 11V562000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2012 |
| Feb 2012 | 12V047000 | air bags: side/window | 2012 |
| Dec 2012 | 12V602000 | exterior lighting | 2010–2011 |
| Feb 2013 | 13V061000 | electrical system | 2010–2013 |
| Mar 2013 | 13V077000 | visibility: sun/moon roof assembly | 2012 |
| Mar 2013 | 13V078000 | visibility/wiper | 2012 |
| May 2013 | 13V194000 | steering | 2013 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V577000 | trailer hitches | 2015 |
| Jun 2015 | 15V366000 | forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking | 2015 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V251000 | electronic stability control (esc) | 2015 |
| May 2016 | 16V292000 | steering: column | 2015–2017 |
| May 2016 | 16V358000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Aug 2016 | 16V576000 | suspension | 2017 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V694000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor | 2010–2014 |
| Oct 2016 | 16V716000 | steering: column | 2017 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V014000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V012000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V013000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V626000 | parking brake | 2010–2014 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V773000 | electrical system: software | 2018 |
| Dec 2018 | 18V935000 | visibility: rearview mirrors/devices | 2018 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V007000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2014 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V008000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2014 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V009000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2014 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V297000 | electrical system: ignition: switch | 2010–2014 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V493000 | structure | 2019 |
| Sep 2019 | 19V664000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2020 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V910000 | air bags: air bag/restraint control module | 2016–2017 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V001000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2014 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V002000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2014 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V003000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2014 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V766000 | back over prevention: display function | 2020 |
| Sep 2022 | 22V712000 | visibility: windshield | 2022 |
| Mar 2024 | 24V227000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2020–2022 |
What the free pages leave out on the Subaru Outback
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Subaru Outback
What are the worst years for the Subaru Outback?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Subaru Outback years are the 2011 (62% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2012 (62% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2010 (52% of relevant complaints, high). 5 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Subaru Outback?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Subaru Outback years are the 2019 (7%), the 2023 (9%) and the 2022 (9%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 1,391 of 7,055 relevant NHTSA complaints (20%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is power train. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Is the Subaru Outback reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 5 of 14 Subaru Outback years we score have an elevated complaint share and 9 do not. Pooled across those years, 20% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Subaru Outback?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Subaru Outback years we track, out of 49 in total: 22V485000 (Jul 2022, 2020–2021), 23V647000 (Sep 2023, 2023), 23V755000 (Nov 2023, 2021–2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.