Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Subaru Outback problems
Owners filed 653 complaints about the 2011 Subaru Outback with NHTSA between Jul 2010 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (216).
Complaints
653
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
24
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train216
- Exterior lighting117
- Engine85
- Air bags73
- Electrical system67
- Service brakes67
- Steering36
- Vehicle speed control26
- Suspension21
- Visibility/wiper18
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Structure11
- Wheels10
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
19
35
28
31
43
42
81
81
45
90
47
36
23
23
12
11
6
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 35 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 81 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 90 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
216 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“My CVT Transmission started having problems with the Valve Body inside the transmission. On acceleration from a complete stop my vehicle would start "bucking" hard causing a violent back and forth rocking or "jerking" of the drive train and vehicle. I did not request a inspection of the failed Valve Body when I paid to have it replaced. The life and safety of myself and others are at severe risk of injury or death resulting from a complete failure of the Valve Body component when driving on highways or other roads because without any warning the vehicle will come to a complete stop which would cause a rear end collision possibly at highway speeds. Also I'm concerned about the Torque Converter having a failure because of the intense pressure from the failed Valve Body with the constant "bucking" on acceleration. I took my vehicle to both a independent transmission shop and a Subaru Service Center and the Independent Transmission Shop told me I needed a new transmission and the Subaru Service Department kept telling me they didn't know what was causing my vehicle symptoms. Subaru of America extended the warranty on my vehicle to 100,000 miles because of the…”
Exterior lighting
117 reports1 fire1 related recall
“LOW HEADLAMP BULB HOUSING MELTED SO BAD IT MUST BE REPLACED AT ESTIMATED DEALER COST OF $650. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR REPLACING THE BULBS THAT HAVE BEEN BURNING OUT EVERY 6-9 MONTHS. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN BURNING UP DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE HOUSING THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE LOW-BEAM HOUSING UNIT AS IT POSES A FIRE RISK. THE EXTENDED BULB REPLACEMENT WARRANTEE IS A BAND-AID THAT DID NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ISSUE.”
Engine
85 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Purchased my 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited from the dealership, new. Since 2013, the Subaru dealer has discovered multiple oil leaks, replaced the head gaskets 3 times, thermostat 4 times, the alternator 3 times, timing belt 4 times, radiator 3 times, starter once, and my HVAC system twice...all due to my engine seizing multiple times while driving on freeways. No warning lights, just the engine seizing suddenly. This caused a few minor bumper accidents on the freeways because of these incidents. Nothing was reported because no one was injured. Last year the engine was replaced with a used/refurbished one by the dealership. In less than 11 months after this engine was replaced, the dealership states I'm having multiple oil leaks again, most originating from the cam carrier. Now, my engine is struggling on slight grades. The newly installed used engine only came with a six month warranty and now Subaru states I need another engine replacement. Money is tight, so for now I'm keeping a pan under my car to catch the oil and I will keep topping off the oil every week.”
Air bags
73 reports5 crashes9 related recalls
“The contact owned a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V001000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.”
Electrical system
67 reports3 crashes4 fires2 related recalls
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Subaru Outback. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase on 2/26/2026, the mileage was 95,999. The contact found a bill of sale from 07/29/2026, that stated that the mileage was approximately 95,999; however, the title stated that the mileage was approximately 94,669. The contact stated that the current approximate mileage was 90,000.”
Service brakes
67 reports8 crashes
“Just lost brakes. Was parked at an atm. In park, foot on brake as i was shifting into drive, brake pedal goes to floor and brake fluid leaks out... I see there was a recall for brake lines in Michigan. I've owned this car since 2020. All Brake pads are new as of 4/2025. This just occurred today on Sunday so I have not got the estimate yet.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.