The best Outback years to buy are 2014 and 2021. Avoid the 2019 and 2020: they have the highest complaint rates of any recent Outback, mostly batteries that go flat overnight, cracked windshields and touch screens that peel and press themselves.
Best years: 20142021 Years to avoid: 20192020
Every Outback year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Outback problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 101 | - | 0 | Other | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 89 | - | 2 | Collision avoidance | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 465 | 316 | 4 | Visibility and wipers | Average |
| 2021 | 299 | 193 | 4 | Visibility and wipers | Good buy |
| 2020 | 906 | 591 | 6 | Visibility and wipers | Skip this year |
| 2019 | 1,036 | 572 | 3 | Electrical | Skip this year |
| 2018 | 816 | 456 | 3 | Electrical | Average |
| 2017 | 921 | 488 | 4 | Electrical | Average |
| 2016 | 643 | 352 | 4 | Electrical | Average |
| 2015 | 509 | 334 | 5 | Visibility and wipers | Average |
| 2014 | 208 | 150 | 10 | Air bags | Good buy |
| 2013 | 297 | 252 | 12 | Engine | Average |
| 2012 | 295 | 265 | 16 | Transmission and drivetrain | Average |
About the Outback
The Outback is a roomy all-wheel-drive wagon that holds its value well. Its weak spots are electrical rather than mechanical. From 2015 on, and worst on 2019-2020 models, owners report batteries draining while parked and windshields cracking with no impact. The 2020 redesign also brought a large touch screen that some owners find slow or buggy.
- 2010-2014: Fourth generation. Lowest complaint rates of recent Outbacks; 2014 is the pick.
- 2015-2019: Fifth generation. Battery drain and windshield cracks rise each year, peaking in 2019.
- 2020 on: Sixth generation. 2020 has teething trouble; 2021 is much better. 2023 and later are too new to judge.
Outback warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Subaru files with NHTSA. 1,909 Outback bulletins are on file in total.
This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed.
This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.
As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.
This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries.
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
CVT Assembly (WRK-21) Warranty Extension.
Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
This bulletin announces the availability of the DCM Bypass Box designed to be used as an alternative replacement part for Data Communication Module (DCM) in vehicles with no active STARLINK subscription.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Outback
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2015–2017 · opened Sep 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
Investigation EQ12002 · 2012 · opened Feb 2012, closed May 2012
The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.
Outback vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Subaru Outback?
2014 and 2021. The best Outback years to buy are 2014 and 2021. Avoid the 2019 and 2020: they have the highest complaint rates of any recent Outback, mostly batteries that go flat overnight, cracked windshields and touch screens that peel and press themselves.
Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?
2019, 2020. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Subaru Outback average.
Why does my Subaru Outback battery keep dying?
On many 2015-2020 Outbacks, modules stay awake after the car is locked and the small factory battery runs flat. A larger battery and the latest software updates from a dealer fix most cases. A class action covered some of these cars.
Do Subaru Outback windshields crack easily?
Cracked windshields are one of the most reported Outback problems for 2015-2020, often with no visible impact. Replacement with the EyeSight camera recalibration costs about $800 to $1,500.
Based on 6,585 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.