The Lemon IndexSubaru Outback.
The best Subaru Outback years are 2012, 2004, 2007. Years to avoid: 2020, 2019, 2018. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 207, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2024.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2012.
Compare the Subaru Outback.
vs Toyota RAV4 · vs Honda CR-V · vs Nissan Rogue · vs Ford Escape · vs Chevrolet Equinox · vs Jeep Grand Cherokee · vs Ford Explorer · vs Toyota Highlander
Quick answers.
Is the Subaru Outback a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 207; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2012 and the worst is 2020.
What are the best Subaru Outback years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2012, 2004, 2007.
What Subaru Outback years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2020, 2019, 2018.
How many recalls does the Subaru Outback have?
189 safety recalls across the 25 model years we track. Most: 2010 (18), 2011 (16), 2012 (16). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Subaru Outback problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name wipers & visibility, electrical and automatic emergency braking most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 157 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 112 | tires (26%) | 2 | — | — |
| 2001 | 106 | about average | 79 | service brakes, hydraulic (22%) | 4 | — | — |
| 2002 | 104 | about average | 68 | service brakes, hydraulic (34%) | 5 | — | — |
| 2003 | 67 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 31 | engine (19%) | 15 | — | 19–22 |
| 2004 | 49 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 26 | speed control (31%) | 11 | — | 19–21 |
| 2005 | 141 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 59 | lights (27%) | 9 | — | 19–22 |
| 2006 | 83 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 34 | suspension (41%) | 7 | — | 19–22 |
| 2007 | 54 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 27 | airbags (19%) | 8 | — | 20–22 |
| 2008 | 74 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 33 | suspension (21%) | 8 | — | 20–22 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 18 | suspension (28%) | 13 | — | 20–22 |
| 2010 | 118 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 121 | steering (29%) | 18 | — | 20–24 |
| 2011 | 129 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 156 | lights (27%) | 16 | ★★★★☆ | 20–24 |
| 2012 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 48 | transmission & drivetrain (29%) | 16 | ★★★★☆ | 20–24 |
| 2013 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 101 | steering (26%) | 12 | ★★★★★ | 20–26 |
| 2014 | 59 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 90 | engine (20%) | 10 | ★★★★★ | 20–26 |
| 2015 | 171 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 253 | wipers & visibility (39%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2016 | 116 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 212 | wipers & visibility (20%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2017 | 204 | 2× the average car's complaints | 406 | wipers & visibility (34%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2018 | 316 | 3.2× the average car's complaints | 580 | wipers & visibility (35%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2019 | 391 | 3.9× the average car's complaints | 723 | wipers & visibility (39%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2020 | 551 | 5.5× the average car's complaints | 794 | wipers & visibility (38%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 26–29 |
| 2021 | 176 | 1.8× the average car's complaints | 262 | wipers & visibility (37%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 26–29 |
| 2022 | 239 | 2.4× the average car's complaints | 432 | wipers & visibility (58%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 24–29 |
| 2023 | 46 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 89 | automatic emergency braking (40%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 23–28 |
| 2024 | 72 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 104 | automatic emergency braking (22%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 23–28 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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