The Lemon Index2011 Subaru Outback.
The 2011 Subaru Outback is worse than average by owner complaints: 156 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 129, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 20 to 24 mpg combined. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 652 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Outback year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 34K to 118K miles on the car (462 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 93K–134K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 24K–84K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 75K–130K miles
Recalls 16
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 16 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or rep.
- airbags 2019
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipm.
- parking brake 2018
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
- airbags 2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- visibility 2016
Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2013
Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs.
- lights 2012
Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle.
- visibility 2011
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 3, 2010, THROUGH JULY 1, 2011.
- transmission & drivetrain 2010
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 338 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering wheel vibration (shake, shimmy) at highway speeds
- At highway speeds there is a steering wheel shake or vibration
- There is a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Air bag is not being turned on when a passenger is in the seat. They meet the 80+ weight requirment.
2011 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10572713
More owner reports
2011 Subaru Outback limited 2.5 passenger seat airbag not activated. I am 130 lb and the airbag system does not go on when I sit in the passenger seat. According to the dealer and Subaru nothing can be done, but I don't feel safe.
NHTSA complaint 10368064
It is now three headlights in 24 months have burnt out. I would just like to know what the issue is with my car.
NHTSA complaint 10562611
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Subaru Outback reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 129; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2011 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (27%), airbags (17%) and steering (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Subaru Outback have?
16 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Subaru Outback get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Subaru Outback safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 34,900 and 118,100 miles. The middle report was at 85,000 miles, from 462 complaints.
Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Subaru Outback have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works