The Lemon Index2023 Subaru Outback.
The 2023 Subaru Outback is so far one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 89 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 46, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 23 to 28 mpg combined. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 89 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Outback year. 2023 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 1K to 22K miles on the car (12 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 2
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
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 334 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Event Data Recorder (EDR) Function of Airbag Module
- This bulletin announces a new Genuine Subaru Replacement battery for use in applications where…
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 SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Subaru Outback Wilderness SW AWD | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
On my 2023 Outback my Subaru Eyesight is intermittently inoperable, which causes my cruise control and automatic braking to not work.
2023 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 11544611
More owner reports
Starlink not working and requires DCM. This controls tracking and safety features of this car. This is the 2nd failure.
NHTSA complaint 11502856
Quick answers
Is the 2023 Subaru Outback reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.2× fewer complaints than average per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 46; 100 is average). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2023 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (40%), electrical (20%) and wipers & visibility (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Outback have?
2 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Subaru Outback get?
23 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 Subaru Outback safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2023 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2023 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Subaru Outback have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2023?
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