2011 Subaru Outback

Above average

Owners filed 653 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 16 times.

Avoid One of the Subaru Outback years to avoid: 2.9× the complaints of a typical Outback year. Which Subaru Outback years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
85,000 milesMedian miles at failure

463 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.

Most common 2011 Subaru Outback problems

182 of the 653 complaints (28%) are about the transmission.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train · transmission175
100
Exterior Lighting · headlights93
000
Engine68
112
Air Bags · airbags64
502
Service Brakes · brakes60
600
Electrical System51
140
Steering22
000
Unknown or Other19
100
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration13
601
Suspension9
000

2011 Subaru Outback transmission problems

28% of all complaints

182 of the 653 complaints are about the transmission. This is what owners describe:

  • stalls66% · 121
  • shudders or judders20% · 37
  • sets off warning lights on the dash11% · 20
  • jerks, lurches or bucks6% · 11
  • loses power6% · 11
  • hesitates before moving or accelerating5% · 9

Share of the 182 transmission complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
114,000 mi
median of 148 reports
Peak year of filing
2019
44 transmission complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
1 · 0 · 0
in these complaints
Recalls on the transmission
“Torque converter issue that causes stalling similar to a manual transmission vehicle. The issue should have been a full recall but instead was only a "bulletin." For my own safety, I am stuck paying several thousand dollars for an issue the manufacturer is aware of but refused to cover by full recall. It is not just wear-and-tear, and is a danger to myself and other drivers on the road.”
Owner complaint, filed Feb 3, 2025
“When coming to a stop the RPM's drop and the engine will stall, similar to not engaging the clutch on a manual transmission. Luckily there has not been a crash to date but the condition has worsened to the point it is no longer safe to drive and must be repaired. This is a known safety flaw with the torque converter and Subaru denied any responsibility or assistance in the quoted $2,400 repair.”
Owner complaint, filed Jan 16, 2025

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2010: 19 complaints, 1 about the transmission'102011: 35 complaints, 1 about the transmission2012: 28 complaints, 3 about the transmission'122013: 31 complaints, 3 about the transmission2014: 43 complaints, 5 about the transmission'142015: 42 complaints, 8 about the transmission2016: 81 complaints, 18 about the transmission'162017: 81 complaints, 30 about the transmission2018: 45 complaints, 16 about the transmission'182019: 90 complaints, 44 about the transmission2020: 47 complaints, 15 about the transmission'202021: 36 complaints, 17 about the transmission2022: 23 complaints, 5 about the transmission'222023: 23 complaints, 11 about the transmission2024: 12 complaints, 1 about the transmission'242025: 11 complaints, 4 about the transmission2026: 6 complaints, 0 about the transmission'26Recall 10V326000 (transmission)Recall 11V467000 (visibility)Recall 12V602000 (headlights)Recall 13V061000 (equipment)Recall 16V358000 (airbags)Recall 16V694000 (visibility)Recall 17V014000 (airbags)Recall 18V012000 (airbags)Recall 18V626000 (parking brake)Recall 19V008000 (airbags)Recall 19V007000 (airbags)Recall 20V001000 (airbags)Recall 20V003000 (airbags)
All complaintsAbout the transmissionRecall (red: the transmission)

Complaints about the 2011 Outback peaked in 2019, with 90 filed that year. Owners had filed 0 complaints about the transmission before the first recall that covers it, 10V326000 in July 2010; 182 more have come in since. In 2026 owners filed 6 so far.

16 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V001000
Filed Jan 2, 2020258,813 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V003000
Filed Jan 2, 2020111,562 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V002000
Filed Jan 2, 2020127,547 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch19V297000
Filed Apr 11, 2019511 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Risk. The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V008000
Filed Jan 9, 2019330,120 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V007000
Filed Jan 9, 201943,394 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V009000
Filed Jan 9, 2019452,630 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

Parking Brake18V626000
Filed Sep 13, 201827,175 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. 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.

Risk. A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V012000
Filed Jan 9, 201864,179 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V014000
Filed Jan 10, 201753,480 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor16V694000
Filed Sep 27, 2016592,647 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.

Risk. If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V358000
Filed May 25, 2016302,127 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.

Equipment13V061000
Filed Feb 25, 201347,419 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Risk. The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Exterior Lighting12V602000
Filed Dec 26, 2012633,842 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 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. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).

Risk. Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly11V467000
Filed Sep 7, 201169,590 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 3, 2010, THROUGH JULY 1, 2011. THE MOONROOF GLASS MAY COME LOOSE OR DETACH. THE AMOUNT AND POSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE GLASS AND RETAINER WAS INADEQUATELY APPLIED.

Risk. THE MOONROOF GLASS CAN LOOSEN AND DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GLASS ADHESION CONDITION AND EITHER APPLY ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE OR REPLACE THE MOONROOF GLASS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Power Train › Manual Transmission10V326000
Filed Jul 20, 2010809 vehiclesSubaru of America, Inc.

Defect. SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.

Risk. IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy. SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

All 16 campaigns on file, newest first.

Technical service bulletins

338 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2011 Outback. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

electrical system 88equipment 50engine 45transmission 39airbags 13brakes 12body and frame 11steering 10
06-71-19RWarranty extensionOct 4, 2019parking brake

In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) assembly used in the above listed models and model years from the original three (3) years or thirty-six thousand (36,000) miles (whichever comes first) to fifteen (15) years / unlimited mileage. …

06-71-19Warranty extensionSep 16, 2019parking brake

In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) assembly used in the above listed models and model years from the original three (3) years or thirty-six thousand (36,000) miles (whichever comes first) to fifteen (15) years / unlimited mileage. …

Warranty ExtensiWarranty extensionSep 16, 2019parking brake

Subaru owner letter. As part of Subaru of America s dedication to customer satisfaction, this letter is to inform you of an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for your vehicle s Electric Parking Brake Assembly (EPB). As the warrantor of Subaru vehicles in the United States, Subaru of America is implementing an EPB Warranty Extension program …

Retailer AnnouncWarranty extensionSep 16, 2019parking brake

As part of Subaru s dedication to customer satisfaction, SOA is announcing an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) Warranty Extension program, which extends the New Car Basic Limited Warranty coverage of the EPB actuator assembly for 2010-2014 Legacy/Outback vehicles with CVT or 5AT Transmission that were sold or leased in the United States.

SubaruNet Announcement (ROtherMay 4, 2026transmission

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

03-97-26Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 24, 2026transmission

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

16-103-16RService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 18, 2025transmission

This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.

Subarunet AnnouncementOtherJul 24, 2024transmission

This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.

16-131-20RService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 23, 2021transmission

This bulletin provides corrected diagnostics containing a revised flow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs.

16-107-17RService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 1, 2021transmission

In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Powertrain Warranty coverage for the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on the above listed models and model years from the original five (5) years or sixty thousand (60,000) miles (whichever comes first) to ten (10) years or one-hundred thousand …

Showing the newest 6 of 39 bulletins about the transmission, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version testedOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2011 Subaru Outback 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.4%

New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 20, 2026123,000 milesDC

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a fence and a bystander. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact was injured but medical attention was not needed. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 25, 2026VA

2010-2018 TR580 Outback Torque Converter Lock-up failure symptoms in TSB 16-90-13R fits my 2011 Subaru Outback. 2.5I Premium, (TSB) Originally issued on 1/6/2014 + later revised on 5/7/2014, Early yrs of the TR580 suffer from TCLUF, which causes stalls + bogs down during stops or idling at traffic lights, premature wear, valve-body/solenoid failure, overheating, breakdown of transmission fluid/coolant + Catastrophic Chain Failure. These issues were exacerbated by Subaru specifying these transmissions have a "lifetime fluid" that never has 2 be replaced. Most Subaru failures were related 2 fluid breakdowns. The Subaru lineartronic CVT, designed in house by Subarun2 integrate w the company's longitudinal boxer engines + AWD system, built by Subaru in Ōizumi, Town in Ora District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. lineartronic launched about 7 yrs after Nissan's 2003 X-Tronic CVT arrived here. Nissan had lots of trouble w early CVT's which led 2 transmission failures. As is the case w most new tech in a specific market sector, especially CVT's, the most Subaru CVT problems occurred in the 1st few model yrs. Each time my family or myself drive we are putting our lives in dire jeopardy, risk + danger of wrecking + even lost of life, too many close calls by peeps that almost rear ended us at a light, because of bogging down or almost stalling. The engine shudders + RPM drops very low as the vehicle stops, feeling as though a man trans car is stopping w/o a clutch being pressed. The problem

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Aug 3, 2026OH

I have advised Autozone about premature failure of this part number ball joint. Originally the part number was FA267. Autozone changed the part number and color but did not address the quality and/or longevty concern. I have had to replace all of these part numbered ball joints with oem Subaru parts. The Autozone version will not last until the next oil change(approximately 5k miles) before it is loose and making a knocking noise. The is a safety concern as the ball joint may break or fail while someone is driving. I have expressed this concern multiple time to multiple reps from Autozone over the last 12 years. Autozone's remedy was simply to change the color and part number, then continue selling the same sub standard part. Your attention to this would be beneficial to all involved. Thank you.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Aug 3, 202695,999 milesMA

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.

EngineCrash
Filed May 13, 2026CA

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.

Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2026KS

Took my vehicle in for oil change and was notified the cam carrier is leaking. Researching this issue online it seems this is a very common problem with this vehicle and if I had known earlier wouldn’t have purchased for my daughter. With such a common problem I wonder why a recall hasn’t been made?

Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2025KY

When I came to a stop at a light, the car stalled and the engine turned off. It was just as if I was driving a manual transmission and didn't put the clutch down while in gear. I spoke with my husband about the issue and he told me it has been happening for several months now. I have researched it a but snd found that Subaru is aware of the issue and has not offered any recall for the issue but offered an extended warranty. This is not helpful when you are the 2nd owner of a vehicle. Being stuck with a car that turns off upon stopping is a dangeous situation. Subaru should be made to recall these cars and fix the issue. According to this article, it is a problem with the lock type torque converter. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train
Filed Aug 23, 2025VA

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 problems with their CVT Transmissions but because I bought my vehicle used with over 100,000 miles on it they refused to either pay for 50% or 100% of the replacement cost. No warning Lights came on but when the Valve Body completely fails then the warning lights will illuminate. My Subaru Case Number that was DENIED is (Cas

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2025MI

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.

Power Train
Filed May 8, 2025100,000 milesMA

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission output shift was bent and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Feb 11, 2025CT

In November 2023, I co-signed an auto loan to assist someone in securing a vehicle. However, I later discovered that my name was never placed on the title, leaving me financially liable for the loan while having no ownership or possession of the car. The individual has since failed to make any loan payments, and the bank applied lender-placed insurance (CPI) due to their failure to maintain coverage. Despite this, they continue to drive the vehicle. The New York DMV confirmed that their driver’s license and vehicle registration have been suspended due to lack of insurance, yet they have not surrendered their plates as required by law. Additionally, the vehicle was originally registered in Connecticut but later transferred to New York while using my Connecticut auto insurance policy without my consent. I was later contacted by my former insurance provider about an accident in which an unknown individual was operating the vehicle. After my insurance policy lapsed, the individual was involved in another accident while uninsured and attempted to file a claim despite having no coverage. This situation has raised serious concerns about the vehicle’s registration, insurance violations, and potential title issues that may require investigation. Given that the vehicle is still being driven despite no valid insurance, a suspended license, and an outstanding auto loan, I am seeking guidance on the appropriate steps to take.

Power Train
Filed Feb 3, 2025MI

Torque converter issue that causes stalling similar to a manual transmission vehicle. The issue should have been a full recall but instead was only a "bulletin." For my own safety, I am stuck paying several thousand dollars for an issue the manufacturer is aware of but refused to cover by full recall. It is not just wear-and-tear, and is a danger to myself and other drivers on the road. And because the previous owner(s) were negligent in making sure the vehicle was repaired under warranty, I'm left paying a giant, unexpected bill. Does that seem like the right thing to you?

Power Train
Filed Jan 16, 2025OH

When coming to a stop the RPM's drop and the engine will stall, similar to not engaging the clutch on a manual transmission. Luckily there has not been a crash to date but the condition has worsened to the point it is no longer safe to drive and must be repaired. This is a known safety flaw with the torque converter and Subaru denied any responsibility or assistance in the quoted $2,400 repair.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2025ME

The car was being driven down the road, when the brake pedal went soft. At that point the vehicle had lost all braking power. I pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and proceeded to check the vehicle. The vehicle brake reservoir was empty, and the line underneath the car was leaking fluid out. Then I called a tow truck to tow my vehicle to get repaired. The mechanic then told me about the recall WQK47r.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2025ME

The brake system had a total failure. Driving down the road and the brake pedal went completely soft and was not providing any brakes. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road where the brake fluid resivor was empty and the underneath of the car was wet with brake fluid. The vehicle then was towed to a nearby mechanic to be inspected where they have come to the conclusion that the brake line box has become coroted. During the brake failure there were no warning signs and the only thing that prevented the vehicle from being involved in an accident was the use of engine braking and going up hill. The reason I’m reporting this is because after reviewing the internet to see what the average cost of the repair should be I came across a forum where this issue is become common place in my generation of Outback, as well as the previous generation which has a recall already on this same component. I’m also writing this report because I’m concerned with the amount of this type of vehicle on the road still and having a similar issue.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2025VT

Going down the road and my breaks went to the floor, further inspection the back passenger 4 way block blew apart due to rust I looked online and there is so many of these cars the same year that this is happening to, would love to have this year and model included in the recall for breaks to get this fixed

Suspension
Filed Jan 4, 2025MA

On [XXX] Clay Subaru in Norwood, MA told me that my 2011 Subaru Outback has front subframe rot. Supposedly they do a 100 point inspection every oil change, which is performed every 6 or so months, yet this problem was first report last October! The car had only 81,616 miles on it. (Now it has 82,000ish) The dealer claims it will cost $5368.96 to fix the car and that the subframe needs fixing within 12 months. No warning lights have appeared. I've owned the car since 2017. It had 39,371 miles on it when bought & had been serviced and sold by this same dealer with only one owner It was in pristine condition, according to an independent mechanic that inspected it before I bought it. All my oil changes are done at the same dealer, yet the problem was not identified before. This is a vehicle made for off road travel (which I have NOT done) and for winter weather. WHY IS THE SUBFRAME rotting? Reedit reports that there are at least 200 others that have reported the same problem to you for cars of this same year! Please advise!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

Engine1 injured
Filed Dec 31, 2024CO

Coolant leak, steering power fluid leak, break pad leak, gasoline line leak, seat heater, clicking noise after turning off car, leaking seats and rear view mirror also leaking, steering wheel expanding due to possible air bag, heater and ac vents lose and also chemical smell/gas/coolant coming from front and back of car, sunroof not secured. Every wiring wet, charger port in middle compartment wet when plugging something in. Everything auto does not work. Car sounds like something is constantly leaking air or gas somewhere, even when off. My safety was at risk by having severe chemical burns on my skin everywhere, hair falling out due to exposure, almost passing out while driving due to inhaling components, low visibility due to auto dimming in rear view and side mirrors. The problem has not been confirmed due to me being in a financial bind at the moment. The car has not been inspected. due to financial problems I am not able to get the vehicle looked at. There were no warnings except for the blue temp light came on but immediately will shut back off. Car also severely vibrates when turning on. They started appearing around against of 2024

Air Bags
Filed Dec 30, 2024CA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 24, 2024FL

Bought vehicle from Carvana, immediately noticed transmission shudder issues when driving near 50 mph. Brought vehicle in to multiple repair facilities. It had warped brakes, bad calipers, needed a new torque converter at least and the repair shop recommended a total transmission replacement. The whole vehicle shakes when driving near that speed or braking.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 13, 2024230,000 milesMA

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat near the hip area between the passenger and the door had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer confirmed that due to the mileage on the vehicle, the manufacturer was not obligated to assist with the repair. The failure mileage was 230,000.

Engine
Filed Aug 21, 2024153,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle while the vehicle was still in motion, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 2024MA

Rear brake lines at junction block right rear corroded.As is the sane situation with 2009 models and under and impreza models newer with same design cannot understand why this model year was passed by

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 7, 2024127,000 milesCT

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and approaching a truck, the brake pedal was depressed and travelled down to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to fail to respond. The contact stated that the truck that was in front of the vehicle made a turn, which prevented the vehicle from crashing into the truck. The contact stated that he was able to pull into a parking lot, where the vehicle rolled until it stopped. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that his wife who had just undergone a spinal surgery was occupying the front passenger's seat when the failure occurred. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake lines had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the VIN was included in an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 10, 2024GA

1. Propulsion, acceleration, brakes, transmission- no longer available for inspection 2. The vehicle went completely out of control; I stood on the brakes as hard as I could but would not stop or slow the car at all. We careened down a hill and head on into a large tree 3. not reproduced or confirmed 4. Vehicle was inspected by insurance company and was declared a total loss 5. no signs of any malfunction prior to wreck

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2024OH

The parking brake actuator has failed. A recall already exists for this exact component but only extends to manual transmission vehicles. The recall for manual transmission vehicles is # 18V626000; the latest version of the part in question is Subaru part #26002AJ01E. The recall refers to a manufacturer defect. The quoted repair price for this issue is over $1300; the part alone is $850. At that price, many people (including me) simply cannot afford the repair and will have to forgo the added layer of safety provided by the parking brake. It is clear Subaru is aware of a manufacturer defect impacting a safety critical part but has minimized their costs by restricting the recall to a small subset of vehicles. Additionally, given that Subaru is charging $850 for a relatively simple component, Subaru may be seeking to profit from their own mistake. I request that NHTSA require Subaru to extend the recall to ALL vehicles with that component, not just the ones with manual transmissions. While automatic transmission vehicles have the parking gear manual transmission vehicles lack, I can think of a number of circumstances in which a parking brake could be critical. Barring that, I request NHTSA order the manufacturer of that component to provide repairs free of charge in the event of a failure.

Power Train
Filed Mar 18, 2024WI

Seems like a transmission problem on my Subaru Outback. While braking to a stop the car shudders and then the engine stalls creating a hazardous situation. I'm forced to put the car in park and restart the engine. This sounds like a common issue with the tourque converter on these cars. This problem happens on a near daily basis unless you drive with such extreme caution you can sometimes avoid the issue.

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking
Filed Feb 25, 2024TX

The emergency brake light and traction symbol have started flashing when I’m driving and now the EB has stopped working. I’ve visiting the Subaru dealership twice and two other mechanics. They’ve all told me different reasons why my car is doing this. I’ve never had an emergency break stop working.

Engine
Filed Jan 6, 2024MI

In 2023 my car started overheating. took it in and it was the headgasket. even with the age of my car, it only had just over 105,000 miles on it. looking at other subarus for sale out of curiosity, I saw that quite a lot had their engines replaced. even newer than mine. i do see this as a expensive problem, which I know first hand. the headgasket went while i was on the freeway. tried to make it home, wasn't to far away, but had to be towed.

Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2023ME

Dashboard lights flashing, Brake lights Traction control Cruise Check engine

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 12, 2023NJ

I have maintained my 2011 Outback well, and in August of 2023, while driving the vehicle, I lost the brakes. I had to fully depress the brake pedal to the floor in order to stop, fortunately not hitting the car in front of me . I brought the car to my local mechanic who advised me that the brake line rusted and failed as a result. As he was making the brake line repair, he advised me that there is SEVERE rusting to my underbody of my car and it's not normal. I then contacted Subaru Corporate Customer Service who asked me to bring the car into a Subaru Repair facility to have the car inspected. I brought the car into Ramsey Subaru, and with a charge of $150 to inspect the car, they advised me that the rust is significant and is unsafe to drive. They proceeded to quote me an estimated repair bill of over $6,000 to correct the rust issues. I then contacted Subaru Corporate HQ (Case #231011-1901134) and they advised me that the car is old, and there's nothing that they can do to assist me. However, what I'd like to bring to your attention, is the Outback model up to 2010, had a brake line rusting issue and they had a recall on it. In addition, when you search for 'Rust on Subaru" you can see that previous models years have been identified with Body Frame rusting issues, that prompted a recall on previous models. My ask is? Have you be contacted by other 2011 Subaru Outback owners about severe rust issues, and as a result lost their brakes and were told there car in no longer safe

Power Train
Filed Nov 9, 2023FL

The car shudders when we come to a stop, sometimes cuts off completely. I am told this is a faulty torque converter. This is my 5th subaru, so I love the car, but, I have a family now, and I am not sure this is a safe vehicle for them to be in, please help me!!

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2023NY

Rear brake line rusted through at 4 way connector and again on side of tank. It is visible to inspect when a plastic cover is removed. The brakes failed and the car would not stop. The brake light did not appear until after I applied the brake pedal to stop. This could have caused a serious accident.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 19, 2023ME

The rear brakes lines have rusted out to the point of leaking. Could of loss brakes on the road!

Power Train
Filed Sep 24, 2023IN

Transmission failure at 55mph my couldn't shift and the motor revved up all the way to the redline mark and wouldn't stop when I tried to stop it the reaction control lights came on the cruise control light was flashing the emergency break light was flashing every light on my dash was flashing there was a terrible vibration in the steering wheel the Transmission was humming really loud and just got worse the car just kept going and not stopping I could have hit someone another person a car I could have hit anything instead I choose the ditch and cornfield the car has been looked at by a repair shop and everything has been duplicated by them the problem hasn't gone away or changed all the codes were cleared and as soon as it starts up they all came back signaling the transmission and torque converter the sounds are still there also upon start up the engine starts fine but the car can't be driven can't get above 15 mph without vibration and loud noises and the motor revving up without notice this is very dangerous you can't control the car

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 14, 2023109,000 milesMN

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated there was a clunking sound coming from the front suspension location and the vehicle started feeling unstable while driving approximately 30 MPH. The steering wheel began to sway towards the left causing the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the front subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion and needed to be replaced along with the front suspension. The front subframe and suspension was repaired; however, while doing so the dealer further diagnosed that the rear subframe and suspension had severe corrosion. The rear subframe and suspension was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 28, 2023NY

My mechanic tells me my Outback's K frame/engine cradle is rotting out where the control arms are attached. This is obviously a common problem with this run of vehicles, and leads to catastrophic failure. Further, the rear brake lines have rotted, and the geniuses ran them above the fuel tank, which would have to be dropped in order to repair. I believe this is a common enough problem to warrant investigation.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 28, 2023165,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that subframe was severely corroded. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 11, 2023MI

Vehicle engine/transmission/torque converter dies when coming to a stop. This is especially an issue when having to stop suddenly and get going again quickly as the vehicle has to be put in neutral, restarted, and put back in drive. It is a safety issue at traffic lights, traffic signals, and in stop and go traffic that has resulted in a multitude of near-miss rear end collisions that put my life and my families lives in danger. There is a service bulletin from Subaru (Bulletin Number: 16-90-13R; Revised: 02/15/18) that addresses a similar issue, but fails to mention the vehicle engine dying and the inherent safety issues that comes with the engine shutting off.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2023VT

July 2023 badly leaking hard brake lines, apparently at Right Rear underbody 4-way connector. This caused radically diminished braking capability, rendering car not drivable.

Power Train
Filed Aug 7, 2023VT

October 2019 Torque Converter failed, with unexpected stall outs & difficulty re-starting at stops. This was potentially dangerous, as driver could not get out of way of approaching vehicles.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 20, 2023NY

My front subframe broke. I was driving the car and was exiting the highway. I heard a snap n then had no control. Had my mechanic look at car and said frame snapped and control arm broke. The week before i had my car alignment and new tires put on. Nothing was noticed then. Mechsaud rusted from inside out.. After talkwith many different repair shops, they all stated that the front subframe breaks on subarus. They need to change the design. I called subaru and asked them to fix. Said car was to old and to many miles. I have owned cars for over 40yrs , with well over 200k mils on them. I have never had a frame break. It's very unusual when mechanics says this is a problem with subaru. Plus the subframes are on backorder. Thats how many they are selling. Even the used parts dealers can't get them

Suspension
Filed Jun 7, 2023WI

Failure of front subframe while driving. Vehicle is unable to be driven. Vehicle pulled severely to drivers side while driving. Subframe had severe deterioration by rust . Vehicle is at Annen Brake Fond du Lac, Wi and available for inspection. Replacement part is unavailable and there is no ETA by manufacturer.

Air Bags
Filed May 30, 2023CA

Loss of steering wheel electronic functions including paddle shifters radio volume and Airbag light illuminated. Looked up faults and found NHTSA campaign ID 10V283000 which describes cable damage from Subaru manufacturing. According to Subaru and NHTSA, our vehicle was manufactured 2 months after "Affected" vehicles. Subaru unwilling to work on problem as it is not listed in affect vehicles, yet clearly the problems found are exact match to campaign list. I will seek outside confirmation of failure and then request NHTSA to update the affect vehicles list so Subaru can fix a safety issue for all affected vehicles.

Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2023WI

The front lower subframe cracked where the driver's side front wheel attaches to it in our 2011 Subaru Outback. This resulted in loss of steering control of vehicle. The issue has been confirmed by independent mechanic. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance agent. It is available for inspection at [XXX]. There were no warning lights when this failure occurred. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Power Train
Filed Apr 7, 2023MA

The left front engine cradle collapsed due to rust while driving. this caused the car to swerve to the left, and when the brakes were applied, it also swerved left. The car was almost undriveable. The failure put the driver of the car at risk, and luckily it happened in city driving, and not on the highway. The engine cradle is a component of the frame of the car, and should not be rusting out after 130,000 miles. This is why I think this model may need to be subject to investigation and possible recall. The Subaru Dealer (Cityside Subaru) looked at the car and confirmed that the left front cradle collapsed due to rust. They say the repair would cost $2800. There was no warning or indication prior to failure. In fact, we have had this vehicle continuously serviced at the dealership since 2011, and since 2016 we have spent over $16,000 in repairs, including various front wheel components. I would have expected the dealer to notify us if there was a potential problem. Because they didn't I feel this is a catastrophic failure that could be dangerous in any situation, especially at high speeds.

Power Train
Filed Mar 27, 2023100,000 milesMA

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and provided information per manufacturer's request, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Power Train
Filed Mar 25, 2023OR

As I was driving my car it began to shudder. The lights on my dash turned on (engine, traction, oil, and break). I was in the middle of the road in ongoing traffic. The car behind me was able to swerve around in time. Cautiously, I was able to take the car to a mechanic. The valve body on the car needed to be replaced. This is typical for this year of Subaru. The dealer verified the issue and quoted me on the price.

Power Train
Filed Mar 20, 2023CA

While driving the car and stepping on the breaks really to avoid something in the road, the engine stalls and loses power requiring the driver to turn the key and restart the vehicle. My safety is a risk because if this happens on the street or highway with other vehicles around it could cause a major accident. This issue has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service however, a call to my local dealership confirmed they have heard of this issue in the past and suggested it was the torque converter. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance or others. There were no warning lamps or any other indicators of this issue prior to the issue. They first started to appear a few years after owning the vehicle.

Power Train
Filed Feb 18, 2023NC

The valve body malfunctioned causing improper gear shifts. The vehicle would breifly stop acceleration at 20 mph, before forcefully shifting into 2nd gear. For 2 years there were no warning lights, codes or messages, nor would it reproduce the malfunction when a mechanic inspected it. The issue progressed to the point of not shifting into 1st gear and having no acceleration at a stoplight. At this point warning lights and codes were produced indicating the value body was the source of the issue. Although I was able to avoid an accident, there were several near incidents of being rear ended.

Complaints 1-50 of 653, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202621000Routine
202583020Routine
2024106020Routine
202389210Routine
2022465440Above average
2021299420Above average
2020904670Above average
20191,036320Above average
2018816340Above average
2017921430Do not drive
2016643430Do not drive
2015510550Do not drive
20142081020Above average
20132971261Fatalities reported
20122951660Above average
2011 — this page6531660Above average
20103601830Above average
20091061330Routine
2008226830Above average
2007130820Routine
2006277730Above average
2005273930Above average
2004901140Routine
2003931510Routine
2002143500Routine
2001171450Routine
2000207253Fatalities reported
1999111110Routine
1998127221Fatalities reported
199779420Routine
199646210Routine
19952100Routine

Compare every Outback year →

2011 Subaru Outback: questions buyers ask

Is the 2011 Subaru Outback a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the Outback years to avoid: owners filed 653 complaints, 2.9 times as many as a typical Outback year. The most common complaint is about the transmission (28%). In NHTSA crash tests it scored 4 stars overall.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Subaru Outback?

The transmission: 182 of the 653 complaints (28%) are about it. Owners most often say it stalls (66%), shudders or judders (20%) and sets off warning lights on the dash (11%). The typical report comes at 114,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2011 Subaru Outback have?

16 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Jan 2, 2020. The largest, 12V602000, covered 633,842 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2011 Subaru Outback problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 85,000 miles. For the transmission the midpoint is 114,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 2011 Subaru Outback?

The manufacturer filed 338 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (88), the engine (45) and the transmission (39). They include a warranty extension, 06-71-19R, filed Oct 4, 2019. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 2, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.