Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Bronco-Sport vs Subaru Outback: Reliability Compared
Ford Bronco-Sport
Subaru Outback
Choosing between the Ford Bronco-Sport and the Subaru Outback? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Subaru Outback currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Bronco-Sport and Subaru Outback Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Subaru Outback is more reliable than the Ford Bronco-Sport, scoring 71/100 vs 65/100.
The Subaru Outback demonstrates better reliability with a higher average score of 71/100 compared to the Ford Bronco-Sport's 65/100. Despite having more total recalls, the Outback's owner complaint rate is higher at 26.1 per 10,000 sold, while the Bronco-Sport has a lower rate of 17.3. However, the Outback benefits from a clear advantage in estimated annual repair costs at $607, where data for the Bronco-Sport is unavailable. Given these metrics, the Subaru Outback is the more reliable choice, particularly for those prioritizing long-term cost predictability.
Key Differences
- 1Subaru Outback has 35 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford Bronco-Sport has 8.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Subaru Outback scores 6 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Bronco-Sport vs Subaru Outback: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Bronco-Sport | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 65/100 | 71/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 57 | 22 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 17.3 | 26.1 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Bronco-Sport and Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback and Ford Bronco-Sport exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Outback showing a higher overall number of complaints. The Outback's visibility/wiper category leads with 1,142 complaints, including one crash-linked incident, while its electrical system issues account for 984 complaints with eight linked to crashes, indicating a significant area of concern. In contrast, the Bronco-Sport's most reported issues are in the electrical system and power train, with 234 and 211 complaints respectively, each having four crash-linked cases. Notably, the Outback has a higher incidence of crash-linked air bag issues (15 complaints) compared to the Bronco-Sport, which suggests a more critical safety concern in this category for the Subaru model.
| Component | Ford Bronco-Sport | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3.6Average | 7.2Above Avg |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | 8.3Above Avg |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 3.4Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3Average | 0.7Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.1Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 1.7Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.2Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Bronco-Sport or Subaru Outback?
How Does Ford Bronco-Sport vs Subaru Outback Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Bronco-Sport | Subaru Outback | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 73/1006R / 14C | 82/1000R / 43C | Subaru Outback |
| 2024 | 72/1007R / 66C | 82/1000R / 69C | Subaru Outback |
| 2023 | 67/10013R / 114C | 77/1002R / 83C | Subaru Outback |
| 2022 | 59/10014R / 303C | 67/1004R / 435C | Subaru Outback |
| 2021 | 54/10015R / 622C | 69/1004R / 283C | Subaru Outback |
| 2026(predicted) | 71/100(predicted) | 80/100(predicted) | Subaru Outback |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Bronco-Sport scored 73/100 and the 2025 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Bronco-Sport vs the Subaru Outback?
Ford Bronco-Sport vs Subaru Outback: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Bronco-Sport more reliable than the Subaru Outback?
- Based on our data, the Subaru Outback is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Subaru Outback?
- The Ford Bronco-Sport has more recalls (57) compared to the Subaru Outback (22). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Subaru Outback?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Bronco-Sport has a lower complaint rate at 17.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Bronco-Sport and Subaru Outback? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue