Is the KIA Telluride 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 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the KIA Telluride or the Subaru Outback?

The KIA Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 KIA Telluride or the Subaru Outback?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Telluride has a lower complaint rate at 23.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Telluride or the Subaru Outback?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Telluride is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

KIA Telluride vs Subaru Outback: Reliability Compared

KIA Telluride

Good

More Reliable

Subaru Outback

Good

Choosing between the KIA Telluride 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 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the KIA Telluride and Subaru Outback Generations Compare?

The Subaru Outback is currently in its seventh generation, which started in 2026, suggesting it is early in its generation cycle. This can often mean potential first-year issues as new designs and technologies are introduced. The previous sixth-generation Outback, which ran from 2020 to 2025, received a facelift in 2023, indicating a mature platform that likely had well-sorted reliability by the end of its cycle. On the other hand, the Kia Telluride is still in its first generation, launched in 2019 for the 2020 model year, with a significant refresh in 2023. Being in the latter part of its generation cycle, the Telluride has had time to address initial production issues, leading to improved reliability as the model has matured.

Verdict

The Subaru Outback is more reliable than the KIA Telluride, scoring 71/100 vs 66/100.

The Subaru Outback and Kia Telluride show similar reliability profiles, with the Outback scoring slightly higher at 74 compared to the Telluride's 71. Although the Telluride has a marginally lower owner complaint rate at 23.3 per 10,000 sold versus the Outback's 26.1, it also has more recalls over a shorter production span. The Outback's estimated annual repair cost is slightly higher at $607, compared to the Telluride's $573. Overall, both models are closely matched in reliability, but the Outback's higher reliability score and fewer recalls may offer a slight edge for those prioritizing long-term dependability.

Key Differences

1KIA Telluride costs $34 less per year to repair
2Subaru Outback scores 5 points higher in reliability
3Subaru Outback has 5 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2KIA Telluride

—

2Subaru Outback

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

KIA Telluride vs Subaru Outback: Which Is More Reliable?

KIA Telluride vs Subaru Outback at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	KIA Telluride	Subaru Outback
Reliability Score	66/100	71/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	27	22
Complaints per 10k Sold	23.3	26.1
Annual Repair Cost	$573/yr	$607/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.4/yr
Year Wins	0	6

What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Telluride and Subaru Outback?

The Subaru Outback exhibits a high number of complaints in the visibility/wiper and electrical system categories, with the latter linked to eight crashes, indicating potential safety concerns. The Outback also has a notable number of crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, totaling 15. In contrast, the Kia Telluride's most frequent issues are with the unknown or other and visibility/wiper categories, though it has fewer complaints overall. The Telluride shows a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints in the service brakes category, with six incidents, highlighting a specific area of concern that is less pronounced in the Outback.

KIA Telluride vs Subaru Outback common problem areas comparison
Component	KIA Telluride	Subaru Outback
VISIBILITY/WIPER	4.2Average	8.3Above Avg
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.8Low	7.2Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4.4Average	3.4Average
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2.5Low	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.7Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE	1.9Low	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.9Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.7Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.3Very Low	0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.3Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
SEATS	—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: KIA Telluride or Subaru Outback?

Independent repair cost data show that the Subaru Outback has an annual repair cost of $607, while the Kia Telluride is slightly more affordable at $573 per year. This translates to a $34 difference annually, or $170 over five years. Both vehicles have a repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year, indicating similar reliability in terms of how often they might need service. However, the Subaru Outback has a 12% risk of major repairs, a factor not specified for the Kia Telluride. For cost-conscious buyers, the Kia Telluride may offer better value, with lower annual repair costs and potentially less risk of major repairs, though exact risk data is unavailable.

How Does KIA Telluride vs Subaru Outback Reliability Compare by Year?

KIA Telluride vs Subaru Outback year-by-year reliability scores
Year	KIA Telluride	Subaru Outback	Edge
2025	78/1002R / 32C	82/1000R / 43C	Subaru Outback
2024	69/1004R / 180C	82/1000R / 69C	Subaru Outback
2023	68/1005R / 161C	77/1002R / 83C	Subaru Outback
2022	63/1006R / 280C	67/1004R / 435C	Subaru Outback
2021	63/1004R / 280C	69/1004R / 283C	Subaru Outback
2020	55/1006R / 667C	60/1006R / 884C	Subaru Outback

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 KIA Telluride scored 78/100 and the 2025 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the KIA Telluride vs the Subaru Outback?

If you prioritize reliability and a slightly higher reliability score, the Subaru Outback might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 74/100, it edges out the Kia Telluride's 71/100. Although the Outback has had 22 recalls compared to the Telluride's 27, it is important to note that the Outback has a slightly higher owner complaints rate of 26.1 per 10,000 sold. However, if your main concern is minimizing the risk of major repairs, the Outback's 12% major repair risk provides some reassurance. For those who are more concerned about keeping annual repair costs low, the Kia Telluride might be more appealing. With an estimated annual repair cost of $573, it is slightly more economical than the Outback at $607. Despite having more recalls, the Telluride has a lower owner complaints rate of 23.3 per 10,000 sold, which could indicate a better owner satisfaction level overall. Consider your priorities in reliability and cost to make the best decision for your needs.

KIA Telluride vs Subaru Outback: Common Questions

Is the KIA Telluride 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 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the KIA Telluride or the Subaru Outback?: The KIA Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 KIA Telluride or the Subaru Outback?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Telluride has a lower complaint rate at 23.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Telluride or the Subaru Outback?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Telluride is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.

More KIA Telluride comparisons

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More Subaru Outback comparisons

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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.

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