Last updated: 2026-10-10
Subaru Outback Reliability by Year
Subaru Outback reliability is good, but cracking windshields and dead batteries show up often. Here is what owners report and which years to buy.
Subaru Outback Reliability Overview
Used Outbacks hold up well, with a standing close to average among midsize SUVs. Windshields that crack with little or no impact are the top complaint, and batteries that die after the car sits come second. Steer clear of 2019 and 2020, and favor 2024. Estimated repair cost is $607 a year.
Current generation: 7th gen (2026–2023).
Best & Worst Subaru Outback Years
Best Subaru Outback Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has no recalls and 69 owner complaints, against 1017 for 2019 and 884 for 2020. Windshield cracks still appear, mostly in the first months, so it is not trouble free. Newer years keep collecting complaints as they age, so its count may still grow.
Subaru Outback Years to Avoid
Windshields crack with little or no impact, often in the first 15,000 miles, and replacements fail the same way. Batteries drain after a few days parked, sometimes within the first few thousand miles. After a drain, EyeSight shuts off and power steering stiffens. Federal records show six recalls for this year.
Subaru Outback Reliability Score Trend
Subaru Outback reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 78/100 compared to 64/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 60/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Subaru Outback
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Rates excellent and ranks among the stronger Outback years, with no complaints or recalls filed yet, though that record is short compared with older years.
2025 Subaru Outback
0 recalls · 43 complaints
Final year of the sixth generation, with excellent standing, no recalls, and complaints centered on passenger airbag shutoff, EyeSight, low beams and screen blackouts.
2024 Subaru Outback
0 recalls · 69 complaints
The best-scoring Outback year, with no recalls and fewer complaints than 2023, though early windshield cracking is the recurring problem.
2023 Subaru Outback
2 recalls · 83 complaints
Good standing and above average for 2023 SUVs, with Starlink freezes, cracking windshields, and two power train recalls as the main concerns.
2022 Subaru Outback
4 recalls · 435 complaints
Good standing and close to average for 2022 SUVs, but marked by a heavy run of windshield cracks and four recalls.
2021 Subaru Outback
4 recalls · 283 complaints
Good reliability and a clear improvement on the 2020, held back by windshields that crack without impact and by batteries that drain early.
2020 Subaru Outback
6 recalls · 884 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored years, marked by cracking windshields and dead batteries in the first year of the sixth generation.
2019 Subaru Outback
3 recalls · 1017 complaints
Final year of the fifth generation, with 5-star crash results but frequent dead batteries and cracking windshields that put it among the weaker Outback years.
2018 Subaru Outback
3 recalls · 779 complaints
One of the weaker Outback years, with repeated dead batteries and windshields that crack without impact offsetting a 5-star federal crash rating.
Common Subaru Outback problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Subaru Outback? Check Its History
Electrical system (4) problems come up most in Subaru Outback owner complaints, and 22 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Subaru Outback Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$607
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk
12%
$34 above the midsize SUVs average of $573/yr.
Ranked #10 of 26 among midsize SUVs.
Subaru Outback Resale Value
The Subaru Outback is estimated to retain about 67.2% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 67.2%
- Depreciation
- 32.8%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Subaru Outback depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comSubaru Outback Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare Subaru Outback With Similar SUVs
The Subaru Outback competes with other midsize suvs such as Honda Passport, Toyota Highlander, and Toyota Grand Highlander.
Outback vs Honda Passport
8 years tracked · 548 complaints
Outback vs Toyota Highlander
9 years tracked · 1892 complaints
Outback vs Toyota Grand Highlander
3 years tracked · 204 complaints
Outback vs Ford Explorer
9 years tracked · 2694 complaints
Outback vs Honda Pilot
9 years tracked · 2382 complaints
More Subaru Outback comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Subaru Outback?
- The 2024 is the site's pick among years with at least two years on the road. It has no recalls and a low complaint rate. The 2025 also rates well, but it has had less time to collect complaints. The 2026 has no complaints only because it is too new.
- Is the Subaru Outback reliable?
- Yes, reliability is good and close to average among SUVs on the site. The weak spots are cracking windshields and batteries that die with little warning. It depends heavily on the model year, since 2019 and 2020 are well below the model's own average.
- What are the most common Subaru Outback problems?
- Windshield cracking is the top complaint. Glass breaks with little or no impact, often while parked, and replacements sometimes crack again. Electrical trouble is next, mainly batteries that go dead after short trips or a few days parked. Steering that darts to one side above 45 mph is a smaller but serious pattern.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Subaru Outback?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $607. That is a little above the $573 average for midsize SUVs. Windshield replacement can add cost because the EyeSight cameras look through the glass and need recalibration afterward.
- Why do Subaru Outback windshields crack so often?
- The data does not give a cause. Owners report cracks from tiny pebbles or none at all, sometimes overnight in a garage. Dealers often blame rock strikes and refuse warranty coverage. Replacement glass cracks again for many owners, and several households report a third or fourth windshield.
How we score the Subaru Outback
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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