Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 80/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Subaru Outback Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Subaru Outback
Brand: Subaru

The 2026 Subaru Outback has a predicted reliability score of 80/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$607

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,200–$2,600

The Verdict

Buy

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 80/100 — a strong pick.

Should You Buy the 2026 Subaru Outback?

The 2026 Subaru Outback has a predicted reliability score of 80/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 0 recalls, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Subaru Outback for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong predicted reliability based on prior model years
+Low major repair risk (12%)
+No recalls issued
+Low complaint frequency

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing

Compare 2026 Subaru Outback With

2026 Toyota Highlander

Predicted: 72/100

Predicted

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Predicted: 75/100

Predicted

2026 Ford Explorer

Predicted: 72/100

Predicted

2026 Honda Pilot

Predicted: 72/100

Predicted

2026 Hyundai Santa-FE

Predicted: 73/100

Predicted

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Subaru Outback — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Subaru Outback? Check its history first

Every 2026 Subaru Outback has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Subaru Outback NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Seat Pan Air Bag)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (Yes)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Subaru OutbackRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$607

vs $573 avg for midsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Outback

$607

Category Avg

$573

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

23–27 MPG

Running cost: $2,800–$3,200/yr

Fuel + repair

21–25 city / 27–31 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Outback AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	25	31	27	$2,200
Outback AWD 2.4L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	21	29	24	$2,500
Outback Wilderness AWD 2.4L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	21	27	23	$2,600

Best & Worst Subaru Outback Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Subaru Outback Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Subaru Outback year is 2025 with a reliability score of 82/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2024 (82/100) and 2023 (77/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

Subaru Outback Years to Avoid

The worst Subaru Outback year is 2020 with a score of 60/100, primarily due to visibility wiper (284) issues. Also avoid 2019 (63/100).

Good

2020

6Recalls

884Complaints

Good

2019

3Recalls

1017Complaints

See full Subaru Outback years-to-avoid analysis

Subaru Outback Reliability Score Trend

Subaru Outback reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 77/100 compared to 64/100 for older years.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Subaru Outback reliability scores by year
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

Subaru Outback Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	80/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	0
2025	82/100	0	Excellent	0	43
2024	82/100	+5	Excellent	0	69
2023	77/100	+10	Good	2	83
2022	67/100	-2	Good	4	435
2021	69/100	+9	Good	4	283
2020	60/100	-3	Good	6	884
2019	63/100	-1	Good	3	1017
2018	64/100	—	Good	3	779

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Subaru Outback reliable?

The 2026 Subaru Outback has a predicted reliability score of 80/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Subaru Outback?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Subaru Outback. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Subaru Outback have?

The 2026 Subaru Outback has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 80/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Subaru Outback without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

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.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Subaru Outback.

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