Last updated: 2026-03-04
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared
Subaru Outback
Toyota Grand Highlander
Choosing between the Subaru Outback and the Toyota Grand Highlander? 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 Toyota Grand Highlander currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 71/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Subaru Outback and Toyota Grand Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Subaru Outback, scoring 75/100 vs 71/100.
The Toyota Grand Highlander demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Subaru Outback, with an average reliability score of 85/100 versus 74/100 for the Outback. The Grand Highlander has a lower owner complaint rate of 8.2 per 10,000 sold compared to the Outback's 26.1, and it has experienced fewer recalls, with 10 over three years compared to the Outback's 22 across nine years. While specific repair cost estimates for the Grand Highlander are unavailable, the Outback's estimated annual repair cost is $607. The key differentiators are the Grand Highlander's higher reliability score and significantly lower complaint rate, making it the more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Grand Highlander has 17.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Toyota Grand Highlander has 12 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Grand Highlander scores 4 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Subaru Outback | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 71/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 22 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 26.1 | 8.2 |
| Year Wins | 2 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Outback and Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Subaru Outback shows a high number of complaints in the visibility/wiper and electrical system categories, with the electrical system issues notably resulting in eight crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Toyota Grand Highlander has significantly fewer total complaints, with the highest being in the "unknown or other" and power train categories, and only one crash-linked complaint associated with air bags. The Outback's air bag system also presents a safety concern, with 15 crash-linked complaints, indicating a potential area of severity that the Grand Highlander does not exhibit. Overall, the Outback's problem profile suggests more frequent and severe issues across multiple components compared to the Grand Highlander.
| Component | Subaru Outback | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 8.3Above Avg | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7.2Above Avg | 0.6Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3.4Average | 1.7Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.7Very Low | 1.4Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 1.1Low |
| STEERING | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.4Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —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: Subaru Outback or Toyota Grand Highlander?
How Does Subaru Outback vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Subaru Outback | Toyota Grand Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 82/1000R / 43C | 80/1003R / 33C | Subaru Outback |
| 2024 | 82/1000R / 69C | 69/1007R / 171C | Subaru Outback |
| 2026(predicted) | 80/100(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | Subaru Outback |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Subaru Outback vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Subaru Outback more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 71/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Subaru Outback or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- The Subaru Outback has more recalls (22) compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander (10). 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 Subaru Outback or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Grand Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 8.2 per 10,000 sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Subaru Outback comparisons
More Toyota Grand Highlander comparisons
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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