Last updated: 2026-03-04
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Subaru Outback
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Subaru Outback and the Toyota 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 Highlander currently leads with an average score of 72/100 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 Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Subaru Outback, scoring 72/100 vs 71/100.
The Toyota Highlander demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 84/100 compared to the Subaru Outback's 74/100. Despite having more recalls, the Highlander has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus the Outback's 26.1, indicating fewer issues relative to sales volume. Additionally, the Highlander benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $489, compared to the Outback's $607. These factors collectively highlight the Highlander as the more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Highlander costs $118 less per year to repair
- 2Subaru Outback has 44 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Highlander has 20.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Subaru Outback | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 71/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 22 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 26.1 | 5.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $607/yr | $489/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 13% |
| Year Wins | 3 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Outback and Toyota Highlander?
The Subaru Outback has a higher total number of complaints compared to the Toyota Highlander, with visibility/wiper and electrical system issues being the most prevalent, though the electrical system has a higher crash linkage with 8 incidents. In contrast, the Toyota Highlander has significant concerns with the power train and service brakes, with the latter having 10 crash-linked complaints, indicating a potential safety issue. Notably, the Highlander has a considerably high number of air bag-related complaints, with 41 linked to crashes, compared to the Outback's 15, highlighting a critical area of concern for the Highlander. Both models show vulnerabilities in their electrical systems and engines, but the Highlander's air bag and service brake issues present more severe safety implications.
| Component | Subaru Outback | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 8.3Above Avg | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7.2Above Avg | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3.4Average | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.7Very Low | 1.5Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.7Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —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 Highlander?
How Does Subaru Outback vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Subaru Outback | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 82/1000R / 43C | 76/1008R / 40C | Subaru Outback |
| 2024 | 82/1000R / 69C | 67/10016R / 198C | Subaru Outback |
| 2023 | 77/1002R / 83C | 73/10013R / 140C | Subaru Outback |
| 2022 | 67/1004R / 435C | 74/1007R / 186C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2021 | 69/1004R / 283C | 70/1006R / 403C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 60/1006R / 884C | 71/1008R / 269C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2019 | 63/1003R / 1017C | 70/1003R / 414C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2018 | 64/1003R / 779C | 72/1005R / 242C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2026(predicted) | 80/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Subaru Outback |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Subaru Outback vs the Toyota Highlander?
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Subaru Outback more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 71/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Subaru Outback or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Subaru Outback or the Toyota Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Subaru Outback or the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.
Related Reliability 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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