Last updated: 2026-03-04
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Venza: Reliability Compared
Subaru Outback
Toyota Venza
Choosing between the Subaru Outback and the Toyota Venza? 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 Venza currently leads with an average score of 80/100 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 Venza Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Venza is more reliable than the Subaru Outback, scoring 80/100 vs 71/100.
The Toyota Venza outshines the Subaru Outback in terms of reliability, boasting an impressive average score of 91/100 compared to the Outback's 74/100. With only 5 recalls over 4 years and a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 0.2 per 10,000 units sold, the Venza demonstrates superior dependability. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates highlight the Venza's lower annual repair cost of $444 against the Outback's $607. While both vehicles are in the midsize SUV segment, the Venza's track record for fewer issues and lower maintenance expenses makes it the more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Venza costs $163 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota Venza has 25.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Toyota Venza has 17 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Venza: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Subaru Outback | Toyota Venza |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 71/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 22 | 5 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 26.1 | 0.2 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $607/yr | $444/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.5/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 10% |
| Year Wins | 1 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Outback and Toyota Venza?
The Subaru Outback experiences a significantly higher volume of complaints compared to the Toyota Venza, with major issues in the visibility/wiper and electrical system categories, the latter of which has 8 crash-linked incidents. Additionally, the Outback's air bags category presents a notable safety concern with 15 crash-linked complaints. In contrast, the Toyota Venza has a remarkably lower problem profile, with only minor issues reported in the exterior lighting and fuel/propulsion system categories, and no crash-linked complaints. This suggests a more robust reliability profile for the Venza, especially in critical safety components.
| Component | Subaru Outback | Toyota Venza |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 8.3Above Avg | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7.2Above Avg | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3.4Average | —None |
| STEERING | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 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 Venza?
How Does Subaru Outback vs Toyota Venza Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Subaru Outback | Toyota Venza | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 82/1000R / 69C | 80/1002R / 0C | Subaru Outback |
| 2023 | 77/1002R / 83C | 80/1002R / 0C | Toyota Venza |
| 2022 | 67/1004R / 435C | 80/1000R / 2C | Toyota Venza |
| 2021 | 69/1004R / 283C | 79/1001R / 7C | Toyota Venza |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 and the 2024 Toyota Venza scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Subaru Outback vs the Toyota Venza?
Subaru Outback vs Toyota Venza: Common Questions
- Is the Subaru Outback more reliable than the Toyota Venza?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Venza is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 71/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Subaru Outback or the Toyota Venza?
- The Subaru Outback has more recalls (22) compared to the Toyota Venza (5). 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 Venza?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Venza has a lower complaint rate at 0.2 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 Venza?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Venza is cheaper to maintain at $444/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Subaru Outback 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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