Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Outback, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Forward collision avoidance22
- Electrical system17
- Visibility/wiper16
- Unknown or other15
- Service brakes7
- Exterior lighting6
- Power train5
- Vehicle speed control3
- Visibility3
- Latches/locks/linkages3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 2023 Outback vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2023 Subaru Outback failed the safety check 0.39% of the time — 43% less often than the average 2023 passenger car (0.69%). Median odometer at inspection: 13,744 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Real-world fuel consumption
217 Subaru Outback cars first registered in Europe in 2023 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 8.8 l/100 km on the road against 8.5 in the WLTP test (+4%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 217 | 8.8 | 8.5 | +4% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
64 first registered in 2023 are on Dutch roads; 80% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €69,096.
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
724 cars built in 2023 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 18 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
171 of these cars first registered in 2023 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
720 2023 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 99% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ | 18.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard & Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 8.3–10.1 L/100 km (about 23–28 mpg US), CO₂ 195–235 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 7.3 | 8.3 |
| Outback AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.6 | 8.1 | 9.5 |
| Outback Wilderness AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 9.0 | 10.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2023 Subaru Outback.
| 2024546 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2023607 9 Nov 2023 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, water could enter the inhibitor switch and cause it to fail. If this happens, the backup lamps may not turn on and the rearview ca… |
| 2023521 21 Sept 2023 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the driveshaft center support brace could loosen. If this happens, the front end of the driveshaft could sep… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 2023 Subaru Outback: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010932 | "This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the two symptoms described below: SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. NOTE: Both of these symptoms are not related with a fault code." |
| 11010925 | This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs. |
| 11010916 | This bulletin announces a design change made to the front brake pads developed to reduce any brake pulsation and/or vibration felt during brake operation. |
| 11010911 | The following information announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. |
| 11010910 | This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. |
| 11010908 | This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 4.5 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed. |
| 11010905 | This bulletin announces the initialization service procedures to be followed when diagnosing and/or repairing Power Rear Gate (PRG) systems. |
| 11009701 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale. |
| 11009700 | "This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the following three symptoms. SYMPTOM #1: After the EyeSight camera has been exposed to high humidity/temperature conditions without any operation, the cooling fans become inoperable and DTC B28C7 (Fan Motor RPM) is detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera Assembly. SYMPTOM #2: The EyeSight system enters into a temporary halt mode with an E5 halt code detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera Assembly. SYMPTOM #3: DTC B28A6 (Internal Stereo Camera Communication 1) is detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera Asse |
| 11009699 | This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address symptoms which a jerk or judder sensation can be felt from the powertrain during braking with air conditioning on, or a shudder felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. |
| 11009694 | This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. |
| 11009689 | This bulletin following information announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. |
| 11009685 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008283 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer. |
| 11008282 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008281 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines. |
| 11008280 | This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries. |
| 11008279 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 11008277 | This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the two symptoms, a jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on, or a shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. |
| 11008276 | The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units. |
| 11008268 | This Bulletin provides the printable target chart needed to perform the wide angle mono camera adjustment procedure for the EyeSight system. |
| 11008267 | This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter. |
| 11008265 | This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address of a a jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with air conditioning on, or a shudder felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. |
| 11008264 | This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files for the Transmission Control Module (TCM) developed to address cases of DTC P2797 (Electrical/Auxiliary Transmission Fluid Pump A Performance/Stuck Off). |
| 11008259 | This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)