2011 Subaru OUTBACK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
651 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 462 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 209 of 651 complaints (32.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 194 | 29.8% |
| Engine operation | 181 | 27.8% |
| Braking behavior | 154 | 23.7% |
| Steering behavior | 44 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 35 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 209 |
| Exterior Lighting | 115 |
| Engine | 85 |
| Service Brakes | 67 |
| Electrical System | 66 |
| Air Bags | 65 |
| Unknown Or Other | 38 |
| Steering | 35 |
Power Train: 209; Exterior Lighting: 115; Engine: 85; Service Brakes: 67; Electrical System: 66; Air Bags: 65; Unknown Or Other: 38; Steering: 35
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 92 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 59 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 49 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 74 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 151 |
| 150,000 and above | 37 |
Under 25,000: 92; 25,000 to 49,999: 59; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 74; 100,000 to 149,999: 151; 150,000 and above: 37
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (151). 189 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 35 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 81 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 90 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2010: 19; 2011: 35; 2012: 28; 2013: 31; 2014: 43; 2015: 42; 2016: 81; 2017: 81; 2018: 45; 2019: 90; 2020: 47; 2021: 36; 2022: 23; 2023: 23; 2024: 12; 2025: 11; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 194 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 181 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 154 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10351374 · 2010-08-23 (August 23, 2010)
WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AND THEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR AS OUR 2011 OUTBACK WAS TURNING, THE NEW VEHICLE, WITH 9 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, EXPERIENCED A BRIEF HESITATION FOLLOWED BY A HARD TRANSMISSION CLUNK AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES DURING ROLLING STOPS BOTH WHEN GOING FORWARD AND WHEN TURNING A CORNER. WE FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITHIN 17 HOURS OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 9 miles reported. Look up ODI 10351374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415619 · 2011-07-29 (July 29, 2011)
I TURNED RIGHT INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP UPWARD INCLINE AND HAD TO STOP MY CAR BRIEFLY TO SPEAK TO A PERSON HELPING WITH PARKING FOR AN EVENT. MY CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, SO I ENGAGED THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR SO I COULD GET MOVING AGAIN WITHOUT ROLLING BACKWARDS. HOWEVER, THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AS SOON AS THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (OR EVEN, ACTUALLY, TOUCHED AT ALL). BECAUSE OF THE VERY STEEP INCLINE, BY THE TIME I HAD ENOUGH REVS TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH, MY CAR HAD ROLLED BACK INTO …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10348019 · 2010-08-08 (August 8, 2010)
VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE IN SECOND GEAR. LOST ALL POWER, PLUS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER TURNING VEHICLE ON AND AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN. I QUICKLY CLUTCHED AND TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON TO AVOID CRASHING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 649 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10352407 · 2010-08-27 (August 27, 2010)
2011 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON - STALLING PROBLEM. WITH CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED FULLY THE ENGINE STALLED TWICE DURING A TURN AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN. LOST POWER STEERING IN CORNER - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 289 miles reported. Look up ODI 10352407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344700 · 2010-07-22 (July 22, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE; HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. HE CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 500. UPDATED 09/28/10 *BF UPDATED 10/01/10
Owner-reported narrative. 7 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479021 · 2012-10-02 (October 2, 2012)
2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT THE KEY IN IGNITION AND ENGINE OFF *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO REST IN HIS NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN DRIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, THE KEY WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, UNLESS THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED ON AUGUST 6, 2011, WHEN HE RETURNED TO HIS VEHICLE, HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10479021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489068 · 2012-12-17 (December 17, 2012)
I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CRUISE DISENGAGED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAR'S LOSS OF SPEED COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THE LOSS OF SPEED WAS FAIRLY DRAMATIC. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP, IT DID, BUT ONLY FOR A DAY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY 12/17/2012. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10474202 · 2012-09-07 (September 7, 2012)
FUEL GAUGE FAILS TO SHOW CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. FUEL GAUGE WILL ONLY SHOW ABOUT 2/3 FULL WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULLY FUELED. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM POSTED AT WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS REGARDING FUEL GAUGE INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE FUEL LEVEL. 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6 LIMITED, PURCHASED MAY 2010, 1ST OWNER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10474202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10967874 · 2017-03-22 (March 22, 2017)
WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR STALLS SHUDDERS AND QUITS, THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN BRAKING HARDER THAN STANDARD. THE CAR CAN BE WARM OR COLD IT CAN BE REPLICATED ON COMMAND MOST OFTEN GOING UPHILL BUT WILL ALSO DO SAME ON LEVEL GROUND. DEALER REFERENCED POSSIBLY BAFFLE IN GAS TANK HAS DETACHED ALLOWING GAS TO SLOSH AWAY FROM PICK UP AREA IN TANK. SUGGESTED 200.00 TO DROP TANK INVESTIGATE AND 4-500 TO REPLACE TANK. ALSO REPORTED IN COMPLAINT 10966670 UNDER DRIVE TRAIN. TRIED LIQUID HEET FUEL ADDITIVE TO REMOVE POSSIBILITY OF WATER POOLING …
Owner-reported narrative. 124,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967874 at NHTSA ↗