2023 Subaru OUTBACK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
7,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 89 complaints (19.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 25.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 17 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 10 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
Electrical System: 17; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 17; Visibility/Wiper: 16; Unknown Or Other: 15; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 10; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Exterior Lighting: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 77 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 47 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2022: 5; 2023: 47; 2024: 20; 2025: 11; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 11508765 · 2023-02-23 (February 23, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while parked with the brake pedal depressed when the vehicle suddenly lunged forward and jumped the curb onto the sidewalk. The vehicle ended up in the glass of the store in front of the parking space. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. There were no warning lights. A police report was filed. The front end, bumper, hood, side panels, and fog lights were all damaged. The storefront, a nearby pillar, and decorative stone were also damaged. There were no…
Owner-reported narrative. 268,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11508765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511921 · 2023-03-15 (March 15, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and coming to a green light with no vehicles nearby, the Eyesight Driver Assist camera malfunctioned and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The Collision Prevention braking system activated with the warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The contact immediately deactivated the fuel saving button and depressed the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to respond. The contact stated that the message displayed that the Eyesight camera had unintendedly become dis…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11511921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11502101 · 2023-01-17 (January 17, 2023)
Car's battery was 100% dead and had to be towed to dealership. We were told that the nradio was drawing electric and has to be replaced. They also said the battery has to replaced. We have been waiting for parts for 3 weeks and counting.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513176 · 2023-03-22 (March 22, 2023)
I purchased a new 2023 Subaru Outback in December 2022. The two displays on my 2023 Subaru Outback (both the main entertainment one and the tiny dash one) randomly restart without notice and/or freeze and are unresponsive. This disables adaptive cruise control, EyeSight warnings, lane departure warnings, front collision warnings, rear back up camera, navigation, Apple Car Play, phone capabilities, and electrical display odometer. Even in reverse, the backup camera will appear at times and then freeze, so the image I am looking at on the display…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533520 · 2023-07-20 (July 20, 2023)
My car's battery died when I was on vacation. A friend of mine tried to jump start with his car and he couldn't. Then a roadside service jump started the car. After the jump start I was told to drive the car around so that it can charge the battery. The car did two unexpected things: 1- The steering was jittery and sometimes moving to the opposite direction that I was turning. This issue has been confirmed by the dealership. 2- When I was at a traffic light, my foot was on the brake, both traction control and brake warning lights came on and t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11567364 · 2024-01-23 (January 23, 2024)
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the Eyesight feature of the vehicle was no longer operable. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was released; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 63 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she continuously pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11567364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535932 · 2023-08-01 (August 1, 2023)
The car will begin to jolt/shake when coming to a stop. It has been found to be the torque converter. We are at a loss. 10,000 miles and the car has major issues. Just bought the car 28 days ago with just about 6700 miles. We’ve put about 3,400 miles on the car and experience the issue almost every time we drive the car. Due to the safety issues about the torque converter we no longer want this car in fear of what may happen.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11535932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11758281 · 2026-08-20 (August 20, 2026)
Driving at speeds around 40 and when braking to turn, the brakes jerk and feel like they are not engaging properly. It has happened to a different driver, twice both times on a 90 degree day, a few minutes after the vehicle had been started and the air conditioner was running on high. After this happened we Googled the issue to see what the problem could be. The Google search shows a Subaru Service Bulletin #16-150-24R, 09/13/24, revised 12/03/24, showing our year and model of vehicle and a VIN # for all those models as TBD. The service bulleti…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11758281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11620816 · 2024-10-19 (October 19, 2024)
When coming to a stop at a stop sign, the car jerks and the engine appears to stall. I have brought it to 2 dealerships and both have said that it is "normal". I have had dozens of cars and none have ever performed in this manner. The adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking frequently brakes for no reason or does not recognize cars in front of me. It regularly misses large objects directly in front of the car. The system also has a lot of failures and turns itself off randomly for unknown reasons. (again, "working as designed")…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11620816 at NHTSA ↗