2024 Subaru OUTBACK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
98 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
3,098 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2024 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 98 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 15.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 28 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 21 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 5 |
Unknown Or Other: 28; Visibility/Wiper: 21; Electrical System: 16; Engine: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 7; Air Bags: 6; Power Train: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 90 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 37 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 29 |
2023: 7; 2024: 37; 2025: 25; 2026: 29
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 11536023 · 2023-08-02 (August 2, 2023)
while backing into a parking spot between 2 cars in a parking lot the reverse auto braking engaged. when going into forward the car accelerated and crashed into cement wall about 10-15 feet ahead. Just occurred so no other info available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11565222 · 2024-01-12 (January 12, 2024)
On 1/12/24, I was backing up my vehicle in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly stopped, thinking I was going to backup into the gate. I was surprised because I didn't think I was that close. I slightly tapped the gas pedal to move slowly forward when the car suddenly accelerated and lunged forward. I couldn't stop the car, by braking, for 56 feet. I was able to avoid hitting another car, parked on the street, by driving into the large bushes along the sidewalk of my home. The only damage that occurred was the destruction of some bushes and the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11565222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11579793 · 2024-03-27 (March 27, 2024)
This vehicle has severe CVT problems. It shifts back and forth with a clunk on level roads at a steady speed. I have a 2015 Murano with over 80,000 miles that does not display this type of behavior. I am driving a loaner which is a 2023 Subaru with the same engine and transmission as mine and it has none of my safety problems. The additional safety problems are: very poor resolution on backup camera and incorrect guidance lines; we are a hands free state and my voice command will not properly make calls; built in nav is horrible and Android Au…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11579793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11583539 · 2024-04-17 (April 17, 2024)
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH with no other vehicles nearby, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking system engaged inadvertently, and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle started jerking and was hesitating while driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the f…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11583539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11600165 · 2024-07-08 (July 8, 2024)
The engine, running at idle in and out of gear, did not respond to input from the gas pedal. Pushing the gas pedal did not have any effect on the engine revs. This was dangerous because I was attempting to enter a busy roadway and suddenly was faced with zero throttle response although the engine was still running and was in gear. The car has 5,300 miles. The transmission failed at 1,300 miles and was replaced by the dealer. The present incident began when, for unknown reasons, the car battery did not have enough power to start the car aft…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11600165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11680258 · 2025-08-12 (August 12, 2025)
The malfunction I am concerned with is the battery and the battery charging system (alternator, engine control module). I purchased this car new in July of 2024. However, last month the battery drained to a point where I had to jump it to start it. I drove with the hope that the alternator would charge the battery. Yet, it did not. Within the last four weeks, I proceeded to have to jump the car almost every time I started the car, including every stop when running errands around town. This is a safety concern for me because if I didn't have a j…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11680258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11579168 · 2024-03-24 (March 24, 2024)
Both front headlights cast a tabbed rectangular shadow into driver's field-of-view creating two potentially dangerous disruptive shadows/dead spots at certain longer distances and in open flat terrain areas. These tabbed rectangular shadow/dead spots often tricks the driver into falsely responding/over-reacting unnecessarily. The dead spots in the driver's field-of-view can be potentially dangerous while driving at night and around turns/corners where the LED headlights automatically track and follow based on the steering inputs by the driver…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11579168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11602284 · 2024-07-15 (July 15, 2024)
String wheel locked and couldn't start engine. Called dealer, who said to jiggle the transmission while attempting to turn the steering wheel. After three or four tries, everything freed up and everything ran normally. The dealer rep in the service dept said that that had happened to her "a few times"and there wasn't any way to fix it. Dealer doesn't want to see or inspect, no warning lights or anything else associated with this failure. First happened on Friday 13 July 2024. Hasn't happened since. What would prevent the steering wheel f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11602284 at NHTSA ↗