2023 Subaru OUTBACK: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11488010 · 2022-10-05 (October 5, 2022)
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from the dealer on October 3, 2022, he noticed that the automatic collision alert to the Emergency Services, the diagnostic alert, the remote services, the SOS emergency alert, the stolen vehicle recovery alert, the Roadside Assistance alert, and the multimedia features were inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known manufacturer defect associated with an unknown control module. The vehicle was not dia…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11488010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492069 · 2022-11-03 (November 3, 2022)
Some of the starling services associated with my 2023 Subaru Outback are not functioning as they should. The vehicle was purchased on 10/28/2022 and on 10/29/2022 I took it back to the dealer. I was told by the service department that the issue would have to be dealt with by the sales department since it was a Starling issue. The sale team then looked into the issue and I was told that the software update hasn't been sent to the car yet and to give it until Monday 10/31/2022 to upload. On Monday I took the car back to the dealer as the services…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495209 · 2022-11-28 (November 28, 2022)
Apparent know issue. Subaru Outback windshields prone to chips and eventual cracking of entire windshield. Car does not have 2000 miles yet and already needs windshield replacement from rock chip.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495223 · 2022-11-28 (November 28, 2022)
Going down a steep incline shortly after staring car after it had been sitting about 3 hours after about 2500 feet the car had no power maximum speed was about 25MPH and could not accelerate. There was a wide edge that I was able to pull off on with about a 300 drop off on right side of car. After pulling off on edge. stopped turned engine off, sat about 20 seconds, restarted engine, checked to see that engine increased in RPM's when accelerator was engaged, RPM's increased Drove next 4 days through Appalachian Mountains with no further proble…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498198 · 2022-12-20 (December 20, 2022)
This car is equipped with adaptive headlights. When the headlights are turned on, each projects a rectangular shadow. These shadows move when you drive and look like animals coming across the road. Apparently, Subaru says this is normal operation. The dealer noted that it is an issue but Subaru has no remedy. This is a safety issue as your eyes automatically follow the shadows as it seems like there is something running across the front of the vehicle. An investigation is requested as this is a major safety issue as it distracts your eyes from …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500283 · 2023-01-05 (January 5, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle made a sudden stop without warning. The contact stated that several minutes later the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 800.
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11500283 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 11502806 · 2023-01-20 (January 20, 2023)
Wireless charger overheats phone. Checking online this issue goes back several years with no fix. I am worried about a fire with the lithium batteries and stopped using the charger. Waiting for a reply from Subaru to replace or remove the charger.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502806 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V647000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2023-09-21 (September 21, 2023)
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.
Consequence: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V755000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 2023-11-09 (November 9, 2023)
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.
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
NHTSA campaign record ↗