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Subaru Outback

2016–2020 only

5,177 classified complaints 16 recalls

885,106 sold in the US for 2016–2020.

58 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2016–2020 Subaru Outback models have 5,177 classified complaints on record for these years specifically, plus 16 recalls. The most common issue in this range is Battery, alternator and charging, typically surfacing around 20,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2016–2020 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Subaru Outback report for every year combined.

Where this range fits

1996–2000

2001–2005

2006–2010

2011–2015

2016–2020

2021–2025

Complaints filed per 5-year model-year window — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2016–2020 only

Battery, alternator and charging · Electrical 1,320 complaints · 15/10k sold

Median onset: 20,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years. · Typical repair: $250–$1,030 nationally.

Water leaks and seals · Body and interior 1,164 complaints · 13/10k sold

Median onset: 13,800 miles. 0.1% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in newer model years.

Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim · Body and interior 765 complaints · 8.6/10k sold

Median onset: 16,000 miles. 0.8% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in newer model years.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 437 complaints · 4.9/10k sold

Median onset: 23,000 miles. 2.3% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Infotainment, screen and software · Electrical 315 complaints · 3.6/10k sold

Median onset: 11,000 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Driver-assist cameras, radar and calibration · Electrical 145 complaints · 1.6/10k sold

Median onset: 7,500 miles. 2.1% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 131 complaints · 1.5/10k sold

Median onset: 11,948 miles. 6.9% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 91 complaints · 1.0/10k sold

Median onset: 5,600 miles. 27.5% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2016–2020 model years. See the full Subaru Outback report for every year and full specs/safety data.