2023 Subaru Outback
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 26 of 89 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 462 in 2022 to 89 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,600 | 2,250–2,700 | 2,250–2,700 | 2,250–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–29 | 24–29 | 23–28 | 23–28 | 23–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–26 / 30–33 | 22–26 / 26–33 | 21–26 / 26–32 | 21–26 / 26–32 | 21–26 / 26–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 308–343 | 308–377 | 314–378 | 314–378 | 314–378 | |
| Complaints filed | 296 | 462 | 89 | 102 | 77 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Outback have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Subaru Outback?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 26 of 89 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Subaru Outback get?
EPA rates it 23–28 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Subaru Outback?
EPA estimates $2,250–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 314 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 356 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 378 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH · Campaign 23V755000 · Nov 13, 2023
Defect: 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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · Campaign 23V647000 · Sep 22, 2023
Defect: 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.