2026 Subaru Outback
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical is the largest identified problem area: 5 of 15 complaints (33%) mention it. 6 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 77 in 2025 to 15 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,700 | 2,250–2,700 | 2,300–2,700 | 2,300–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–28 | 23–28 | 23–27 | 23–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–26 / 26–32 | 21–26 / 26–32 | 21–25 / 27–31 | 21–25 / 27–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 314–378 | 314–378 | 330–385 | 330–385 | |
| Complaints filed | 102 | 77 | 15 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 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 2026 Subaru Outback have?
No NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Subaru Outback get?
EPA rates it 23–27 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Subaru Outback?
EPA estimates $2,300–$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 | 25 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 330 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 369 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 385 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 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
No recalls have been issued for this model-year.