Subaru Outback Complaints

1,029 consumer complaints on file.

#11700418November 19, 2025
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699581November 15, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I opened the trunk door went to retrieve my groceries and the trunk door came down with extreme force on the top of my head without warning hitting me in the head causing a concussion. The window sensors on the driver and passenger doors also were acting off prior. Not every time but I would try to close the window and it would go up half way and then come back down.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11699326November 14, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield made a very loud bang noise as if something hit it but nothing was observed to hit. After arriving home, I inspected the windshield and discovered a 4 inch straight hairline horizontal crack with no sign of debris impact (no chip, scratch, etc). Safelite inspected it and says it is a stress crack, not caused by debris impact. After doing some research, apparently Subaru has a long history (10+ years) of poor glass quality to include a settled class-action lawsuit, and has not fixed the glass-quality problem. This is a safety issue because sudden glass cracking while driving can be a huge distraction to the driver, reduces structural integrity of the windshield, can impair forward visibility, and in severe cases could lead to shattering with glass fragmenting into vehicle. Loss of vehicle control could result with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698068November 7, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Continued issue with phantom reverse automatic emergency braking occurring while backing up from my driveway causing the car to fully brake without me touching the brake pedal at all once the vehicle is into the street. The only time it doesn’t occur is when continuous brake pressure is applied while backing out. This has caused the car to come to complete harsh jerking stop, whipping my head and neck forward and back several times. Each time, there are NO people, cars, or anything around that could be seen as a potential hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11697625November 5, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate the road ahead while going uphill or downhill. The contact had to activate the high beam headlights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697533November 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was stopped at a stop sign and the car shut off as the auto on/off function. When I went to drive the car did not re-start as the battery needed replaced. I was left stranded in an intersection. The battery did need to be replaced. The auto start/stop feature is a saftey hazzard on any vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696638October 30, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ENGINE
CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - HIGHWAY SAFETY HAZARD 10/23/2025: While driving 2025 Outback (11K miles) at highway speed on I-485 Charlotte, complete electrical system failure occurred without warning. ALL dashboard lights illuminated, COMPLETE LOSS of power steering (steering extremely heavy/difficult to control), all safety systems failed (ABS, brake sensors, traction control). SAFETY DANGER: Sudden power steering loss at 65mph made vehicle nearly uncontrollable. Required extreme force to steer to shoulder. Could have caused fatal crash during emergency maneuver or in traffic. IMPROPER WARRANTY DENIAL: Dealer claimed "cut wire" was "outside influence" but provided NO evidence how wire became accessible on properly designed vehicle. No photos, forensics, or proof. Vehicle never modified/damaged, only normal highway use. PATTERN DEFECT - SUBARU OUTBACK ELECTRICAL FAILURES: - 2020 Outback: 873 NHTSA complaints, electrical failures, battery drain, module failures - 2017 Outback: 893 complaints, "Do Not Drive" warning, steering control loss - NHTSA 23V-551: 35,357 Subarus recalled for wiring harness "insufficient clearance" causing wire damage, short circuits, power loss - 2019-22 Ascent: 271,694 recalled for electrical overheating from improper wiring COMMON DEFECT: Improper wire routing, inadequate protection, vulnerable placement - DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECTS not owner damage. CONCERN: If critical wire accessible to damage after only 11K miles normal driving, this is design deficiency. Properly engineered vehicles protect wiring from road debris, vibration, weather. REQUEST: Investigate 2025 Outback electrical/wiring design. Review for pattern failures. Determine if recall warranted. Complete power steering loss on highway is life-threatening defect. Vehicle: New 2025, maintained per schedule, no modifications/accidents. Subaru denying valid warranty claims by falsely claiming "outside influence" without proof.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695778October 27, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights ... and: and; yes it is available for inspection at any time, preferably at night!!! If you look at the photos attached you can see when headlights are on there is little or no visibility and what you see is what appears to be like a black line. We live in a very rural area and can not see at night with these headlights. So I would say we and the other vehicles on the road are at great risk. We did take vehicle right back to dealer the following day, they informed me that this has been a known problem on these cars and that I should just drive with my high beams. Not a solution!! I do not want to blind other cars coming at me. Not inspected by anyone except dealership. There were no warnings about this problem, and; I was very much shocked and disappointed that the dealership was aware of this issue. They appeared the first time I drove at night and needed head lights on!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695698October 26, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Driving on the highway, engine started making a rattling noise, then began to labor and eventually stopped being able to accelerate at all. Oil pressure warning light came on around the time the acceleration gave out altogether. We pulled over to the side of the highway and got out of the car, seeing steam/white smoke coming out of the front of the car. The smoke increased and after several minutes, the front of the car caught on fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695441October 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outlook. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the Starlink system failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was informed that it was a known failure; however, there was no fix available. In addition, the contact was informed that there were more than 44,000 consumers experiencing the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 24,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694726October 21, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owned a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after coming from a stop sign, she depressed the accelerator pedal to make a right turn, and the vehicle inadvertently stopped and then experienced unintended acceleration with no warning light illuminated. The contact regained control of the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while her husband was driving. The contact stated that while her husband was driving under 5 MPH and exiting a parking space, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into two other vehicles. The contact and her husband did not sustain any injuries, and no medical attention was received. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash site and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693866October 16, 2025
TIRES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Door and Window Open" message was displayed. The information screen indicated that the driver monitoring system and EyeSight were disabled. While driving, the low tire message was displayed. The contact attempted to inflate the tire. A good Samaritan attempted to assist with the tire. The contact was able to continue driving to the destination. The contact stated that the App failed to provide the notifications. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. There were no fault codes retrieved. The dealer disabled the system. The dealer then informed the contact that the tire needed to be replaced; however, it was determined that the tire was okay as-is. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 1,999.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693585October 15, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
In November 2024, our 2024 Subaru Outback began leaking a gooey substance from the upper portion of the windshield down the interior windshield. We would wipe it off and it would eventually come back. In September 2025, this gooey substance began leaking in additional spots down the interior windshield. It began to impair driving visibility as it ran further down the windshield. We brought the car in for inspection at our Subaru service center, and they acknowledged that this has been an issue with 2024 Subaru models. They said it is an improper windshield seal that occurred during manufacturing, and they will be replacing the windshield.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692655October 11, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, SERVICE BRAKES
Since October 2023, my 2019 Toyota Prius has developed severe and unpredictable driving behavior after a regular brake service, which may have triggered or coincided with a software or ECU update. The car, which had been driving smoothly since I bought it in 2021, suddenly began showing false braking, steering interference, and lane instability — as if the car were trying to “correct” problems that didn’t exist. These interventions often happen on highways or during turns, creating serious safety risks for both driver and passengers. I’ve spent months and thousands of dollars replacing parts, performing alignments, and recalibrating sensors, including at Toyota dealerships. The problem persists because it is software-based, not mechanical. I discovered that in mid–2023, the NHTSA announced upcoming rules requiring Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection by 2029. Around that same time, reports from multiple drivers (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Subaru) began to appear describing the exact same issues. It seems manufacturers began silently updating vehicles to meet anticipated compliance standards. However, this introduced overly sensitive and malfunctioning driver-assist systems. The most alarming part is that the driver cannot fully disable these features — the “off” button only reduces their intervention. This means when the system malfunctions, the driver is forced to operate an unsafe vehicle. As a professional rideshare driver, this problem destroyed my ability to work. Passengers reported me for unsafe driving because of the car’s erratic behavior. I eventually lost my vehicle and income. I believe this is a systemic safety defect linked to premature or unregulated implementation of AEB software. Drivers deserve the right to fully disable malfunctioning systems that endanger lives. This is not just a car issue — it’s a public safety crisis that must be urgently investigated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691656October 6, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield spontaneously cracked while parked in driveway. Have nest cam footage of crack.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691627October 6, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On September 27, 2025 at approximately 1:15 PM, I was traveling southbound on Minnesota 371 just north of Nisswa, Minnesota. I was towing a pontoon boat trailer with no boat on it. I was traveling in the right lane as I approached the County 29 / Wilderness Road intersection. 371 at this point curves gently to the left. A vehicle in front of me was in the right turn lane to turn west on County 29. A motorcycle with passenger was overtaking me on the left. The automatic emergency braking system incorrectly triggered for a few seconds as I approached the turning vehicle. You can see the indication of the triggering in the heads up display LEDS in the lower left of the video, starting at 13:15:42 and continuing for a few seconds. I could feel the trailer fishtail on the back of the car. My primary safety concern was the overtaking motorcyclist in the left lane. I also wonder what would have happened would I have had a fully loaded trailer, as opposed to an empty boat trailer, on the back of the car. I have a dash cam video of the incident, but it is over 300MB and can't be uploaded to your site. It is file 20250927_131517_51601F.MP4.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690946October 2, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof exploded driving home in 90 degree sunny and clear weather. It sounded like a gun went off right over my head. It scared me so bad I jerked my steering wheel into the other lane. Thank God no one was in that lane. I had to get it replaced at Mid State Glass company. according to what I found on the internet this happens rather frequently. No notification by Subaru that this was even a possibility. I have the receipt the replaced sunroof and photos of the sunroof after it exploded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690413September 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Windshield crack suddenly appeared without any known outside trauma (i.e., rock hitting windshield). The crack goes from the base of the windshield next to the wiper blade motor and stretches >10 inches across the bottom. This crack at base wiper bade motor area on left side of front windshield appears to be the same place as the class action settlement that Subaru was forced to pay out. My 2025 Subaru outback has just over 4K miles on it. the repairs by Subaru are $1678. I am the nearly exclusive driver of the car an there has been no accidents or trauma that I think could have possibly caused this defect. I submit this is a defect in the Subaru outback window design or manufacture.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689975September 26, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while idling at a red traffic light, the vehicle lurched forward twice and struck the rear end of another vehicle twice. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated upon impact. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. A Police report was not filed. Both the contact and her husband were able to drive away from the scene. The contact's vehicle sustained damage. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a field technician would be sent to retrieve information from the EDR. The failure mileage was approximately 30,800.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689866September 26, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUDDEN AACCELERATION: Cold started the car in garage, all OK. Then backed out and into turn around where I placed foot on the brake. At that moment suddenly accelerated and engine revved to 2000rpm (sounded like). I had to push down very hard on the brake pedal (where my foot already was) to stop the car before crashing into a tree. Foot was clearly on brake pedal at incident (that was the only way I could stop the car). It was not on or close to accelerator pedal and no floor mat or other objects was on or near the accelerator pedal. Very concerned about safe vehicle with this sudden acceleration. Appointment with Subaru dealer made for full diagnostic check. Dealer is White Bear Subaru, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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