Subaru Outback Complaints

1,029 consumer complaints on file.

#11649553March 20, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a 2024 Subaru Outback in July 2024 brand new. With less than 1,500 miles, I noticed an unexplained crack in the windshield one morning. The crack originated from the bottom with no visible impact and quickly spread. I wasn't event driving it and had not been driving it. Within a week, another crack appeared in an entirely different location, again with no sign of impact. When I initially brought this to Subaru’s attention, I was told it was due to a small chip from impact. However, I strongly disagree, as there was no such impact. Since that visit, four additional windshield cracks have formed, all originating from the bottom of the windshield, and none show any signs of external impact. I will be taking it back to Subaru for a fair resolution. There have been over 3,000 comments on just this issue with the NHTSA for Subaru Outback years 2022 through 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648460March 15, 2025
AIR BAGS
The front seat passenger airbag has an amber colored lighted alert indicator on the dashboard that is supposed to change from “off” to “on” when an occupant of sufficient weight is seated in that position. The dealer who recently sold me my new 2025 Subaru Outback advised me that this indicator is calibrated to trigger when a passenger weighing over 85 pounds occupies that seat. However, while I have found that it works for example when an occupant sits in the front passenger seat at a weight of 190 pounds it does not switch from off to on when a passenger weighing 97 pounds has occupied this seating position. This problem occurs only with the front passenger seat airbag alert indicator and works properly when a passenger of either exampled weight class occupies the driver’s seat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648394March 14, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
Sunroof shattered while driving 45mph on a city street. It was not hit by anything we could see, nor was there any debris flying in the air. We pulled over and took a photo. I called the dealership who said to call Subaru USA to start a case, but of course their offices are closed for the weekend.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648319March 14, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The front rotor warp excessively causing the brake pedal and the entire car to shake uncontrollably. The entire front brake assemblies were replaced at Subaru of Coconut Creek. Our safety was definitely at risk as it was very hard to brake going downhill with the brake pedal and the car shaking uncontrollably. The dealer confirmed black spots on the front rotors and warped front rotors. There were not warnings prior to, during, or after the shaking. Going downhill was made very uncomfortable. Subaru of Coconut Creek services the vehicle and notified me of the black spots and warped front rotors. There was nauseating burning smell coming from under the hood and we had to wait 15 minutes for it to disssipate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648201March 13, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I have had several times where tiny road pebbles have kicked up hitting the windshield and have caused cracks. There is now also a crack forming where there has not been any impact. This is my second windshield replacement in two years. I have never had a windshield that has been as fragile as this one. It seems to be a manufacturing issue with the windshield. Based on research online, appears this is a known issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647322March 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We bought the car in January . When going through our regular car wash, we heard a boom on the roof. We looked and saw no damage. Went through again last week and heard it again. We expressed our concern to the manager who sat in the back as we went through again. She held her hand on the roof as it went through the drying cycle and felt it cave in and pop out. She said this has happened before with certain Chevy models and a recall was put in. (GM Has A Fix For Colorado And Canyon Roofs Dented By Car Washes). We contacted the Subaru customer service ( as told by our dealership). They said it is under warranty, if something happens. Even after I said it could be a safety concern if the car flipped or something fell on the roof, they said there is nothing they could do. The dealership said we could contact NHTSA. I am hoping that you could determine if this is a safety concern , Thank you, [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
#11647088March 7, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights produce a distracting shadow. It looks like something is crossing the road in front of you. In addition, as a driver, it focuses your attention on the shadow instead of the road. It's a common complaint online and definitely a real safety concern for motorists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646571March 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car is a lemon and has been unsafe to drive . They aren’t doing anything about it but lowball offers outside of ca lemon law provisions
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645964March 3, 2025
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, WHEELS
Severe tramilining effect from tires. Risk of personal injury Tramilining effect confirmed by Courtesy Subaru, Rapid City and Heuberger Subaru Colorado Springs, CO. Inspected prior to accident right rear camber out of specification. No warning lights or messages from vehicle
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645573February 28, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645229February 27, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Weather Conditions •Temperature: 40°F •Precipitation: Light rain Road Conditions: •Location: Interstate 79 South, Pittsburgh, PA •Road Type: Interstate highway •Road Quality: Normal, no visible deficiencies Vehicle Speed: •Approximately 65 mph Vehicle Occupants: •Driver (Adult) •2 Child Passengers Description of Damage: •27-inch crack across the windshield, extending into the driver’s primary field of vision Summary: While driving southbound on Interstate 79 near Pittsburgh, PA, at approximately 65 mph in light rain and a temperature of 40°F, defroster on , I heard a sudden, loud cracking noise from the windshield. Upon pulling over to inspect, I observed a crack approximately 27 inches long, originating at the base of the windshield and extending upward into my direct line of sight. I marked the crack to monitor its progression and continued the trip with caution. Damage Details and Observations: •The crack originates from the lower edge (root) of the windshield. •The crack changes direction as it extends and intersects with a small surface chip. •The chip measures approximately 0.039 inches (1mm) in diameter and 0.0018 inches (0.1mm) in depth. •The chip is located below the hood line and directly behind the windshield wiper bracket, in an area not easily visible during standard inspections. Vehicle Information: Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition which is marketed and designed with enhanced off-road capabilities relative to the standard Outback model. Concerns: Based on the location, characteristics, and progression of the crack, I have strong doubts that this damage was caused solely by a foreign object impact (FOD). Furthermore, even if FOD was a contributing factor, the small size and isolated position of the chip — in an area shielded by the wiper bracket — raises serious concerns about the structural integrity of the windshield itself. The extent and propagation of the crack appear disproportionate to the damage
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644733February 25, 2025
AIR BAGS
Shortly after purchasing my vehicle I noticed that the passenger airbag illuminated “off” indicator did not switch from “off” to “on” when an individual weighing under 100 pounds occupies the front passenger set in the vehicle. I could find nothing in the owner’s literature accompanying my car’s purchase addressing the threshold weight set by the manufacturer or dealer for passenger airbag activation/deactivation but was told informally by a dealer representative that the weight threshold for the vehicle is set at 100 pounds and cannot be adjusted to activate for front passenger seat occupants weighing any less—a potential safety issue for my wife who weighs less than 100 pounds and often occupies the front passenger seat position.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644447February 24, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2022 Subaru Outback with 22, 000 miles. Car had been in my garage overnight. I drove to our local recreation center on the morning of February 18, ambient temperature in mid-30's. I came out 1.5 hours later and discovered a large crack had spontaneously formed in the windshield (passenger side, extends to very edge, no visible causative chip).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643281February 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My front windshield has cracked twice in the span of 2 years. August 2023 and recently Feb 2025. Bought the car from a legitimate dealer in 2022. Both times there was no hard impact, no obvious damage (initially), the cracks also spread very quickly once the damage is obvious. The repairs each time is not covered, not covered by insurance, $1400+ each time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642936February 15, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I have owned the car for one year. In that time, three repairs have been made to the windshield including one full windshield replacement that was completed today (Feb 15, 2024). The OEM windshield has a clear tendency to break/crack under typical road conditions. The incident requiring replacement involved a 12 inch crack appearing during driving. It may have been caused by minor road debris; however three repairs in 1 year is indicative of poor quality glass that endangers drivers through increased incidence of cracking/reduced visibility. I have never had cracks to this extent on any other vehicle owned.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640222February 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2ND time car won't start. First time was 6m ago, pulled battery, tested, bad, replaced battery. Getting ready to charge battery, if bad, will tow to subaru dealership. Last time, subaru tested, said nothing wrong. if your car won't start, how do you function. Went on line and you can't believe how many people suffer with this. Seems like the same drain on the system, from starlink, lights, not shutting down like there supposed too.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640157February 2, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
There are a couple of issues. 1. The car keeps applying the brakes at lower and higher speeds even though there is literally nothing in front. This is both annoying and risky, especially at higher speeds happening at the interstates. When I asked at the dealership, they said the car is not equipped to do something like this. But that does not mean this is not happening. At lower speeds, it feels like massive pressure forced on the stomach. 2. The lane departure warning system is subpar at best. It cannot comprehend the real-world lane markers- if modified, and is constantly forcing to go through the work areas and seemingly trying to make a collision. If I were not aware and attentive, I would have crashed to the barriers on the highway. 3. The Rear Cross Traffic Warning system does not seem to capture the presence of cross traffic unless it is directly behind in most cases, specifically if the vehicle is coming from the right side of the vehicle. It is not helpful at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639451January 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
My car had an unintended acceleration that caused me to go in a ditch and hit a tree. I could not get car to stop when I realized it was increasing speed. It all happened very fast. My car was totaled. All airbags deployed. front right side of car was completely destroyed. There were no warnings. My insurance company has the car on their tow lot. I have sprains and bruises on my right side and a slight concussion. so thankful that I was not in a parking lot or in heavy traffic or near any walkers
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11638907January 27, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that his wife was driving the vehicle and as she was entering into a parking spot and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. The contact's wife reported that the vehicle had made an abnormal revving sound as if she had applied the accelerator. The front end of the vehicle jumped the parking bumper and crashed into the store's glass front. The wife stated that she had not noticed any warning lights or alarm chimes before the abnormal revving noise. The wife was not aware of the speed of the vehicle. The wife stated that the vehicle stopped and she had shifted the vehicle into reverse (R) and was able to reverse out from the storefront. The wife stated that she had not suffered any injuries. The police were called and issued the wife a citation. The vehicle had damage to the front bumper and the hood. The contact stated that there were some broken pieces of plastic missing and there was some deformation of the front edge of the hood. The contact stated that the vehicle was drivable. The contact stated that a similar incident had occurred to him last August as he was pulling into his residence garage. He stated that he heard an abnormal revving sound from the engine and he was able to stop the vehicle before it had crashed into the garage. The vehicle had been taken to a local dealer, however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,800.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638849January 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Winsdshield cracking and breaking easily. Windshield was replaced in 2023 due to a crack that spread over the whole windshield after being hit with road debris Again this weekend the windshield was hit with road debris and has a size able crack which requires a full windshield replacement. 2 windshields in 3 years of owning the vehicle feels like a defect in the quality and safety of the glass Replacement windshield in 2023 was from the Subaru manufacturer and installed by the dealership
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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