Subaru Outback Complaints (2024)

96 consumer complaints on file.

#11661373May 16, 2025
SEATS
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT CONTOUR DO NOT PROVIDE PROPER LUMBAR SUPPORT. ALSO WHILE ANCHORING THE CAR SEAT ON THE REAR SEAT WITH KNOEE DOWN MAKES TO HEAR CRACKING NOISE FROM THE WOODEN BASE BOARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660809May 14, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The driver door opened during the highway, it was raining and my speed wa about 70mph. This never happened before and I’m very scared
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660230May 11, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While at a stop, exiting a parking lot, driver’s side rear door window spontaneously blew out, inward. Police responded. No indication of foul play. No environmental issues. No temp change. Purely random.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660170May 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subaru bluetooth and CARPLAY is not working for phone calls. The caller cannot hear driver. There is an issue with subaru technology here and I note many other drivers reporting same issue. Subaru needs to fix this and do a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655362April 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subaru accessory QI Wireless phone charger (H671SAN202) consistently overheats phone causing it to shut down. Dealer acknowledged the part can be specific in the way it operates. I followed guidance to remove case and try reorienting which still produced the same results.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#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
#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
#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
#11637136January 20, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
In a residential area at night there is a film or tint that covers at least three quarters of the windshield. No problem on bright highways. I complained to three different dealers. They can't confirm because they are not allowed to touch eyesight/camera. I called Subaru USA. Gary told me that it's to expenses and offered me service coupons, insulting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636397January 16, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
STRESS CRACK ON LOWER PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH DEFROSTER ON IN COLD WEATHER TO WARM VEHICLE. CRACKED ON LOWER PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT ABOVE DEFROSTER. I WAS NOT DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN CRACK OCCURRED. THIS WAS A SPONTANEOUS CRACK ON FRONT WINDSHIELD. I HAVE APPOINTMENT AT DEALER TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD INSPECTED FOR A WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED WITH BUMPER TO BUMPER SUBARU WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS A 2024 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 8000 MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENDING ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630166December 11, 2024
AIR BAGS, SEATS
There is a problem with the passenger airbag sensor on this model. I weigh under 100 pounds, and the sensor light does not turn on when I am seated in the passenger seat. My husband weighs 160 lbs, and the light goes on when he sits in the passenger seat. Subaru maintains that the sensor is working as designed, but this is clearly a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629445December 7, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
I was driving down the street, stopped at an intersection, and made a U-turn. Immediately after I made the U-turn a message came up on the screen saying "Eye Sight Disabled." From that point on the cruise control stopped working, the lane deviation stopped working, the forward collision system stopped working, and several other things malfunctioned (I can't seem to connect to the bluetooth system with my cell phone). The local Subaru dealer told me they are aware of the problem, but, have not notified anyone, they told me that I needed to make an appointment to get the problem fixed and it would take four to five hours.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628440December 2, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights appear to be adjusted too high from the factory, causing considerable distress to other drivers who are blinded by my bright LED headlights shining directly into their cabin. At night, oncoming drivers are flashing their lights at me constantly, thinking my brights are on. In fact, it's difficult to tell when my brights are on because the headlights are aimed so high that the brights make little difference in terms of sight distance. I asked the dealership to check the lights and all they were able to tell me is that "it's a common complaint." Numerous online forums provide instructions for adjusting the headlight angle downward.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624592November 11, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: AUTOMATIC SYSTEM BRAKING
The car Will stop going backwards down a steep driveway thinking that the road is something that I’m going to hit. It will break going forward, including on the highway when there’s nothing in front of it it will break in the fog if the fog is heavy enough. In construction zones, it thinks every cone is a moving car and stops often. I contacted Subaru and they have not addressed my concerns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621090October 21, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
While driving normally on the highway, the sunroof glass exploded with no warning or previous signs of wear. After reviewing dash cam footage, determined that it was not caused by foreign object.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621051October 21, 2024
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after the purchase of the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact to schedule an appointment to install the trailer hitch harness. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle could tow a capacity of 3,500 lbs. The contact wanted to attach a camper to the trailer hitch. The contact was then informed by the dealer when the dealer attempted to install the hitch harness that the vehicle did not have any trailer brakes to which the tow harness could not be installed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer would not install the trailer brakes and referred the contact to an independent mechanic for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 3,395.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619443October 12, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracks spontaneously
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619353October 11, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MagSafe charger cause my iPhone to overheat every time I try to use it. My iPhone typically shuts down. This seems to be a disaster waiting to happen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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