Subaru Outback Complaints

1,029 consumer complaints on file.

#11741699June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sirius XM advertisement popped up twice today while I was driving, effectively preventing me from following navigation guidance on the screen. I had to take my eyes off the road and find the “x” on the screen to close the advertisement, so I could continue following the navigated route. An accident could have happened during this time. This advertisement is unnecessary and UNWANTED. I never approved of receiving Sirius XM ads, nor can I option out of receiving them and they take up the whole screen at random times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741695June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am repeatedly getting a pop-up ad from Sirius XM radio on my touch screen info Center on the dashboard. I cannot use any of the other on-screen commands until I cancel it, and the x to cancel. It is in a place that's kind of far away from the driver side and difficult to reach. And it's very distracting. There's evidently a way to opt out of it, but you have to have a Sirius XM radio account in order to do that. And I don't think it's reasonable to expect somebody to provide personal information to opt out of a service. This is a dangerous and distracting item that needs to end.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741691June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving and an ad for SiriusXM popped up. This has happened before. This disables thr head unit until you press the C button. This is dangerous. Please address with Subaru.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741690June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
More than 3 times, I have had a SiriusXM pop-up completely covering my Subaru Outback's headunit screen while I was actively driving. It completely disables all functions on the screen until you are able to click the small red X in the far right corner, away from the driver. Even though the message says you can call to opt out, if you call Sirius, they will tell you there is no way to opt out of the messages in the car. This is crazy unsafe, and Sirius needs to be forbidden from doing this and punished for its current actions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741653June 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Before I begin my commute, I’m greeted by a persistent message within the center infotainment display from the satellite radio service provider SirusXM. The message will not go away until manually closed out, as the exit button is farther away from the drivers reach (more accessible from the passenger side). This can lead to distracted driving, especially if you’ve already expressed no interest in the service, prior to its other attempts. It also doesn’t help that the center console is frustratingly non responsive for the first few minutes during every vehicle startup. There’s also a number displayed on the screen to call SirusXM to opt out of the messages but the attempt is useless as they will corner you into purchasing subscription. I shouldn’t have to do this for a vehicle I own and the monopoly that service presents as the only satellite provider is anti competition.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741644June 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Many controls are integrated within the main infotainment screen on the 2024 Outback. Every month or so, a SiriusXM advertisement will randomly pop-up on the screen, taking up the entire screen, rendering all screen controls/buttons useless. This is a safety concern, as not only screen controls are blocked when this ad appears, but air and comfort controls are blocked until the ad pop-up is closed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741637June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a promotional pop up which shows from Sirius XM, it appears several minutes into driving, while moving. This pop up advertises a deal on the subscription and is not only distracting, but it disables any other functions on the head unit including navigation assistance, drive modes and climate controls. The only way to exit from the promotional window is to clock an X which is nearly out of reach for the driver to press.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741584June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On multiple occasions, the car's onboard, factory-installed user interface system (the computer screen that operates climate control, navigation, entertainment, etc.) has pushed pop-up ads for Sirius FM. These pop-ups persist and interfere with operating of the system. This presents a driving distraction and hazard due to (1) operator attention is drawn from the road, (2) normal function of the screen is not possible, and (3) the operator is required to interact with the screen to close the pop-up. Nor does the screen expire and simply go away - it persists until the operator takes action. The marketing cannot be turned off and there is no opt. Also, it is not limited to SiriusFM customers - I have never been a user or subscriber. Sirius FM stated that the pop-up marketing is built into the software the Subaru installed in the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741463June 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was in start and stop traffic in the left lane of a fast highway. The feature that shuts the battery on and off when starting the car was turned on. Upon trying to move, the battery decided to die and I was stranded in traffic. I needed to get towed out of there and the car needed a jump.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741448June 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING ON RTE 81 SOUTH IN THE AREA OF WILKES - BARRE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY ENTIRE DASH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT COMPLETELY BLACK, NOTHINGWAS SHOWING, NO GAS, NO SPEED OMETER, DATE,TIME , BLINKERS, LANE CHANGE ETC. AND THE NAVIGATION SCREEN TURNED LIME GREE. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE LIME GREEN TURNED BLACK. I HAD NO ELECTRONICS AT ALL. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE DOING 55-65 AND COULD NOT SIGNAL TO PULL OVER. ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES (FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY) WENT BY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERYTHING RE-APPEARED. NOTE, THE CAR DID NOT TURN OFF. I PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF, WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR AND IT NEVER DID IT AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740345May 27, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I have a meticulously maintained 2022 Subaru Outback LTD that has now had 3 out of 4 OEM installed wheel bearings replaced due to failure with less and/or near to 40,000 miles on the vehicle. The power train has a warranty until 2027, however, I felt that this is a recall worthy event and asked Subaru of America to either extend the powertrain warranty or replace the one remaining, original bearing. Case # 260430-1901212 They will not replace it after many email exchanges and escalations. Having had a older car with a bearing seizing and tearing off from the vehicle into oncoming traffic, I feel this warrants notification.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739936May 25, 2026
POWER TRAIN
On deceleration the cars CVT has an intermittent shudder. Sometimes minor sometime severe making it feel like the wheels will slow too quickly and lose contact with the road. The dealer verified the problem changed the transmission control module and re programmed it. That did not correct the problem. I can’t force it to recreate the problem it happens when one least expects it.i take the car on only long trips to visit family in NY 600 miles away and during the trip it happens multiple times times. Brought it back to the dealer and although they previously confirmed the problem it did not do it for them this time and corporate would not allow further diagnosis other than a test drive and scan for codes. The problem doesn’t cause a code to be created. In my opinion as a person who worked on cars for 55 years, the next logical step would be to drop the CVT pan and inspect the fluid for metallic particles or contamination. When doing a deep dive into potential causes of the problem 1 make sure the programming is up to date , confirmed. Second the torque converter is not fully disengaging. This causes tires to nearly lock up and a potential loss of control. The dealer can only do what corporate allows. Corporate is willing to pay to have them drive the car around, at my liability if they have an accident . But not pay for 5 quarts of CVT fluid and the time to drop the pan and inspect it potentially putting my life and my passengers lives in danger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739672May 23, 2026
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We are VERY concerned about the failure of some very important safety features of our 2021 Subaru Outback Touring Edition. We were involved in a bad car accident caused by a person under the influence who was in handcuffs when we were taken away by ambulance. As you can see by the photos, there was MAJOR damage to the other car and significant damage to ours. What is most concerning is the fact that NONE of the airbags deployed and the safety and security plan also failed - it did not call 911. I had to find my phone on the floorboard and call 911 myself. I am not sure if the insurance company will call it a total loss but I really don't think I want the car back BECAUSE of the failures of these very important safety features. I truly feel like Subaru has some explaining to do on this.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11739496May 22, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
while driving , simultaneously radio sound stops working randomly and cell phone connected to car play sound stops working
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739157May 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Parasitic drain on battery. Can be available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739030May 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
After highway driving for 50 miles, stopped for a red light. Engine died but all lights stayed on. Sat 5 minutes with dead engine and when I tried again, the car started. Drove 1 mile to next light and it happened again. Went to Auto Zone (it was a Sunday and dealerships were closed) and they tested the battery which was 100%. Two days later, drove car for 10 minutes then parked for errand; 15 minutes later, car wouldn't start. Let it sit for a minute and it started right up. This happened 8 months ago (engine died at stop light after having been driven 30+ miles) but Subaru dealership could find nothing wrong. Also, radio speakers randomly will blast so loud it startles and distracts everyone in the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737307May 12, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The seatbelts in the back row when uses occasionally lock up, when driver is not hitting the breaks and it let go, then as you try to loosen the seat belt it, it retracts more and more tightening more and more to the point that it feels like there is a rope going through your neck, the only way to make seat belt loosen is to completely take it off let it fully go back to place then put it back on again. This is an intermittent issue and it does not happen every time. But it does happen often enough that once my back seat passengers had to ride without seatbelts because of it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736441May 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Thermo Control Valve Failure- Contact Subaru of Cherry Hill, NJ for Inspection 177,4XX Miles P26A5 code Check engine Light on, Disabled Safety Systems (Eyesight System), Car may have overheated if not pulled over and turned off. Part of warranty extension but did not qualify due to mileage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736398May 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The battery zapped out in December of 2024 in the wintertime and left me stranded. Subaru towed it the next morning and replace for free only bc I mentioned the previous law suit but the battery issue is the same
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736330May 7, 2026
ENGINE, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels skidded and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicles behind the contact's vehicle had to drive around the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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