2011 Subaru Outback problems and complaints

Owners have filed 652 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Subaru Outback. The most-reported areas: Power Train (216), Exterior Lighting (117), Engine (85).

Key takeaways

  • 652 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 23 involve a crash, 6 a fire, 6 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Power Train21633%
Exterior Lighting11718%
Engine8513%
Service Brakes7612%
Air Bags7311%
Electrical System6710%
Unknown Or Other396%
Steering366%
Vehicle Speed Control254%
Suspension213%
Visibility/Wiper183%
Fuel/Propulsion System122%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2011 Subaru Outback 4 DR AWD4/54/54/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-09-25

2010-2018 TR580 Outback Torque Converter Lock-up failure symptoms in TSB 16-90-13R fits my 2011 Subaru Outback. 2.5I Premium, (TSB) Originally issued on 1/6/2014 + later revised on 5/7/2014, Early yrs of the TR580 suffer from TCLUF, which causes stalls + bogs down during stops or idling at traffic lights, premature we...

Suspension - filed 2026-08-03

I have advised Autozone about premature failure of this part number ball joint. Originally the part number was FA267. Autozone changed the part number and color but did not address the quality and/or longevty concern. I have had to replace all of these part numbered ball joints with oem Subaru parts. The Autozone versi...

Electrical System - filed 2026-08-03

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Subaru Outback. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase on 2/26/2026, the mileage was 95,999. The contact found a bill of sale from 07/29/2026, that stated that the mileage was appr...

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More for the 2011 Subaru Outback

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.