--- title: "Subaru Outback Problems and Years to Avoid" description: "How the Subaru Outback problems and recalls specification changed from 2010 to 2025, compared generation by generation. 6 documented problems with the Subaru Outback, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 5 carry a recall or TSB number." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/common-problems" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # Subaru Outback Common Problems and Years to Avoid The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Subaru Outback problems and recalls specification changed by year? | Model years | Documented issues | Serious | With a recall or TSB | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [2020-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/common-problems) | 6 | 2 | 5 | | [2015-2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/common-problems) | 5 | 1 | 4 | | [2010-2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2010-2014/common-problems) | 6 | 4 | 4 | ## Full specifications by generation The problems and recalls on a Subaru Outback is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2020-2025 Subaru Outback Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/common-problems) - [2015-2019 Subaru Outback Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/common-problems) - [2010-2014 Subaru Outback Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2010-2014/common-problems) ## Subaru Outback problems and recalls: common questions ### What are the most common problems with the Subaru Outback? The recurring ones are: brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall); front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall); spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement); parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation); cvt chain slip / shudder carried into early production. Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost. ### Which Subaru Outback years should you avoid? The years to be most careful with are those affected by brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall) (2020) and front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall) (2020-2022). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely. ### Are there recalls on the Subaru Outback? 5 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: NHTSA 19V-664 (Subaru campaign WUL-97) (brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall)), NHTSA 24V-227 (front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall)), Powell v. Subaru of America, Inc. (spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement)), Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 2:26-cv-4935 (D.N.J.), pending as of 2026 (parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation)), Subaru CVT customer support program (10-yr/100k extension) (cvt chain slip / shudder carried into early production). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding. ### How much do Subaru Outback repairs typically cost? Typical figures for the issues above: brake pedal mounting bracket bolt (recall), Free under recall; front passenger airbag sensor short circuit (recall), Free under recall; spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement), Covered under the settlement's extended warranty for qualifying cracks; $400-$1,200+ out of pocket including ADAS/EyeSight camera recalibration; parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation), $0-$300 for a battery swap that often doesn't fix the underlying drain; monitor for a resolved recall/settlement. ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Subaru FB engine (FB25D direct-injection, 2020 Outback/Legacy)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_FB_engine) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2022 Outback 2.4L FA24 turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2022/subaru/outback/2-4l-4-cyl-engine-code-a-fa24-a-turbo/) - [NHTSA, 19V-664 brake pedal mounting bracket recall (WUL-97)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCLRPT-19V664-6082.PDF) - [NHTSA, 24V-227 front passenger airbag sensor recall](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V227-7296.PDF) - [Out Motorsports, 2022 Outback Wilderness review (260 hp FA24F introduction)](https://www.outmotorsports.com/2021/09/2022-subaru-outback-wilderness-review-off-road/) - [classaction.org, Subaru lawsuit: 2019-2025 vehicles, parasitic battery drain (Taylor v. Subaru)](https://www.classaction.org/news/subaru-lawsuit-says-2019-2025-vehicles-plagued-by-electrical-system-defect-causing-parasitic-battery-drain) - [AutoZone, 2023 Outback wiper blade fitment (26/18/16)](https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/wiper-blade-windshield/subaru/outback/2023) - [Edmunds, 2023 Subaru Outback review (XT/Wilderness turbo trim lineup)](https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/outback/2023/) ## Find your exact Outback - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2012) - [2011](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2011) - [2010](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2010) More Subaru Outback guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/service-schedule) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.