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2025 Subaru Outback

The Verdict

83 Smooth Ride

The 2025 Subaru Outback has 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (42 complaints) and electrical (13 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 83/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Subaru Outback, consider the 2024 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Subaru Outback dashboard →

83

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200510531804115
200610815618412
200732858228
200840281302210
2009237472410
20108632927178
20118864207104186
20124234685492
20139124597645
20145921604622
2015269231235930
2016223163016136
2017415163885641
201845215253749
2019581133576711
2020529122545440
2021171578305
202236310452312
20235152333
202420000
20254231352

By Category

Body
42
Electrical
13
Engine
5
Brakes
3
Transmission
2

By Severity

1
36
2
24
4
5

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2025 Subaru Outback stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

The seat belts in the backseat get un-aligned when you sit in the seat buckled up. when this happens the seat belt will not retract. This happens every time I sit in the backseat and I have to remember to refeed the belt into the guide.

10d ago
Body 1

I bought a brand new 2025 subaru outback in April of 2025. At first service (oil change and tire rotation) in Jan 2026, I complained that the vehicle keeps swerving left and right and Subaru of Ann Arbor said they will diagnose the i-Sight vehicle system and correct it. But right after delivery , i realized the steering had to be held at ~5 degrees to the right (off centered) to get the car go straight. I complained and I was made to bring the car in 3 times to Subaru of Ann arbor - only to go without a fix. The car fishtailed, the traction control system malfunctioned in normal roads and highways due to the steering angle error. I was asked my Subaru of Ann Arbor to not come there anymore and take it to a different dealership. I complained to Subaru of America (Customer advocacy) and they asked me to pick a different dealer - Lafontaine Subaru. Even there the technicians argued that the car is good and just did an alignment without fixing the steering angle error issue. The steering angle sensor is tied to the vehicle safety software controls, traction control system and safety systems such as lane keep. I have to keep the steering tilted to keep the vehicle in lanes and I am struggling to keep it safely within lanes since January 2026. Subaru of America has not intervened even after the 6th repair in 3 months as the problem is not fixed. the lives of my family including a [XXX] infant for whom I got the car is being threatened on a daily basis. I keep telling the urgency and grave danger and the last response from the second subaru dealer was this is the maximum we can do. I am feeling threatened as I paid a fortune for a new car and wanted to secure my infant and my family. Our safety has been disregarded despite multiple complaints and repairs in the first year of ownership. Mileage now is 6100 miles total. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

15d ago
Brakes 1

On 6/22/2026 we were driving on the highway that had no objects in the road and one oncoming car about 200 to 300 yards away when our brakes locked up and a crash indicator popped up on the drivers screen. My wife and I were thrown violently forward into our seat belts it felt like we had been in a crash. I feel that if someone had been following us we would have been hit from behind. We immediately took the car to the dealer to be checked out. The next day they said they found nothing wrong with the car and gave it back. The car did have an update load earlier in the day.

22d ago
Body 1

Twice in one week I was backing slowly out of my driveway. No cars were in sight and the Subaru slammed on the breaks. The first time tweaked my back as I was looking over my shoulder when it broke so aggresively. I am fine.

1mo ago
Engine 4

I just bought my Subaru outback brand new in October 2025. I’ve maintained my oil changes at the dealership. I bought it from in the last one was last may 26. I filled up my tank with a full tank of gas June 1. On June 2 when I was driving home from work on the I 94 Highway in Detroit Michigan I was going about 50 mph when my check engine light went on and within seconds the engine failed. The car was still on, but the gas pedal wouldn’t work and I was in the far left-hand side lane of the highway. I was able to slowly pull over to the fire right hand shoulder, even though it was during peak traffic time. As I pulled over, I started seeing smoke come from under the hood. I then seen a big flame which made me quickly get out of the vehicle and then seconds two minutes later the entire vehicle was in golf in flames and had many explosions throughout. I had no prior indications notifying me that there was something wrong with my vehicle. I had no problems with it. There was only 12,500 miles on the vehicle. There was no obvious cause to this happening. It was only me in the car however if there were small children in car seats or less mobile elderly people in the car, I don’t think that they would have made it out safely. The fire department came and put out the fire. A police report was made with the Michigan State troopers. My insurance is progressing. They are working on a claim. I also contacted Subaru of America and opened up a case with them. I notified the Subaru of Troy dealership that this happened.

1mo ago
Body 1

A message from SiriusXM pops up on the screen from which every system of the vehicle is controlled. That screen is then inoperable until that advertisement is closed by hitting a button in an unsafe location on the screen relative to the driver. This has been harshening to me every time I’ve started the car over the last 2 days.

1mo ago
Body 1

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.

1mo ago
Body 1

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.

1mo ago
Body 2

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.

1mo ago
Engine 2

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.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

April 3, 2026: my 2025 Subaru Outback Premium (VIN [XXX] , 2,052 miles) suffered simultaneous failure of multiple safety-critical systems due to corrosion on a CAN bus pin in the driver door wiring harness (Subaru part #XXX) at its dash harness connection, caused by water intrusion into the cabin. Trip start: EyeSight, collision avoidance, blind spot, and lane assist all offline; BRAKE indicator illuminated with no brake engagement. Minutes later, airbag warning activated. Dealer service advisor described the dash as "lit up like a Christmas tree." While reversing through a 3-point turn on a commercial drive used by heavy trucks, I LOST STEERING at single-digit speed. 60 seconds further would have placed me on an inclined high-traffic road near a freeway interchange. Vehicle was towed by Subaru from the failure location. Confirmed by authorized dealer Driveway Subaru of Moon Township (Invoice #680646, warranty claim). Subaru SSM4 scan recorded 17 unique DTCs across 10 control systems, including C1460 Brake Booster Abnormality; U1131 Lost Comm Power Steering Control Module; U0151 Restraints Control Module; U0122/U1122 VDC; U0126 Steering Angle Sensor; plus multiple EyeSight faults. Dealer documented moisture on both A-pillars, driver kick panel, standing water in cupholders and center console. Prior intermittent symptom: passenger seatbelt alarm on empty seat, two occasions in prior months, consistent with past-status U0151 on scan. Dealer cleaned the corroded pin but did NOT identify or seal the original water ingress point. Vehicle remains in dealer possession. Subaru of America Customer Advocacy Case #XXX-XXXhas declined repurchase/replacement, stating vehicle is "operating safely as designed." I dispute this conclusion: the ingress source is unremediated and recurrence risk has not been addressed. Repair invoice, full DTC scan, SOA correspondence, and owner statement available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2mo ago
Body 2

Traveling southbound onXXX in Virginia between the hours of 7-9am. Weather was clear with bright sunshine. While traveling at highway speed with the cruise control activated the emergency braking system activated on 3 separate occasions. Traffic was heavy but moving at a steady speed. I suspect the angle of the sun and the sunlight intensity caused the inadvertent activation.

3mo ago
Body 1

Crash avoidance Collision system randomly goes off with no cars in front or behind it. This is extremely dangerous as it will make the car stop on its own. Lane departure does not activate until completely over center line. Another big safety issue. This is a loaner car from Carter Subaru in Shoreline WA. My car is in their shop for exact same reasons and more issues. Obviously this is a systemic problem with the new Subaru’s.

4mo ago
Transmission 1

This concerns my 2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT- with a turbo charges engine and standardd CVT transmission. When I get to street speed and brake to slow down, as the car slows and the tach decreases to 1000 rpm /- a bit, the car shows an obvious power surge that can be felt through the accelerator and brake pedal and can be clearly seen on the tach as a jump to about 1100 rpm . I had the first oil change done at 2500 miles or so at the dealership and asked them to see what it was. The electronic system diagnostic monitor they plugged the car into showed NO issues. But, the technician doing the work could feel the same thing. The dealership had just received a new car with same features as mine, so they got in it, and the same thing happened. I was simply told that was the way the care was. I really doubt it. I will be having another oil change soon, perhaps this Saturday, and will ask them to put it on the diagnostic monitor again and see, but this can be a little unnerving. This is a continual and ongoing issue. There is NO one specific date as requested below. So, I am just showing 1-1-26 to fill the blank. Thank You [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

4mo ago
Body 1

Driving on highway and moon roof exploded. Have nonindication of a projectile hitting glass. Did not see any cracks

4mo ago
Transmission 4

2025 Subaru Outback onyx edition purchased 3/2025. Approximate mileage at time of incident 7000. On 2/10/25 around 6am car is remotely started with Subaru app from iPhone on flat gravel surface. Car was in park. Go out car not there moved almost a car length down a hill left turn then over an embankment into a ditch where it finally rested still running in park when found it. Why or how is this possible when done this before no issues. Took to dealership checked visible damage snapped bumper back in get hood and grill shutters checked by body shop. Stating no malfunction and said safe to drive until we did that. One week later the car is started and all sorts of lights appear on dash took back to dealer additional problems found in front end and underneath. Told us we could still continue to drive it with lower core support damaged. Why did lights come on week later no airbags deployed when hit ditch. No notification or contact on app when crash happened and how was the steering affected when vehicle was in park. So many questions no definite answers yet? Definitely a major safety concern. Left with new vehicle damage at this mileage and we feel we are not at fault

4mo ago
Body 1

Vehicle Has a chip in the front windshield, its only 4 month old. Subaru made front windshields that cracked very easy, I have a crack an dit sgoingt ocause serious safety concerns if they dont fix it.

4mo ago
Body 1

The vehicle experiences a recurring rhythmic clunking or rattling noise from the lower front suspension area when turning right over uneven road surfaces. This condition is consistently reproducible and appears to involve the front suspension system, potentially including control arms, bushings, sway bar links, or strut-related components. No warning lamps or dashboard messages have illuminated. The noise raises concerns regarding suspension integrity, steering stability, and vehicle handling during turns, which may pose a safety risk if the condition worsens or results in component failure. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealer, who acknowledged the presence of similar suspension noise during evaluation; however, no corrective repair has been performed. The vehicle and all components remain available for inspection upon request.

4mo ago
Body 1

1.) Lane departure is not operating until way over the line on right side of vehicle. 2.) Collision Warning is going off regularly with no cars in front or behind. Randomly goes off. This makes it impossible to use the Automatic Emergency Braking feature if it went off in the middle of the freeway which would cause a wreck. 3.) Blind Spot warning goes off on driver side when there is no car there. 4.) Eyesight constantly turns off randomly meaning absolutely none of this "safe" driving stuff is working anyways. All of these items make this car very unsafe to drive and makes me wonder why I paid for them. It creates incredible stress and sometimes panic especially when the Collision Warning goes off for no reason. Yet my dealership denies any issue I've brought to them in the past but they magically get fixed and I'm referring to previous issues not the ones mentioned above. Yet after going through many of the service bulletins on your Website, my dealership has not notified me of any of these except the CCU update.

4mo ago
Body 2

1.) Eyesight constantly turns off on a whim. No reason or rhyme to it but just turns off. Meaning none of my "safety" systems (lane departure, crash avoidance, emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, collision warnings, collision braking) are functioning. Then it turns on when it decides it wants to turns back on after awhile but will happen in the middle of a 30+mile drive. When has this happened? Intermittently since I've purchased the car 11/23/2024. It's happened at least a dozen or more times. Dealership says nothing is wrong with car and they cannot replicate issue. This is just one of many issues with the new Subaru. Others are auto start stop does not function as it should per the User Manual. 12/4/2024 Passenger outside mirror does not defrost as stated it should in User Manual. 12/4/2024 Mileage for the Wilderness edition rarely hits minimum estimated MPG. constant

4mo ago

65 total

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