2011 Subaru Outback reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2011 Subaru Outback — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 855
- 146 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- POWER TRAIN
- 209 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 16
- see below
- Reported harm
- 36 reported crashes · 12 injuries · 11 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#520
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Subaru median
+673
median 182 across 97 Subaru records
Vs 2009-2013
+582
median 274 complaints in 614 records
Top component share
24%
Power Train: 209 complaints
What owners report fails — 2011 Subaru Outback
- POWER TRAIN 209
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 115
- ENGINE 85
- SERVICE BRAKES 67
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 66
16 recalls on record for the 2011 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 20V001000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 20V003000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 20V002000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 18V626000 · 2019 · PARKING BRAKE A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 19V297000 · 2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air ba
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2011 Subaru Outback
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2011 Subaru Outback units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Subaru Outback reliable?
NHTSA has 855 consumer complaints on record for the 2011 Subaru Outback and 16 recalls. The most-reported problem area is power train (209 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2011 Subaru Outback units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Outback?
Owners most often report problems with: power train (209), exterior lighting (115), engine (85), service brakes (67). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2011 Subaru Outback?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.