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2023 Subaru Outback

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA89
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA28 mpg
2027202620252024202320222021202020192018

The 2023 Subaru Outback is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Outback AWD, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 89 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Outback AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl263228$2,250
Outback AWDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo222925$2,500
Outback Wilderness AWDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo212623$2,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 45408, 45409, 45410.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 Subaru Outback is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Power Train

WRQ-23
95,830 vehicles
ProblemSubaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.RiskAn inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
NHTSA campaign 23V755000reported Nov 9, 2023Subaru of America, Inc.
▲high

Power Train

WRN-23
4,311 vehicles
ProblemSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.RiskSeparation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
NHTSA campaign 23V647000reported Sep 21, 2023Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
89complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 5 · 2023: 47 · 2024: 20 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance36
Electrical System18
Visibility/Wiper16
Unspecified15
Service Brakes7
Exterior Lighting6

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that hundreds of tiny air bubbles had formed over the front windshield. Additionally, there were air bubbles on a portion of the front driver’s and passenger’s side windows. The contact took the vehicle…”Mar 31, 2023 · Visibility · NHTSA owner report
“As I was pulling in to park my vehicle, the car accelerated and after running over three small trees, finally stopped. Both my feet were on the brakes; I could not stop the car. Luckily, no one was hurt. The car was towed and Subaru had the car for close to 7 weeks for inspection; they reported no abnormalities with th…”Mar 30, 2023 · Forward Collision Avoidance · NHTSA owner report
“I've had the vehicle less than 6 months and have already had 3 Safelite repairs for cracks and chips from road debris hitting the windshield. Windshields are fragile and prone to cracking. Attached the latest example, dead-center of photo.”Mar 29, 2023 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SW AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SW AWDnot rated★★★★★★★★★★not rated18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other Outback model years

A

2027 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 14 complaints

A

2025 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 77 complaints

A

2024 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 98 complaints

D

2022 Subaru Outback

4 recalls · 462 complaints

D

2021 Subaru Outback

4 recalls · 296 complaints

F

2020 Subaru Outback

6 recalls · 896 complaints

C

2019 Subaru Outback

3 recalls · 1,033 complaints

C

2018 Subaru Outback

3 recalls · 808 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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