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2011 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outback years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

462 reports with mileage · 189 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 216 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

651 reports
101,000 miles · Jan 17, 2018
Steering

STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH BRIEFLY, THEN STEERING FAILED - CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE STEERED. CAR WAS ROLLED INTO PARKING LOT AND TOW TRUCK CALLED. VEHICLE WAS ON IT'S WAY TO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALER DETERMINED POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTIONS TO "JU…

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STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH BRIEFLY, THEN STEERING FAILED - CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE STEERED. CAR WAS ROLLED INTO PARKING LOT AND TOW TRUCK CALLED. VEHICLE WAS ON IT'S WAY TO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALER DETERMINED POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTIONS TO "JUNCTION" HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED, CAUSING ALL FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF SYSTEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA WAS CONTACTED AND STATES THAT "SINCE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN AN AREA WHERE SALT IS USED ON ROADS IN WINTER, THIS IS NOT UNEXPECTED". IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT LESS THAN 12 MONTHS PRIOR, THIS SAME VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED, FROM RUSTED HOSES. SUBARU OF AMERICA GAVE THE SAME REASON FOR THAT FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11063318

41,000 miles · Dec 28, 2017
Exterior Lighting

2011 OUTBACK AND HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES AS OF TODAY. SEEMS TO BE FAILING WAY TOO OFTEN. VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT, ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #11057029

125,000 miles · Dec 26, 2017
EnginePower Train

WHEN HAVING TO COME TO A HARD STOP THE ENGINE WILL DIE. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. OUR SHOP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER.

NHTSA ODI #11056534

100,000 miles · Dec 22, 2017
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE REPLACE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE 6 YEARS I HAVE OWN THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11056031

93,000 miles · Dec 13, 2017
Power Train

2011 SUBARU OUTBACK ONLY DRIVEN BY MYSELF, 93000 MILES MOSTLY HIGHWAY. STALLING REGULARLY WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN OR FAST STOP. SLOW STOPPING AND PUMPING BRAKES WOULD AVOID THE STALL. RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AFTER GOING BELOW 1200. OUT OF WARRANTY. VALVE BODY AND TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN NOTED FOR MANY SUB…

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2011 SUBARU OUTBACK ONLY DRIVEN BY MYSELF, 93000 MILES MOSTLY HIGHWAY. STALLING REGULARLY WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN OR FAST STOP. SLOW STOPPING AND PUMPING BRAKES WOULD AVOID THE STALL. RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AFTER GOING BELOW 1200. OUT OF WARRANTY. VALVE BODY AND TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN NOTED FOR MANY SUBARU CVT BETWEEN 2010 AND 2012 AND SHOULD HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER AND REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE AT NO COST TO OWNER DUE TO OBVIOUS FAULT IN DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11054460

93,900 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

OVER THE PAST YEAR MY MECHANIC HAS PUT IN TWO NEW BATTERIES IN MY CAR. MY 2011 OUTBACK HAS A PROBLEM WITH STARTING, THIS WAS BACK WHEN I HAD 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONNECTORS WHERE FINE AND HE CLEANED THEM. THE ISSUE STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, HE CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERN…

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OVER THE PAST YEAR MY MECHANIC HAS PUT IN TWO NEW BATTERIES IN MY CAR. MY 2011 OUTBACK HAS A PROBLEM WITH STARTING, THIS WAS BACK WHEN I HAD 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONNECTORS WHERE FINE AND HE CLEANED THEM. THE ISSUE STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, HE CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR. THE PASSENGER REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, AGAIN NO CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM. I'VE TAKEN IT TO AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIPS AND THE ORIGINAL ONE I PURCHASED FROM TO NO PREVAIL. TODAY I WRITE WITH THE ISSUE OF MY CVT. THE FACT THAT I RECEIVED A ONE YEAR OR 100,000 MILES FROM DATE OF YEAR MADE IS OR WHICH EVER COMES FIRST IS COMPLETE CRAP. TODAY I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE CAR WANTING TO WHAT I DESCRIBE AS STALLING OUT. I WAS GOING DOWN MY ROAD WHICH WAS SLUSHY FROM SNOW/RAIN BUT MAINLY WET FROM THE RAIN THAT CAME. SUBARU TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND WON'T DO ANYTHING TILL SOMETHING BRAKES. SO IF THE PROBLEM WHICH HAS PLAGUED ALMOST FIFTY THOUSAND OUTBACKS CAUSING 'STALLING" LIKE MANUALS WHEN THE CLUTCH ISN'T ENGAGED AND BEING TOLD IT NEEDS TO BRAKE?? THIS IS NOT SAFE TO OWNERS. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO OTHER MOTORISTS.THIS IS DEATHS WAITING TO HAPPEN, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND MADE A RECALL. ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES CAN A MANUFACTURER GET AWAY WITH SUCH THINGS AS THIS. I'M HEADING INTO WINTER IN NEW ENGLAND, LAST THING I NEED IS FOR MY CAR TO FAIL IN A STORM, MEDICAL SITUATION ETC.. AND BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE AUTOMAKER ISN'T TAKEN FULL RESPONSIBILITY. SNOW BLOWS DON'T STOP ON A TIME, IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THE PROBLEM ?? WHICH SHOULD BE A RECALL WHICH IS FAILURE ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR NOT FORCING THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11054230

56,000 miles · Dec 9, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

OUR 2011 OUTBACK WAGON WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A BUS. IT WAS TOTALED. THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #11053675

130,000 miles · Dec 7, 2017
Power Train

THE CAR IS HAVING ISSUES AT IDLING AND SHUTS OFF / STALLS WHILE AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGNALS. DEALER REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS.

NHTSA ODI #11053384

95,000 miles · Dec 2, 2017
Power Train

CAR IS STARTING TO STALL WHEN STOPPING FROM A HIGHER SPEED 45-50MPH AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11051901

115,000 miles · Dec 2, 2017
Power Train

CAR STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS STALLING IS GETTING MORE FREQUENT AT BOTH INTERSECTIONS AND AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS(BOTH CITY STREETS AND DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS) AND IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN COMING TO A HARD STOP. THIS IS BECOMING A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR CORRECTION. THIS STARTED…

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CAR STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS STALLING IS GETTING MORE FREQUENT AT BOTH INTERSECTIONS AND AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS(BOTH CITY STREETS AND DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS) AND IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN COMING TO A HARD STOP. THIS IS BECOMING A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR CORRECTION. THIS STARTED OCCURRING IN MY ARE IN SEPT 2017 AND HAS NOW TO THE POINT I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY. I HAVE BROUGHT THE SUBARU OUTBACK TO THE DEALER FOR A REPAIR UNDER THE SUBARU TSB 06-107-17 AND THEY ARE TELLING ME IT IS NOT ELIGIBLE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR IN APPROX $2000.00

NHTSA ODI #11051897

Official recalls

16

20V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 2, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

20V002000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 2, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

20V003000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 2, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

19V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Apr 11, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

19V007000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

19V008000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

19V009000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

18V626000 · Parking Brake

Sep 13, 2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

18V012000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.

17V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

16V694000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Sep 27, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.

16V358000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 25, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.

13V061000 · Electrical System; Equipment

Feb 25, 2013

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Electrical System

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

12V602000 · Exterior Lighting

Dec 26, 2012

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

11V467000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Sep 7, 2011

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 3, 2010, THROUGH JULY 1, 2011. THE MOONROOF GLASS MAY COME LOOSE OR DETACH. THE AMOUNT AND POSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE GLASS AND RETAINER WAS INADEQUATELY APPLIED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE MOONROOF GLASS CAN LOOSEN AND DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GLASS ADHESION CONDITION AND EITHER APPLY ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE OR REPLACE THE MOONROOF GLASS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

10V326000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Jul 20, 2010

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems