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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.

About this comparison →

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
31,792 miles · Nov 26, 2013
Service Brakes

MY 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK EXHIBITS BRAKE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY UPON FIRST START OF THE ENGINE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHILE I WAS APPLYING HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. AFTER A SERIES OF ACTUATIONS, THE BRAKES BEGIN TO WORK NORMALLY. TO DATE, THIS HAS NOT LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEAL…

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MY 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK EXHIBITS BRAKE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY UPON FIRST START OF THE ENGINE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHILE I WAS APPLYING HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. AFTER A SERIES OF ACTUATIONS, THE BRAKES BEGIN TO WORK NORMALLY. TO DATE, THIS HAS NOT LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE AND AS A RESULT, HAVE INDICATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYDAY, SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE. DURING THE FIRST VISIT, THEY INDICATED THEY FOUND A LEAKING HOSE THAT WAS THE CAUSE, BUT THEN THE ISSUE RETURNED. AT MY REQUEST, THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID, BUT THIS ISSUE RETURNED ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU USA WHO ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553940

30,746 miles · Nov 3, 2013
Service Brakes

WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON I-65 THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN BLINKING. AND AS WE PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES HAVING SEIZED. THE CAR WAS STARTED AGAIN BUT COULD NOT MOVE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHT KEPT BLINKING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR…

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WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON I-65 THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN BLINKING. AND AS WE PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES HAVING SEIZED. THE CAR WAS STARTED AGAIN BUT COULD NOT MOVE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHT KEPT BLINKING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, THE BRAKES UNLOCKED AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE TOWED TO THE SUBARU DEALER IN NASHVILLE. THE SERVICE DEPT. TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WHILE THE TEST SHOWED THAT A "BRAKING EVENT" HAD OCCURRED, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A CURRENT PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN DROVE THE CAR 50 MILES WITH A MONITOR, BUT EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. WE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE SINCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED, AND BOUGHT A NEW OUTBACK TO DRIVE HOME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IF OUR CAR HAD STOPPED IN A MIDDLE OR LEFT LANE OF THE EXPRESSWAY, WITH LARGE TRUCK TRAFFIC GOING 70 MPH., A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550668

300 miles · Sep 12, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

DURING THE 2 YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2011 OUTBACK 2.5I (CVT), THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT 15 OCCASIONS WHERE I WAS GOING DOWNHILL, USING ENGINE BRAKING, WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, CRUISE CONTROL NOT ENGAGED, BUT GAS WAS FED TO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN SPEEDS OF 45 TO 50 MPH (4500 RPM) IN 2ND GEAR. ONE INDICATOR THAT GAS IS …

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DURING THE 2 YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2011 OUTBACK 2.5I (CVT), THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT 15 OCCASIONS WHERE I WAS GOING DOWNHILL, USING ENGINE BRAKING, WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, CRUISE CONTROL NOT ENGAGED, BUT GAS WAS FED TO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN SPEEDS OF 45 TO 50 MPH (4500 RPM) IN 2ND GEAR. ONE INDICATOR THAT GAS IS BEING FED TO THE ENGINE IS THE FUEL ECONOMY GAUGE SHOWS POOR GAS MILEAGE. THIS DEFINITELY DOES NOT FEEL LIKE ENGINE BRAKING WHEN THE ENGINE IS SCREAMING AS YOU ARE SPEEDING DOWNHILL. USUALLY WHEN I DRIVE THE SAME STRETCH OF ROAD USING ENGINE BRAKING MY SPEED IS 30 TO 35 MPH IN 2ND GEAR AND THE FUEL ECONOMY GAUGE SHOWS NO FUEL IS BEING CONSUMED. SUBARU REFUSES TO COMMENT ON THIS PROBLEM SINCE I CANNOT REPRODUCE IT FOR THEM. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE SIMILAR BUT LESS SEVERE, REPEATABLE BEHAVIOR, OF CYCLING BETWEEN ACCELERATING TO OVER 2000 RPM AND DECELERATING TO ABOUT 1200 RPM. HE SAID THIS IS DONE TO MEET EMISSION STANDARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543369

42,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Exterior Lighting

WE ARE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT BURN OUT ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT REPLACED TWICE AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT REPLACED ONCE AS WELL AS THE TAILLIGHT AND BREAK LIGHTS REPLACED ONCE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2012. WE DO NOT LIVE ON A BUMPY ROAD OR HAVE ANY OTHER ODD DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE DRIVE OU…

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WE ARE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT BURN OUT ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT REPLACED TWICE AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT REPLACED ONCE AS WELL AS THE TAILLIGHT AND BREAK LIGHTS REPLACED ONCE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2012. WE DO NOT LIVE ON A BUMPY ROAD OR HAVE ANY OTHER ODD DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE DRIVE OUR CAR ONLY ON NORMAL PAVED ROADS IN A SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT. OUR SUBARU DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO BURN OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532619

18,192 miles · Jul 24, 2013
EnginePower Train

THIS VEHICLE IS HESITATING FROM A START, POSING A HIGH RISK OF CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION OCCURS, ON AVERAGE, ONCE EVERY 300 MILES UNDER DIFFERING CONDITIONS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU SERVICE FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATE THEY CAN?T SOLVE THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY C…

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THIS VEHICLE IS HESITATING FROM A START, POSING A HIGH RISK OF CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION OCCURS, ON AVERAGE, ONCE EVERY 300 MILES UNDER DIFFERING CONDITIONS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU SERVICE FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATE THEY CAN?T SOLVE THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY CAN?T ?DUPLICATE? IT. I HAVE INFORMED THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSED TO KEEP THE CAR LONG ENOUGH TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU FOR A REPLACEMENT BUT ALL THEY WILL OFFER IS YET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT ?TO ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE THE CONCERNS?. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM FORCED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, WHICH OCCURS RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HESITATION DEFECT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS POWER TRAIN, PLACING NUMEROUS DRIVERS AT RISK. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING ASSOCIATED COMPLAINTS: 10290805 10297490 10307668 10343600 10346037 10346648 10347133 10351374 10354541 10355908 10355908 10356951 10358243 10411748 10413779 10448621 10505368 10515376 THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531704

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2013
Electrical System

I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM SUBARU, ON APRIL 2013, THAT REQUIRE TO REPLACE IMMEDIATELY MY REMOTE STARTER. I CONTACTED TWICE THE DEALER, SUBARU OF EVANSTON, SKOKIE, ILL AND AFTER 2-3 MONTHS THEY DID NOTHING. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS A WEB ADDRESS WHERE A CUSTOMER CAN NOT REACH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521132

600 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521057

4,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Electrical SystemStructureFire

ON JUNE 30, 2011 AT 11PM I LOOKED OUT OF MY WINDOW AND OUR ENTIRE GARAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS BUILDING WAS NOT COMPLETED AND HAD NO ELECTRICAL OR HEATING SYSTEM. I BELIEVED AT THAT TIME THAT IT WAS THE CAR(SUBARU) THAT STARTED THE FIRE. ,AS THE INTENSITY OF THE FIRE WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE WHERE IT WAS PARKED.I HAD…

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ON JUNE 30, 2011 AT 11PM I LOOKED OUT OF MY WINDOW AND OUR ENTIRE GARAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS BUILDING WAS NOT COMPLETED AND HAD NO ELECTRICAL OR HEATING SYSTEM. I BELIEVED AT THAT TIME THAT IT WAS THE CAR(SUBARU) THAT STARTED THE FIRE. ,AS THE INTENSITY OF THE FIRE WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE WHERE IT WAS PARKED.I HAD JUST HAD IT DETAILED THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRE, AS THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE SOME EXTRA ELECTRICAL WORK AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US FILTHY. I HAD ALWAYS SUSPECTED THAT IT WAS THE SUBARU THAT STARTED THAT FIRE AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I RECEIVED A LETTER FORM SUBARU STATING THAT THE "PUDDLE LIGHTS" WIRING COULD OVER HEAR AND START A FIRE. GUESS WHERE I HAD ELEC. WORK DONE?I HAD THE LIGHTED FLOOR BOARD LIGHTS INSTALLED (RIGHT ABOVE THE PUDDLE LIGHTS) THIS FIRE HAS LEFT MY HUSBAND(STILL) VERY DEPRESSED AS WE LOST ALL HIS TOOLS AND EVERYTHING IN THAT GARAGE WHICH INCLUDED ITEMS TO FINISH THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANY VALUABLE PERSONAL ITEMS. I REALIZE THIS IF AFTER THE FACT, BUT AFTER RECEIVING THAT LETTER FORM SUBARU, I FEEL THAT MY SUSPICION IS JUSTIFIED AND THINK THAT SUBARU SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT.THIS BUILDING WAS ERECTED FOR OVER FIVE YEARS AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING IN THERE THAT WOULD OF STARTED THAT FIRE, OTHER THAN THAT CAR. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520721

14,900 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER'S-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT A WEEK AGO AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE DRIVER'S-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 15,000 MILES PRESENTLY. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN LATE-MODEL OUTBACKS. I LIVE IN ALASKA WHERE THE USE OF HEADLIGHTS IS MA…

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THE PASSENGER'S-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT A WEEK AGO AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE DRIVER'S-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 15,000 MILES PRESENTLY. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN LATE-MODEL OUTBACKS. I LIVE IN ALASKA WHERE THE USE OF HEADLIGHTS IS MANDATORY ON SOME ROADS. FREQUENT AND UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS COSTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520342

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2013
Suspension

2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXCESSIVE FRONT END VIBRATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD ALL FOUR TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED, BUT THE FRONT END VIBRATION CONTINUED. THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALER, THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES, BUT TO…

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2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXCESSIVE FRONT END VIBRATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD ALL FOUR TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED, BUT THE FRONT END VIBRATION CONTINUED. THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALER, THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES, BUT TO NO AVAIL.

NHTSA ODI #10506105

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.

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