Subaru Outback Reliability Comparisons
You won't find Subaru Outback reliability information like this anywhere else. Actual repair frequencies, not just vague dots. So you can tell how much the Subaru Outback truly differs from competing car models in reliability.
These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to much more closely track Subaru Outback reliability as the cars age. Others tell you how reliable the Subaru Outback was a year ago, when the cars were a year younger and had 12,000 fewer miles on them. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Subaru Outback has been recently.
See what people are saying about Subaru Outback reliabilityMore about the
Subaru Outback
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Subaru Outback Reliability through December 31, 2012
An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.
General NotesHow do we select "competing car models"? Users of TrueDelta's car price comparison tool most often compare these cars to the Subaru Outback.Models and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.
Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
Subaru Outback Competitors' Reliability through December 31, 2012
An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.
What People Are Saying about Reliability and the Subaru Outback
blog comments powered by DisqusWhat Our Members Are Saying about Subaru Outback Reliability and Durability
| Reliability and Durability of the Subaru Outback: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2011 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Reputation and family and friends experience tell me I will have this vehicle for a long time. |
| 2011 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
So far everything is great and it goes like crazy in the snow. |
| 2011 | 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Most owners rave about its Duability and Reliability and a big percentage of the autos are on the road after 10 years |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Everything about this car seems to be about for and function. Based on reports and friends own experiences I have been told to expect excellent reliability and durability. Most importantly are the number of satisfied owners I have questioned at random. |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Too early to tell. |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
My wife and four kids drive Subarus. All are expected to be driven well over 100,000 miles. None have disappointed us. The AWD system is bulletproof. Standard maintenance procedures will assure long life. |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Proven reliability. |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
I purchase a 1-2 year old used vehicle which I then drive for 10 years at a time. I chose the Subaru due to it's longevity and reliability and it's not been disappointing so far. I'm hoping to get 200k+ miles out of this vehicle and from rea |
| 2009 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Several friends have Subarus that have gone over 200,000 miles. The 2009 is the last of the third generation of Legacy based wagons that have carried the name Outback. Some of the systems are dated, like the 4 spd automatic but they are proven. |
| 2009 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Reliability superior to other german/swede wagons |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
My past car was a 2003 Outback and with nearly 100.000 miles nothing went wrong with it. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rated #3 by Consumers. First car to have no service problems at all in the first 7 months to date. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Outbacks are ubiquitious in the Northwest. Everyone I have spoken with states that their Outbacks last forever and have no maintenance issues. With a years worth of driving and 8500 miles on my Subie, I agree totally. This car is a tank. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Has a well-documented history of above-average long-term reliability |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
trouble free |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The car has had no problems in the first 8,000 miles. |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
High resale value. Subaru has a very strong following. Many sales are to multiple Subaru vehicle owners. High-end materials are used in the manufacturing process. Even with US assembly, the Outback is very well put together. |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The Subaru is know for their realibilty, having owned a 2001 Legacy GT which over the ten years need only normal wear items replaced, how could you not but another. |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 250-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Only been to the dealer one time for service (Radio face plate). Completely satisfied ... requires only oil changes & tire rotations. |
| 2006 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I typically own cars for more than 10 years. I have no doubts it will go the distance. |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Has been reasonably problem free and parts are not overly expensive. |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I am 50 years old and have only had six cars, including this one, and four of them have been Subis. They will last forever if you take care of them, and the Outback is particularly rugged. |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon 250-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Bought at 57 thousand km, now 115. Insofar only one error code (O2 sensor). Other jobs are more maintenance really - rear shocks replacement and wheel re-alignment. |
| 2003 | 4dr Wagon 212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD |
I have never had a problem in the seven years I have owned it. |
| 2003 | 4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
85k miles and only one minor repair with a spark plug wire shorted out. It starts every time with no issues first try. My prior vehicle had a few thousand in repairs by 70k miles, this car still seems almost new. |
| 2003 | 4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Though I am a first time Subaru owner, I do know of many Subaru owners who hang onto their cars for 200,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
very reliable except for rattling heat shields (removed) and air-mass sensor |
| Reliability and Durability of the Subaru Outback: Cons | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
No repairs needed except for headlamp bulbs and my brakes are still almost new after 78,000 miles. |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I do have some reliability concerns, as this engine is notorious for head gasket problems. I noticed that my coolant tank was empty a couple weeks ago. I'm going to track it closely now, but I will be very disappointed if I have to do major work on this engine (head gaskets). |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Anecdotal reports of engine head gasket problems made me wary. |
