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Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

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Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
140 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 17100 miles driven2017 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  140 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 17100 miles driven
51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven2017 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven
70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven2017 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven
122 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 32100 miles driven2016 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  122 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 32100 miles driven
39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.2016		 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.2016		 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
93 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 41300 miles driven

Redesigned. Common problems with wind noise around the front side windows and the fuel door release.2015		 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  93 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 41300 miles driven

Redesigned. Common problems with wind noise around the front side windows and the fuel door release.
56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors. 2015		 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors.
48 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 57600 miles driven2014 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  48 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 57600 miles driven
77 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 75800 miles driven2013 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  77 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 75800 miles driven
36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven2013 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven
58 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 79600 miles driven2012 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  58 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 79600 miles driven
38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven2012 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven
80 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 95300 miles driven2011 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  80 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 95300 miles driven
52 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 103600 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year. Dramatic improvement in reliability compared to the previous generation.2010		 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  52 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 103600 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year. Dramatic improvement in reliability compared to the previous generation.
37 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 124400 miles driven

Common problems with wheel bearings and CV joint boots.2008		 Subaru Outback
[?] see reported repairs
  37 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 124400 miles driven

Common problems with wheel bearings and CV joint boots.
26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 114900 miles driven

Muliple reports of problems with head gaskets, cv joint boots, sway bar links, and wheel bearings.2006		 Subaru Outback Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 114900 miles driven

Muliple reports of problems with head gaskets, cv joint boots, sway bar links, and wheel bearings.
31 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 125300 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year. Most common problems involve struts, wheel bearings, steering pump, CV joints.2005		 Subaru Outback H4 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  31 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 125300 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year. Most common problems involve struts, wheel bearings, steering pump, CV joints.

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Subaru Outback vs. Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Subaru Outbacks and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Subaru Outbacks and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI have been recently.

To see how frequently Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD		 Lived up to reputation, one year 20,000 miles no repairs. see full Subaru Outback review
2012 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD		 This is our 3rd Outback and 10th Subaru with ours and our kids. We love Subaru's. Safety was the reason we purchased our first Subie, a '95 Legacy, for our daughter. All wheel drive and the other safety features of Subaru sold us. We still feel like our Subaru's give us an edge in any unexpected unpleasant situation on the road. When Subaru came to the U.S., it was known for quirky fun vehicles. The Subaru's of today remain fun, but a lot of the quirkiness is gone. In design and execution, they seem more mainstream now. Our Subaru's have been reliable. The all wheel drive system seems bullet proof and with one exception the engines have been the same. Our '99 Outback has had an overheating gremlin. With normal maintenance a Subaru can be trouble free. see full Subaru Outback review
2011 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Most Subaru owners go back again when changing their cars see full Subaru Outback review
2010 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 It has engendered fierce owner loyalty. I wanted to understand that better after owning many other vehicles over 4 decades. see full Subaru Outback review
2010 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD		 After reading the excellent reviews on Conumer Reports, and talking to Subaru owners I beagn to like the product. After seeing the bank for my buck value and then driving one I was sold! see full Subaru Outback review
2010 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD		 Very durable and GREAT in the snow. see full Subaru Outback review
2009 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
4-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Many independent reviewers gave it high ratings, and current owners we s/w gave it high ratings for performance & satisfaction. see full Subaru Outback review
2008 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
4-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 sturdey, reliable, lasts for ever. see full Subaru Outback review
2008 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
5-speed manual AWD		 I take care of my own vehicle maintenance, and I like the reputation for longevity that the drive-train, engine components, and suspensions have. I do regular oil changes with Mobil 1 synthetic, and get 200K miles out of my cars. see full Subaru Outback review
2008 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
4-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Again, these cars are everywhere in the Northwest. This leads to wide availability of quality independent mechanics. see full Subaru Outback review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 I always see Volkswagens as great, reliable cars. The GTI is special because of its utility and performance. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 german built, soild car see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD		 Like the 2004 R32, the 2008 R32 had a limited production run of 5000, most of which are now sold. The R32 is really a well balanced "mini grand touring" car; without the stigma of being a "rice racer" like the Evo or STi. A great car for road and track! see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2005 2dr Hatch 200-horsepower 2.8L V6
6-speed manual FWD		 VW builds a quality car, besides their electrical issues, which I have not had in either of my last two GTIs. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2004 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD		 VW, to me, means smart and sophisticated; while, at the same time, being practical and understated. Owning one shows you know automobiles without having to shout about it. VWs are not appliances. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 Low reliability see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD		 VW does not have that great a reputation in the U.S. This is a shame because the Golf really seems to be a well-made vehicle. Time will tell whether it holds up, but there are many horror stories of poor service, poor dealers, and the factory not standing behind their warranties. I'm hoping that VW has improved their ways, but this remains a major sticking point. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 VW dealerships have one of the worst reps. for fair service prices. The dealer I saw was great on the test drive front, but I feared the service desk a few years down the line. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 Too many people, VW are still seen as nice cars that break often see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review