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Subaru Outback and Chevrolet Malibu Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

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

Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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

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Subaru Outback vs. Chevrolet Malibu Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Subaru Outback and Chevrolet Malibu reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Subaru Outbacks and Chevrolet Malibus with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Subaru Outbacks and Chevrolet Malibus 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 Chevrolet Malibu lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Subaru Outback and Chevrolet Malibu have been recently.

To see how frequently Subaru Outback and Chevrolet Malibu 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 Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2011 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
A best buy for several years, several consumer mags see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
It has gotten good reviews. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
The Malibu received several car of the year awards for this model year and that influenced our decision. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2007 4dr Sedan 217-horsepower 3.5L V6
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I have been a Chevy lover all my life. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
Chevrolet Malibu Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Chevy does not have a strong identity in the market due to many duds over the years. Hopefully that will change. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
On 18% of Chevy owners have a degree; no snob appeal at all but it is a very economical car to drive and looks great! see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
This is a issue which GM seems to be working on. But the negative aspect is very present in conversations. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
The overall reputation of the parent brand is poor, affecting resale value. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
Unfortunately, this car is a GM! GM has not been known to make good cars. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2004 4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
GM known for certain reliability issues on the Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review