2015–2027 · 13 model years · 35 recalls
No Subaru Outback year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2015, 2023 and 2024; the weakest is the 2020 (25/100).
None of the years we rate score below 25 out of 100, so there's no clear year to avoid. The lowest-scoring is the 2020 (25/100).
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,341 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $393 over 5 years. 2 recalls, 89 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $2,134 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $963 over 5 years. 5 recalls, 510 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,465 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $493 over 5 years. 0 recalls, 106 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS | 2015–2019 | 48/100 | About average |
| BT | 2020–2024 | 57/100 | About average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Outback | Not rated yet | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| 2026 Outback | Not rated yet | 32 | 0 | 27 |
| 2025 Outback | Not rated yet | 134 | 0 | 28 |
| 2024 Outback | 68/100 · Above average | 106 | 0 | 28 |
| 2023 Outback | 88/100 · Well above average | 89 | 2 | 28 |
| 2022 Outback | 44/100 · About average | 465 | 4 | 29 |
| 2021 Outback | 60/100 · Above average | 299 | 4 | 29 |
| 2020 Outback | 25/100 · Below average | 902 | 6 | 29 |
| 2019 Outback | 34/100 · Below average | 1,036 | 3 | 28 |
| 2018 Outback | 50/100 · About average | 816 | 3 | 28 |
| 2017 Outback | 38/100 · Below average | 921 | 4 | 28 |
| 2016 Outback | 49/100 · About average | 643 | 4 | 28 |
| 2015 Outback | 69/100 · Above average | 510 | 5 | 28 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
No Subaru Outback year we rate stands out as one to avoid: every one scores at least 25 out of 100. The best years to buy are 2015, 2023 and 2024; the weakest is the 2020 (25/100).
The 2023 scores best for reliability (88/100) of the years we rate.
The 2020, with 6 recalls on record with NHTSA.