Complaint volume
84 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2023 Subaru Outback Complaints
84 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2023 Subaru Outback, grouped by component category.
84 Total complaints
8 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
2 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are visibility/wiper, unknown or other, forward collision avoidance. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 8 crash reports, 1 fire report, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 12 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 30,900 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to visibility/wiper, unknown or other, forward collision avoidance?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2023 Subaru Outback?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2023 Subaru Outback
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2023 Subaru Outback complaints?
8 Crash
1 Fire
2 Injury
0 Fatality
6 Towed
2 Medical attention
What are the most common 2023 Subaru Outback complaint categories?
VISIBILITY/WIPER 15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 3
AIR BAGS 2
POWER TRAIN 2
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2
84 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. While turning into a parking spot, the accelerator pedal was slightly depressed, and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, crashing into a parked vehicle on the driver's side. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to move forward after the crash into the next parking spot. No warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,300. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 20,300 |
| Dec 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Recently, in my 2023 Subaru Outback, I have been having pop-up ads for SirusXM take over my infotainment screen. The ad appears in the center, does not allow the user to interact with the screen - including air conditioning control and traction control selection - and will not go away until I acknowledge the ad. It has appeared when I start the vehicle and while I am driving. I contacted Subaru of America; they first told me to contact SiriusXM. I asked why I was being told to contact SiriusXM for a pop-up ad in my Subaru - of course SiriusXM wants to advertise to consumers, but why would Subaru allow them to display ads in my car whenever they chose? I own my car outright; it is neither a lease nor do I owe money on it, so I should control what sort of media is presented to me and when, and I definitely shouldn't have third party ads appearing in my car at random times without my consent. I was persistent with the Subaru of America representative, and then they claimed they would push an over-the-air software update to my car to resolve the issue, but that has not happened. Now I read that other people have been having this same issue, so I am very disappointed that Subaru would first tell me to call SiriusXM and second pretend like it was a software fluke, but I later read that hundreds of other consumers are having similar problems. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while walking around the vehicle attempting to put her husband in the passenger seat, the hatchback opened independently, and they both got pushed independently from the vehicle on the ground from the impact. The contact mentioned by the standers came out of the office to check on them and called 911 immediately. The contact stated that she sustained injuries to the knee and left shoulder, and her husband sustained injuries from the left elbow to the arm. Medical attention was required, and they were transported to the ER by ambulance. The contact stated that a police report was not filed. The contact stated that the failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 2 Medical attention | 23,000 |
| Nov 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have had no working SOS safety button in case of a crash despite having a 3 year plan. This started after a Starlink update failed to load to this date. I took it to the dealer and my software was found to be up to date and I was told not a Subaru problem for months. I wrote to Subura America and told not to take the car in as no fix but any day but never came. I am to renew the Safety and Security on 12-12-2025 but I do not want to pay for an SOS safety alert that does not work. My Subaru told me that I was at fault for failing to take my car in for repair and stated they would cancel both safety and security plans, I repsonded by hanging up. I called Subaru American who did not respond. My 2023 Subaru Outback has 9000 miles. I am [XXX] old and disabled with a serious hip issue and a victim from another party of a HIPPA cyberattack when the government was closed. I assume your the Department of Transsportation does not care either. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outlook. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the Starlink system failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was informed that it was a known failure; however, there was no fix available. In addition, the contact was informed that there were more than 44,000 consumers experiencing the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 24,200. | Crash: No Fire: No | 24,200 |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness experienced multiple complete failures to start over a 2-day period at 51,930 miles, creating significant safety risks and stranding situations.Component Failure: Battery system (SOA821B700, 620 CCA) failed to maintain charge when vehicle parked/off. Component replaced and available for inspection if retrieved from disposal. What Happened: Vehicle experienced repeated failure-to-start episodes over 2 consecutive days at 51,930 miles. While jump-startable, battery would not maintain charge for restart after any parking period. No warning lamps or messages preceded failures. Safety Risks: Created dangerous stranding situations in potentially unsafe locations. Loss of ability to restart in emergencies, failure of electrical systems (lights/hazards), risk of accidents when unable to restart in traffic situations. Professional Confirmation: Independent automotive shops tested battery/alternator systems confirming battery not holding charge per Subaru specifications, indicating systemic electrical drain issue. Manufacturer Inspection: Subaru dealer testing contradicted independent findings despite multiple documented failures. Customer Advocacy denied reimbursement claiming "normal wear" despite documented design deficiency. Known Defect: Failure directly relates to documented inadequacy in TSB 07-213-22R acknowledging original battery specification insufficient. TSB introduced higher-capacity replacement (SOA821B900, 750 CCA) requiring new mounting hardware, proving design correction not maintenance. TSB updated March 2024 (NHTSA #10252553) expanding to 2024 models, demonstrating ongoing systematic problem across multiple model years (2020-2024). Warning Signs: No warning indicators preceded failures - complete unexpected loss of starting ability creating immediate safety hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield was struck by a small stone. There was no immediate damage but over a period of several weeks 5 cracks appeared traversing the windshield top to bottom. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The drivers side window frequently will not roll up. Has happened multiple times and dealership says they reset it but still does not work properly. In inclement weather conditions this is a serious safety issue. Most recent information is below | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When going down my driveway, the (RAB) Reverse Automatic Braking system will often times turn itself off and not reset like the manual say's it should. I have to stop the car, shut it off and open the door to ensure everything is off and restart the car to get it to reset. It has been in the dealership, Subaru of Kennesaw, Kennesaw Ga 4 time for this issue. Last time it was in the dealership they had it for over a month. And it is still happening. This started after a software update done on 10-28-2024 and to date has happened 52 times since then. I have photo documentation of these instances. These exceeded the max allowable of your website so did no upload them. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I have had several times where tiny road pebbles have kicked up hitting the windshield and have caused cracks. There is now also a crack forming where there has not been any impact. This is my second windshield replacement in two years. I have never had a windshield that has been as fragile as this one. It seems to be a manufacturing issue with the windshield. Based on research online, appears this is a known issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My car had an unintended acceleration that caused me to go in a ditch and hit a tree. I could not get car to stop when I realized it was increasing speed. It all happened very fast. My car was totaled. All airbags deployed. front right side of car was completely destroyed. There were no warnings. My insurance company has the car on their tow lot. I have sprains and bruises on my right side and a slight concussion. so thankful that I was not in a parking lot or in heavy traffic or near any walkers | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that his wife was driving the vehicle and as she was entering into a parking spot and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. The contact's wife reported that the vehicle had made an abnormal revving sound as if she had applied the accelerator. The front end of the vehicle jumped the parking bumper and crashed into the store's glass front. The wife stated that she had not noticed any warning lights or alarm chimes before the abnormal revving noise. The wife was not aware of the speed of the vehicle. The wife stated that the vehicle stopped and she had shifted the vehicle into reverse (R) and was able to reverse out from the storefront. The wife stated that she had not suffered any injuries. The police were called and issued the wife a citation. The vehicle had damage to the front bumper and the hood. The contact stated that there were some broken pieces of plastic missing and there was some deformation of the front edge of the hood. The contact stated that the vehicle was drivable. The contact stated that a similar incident had occurred to him last August as he was pulling into his residence garage. He stated that he heard an abnormal revving sound from the engine and he was able to stop the vehicle before it had crashed into the garage. The vehicle had been taken to a local dealer, however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,800. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 12,800 |
| Nov 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicle has received all scheduled and regular maintenance. I was driving right around the speed limit of 50 mph. Traffic was stopped ahead, and I had plenty of time and space to stop. I pressed the brake pedal, but continued to coast. I pressed it harder, all the way to the floor for at least four seconds, and there was no resistance, no feel of the antilock brakes kicking in, no emergency braking to avoid a collision, and no braking or slowing whatsoever. I could not safely swerve out of my lane, as there was no shoulder on my left and traffic on my right, and so there was an accident. The vehicle is currently at the body shop, and I told Stare Farm about the brakes, but they have no intention of investigating it. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | VISIBILITY | The WINDSHIELD cracked while I was driving on [XXX] unexpectedly and could have caused an accident, on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | TIRES | 225/65r17 102h 535 inside side wall of tire blew out on the freeway was able to stop and change it out. when i got home i checked the other ones and they are almost the same way they have 30000 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | This complain is specific to the wireless charging pad featured in the Touring 2023 model I leased. The wireless charging pad overheats very quickly, thus overheating the phone it's charging. Even if the device is just plugged into a charging cord, located right next to the charging pad, it will overheat the phone, sometimes to the degree that the phone and the screen console will go blank. This has been incredibly dangerous when using the screen for navigation on the highway and the whole thing goes black/malfunctions, and this has happened quite a few times. The other frustrating issue is that the battery of my phone has overheated many times so it doesn't hold much of a charge anymore. The other issue is that the Eyesight function, which is necessary for cruise control, goes out often and completely malfunctions in head-on strong sunlight, which is often in Southern California. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When coming to a stop at a stop sign, the car jerks and the engine appears to stall. I have brought it to 2 dealerships and both have said that it is "normal". I have had dozens of cars and none have ever performed in this manner. The adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking frequently brakes for no reason or does not recognize cars in front of me. It regularly misses large objects directly in front of the car. The system also has a lot of failures and turns itself off randomly for unknown reasons. (again, "working as designed") | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield developed a small crack when struck by a tiny piece of road debris. It appears unrepairable. This requires a windshield replacement and recalibration of the eyesight technology. Seemed to easily be damaged beyond repair. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | Car pulses randomly when braking, usually begins once speed drops below 20mph. Dealership completed a “reset and relearn” per Subaru’s instructions, which made the problem occur more often than before. Problem was brought to the dealerships attention shortly after purchase, but unable to assist until they were able to duplicate the problem, which happened in July 2024 after the reset and relearn was completed at 24k service. Vehicle was brought to dealership at least six times between January 2023 and July 2024. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | Problem occurred after several months of use. The chest straps will not consistently lock into position, despite the release button not being engaged. They can easily be pulled to loosen again. This does not secure the child into the seat. We have ensured that the strap mechanism is not clogged with debris. We have submitted a claim to the Nuna company. Videos of problem are available if needed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I have had several times where tiny road pebbles have kicked up hitting the windshield and have caused cracks. There is now also a crack forming where there has not been any impact. I have never had a windshield that has been as fragile as this one. It seems to be a manufacturing issue with the windshield. Based on research online, appears this is a known issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | SEATS | The back of the passenger seat is shaking uncontrollably at higherspeeds. According to my local subaru dealership all 2023 outback they have with power seats are exhibiting the same issu, while the manual seats do not. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | In the last approximately 8 months my car has deployed the forward collision warning--Slamming on the brakes-red lights flashing on the screen-seat belts locking--for no apparent reason. Nothing was in front of me!! Twice I was in a local construction zone with cars right behind me and was nearly rear-ended!! Very Frightening experience each time! I took it to the Subaru dealer but they found nothing wrong with the eye sight technology. They did a test drive and it did not do that for them.. But what are the chances that it would occur for them when it has only occurred once a month or so. Contacted Subaru Customer line and was basically told unless it could be collaborated by their mechanics -there was nothing they could do.! Unbelieveable!! Ironic if my safety features are going to get me in an accident!! I am fearful about driving the car as there is no rhyme or reason to the device malfunctioning and slamming on the brakes. I hope you have some information on this to help me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Starlink head unit/infotainment system - system freezes, major system lags, ghost input (buttons pressed without user input), radio cut outs, and delayed system startup and operation). Delay/lag issues are experienced daily and other issues occasionally occur. No warning lamps or messages. I will be bringing the vehicle to the dealership, yet this seems like a common issue with the 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The Eyesight system on my 2023 Subaru Outback will suddenly stop working. It will go out in all conditions, mornings, afternoons and evenings. Sometimes it will go out a a minute or two. Other times it will be out for hours. Since the feature is involved with automatic braking, this poses a safety hazard if there is any kind of driver distraction that occurs, even if it is from an external source like another vehicle. This has been brought to the attention of the local Subaru dealer for a fix. It worked for a period of time and is happening much for frequently now. Many of the other driver monitoring systems in the car have similar issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |