Complaint volume
56 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
2025 Subaru Outback Complaints
56 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2025 Subaru Outback, grouped by component category.
56 Total complaints
4 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
0 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 unknown or other, air bags, electrical system. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 4 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 7 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 2,988 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to unknown or other, air bags, electrical system?
- 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 2025 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.
2025 Subaru Outback
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2025 Subaru Outback complaints?
4 Crash
0 Fire
0 Injury
0 Fatality
1 Towed
1 Medical attention
What are the most common 2025 Subaru Outback complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11
AIR BAGS 4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3
VISIBILITY/WIPER 3
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2
SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2
BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1
56 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels skidded and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicles behind the contact's vehicle had to drive around the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 16,000 |
| Apr 2026 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | April 3, 2026: my 2025 Subaru Outback Premium (VIN [XXX] , 2,052 miles) suffered simultaneous failure of multiple safety-critical systems due to corrosion on a CAN bus pin in the driver door wiring harness (Subaru part #XXX) at its dash harness connection, caused by water intrusion into the cabin. Trip start: EyeSight, collision avoidance, blind spot, and lane assist all offline; BRAKE indicator illuminated with no brake engagement. Minutes later, airbag warning activated. Dealer service advisor described the dash as "lit up like a Christmas tree." While reversing through a 3-point turn on a commercial drive used by heavy trucks, I LOST STEERING at single-digit speed. 60 seconds further would have placed me on an inclined high-traffic road near a freeway interchange. Vehicle was towed by Subaru from the failure location. Confirmed by authorized dealer Driveway Subaru of Moon Township (Invoice #680646, warranty claim). Subaru SSM4 scan recorded 17 unique DTCs across 10 control systems, including C1460 Brake Booster Abnormality; U1131 Lost Comm Power Steering Control Module; U0151 Restraints Control Module; U0122/U1122 VDC; U0126 Steering Angle Sensor; plus multiple EyeSight faults. Dealer documented moisture on both A-pillars, driver kick panel, standing water in cupholders and center console. Prior intermittent symptom: passenger seatbelt alarm on empty seat, two occasions in prior months, consistent with past-status U0151 on scan. Dealer cleaned the corroded pin but did NOT identify or seal the original water ingress point. Vehicle remains in dealer possession. Subaru of America Customer Advocacy Case #XXX-XXXhas declined repurchase/replacement, stating vehicle is "operating safely as designed." I dispute this conclusion: the ingress source is unremediated and recurrence risk has not been addressed. Repair invoice, full DTC scan, SOA correspondence, and owner statement available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Traveling southbound onXXX in Virginia between the hours of 7-9am. Weather was clear with bright sunshine. While traveling at highway speed with the cruise control activated the emergency braking system activated on 3 separate occasions. Traffic was heavy but moving at a steady speed. I suspect the angle of the sun and the sunlight intensity caused the inadvertent activation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Crash avoidance Collision system randomly goes off with no cars in front or behind it. This is extremely dangerous as it will make the car stop on its own. Lane departure does not activate until completely over center line. Another big safety issue. This is a loaner car from Carter Subaru in Shoreline WA. My car is in their shop for exact same reasons and more issues. Obviously this is a systemic problem with the new Subaru’s. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | This concerns my 2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT- with a turbo charges engine and standardd CVT transmission. When I get to street speed and brake to slow down, as the car slows and the tach decreases to 1000 rpm /- a bit, the car shows an obvious power surge that can be felt through the accelerator and brake pedal and can be clearly seen on the tach as a jump to about 1100 rpm . I had the first oil change done at 2500 miles or so at the dealership and asked them to see what it was. The electronic system diagnostic monitor they plugged the car into showed NO issues. But, the technician doing the work could feel the same thing. The dealership had just received a new car with same features as mine, so they got in it, and the same thing happened. I was simply told that was the way the care was. I really doubt it. I will be having another oil change soon, perhaps this Saturday, and will ask them to put it on the diagnostic monitor again and see, but this can be a little unnerving. This is a continual and ongoing issue. There is NO one specific date as requested below. So, I am just showing 1-1-26 to fill the blank. Thank You [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driving on highway and moon roof exploded. Have nonindication of a projectile hitting glass. Did not see any cracks | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 2025 Subaru Outback onyx edition purchased 3/2025. Approximate mileage at time of incident 7000. On 2/10/25 around 6am car is remotely started with Subaru app from iPhone on flat gravel surface. Car was in park. Go out car not there moved almost a car length down a hill left turn then over an embankment into a ditch where it finally rested still running in park when found it. Why or how is this possible when done this before no issues. Took to dealership checked visible damage snapped bumper back in get hood and grill shutters checked by body shop. Stating no malfunction and said safe to drive until we did that. One week later the car is started and all sorts of lights appear on dash took back to dealer additional problems found in front end and underneath. Told us we could still continue to drive it with lower core support damaged. Why did lights come on week later no airbags deployed when hit ditch. No notification or contact on app when crash happened and how was the steering affected when vehicle was in park. So many questions no definite answers yet? Definitely a major safety concern. Left with new vehicle damage at this mileage and we feel we are not at fault | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Vehicle Has a chip in the front windshield, its only 4 month old. Subaru made front windshields that cracked very easy, I have a crack an dit sgoingt ocause serious safety concerns if they dont fix it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | SUSPENSION | The vehicle experiences a recurring rhythmic clunking or rattling noise from the lower front suspension area when turning right over uneven road surfaces. This condition is consistently reproducible and appears to involve the front suspension system, potentially including control arms, bushings, sway bar links, or strut-related components. No warning lamps or dashboard messages have illuminated. The noise raises concerns regarding suspension integrity, steering stability, and vehicle handling during turns, which may pose a safety risk if the condition worsens or results in component failure. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealer, who acknowledged the presence of similar suspension noise during evaluation; however, no corrective repair has been performed. The vehicle and all components remain available for inspection upon request. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1.) Eyesight constantly turns off on a whim. No reason or rhyme to it but just turns off. Meaning none of my "safety" systems (lane departure, crash avoidance, emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, collision warnings, collision braking) are functioning. Then it turns on when it decides it wants to turns back on after awhile but will happen in the middle of a 30+mile drive. When has this happened? Intermittently since I've purchased the car 11/23/2024. It's happened at least a dozen or more times. Dealership says nothing is wrong with car and they cannot replicate issue. This is just one of many issues with the new Subaru. Others are auto start stop does not function as it should per the User Manual. 12/4/2024 Passenger outside mirror does not defrost as stated it should in User Manual. 12/4/2024 Mileage for the Wilderness edition rarely hits minimum estimated MPG. constant | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1.) Lane departure is not operating until way over the line on right side of vehicle. 2.) Collision Warning is going off regularly with no cars in front or behind. Randomly goes off. This makes it impossible to use the Automatic Emergency Braking feature if it went off in the middle of the freeway which would cause a wreck. 3.) Blind Spot warning goes off on driver side when there is no car there. 4.) Eyesight constantly turns off randomly meaning absolutely none of this "safe" driving stuff is working anyways. All of these items make this car very unsafe to drive and makes me wonder why I paid for them. It creates incredible stress and sometimes panic especially when the Collision Warning goes off for no reason. Yet my dealership denies any issue I've brought to them in the past but they magically get fixed and I'm referring to previous issues not the ones mentioned above. Yet after going through many of the service bulletins on your Website, my dealership has not notified me of any of these except the CCU update. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE | My front windshield started to crack. Nothing hit it, It looks like a smal; stress crack. When I bought th ecar Subaru assured me they fixed the windshield cracking lawsuit issue. Well, it started cracking. The dealer denied even they had lawsuit for the front windshield. And the ywill not fix this windshield. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | We are having issues with the RAB, lane departure, collision assistance and other warning lights just randomly coming on. We put it to the dealer and they said it was a problem with a dead fob. They returned it to us and the first day back on the road it did it again. When it left the dealer after being "fixed" before it had 14625 miles on it. I also have a picture of when we were going 71 miles per hour when it cur out. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | EQUIPMENT | The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while using the original wireless charger and the cellular device would overheat. The contact was concerned that the wireless charger overheating could potentially cause a fire. The contact researched on Google and retrieved information about the dangers of using a wireless charger. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the wireless charger, and the contact was informed that the charger was working as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the wireless charger was working as designed. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Jan 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | While driving, the head unit, which gives you access to many of the safety features like auto braking etc, blanks out and goes completely dark. It happens without notice and is random in nature. On this particular vehicle it has happened at least four times. It does come back on but it is not immediate and the amount of time that it is out is variable. This can happen regardless of where you are driving and is very concerning because when the head unit is dark and not working you lose control over a lot of the important functions in the vehicle and it makes you doubt whether those systems are working properly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The Driver Monitoring System option is not available on the screen. It appears that map responds to my mental questions only when I’m driving, which leads to distracted driving. I can not document this phenomenon. The Drive Monitoring System would prevent this distraction. The photo of manual documents the feature exists. The screen photo does not list the feature. I have reported that electronic devices have been hacked to the FBI. There are several other undocumentable changes in the display. I have scheduled an appointment with my doctor to discuss my mental health. The Subaru sales rep has been notified. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The infotainment system, which includes control of driving features, displayed pop-up ads for SiriusXM satellite radio while in motion, obscuring other information How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Unwanted and distracting information obscured control of vehicle functions while in motion Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, dealers are widely aware this is happening Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my Subaru vehicle’s infotainment system. The system displays unsolicited, full-screen SiriusXM promotional pop-ups while the vehicle is in motion. These ads override the current display without warning. Most recently, a SiriusXM trial offer appeared and took over my entire screen while I was driving over 60 mph on the highway at night. The sudden change in brightness and the complete obstruction of the display were extremely distracting. It required my attention to dismiss, creating a dangerous situation at high speed. This is not a one-time occurrence. These ads have appeared multiple times, and I have no option to permanently disable them. I did not consent to advertising in my vehicle, much less advertising that interrupts the display while driving. A vehicle’s infotainment system should never display promotional content that interferes with safe operation, especially while in motion. This behavior poses a clear distraction risk and compromises driver safety. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this issue, as manufacturers should not be pushing advertisements that override critical vehicle interfaces during active driving. Thank you for your attention to this matter. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | unprompted intermittently while operating the vehicle pop up advertisements will appear on the infotainment system advertising sirius xm radio. this is very distracting as it requires focus to be taken off of the road to bypass the ad to return to normal radio screen functions | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving, the vehicle's infotainment system becomes unusable due to a pop-up ad for Sirius XM satellite radio. All vehicle settings, including safety settings, automatic braking, and other driving assistance settings, are all controlled by the vehicle's infotainment display. Additionally, the infotainment unit displays maps and navigation tools that assist the driver. I believe it is a safety defect to have these pop-up messages display while operating the vehicle because it prevents the driver from accessing the controls through the infotainment display without first interacting with the advertisement. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I am writing to report a serious safety issue with the satellite radio service in my vehicle. Recently, advertisements have been automatically taking over my infotainment screen while I'm driving, overriding whatever I am doing and forcing me to interact with the system to dismiss the ad. This behavior is dangerous and distracting. Any unexpected visual takeover of the screen draws my attention away from the road, even if only for a moment. Having to locate and press a "close" or "cancel" button while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of an accident. An infotainment system should never interrupt normal driving functions or demand driver interaction for ads. I am requesting that this forced advertising behavior be disabled immediately, or that an option be provided to permanently opt out. Ads should never override or block vehicle controls, navigation, or audio functions while the car is in motion. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | See attached document for complaint. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield made a very loud bang noise as if something hit it but nothing was observed to hit. After arriving home, I inspected the windshield and discovered a 4 inch straight hairline horizontal crack with no sign of debris impact (no chip, scratch, etc). Safelite inspected it and says it is a stress crack, not caused by debris impact. After doing some research, apparently Subaru has a long history (10+ years) of poor glass quality to include a settled class-action lawsuit, and has not fixed the glass-quality problem. This is a safety issue because sudden glass cracking while driving can be a huge distraction to the driver, reduces structural integrity of the windshield, can impair forward visibility, and in severe cases could lead to shattering with glass fragmenting into vehicle. Loss of vehicle control could result with this issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate the road ahead while going uphill or downhill. The contact had to activate the high beam headlights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71. | Crash: No Fire: No | 71 |
| Oct 2025 | ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - HIGHWAY SAFETY HAZARD 10/23/2025: While driving 2025 Outback (11K miles) at highway speed on I-485 Charlotte, complete electrical system failure occurred without warning. ALL dashboard lights illuminated, COMPLETE LOSS of power steering (steering extremely heavy/difficult to control), all safety systems failed (ABS, brake sensors, traction control). SAFETY DANGER: Sudden power steering loss at 65mph made vehicle nearly uncontrollable. Required extreme force to steer to shoulder. Could have caused fatal crash during emergency maneuver or in traffic. IMPROPER WARRANTY DENIAL: Dealer claimed "cut wire" was "outside influence" but provided NO evidence how wire became accessible on properly designed vehicle. No photos, forensics, or proof. Vehicle never modified/damaged, only normal highway use. PATTERN DEFECT - SUBARU OUTBACK ELECTRICAL FAILURES: - 2020 Outback: 873 NHTSA complaints, electrical failures, battery drain, module failures - 2017 Outback: 893 complaints, "Do Not Drive" warning, steering control loss - NHTSA 23V-551: 35,357 Subarus recalled for wiring harness "insufficient clearance" causing wire damage, short circuits, power loss - 2019-22 Ascent: 271,694 recalled for electrical overheating from improper wiring COMMON DEFECT: Improper wire routing, inadequate protection, vulnerable placement - DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECTS not owner damage. CONCERN: If critical wire accessible to damage after only 11K miles normal driving, this is design deficiency. Properly engineered vehicles protect wiring from road debris, vibration, weather. REQUEST: Investigate 2025 Outback electrical/wiring design. Review for pattern failures. Determine if recall warranted. Complete power steering loss on highway is life-threatening defect. Vehicle: New 2025, maintained per schedule, no modifications/accidents. Subaru denying valid warranty claims by falsely claiming "outside influence" without proof. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |