Complaint volume
4 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
4 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2026 Subaru Outback, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
4 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
The most common categories are electrical system, electrical system,unknown or other, seat belts. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
The enriched records we matched do not show crash, fire, injury, or fatality flags. Still check complaint summaries for repeated drivability, braking, electrical, or visibility symptoms.
Mileage-at-failure is not available for enough matched complaints here. Ask for maintenance records and inspect wear items instead of relying only on complaint totals.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
4 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | SEAT BELTS | The seatbelts in the back row when uses occasionally lock up, when driver is not hitting the breaks and it let go, then as you try to loosen the seat belt it, it retracts more and more tightening more and more to the point that it feels like there is a rope going through your neck, the only way to make seat belt loosen is to completely take it off let it fully go back to place then put it back on again. This is an intermittent issue and it does not happen every time. But it does happen often enough that once my back seat passengers had to ride without seatbelts because of it | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | HVAC system heating to dangerous levels and still radiating heat into the cabin even after HVAC system was turned off. To mitigate, direction was changed to feet. Temperatures of over 100 degrees F were observed for sustained periods. Issue is intermittent, however it was reproduced consistently when it was cold outside (cold being cooler than 55 degrees F). I set the temperature to 65 degrees F with the AC on and recirculate, however it didn't make a difference. When this bug happens, it puts out a lot of heat and the only way to get it to cool is to drop it to the lowest cool setting ~60 degrees. I took it in 3 times to the dealer and they said they were unable to reproduce the issue, and while it has been intermittent, I was able to frequently reproduce the issue when it was cold outside, including yesterday, 04/19/26. It does not appear to happen when it's warm outside, although it hasn't been consistently warm to be able to conclude that at this point. What is certain is that the system does not appear to be functioning as designed (which is what both the dealer and Subaru of America (SoA) claim, SoA just restating the dealer's comments). Both LaFontaine Subaru of Commerce Township, Michigan and Subaru of America have at this point ignored the issue despite me bringing it up consistently. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I bought my 2026 Subaru Outback 3/20/2026, I plugged in my FIXD sensor into the OBDII port of my new car and there was nothing available. I made an appointment with Austin Subaru to check why the OBDII port was not working and my assigned rep told me that they were having issues with all of their 2026 Subaru Outbacks, I signed in for my appointment on my arrival 4/7/2026 and the following day I was notified that I had missed my appointment. I called the Rep. and requested a call back but that did not happen. I was at the dealership no more than 15 to 20 minutes while they tried their equipment and I was told that it was not working and that I should come back at a later time. I think that they might be hiding something. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | TIRES | I bought a new 2026 Subaru Outback Limited XT which came with Bridgestone ECOPIA H/L 422 Plus 225/55R19 99H. Went on a trip and noticed when going 60mph and above a low humming noise and felt a vibration in the steering wheel and floor. This happens on all road surfaces, concrete, blacktop etc. Took car to the dealer, they drove it and confirmed what I was noticing, after doing a road force balance they said all (4) tires were "quote" way out of spec. They did what they could to help with the vibration, they said it's better but after driving it home it's not better by much. The service rep said this was becoming a common complaint with these Bridgestone tires. They told me Subaru is a where of the problem and they were expecting to see a TSB in the coming weeks. It's been almost a month now and no word yet about what Subaru is going to do about this issue | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |