2011 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 857 complaints about the 2011 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 25.2% of them — the clear leader, ahead of exterior lighting at 13.7%.
Complaints857
Crashes36
Fires11
Injuries12
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 25.2% · 216
Exterior lighting 13.7% · 117
Engine 9.9% · 85
Air bags 8.6% · 74
Electrical system 7.8% · 67
Service brakes 7.8% · 67
Unknown or other 4.4% · 38
Steering 4.3% · 37
Severity
Of those complaints, 36 describe a crash, 11 describe a fire and 12 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 28 model years of the Subaru Outback in this data, 2011 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2019 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 37 in the last three years against 121 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,750 miles.
In owners' own words
As I was driving my car it began to shudder. The lights on my dash turned on (engine, traction, oil, and break). I was in the middle of the road in ongoing traffic. The car behind me was able to swerve around in time. Cautiously, I was able to take the car to a mechanic. The valve body on the car needed to be replaced. This is typical for this year of Subaru. The dealer verified the issue and quoted me on the price. Power train
My mechanic tells me my Outback's K frame/engine cradle is rotting out where the control arms are attached. This is obviously a common problem with this run of vehicles, and leads to catastrophic failure. Further, the rear brake lines have rotted, and the geniuses ran them above the fuel tank, which would have to be dropped in order to repair. I believe this is a common enough problem to warrant investigation. Power train
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the reverse position without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. ...Updated 03/08/17 *bf Power train · reported at 40,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…