2011 Subaru Outback Reliability
The 2011 Subaru Outback has 653 owner complaints and 16 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and exterior lighting. Compared with nearby Outback model years (2009–2013), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Outback's typical year, while the 2009 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
653
NHTSA owner complaints
16
Recall campaigns
24
Complaints citing a crash
6
Complaints citing a fire
2011 Subaru Outback complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2010 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 216 | 33% |
| Exterior lighting | 117 | 18% |
| Engine | 85 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 76 | 12% |
| Air bags | 73 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 67 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 39 | 6% |
| Steering | 36 | 6% |
2011 Subaru Outback recalls
16 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V326000 | Jul 20, 2010 | Powertrain / transmission — manual transmission | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from April 28 through June 23, 2010. Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole within the 6-speed manual transmission was omitted. |
| 11V467000 | Sep 7, 2011 | Visibility / wipers — sun/moon roof assembly | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 Outback and legacy vehicles manufactured from August 3, 2010, through July 1, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was… |
| 12V602000 | Dec 26, 2012 | Exterior lighting | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650… |
| 13V061000 | Feb 25, 2013 | Electrical system | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission… |
| 16V358000 | May 25, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in… |
| 16V694000 | Sep 27, 2016 | Visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer / motor | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within… |
| 17V014000 | Jan 10, 2017 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
| 18V012000 | Jan 9, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,… |
| 18V626000 | Sep 13, 2018 | Parking brake | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not… |
| 19V008000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of… |
| 19V007000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,… |
| 19V009000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine,… |
| 19V297000 | Apr 11, 2019 | Electrical system — ignition / switch | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition… |
| 20V002000 | Jan 2, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
| 20V003000 | Jan 2, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
| 20V001000 | Jan 2, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby Outback years
Verdicts compare these Outback model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 112 | 13 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2010 | 360 | 18 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2011 (this page) | 653 | 16 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2012 | 295 | 16 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2013 | 297 | 12 | Engine | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2011 Subaru Outback on the used market
- 80 of 489 2011 Subaru Outback listings in CarWhere's lifespan study showed 200,000 miles or more.
What to check on a used 2011 Subaru Outback
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 16 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 Subaru Outback can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 Subaru Outback reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2011 Subaru Outback has 653 owner complaints and 16 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and exterior lighting. Compared with nearby Outback model years (2009–2013), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Outback's typical year, while the 2009 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2011 Subaru Outback problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Subaru Outback are powertrain / transmission (216), exterior lighting (117), engine (85), service brakes (76). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have recalls?
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2011 Subaru Outback, including 10V326000 (powertrain / transmission — manual transmission) and 11V467000 (visibility / wipers — sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 Subaru Outback compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 360 complaints and 18 recalls (avoid); the 2012 has 295 complaints and 16 recalls (avoid). The 2011 has 653 complaints and 16 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 Subaru Outback?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Subaru Outback research
Other Subaru Outback model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 Outback, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.