NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
This page covers 15 recalls, 649 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Subaru Outback.
20–24 mpg combined
9.8–11.8 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2011 Outback, powertrain complaints make up the largest share of what owners report, with engine oil leaks being the most commonly described issue. Owners frequently mention cam carrier and head gasket leaks, sometimes catching them during routine service and sometimes only after more serious engine trouble develops. CVT transmission complaints also show up regularly, with owners describing hard bucking or jerking on acceleration from a stop, often tied to valve body problems inside the transmission. Exterior lighting is the second-most reported system by volume, though the representative complaints provided don't detail those specifics further. A smaller but notable cluster of owners reports airbag-related concerns. Isolated reports describe brake pedal failure and sudden engine stall, but those don't represent a clear pattern across multiple complaints the way the oil leak and CVT behavior do.
649
Total Complaints
23
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Subaru Outback has 15 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death to occupants.
Multiple recalls cover this same airbag inflator issue across different filing scopes, but the danger is the same in each case. There is also an ignition switch concern on vehicles where a replacement mechanical key switch was installed: a broken spring inside the switch can cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving, and if a crash follows, the airbags may not deploy. On the visibility side, contamination inside the windshield wiper motor can cause it to overheat and stop working, leaving the driver without wipers in poor conditions. The 6-speed manual transmission on certain vehicles lacks a lubrication passage, which can cause the gears to groan and eventually wear prematurely. On manual transmission models, the electronic parking brake may not fully engage, which can allow the vehicle to roll away when parked. Two additional recalls cover accessories: the moonroof glass may not be properly secured and can separate from the vehicle while driving, and vehicles with an Audiovox remote engine starter can start unexpectedly and run unattended for up to 15 minutes.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic parking brake may fail to engage properly, which could allow the vehicle to roll away if the transmission is not in the correct gear when parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electronic parking brake actuator assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Contaminated components in the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If snow or ice buildup prevents the wiper arms from stopping in the parked position, the motor can overheat and the cover may melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The remote engine starter fob may malfunction if dropped, causing it to randomly send an engine start signal without the button being pressed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the remote engine starter fob at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The moonroof glass may not have been properly secured during manufacturing. If it separates from the roof, it could fall and hit other vehicles, objects, or people.
What the fix does
Your dealer will check how the glass is attached and either add more adhesive or replace the moonroof glass entirely.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole in the 6-speed manual transmission was omitted during manufacturing, preventing proper oil circulation inside the transmission.
What the fix does
Dealers will drill the missing lubrication hole and replace internal transmission parts if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
