Owners have reported 7 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 Subaru Outback. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving the Starlink infotainment system and the Eyesight driver assistance feature. Complaints commonly mention system freezes, unexpected restarts, and unresponsiveness, impacting critical functions like adaptive cruise control and collision warnings. Starlink-related problems are noted even at low mileages, around 2,200 miles, and some owners experience persistent issues despite multiple dealer visits. Safety implications are highlighted by reports of unintended acceleration, failure of the pre-collision system, and a crash involving a fire, suggesting potential risks in certain scenarios. Buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical issues, especially those affecting safety features.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report that the 2023 Subaru Outback frequently experiences windshield cracking, often from minor impacts with small stones or without any noticeable impact. Complaints commonly describe cracks forming and spreading over time, with some owners needing multiple windshield replacements within the first year of ownership. Several reports suggest issues with the windshield's fragility, mentioning spontaneous cracks and difficulty repairing them. One complaint also notes visibility problems due to windshield glare in sunlight. These issues typically arise within the first few months of ownership or under 3,000 miles, with some owners expressing concern over the cost and quality of replacement windshields. Safety implications include potential visibility hazards from cracks at eye level and glare, though no accidents are reported.
Owner complaints14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Subaru Outback, with a notable frequency of windshield fragility leading to cracks from minor impacts, even at low mileages. Complaints frequently mention spontaneous shattering of the sunroof, sometimes while driving, which poses a potential safety risk. Another common issue involves the wireless charging pad, which overheats phones, sometimes causing the screen console to malfunction. Additionally, some owners describe problems with the Starlink emergency services failing to activate during accidents, which has safety implications. These patterns suggest potential concerns for buyers regarding glass durability and electronic reliability, particularly in newer vehicles.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints11
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report issues with the 2023 Subaru Outback's forward collision avoidance systems, with multiple complaints about the automatic emergency braking engaging unexpectedly. Common symptoms include sudden and abrupt stops without warning, often while using cruise control or when no obstacles are present. These incidents typically occur at various speeds, from slow speeds pulling into driveways or parking spaces to highway speeds, with some reports as early as 800 miles. One complaint involves a crash where the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly, resulting in damage but no injuries. Several owners also mention the EyeSight system disabling itself frequently, citing instances of the system shutting off during normal driving conditions. These issues suggest potential safety implications, such as the risk of rear-end collisions or loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the vehicle's exterior lighting, particularly concerning the adaptive headlights. Common symptoms include the appearance of moving rectangular shadows that distract drivers by resembling animals crossing the road, and a limited field of vision due to a pronounced cutoff line, especially noticeable on low beams. Some owners also mention that the automatic high beams are overly sensitive to ambient light, hindering their functionality. These issues are typically observed shortly after purchase, with no specific mileage pattern evident. Safety implications are noted, as the distractions and limited visibility could potentially affect driving safety, particularly in low-light or rural environments.
Owner complaints4
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Outback report issues related to unintended acceleration and power loss, with one incident leading to a crash and injury. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle jerking or stalling when approaching a stop, with some attributing this to the torque converter. One owner describes a loss of power when driving downhill, which temporarily resolves after restarting the engine. These issues are noted across vehicles with mileage ranging from 6,700 to 10,000 miles. Safety implications include a crash due to unintended acceleration, highlighting potential risks for buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Outback report issues with the vehicle's liftgate and hood release mechanisms. Complaints frequently mention the liftgate opening independently, with one incident resulting in injuries when the hatchback opened unexpectedly, causing two individuals to fall. This issue is noted at mileages around 1,700 and 23,000. Additionally, there is a report of the hood release mechanism activating at highway speeds, causing the hood to lift several inches, though it did not open fully. These issues have safety implications, including potential injuries and the need for immediate vehicle control measures.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints3
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Outback report issues with the service brakes, with two complaints involving crashes. The most common issue involves the brake pedal losing resistance and failing to engage, even when pressed fully, leading to a lack of stopping power and resulting in a collision. Another issue involves the precollision braking system activating unnecessarily, causing the vehicle to brake without obstacles present, which has led to near rear-end collisions. These problems are reported at varying mileages, with one specific incident occurring at approximately 268,000 miles. The safety implications include potential crashes due to unexpected braking system failures or false activations, which buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Outback report issues related to steering and electrical systems. One complaint describes intermittent failure of the Subaru Eyesight system, affecting cruise control and automatic braking functions. Another owner reports a dead battery that, after being jump-started, led to jittery steering and unintended vehicle movement despite the brake being applied. This issue has been confirmed by a dealership, though the root cause was not identified. These problems appear to occur early in the vehicle's lifespan, as evidenced by the mention of a "brand-new car." Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control, particularly concerning if the vehicle is driven in remote areas.
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners report issues with the airbag system in the 2023 Subaru Outback, primarily involving the passenger side. Complaints frequently mention the passenger side a-pillar trim coming loose, which exposes the airbag mechanism, and suggest improper factory installation as a possible cause. Another issue described is the passenger airbag being incorrectly indicated as "OFF" despite an adult being present, with the vehicle being less than a week old at the time of reporting. These issues could have safety implications, particularly if the airbag fails to deploy correctly during a crash. Buyers should be aware of these potential airbag concerns when considering a used 2023 Subaru Outback.
