How reliable is the Subaru Outback?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Subaru Outback consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. The most commonly reported issues are a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Above average reliability
Based on 1,553 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 92.1%.
Subaru Outback reliability by year
How the Subaru Outback performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 64.8% | – |
| 2005 | 61.9% | – |
| 2006 | 64.5% | – |
| 2007 | 65.1% | – |
| 2008 | 65.3% | – |
| 2009 | 69.9% | – |
| 2010 | 73.9% | – |
| 2011 | 76.1% | – |
| 2012 | 72.8% | – |
| 2013 | 79.3% | – |
| 2014 | 83.8% | – |
| 2015 | 83.8% | – |
| 2016 | 88.7% | – |
| 2017 | 90% | 79,106 km |
| 2018 | 90.7% | 69,007 km |
| 2019 | 92.1% | 65,202 km |
| 2020 | 91.7% | – |
| 2021 | 94.1% | – |
| 2022 | 99.6% | – |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Subaru Outback as a model. The reliability of any individual Subaru Outback also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Subaru Outback reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Subaru Outback consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 92%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Subaru Outback?
The most common owner-reported issues are: a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm (1% of inspections); The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (0.8% of inspections); Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (0.8% of inspections); A tyre seriously damaged (0.7% of inspections); Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (0.6% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Subaru Outback?
For a typical Subaru Outback, owner-reported average mileage works out to about 31,118 km at 3 years, 65,202 km at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Subaru Outback before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.