3.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,847 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Subaru Outback accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2011 Subaru Outback Owner Comments

problem #18

Sep 102021

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- Windshield cracks instead of dings (6 separate occasions now) - Cracks across windshield hamper visibility - The minute dings that result in window cracking/failure have been observed by technicians at Safelite and possibly other auto glass repair companies who have replaced the windshield (in the previous 5 replacements) and I have photos of the current window ding/crack. Each time there is a small ding it immediately results in a large crack. - The windshield was inspected by the auto glass repair techs employed by the repair companies suggested by the insurance company. -No warning other than hearing the rock or whatever item that glanced off the windshield.

- Kenmore, WA, USA

problem #17

Mar 212021

Outback

  • 48 miles
The head lights to this vehicle are constantly going out. Sometimes if I hit a bump the light will turn back on. Today I drove nearly fifty miles in the dark with either the high beams on or the lights completely off.

- Stanwood, WA, USA

problem #16

Dec 152019

Outback

  • 120,000 miles
Have had the low beam headlights blown multiple times on my Subaru Outback, 2011, at least 3-4 times each ones, left and right. Don't remember if I received a notification from Subaru or saw it online about the same complaint from many owners and Subaru having a fix for it. Took it to the dealership in 2017 and they replaced the blown bulb and told me that it was a improper contact that caused the issue. Unfortunately, the problem continues. I have replaced the headlights at least 2 times since and have one blown again. Suspect that this is a design issue and needs a through fix. It can cause a dangerous situation if both headlights blow at the same time.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #15

Jan 172020

Outback

  • 117,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving straight at 60 mph on a 4 lane divided highway, sunroof suddenly exploded into hundreds of bits of glass. Fortunately, the shade was closed so no glass came inside the vehicle. No other damage occurred to the vehicle, and I was able to keep the car under full control. This occurred during daytime hours on January 17, 2020. Outside temperature was 37 degrees. No cars were in front of me that may have thrown up any rocks, so there is no apparent cause for this glass failure to occur.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #14

Jun 302018

Outback

  • 99,351 miles
Tamara recall I have had my 2011 Outback for 4 months now and have gone through 3 sets of low beam headlights. Not sure why they keep dying prematurely. I have gotten more expensive bulbs every time and now the $60 bulbs are doing the same thing. I feel there is an electrical issue and I have seen multiple forums describing the same issue from other people with the same year, make, and model.

- Nyack, NY, USA

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problem #13

Apr 042018

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall - also, wiper motor safety recall. I've attempted to work with Subaru to get these two recalls addressed, and made two phone calls in early April, and after being told to wait and be contacted by an approved dealership, there was no follow-up and no appointment set. After several weeks of waiting I contacted Subaru again, this time through email on May 20th, and was again told to wait to be contacted by the closest approved dealership, which is more than 40 miles away in my case. Throughout the process, Subaru has made no attempt to accommodate the distance or time required to perform the repair. Still, I've done as they asked and waited to be contacted by my closest approved dealership (chatham parkway Subaru), and again there was no follow-up. I've been attempting to get these recalls addressed since April 4th, and have grown increasingly frustrated with how difficult its been to get their attention. I do not know if this is the appropriate avenue to file such a complaint, but I'm unsure of exactly what options are available to me at this point. I just want to have two safety recalls repaired.

- Statesboro, GA, USA

problem #12

Jul 022017

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. While driving approximately 65 mph, the moon roof glass independently detached from the vehicle. The contact called the dealer (irvine Subaru, located on 23663 rockfield blvd, lake forest, ca 92630) who confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V467000 (visibility). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #11

May 012017

Outback

  • 34,000 miles
The windshield wiper started working while in the off position, the wiper makes 1 or 2 swipes and then does it again after a few seconds. It makes a "clicking" or buzzing sound in the steering column when it happens. The only way to stop its operation was to pull the 30 a fuse. Very frustrating. There is no apparent reason for this to happen, it just started doing it on it's own.

- Vinton, VA, USA

problem #10

Jan 082017

Outback

  • miles
My headlights have gone out 6 times! the last time I switched to an led system and now it has blown my rf headlight in 6 months! led it supposed to last longer! I definitely have some kind of electrical issue!

- Trooper, PA, USA

problem #9

Aug 012016

Outback 6-cyl

  • miles
Takata recall have had two verbal discussions about replacement parts and one email inquiry, but no reply or response from my local dealership South blvd Subaru charlotte nc after conversation with a salesman I suspect "unsold" vehicles on their lot are receiving replacement parts before customer vehicles.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #8

Dec 142016

Outback

  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle will stall out when the brakes are pressed abruptly and the speed suddenly decreases. This is extremely unsafe. Especially for my pregnant wife to be driving. We bought a Subaru because we thought they were built right and safe. We were wrong.

- Victoria, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 112016

Outback

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V694000 (visibility) and 16V358000 (air bags). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

problem #6

Dec 022016

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall I am concerned about the airbag recall. Our Subaru Outback is our only vehicle, and it is our family vehicle. My pregnant wife is due with our second child and has been sitting in the back seat. However, that child could come any time. She is a high risk pregnancy with a history of premature birth. At 33 weeks, this is the farthest she's ever come along in a pregnancy. If this baby comes, then it means someone in our family will not be able to sit in our car if we all go out together. The airbag recall fix is urgent for us. We can't really wait much longer, unless Subaru wants to rent a larger vehicle for us until the repair can be made. Is there anything that can be done so we can have our Subaru back to it's original intent as a family vehicle asap?

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 142016

Outback

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V694000 (visibility); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Willow, AK, USA

problem #4

Jun 012016

Outback

  • miles
"airbag recall" this recall was in June and Subaru it not taking any appointments to fix the problem.

- Mt Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #3

Sep 032012

Outback

  • 34,000 miles
I have replaced my headlight bulbs 3 times for each headlight and I only have 88,000 miles on my car.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 112015

Outback

  • 125,000 miles
We were coming home from a fireworks display at night and my son told me to turn on my lights which already had done, and the low beams on both sides and the marker lights didn't work. I tried turning switch to all positions and they still didn't come on. The high beams work okay and turn signals front and back & brake lights work. We drove home with the fog lights which still work. We need the car to go on vacation and the dealer can't fix it right away as well as what it will cost there or if I have to have some else fix it. It's definitely a safety issue because the road we drive home on has very little if any lighting and there are twists and turns and you could easily drive into a stone outcropping or into he water at any point. I had my wife and two young nephews with us as well. I checked the lights again to make sure what ones were out, I checked the fuses as well to see if something had blown and they were okay.there have been multiple complaints on this and other websites about the Subaru lights. With all the recalls of every vehicles of every 'description, the whole auto industry is totally out of control and needs to be reigned in, it's a huge safety and overall quality issue not to mention the millions of work hours and time lost by tens of thousands of people having to deal with problem

- Branford, CT, USA

problem #1

Jul 022015

Outback

  • 47,850 miles
The front (windshield) wipers will not shut off. In the off position, they run at a high rate of speed that equates the second highest speed possible. The wipers running on a dry day, a dry windshield is a considerable distraction. It is being reported with many owners online.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

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