2023 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability

124 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2023 Subaru Outback, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 12/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Driver assistance leads the reports.

124Complaints
12/100Trouble index
2Recalls

Typical

Where 2023 sits among all Outback years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Driver assistance 37 complaints (30%)
“My entire infotainment system, including the "EyeSight" sensors regularly shut off, or won't turn on upon vehicle start. Happens to the radio and other parts of the infotainment system too. It's been happening since about September 2023. I purchased the car in March 2023.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2023 Outback
Electrical 24 complaints (19%)
Visibility & wipers 19 complaints (15%)
Other 16 complaints (13%)
Brakes & stability 6 complaints (5%)
Transmission & drivetrain 4 complaints (3%)

Recalls (2)

POWER TRAIN 23V755000 2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for…

POWER TRAIN 23V647000 2023

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.

Fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact…

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2022peak 65 in 20232026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2023 Subaru Outback reliable?

The 2023 Subaru Outback drew 124 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 12/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).

What are the most common 2023 Subaru Outback problems?

The top reported problems for the 2023 Subaru Outback are driver assistance (37 complaints), electrical (24), and visibility & wipers (19).

Does the 2023 Subaru Outback have recalls?

2 recall campaigns apply to the 2023 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-12 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.