2023 Subaru Outback recalls & problems

2 recalls 89 complaints

2recalls
89owner complaints
8crashes reported
1fires reported
5 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2023 Subaru Outback and 89 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is forward collision avoidance (36 reports), followed by electrical system (18). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2023 Subaru Outback recalls

Power Train · NHTSA 23V755000 · Nov 9, 2023

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 this recall is WRQ-23.

95,830 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Power Train · NHTSA 23V647000 · Sep 21, 2023

Problem: 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.

Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.

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 Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.

4,311 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2023 Subaru Outback problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Forward Collision Avoidance 36
510
Electrical System 18
110
Visibility/Wiper 16
000
Unknown or Other 15
100
Service Brakes 7
301
Exterior Lighting 6
000
Power Train 5
101
Latches/Locks/Linkages 3
002
Vehicle Speed Control 3
200
Visibility 3
000
Lane Departure 2
000
Air Bags 2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 2
211
Steering 2
000
Structure 2
000
Tires 2
000
Seats 1
000
Engine 1
100
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness 1
000

Latest owner complaints

Lane Departure · Sep 2, 2026 · CO

While driving on the highway I had my cruise control on with my driving assist turned on. My car tried to veer to the left, hard, almost into the guardrail. It had happened before but not as severe as this time. Going highway speed, I was lucky enough no one was next to me. Someone could have got seriously injured!

Service Brakes · Aug 20, 2026 · MO

Driving at speeds around 40 and when braking to turn, the brakes jerk and feel like they are not engaging properly. It has happened to a different driver, twice both times on a 90 degree day, a few minutes after the vehicle had been started and the air conditioner was running on high. After this happened we Googled the issue to see what the problem could be. The Google search…

Power Train · Aug 20, 2026 · MO

Driving at speeds around 40 and when braking to turn, the brakes jerk and feel like they are not engaging properly. It has happened to a different driver, twice both times on a 90 degree day, a few minutes after the vehicle had been started and the air conditioner was running on high. After this happened we Googled the issue to see what the problem could be. The Google search…

Forward Collision Avoidance · Aug 3, 2026 · WI

Phantom Braking of Pre-Collision Braking 2023 Subaru Outback Turbo Wednesday, July 29, 2026. 9:30 am, sunny day Driving south on local city street. Brakes slammed on, car stopped, flashing yellow lights on left Combination Meter stating that Pre-Collision Braking was activated. There was no vehicle/obstacle/animal in the road. No parked cars, no cars backing out of a driveway.…

Tires · Jul 30, 2026 · OR

The original equipment Yokohama Avid GT tires experienced rapid, catastrophic structural degradation (extreme inner-edge wear and chunking of the exterior edge over ~7,000 mi.). I have photos of the tires, and Carr Subaru (Beaverton, OR) has one of the tires available for inspection. I am the original owner of this vehicle. It has been regularly serviced at the appropriate…

Electrical System · Jul 8, 2026 · FL

The Advanced Driver Assistance System (EyeSight/Automatic Emergency Braking), the Service Brakes, and the Central Electrical System malfunctioned. The vehicle is currently held at an authorized dealership and is available for inspection.On Monday, June 22, 2026, at approximately 4:47 PM, while traveling at highway speeds on I-295 South under clear weather conditions, the…

Forward Collision Avoidance · Jul 8, 2026 · FL

The Advanced Driver Assistance System (EyeSight/Automatic Emergency Braking), the Service Brakes, and the Central Electrical System malfunctioned. The vehicle is currently held at an authorized dealership and is available for inspection.On Monday, June 22, 2026, at approximately 4:47 PM, while traveling at highway speeds on I-295 South under clear weather conditions, the…

Forward Collision Avoidance · Jul 8, 2026 · FL

The Advanced Driver Assistance System (EyeSight/Automatic Emergency Braking), the Service Brakes, and the Central Electrical System malfunctioned. The vehicle is currently held at an authorized dealership and is available for inspection.On Monday, June 22, 2026, at approximately 4:47 PM, while traveling at highway speeds on I-295 South under clear weather conditions, the…

Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 15, 2026 · 20,300 miles · FL · crash

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. While turning into a parking spot, the accelerator pedal was slightly depressed, and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, crashing into a parked vehicle on the driver's side. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to move forward after the crash into the next parking spot. No warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of…

Electrical System · Dec 3, 2025 · UT

Recently, in my 2023 Subaru Outback, I have been having pop-up ads for SirusXM take over my infotainment screen. The ad appears in the center, does not allow the user to interact with the screen - including air conditioning control and traction control selection - and will not go away until I acknowledge the ad. It has appeared when I start the vehicle and while I am driving.…

Unknown or Other · Nov 20, 2025 · TX

I have had no working SOS safety button in case of a crash despite having a 3 year plan. This started after a Starlink update failed to load to this date. I took it to the dealer and my software was found to be up to date and I was told not a Subaru problem for months. I wrote to Subura America and told not to take the car in as no fix but any day but never came. I am to renew…

Latches/Locks/Linkages · Nov 20, 2025 · 23,000 miles · ME · 2 injured

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while walking around the vehicle attempting to put her husband in the passenger seat, the hatchback opened independently, and they both got pushed independently from the vehicle on the ground from the impact. The contact mentioned by the standers came out of the office to check on them and called 911 immediately.…

Other Subaru Outback years

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2023 Subaru Outback, the most recent one (23V755000) for power train. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Outback?

Based on 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are forward collision avoidance (36), electrical system (18), visibility/wiper (16).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2023 Subaru Outback?

Owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.