The 2025 Subaru Outback is the best and most reliable Outback model year, with the 2023 at #2 and the 2004 at #3. NHTSA lists 82 owner complaints and no recall campaigns for the 2025, versus 813 complaints for the 2018.
813 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Outback; 267 of them list the electrical system
Buyers who want the refreshed fifth generation and its 3.6-liter six still on offer
Pick by what you want
Most reliable
2025 Subaru Outback (BT)
Best refreshed value
2023 Subaru Outback (BT)
Best budget pick
2004 Subaru Outback (BH)
Best third generation
2009 Subaru Outback (BP)
Best fourth generation
2014 Subaru Outback (BR)
Best fifth generation
2015 Subaru Outback (BS)
The ranking
1
2025 Subaru Outback (BT)
Answrs VerdictThe most reliable Outback year.
NHTSA complaints: 82 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 OutbackNHTSA recalls: No recall campaigns listed for the 2025 OutbackPrice when new: $29,995 starting price; Outback Limited from $39,720Standard equipment: EyeSight Driver Assist Technology on every Outback; Limited adds a moonroof, DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, navigation and a heated steering wheel for 2025EPA fuel economy: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg (2.5-liter, CVT)
The 2025 was the last sixth-generation Outback, starting at $29,995 with EyeSight on every trim. NHTSA lists 82 owner complaints and no recall campaigns, and the 2.5-liter is rated 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg.
Go ifUsed buyers who want the last sixth-generation Outback with the fewest NHTSA complaints and no recalls listed
Skip ifYou want the all-new seventh-generation Outback (BU) that followed
Why #1 over #2: NHTSA lists 82 complaints and no recall campaigns for it versus 89 complaints and 2 recall campaigns for the 2023.
2
2023 Subaru Outback (BT)
Answrs VerdictThe first refreshed year.
NHTSA complaints: 89 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 OutbackNHTSA recalls: 2 recall campaigns listed (driveshaft; park/neutral start interlock switch)Price when new: $28,395 (Outback Base); Outback Wilderness $38,4452023 refresh: New front fascia with a more prominent grille and redesigned LED headlights, plus expanded wheel arch cladding (except Wilderness)EPA fuel economy: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg (2.5-liter, CVT)
The 2023 refresh brought a new front fascia, redesigned LED headlights and wider wheel arch cladding. It started at $28,395, and NHTSA lists 89 complaints and 2 recall campaigns.
Go ifBuyers who want the refreshed look and redesigned LED headlights at a lower used price than the 2025
Skip ifYou want zero recall campaigns (the 2025 lists none)
Why #2 over #3: NHTSA lists 89 complaints and 2 recall campaigns for it versus 90 complaints and 11 recall campaigns for the 2004.
3
2004 Subaru Outback (BH)
Photo: Ildar Sagdejev (Specious) / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best budget Outback.
NHTSA complaints: 90 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 OutbackNHTSA recalls: 11 recall campaigns listed, 7 of them for the front passenger air bag inflatorPrice when new: $23,345 (Outback wagon, 5-speed manual); H6-3.0 L.L.Bean Edition $30,295Engines: Second-generation (BH) Outback, sold for the 2000-2004 model years, with a 165 hp 2.5-liter H4 or a 212 hp 3.0-liter H6EPA fuel economy: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg (3.0-liter H6 automatic, from the EPA listing for the Legacy/Outback wagon)
The 2004 is the second-generation (BH) Outback year with the fewest complaints: NHTSA lists 90. It started at $23,345 for the wagon and offered a 165 hp 2.5-liter or a 212 hp 3.0-liter H6; 7 of its 11 recall campaigns cover the front passenger air bag inflator.
Go ifBudget buyers who want the oldest Outback year with the fewest NHTSA complaints
Skip ifYou want a newer car: check that the 7 air bag inflator recalls were done
Why #3 over #4: NHTSA lists 90 complaints for it versus 112 for the 2009.
4
2009 Subaru Outback (BP)
Answrs VerdictThe best third-generation Outback.
NHTSA complaints: 112 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 OutbackNHTSA recalls: 13 recall campaigns listed, 9 of them for the front passenger air bag inflator2008 facelift: Styling revisions for the 2008 model year, most notably an enlarged, chrome-ringed grilleEngines: Third-generation (BP) Outback with a 175 hp 2.5-liter H4, a 243 hp turbocharged 2.5-liter XT or a 245 hp 3.0-liter H6EPA fuel economy: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg (2.5-liter, 4-speed automatic)
The 2009 carries the 2008 facelift and its enlarged, chrome-ringed grille, with a 175 hp 2.5-liter, a 243 hp turbo XT or a 245 hp H6. NHTSA lists 112 complaints and 13 recall campaigns.
Go ifBuyers who want the facelifted third generation, with the turbo XT still offered
Skip ifYou want the bigger fourth generation with its CVT (2010 on)
Why #4 over #5: NHTSA lists 112 complaints for it versus 129 for the 2007.
5
2007 Subaru Outback (BP)
Answrs VerdictThe pre-facelift pick.
NHTSA complaints: 129 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 OutbackNHTSA recalls: 8 recall campaigns listed, 4 of them for the front passenger air bag inflatorAward: In 2007 the Outback won Top Gear's "Car of the Year" awardXT model: The Outback XT used the turbocharged 2.5-liter EJ255 engine from the Impreza WRX, making 243 hp versus 175 hp for the non-turbo 2.5-literEPA fuel economy: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg (2.5-liter, 4-speed automatic)
The 2007 is the last pre-facelift third-generation Outback, the year the Outback won Top Gear's "Car of the Year" award. NHTSA lists 129 complaints and 8 recall campaigns.
Go ifBuyers who want the last pre-facelift third-generation Outback
Skip ifYou want the 2008-2009 facelift look (the 2009 lists 112 complaints)
Why #5 over #6: NHTSA lists 129 complaints for it versus 208 for the 2014.
6
2014 Subaru Outback (BR)
Answrs VerdictThe best fourth-generation Outback.
NHTSA complaints: 208 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 OutbackNHTSA recalls: 10 recall campaigns listed, 6 of them for the front passenger air bag inflatorPrice when new: $23,495 starting price, before an $825 destination chargeEngine: 173-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine that was new for 2013; EyeSight driver assistance offered on more modelsEPA fuel economy: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg (2.5-liter, CVT)
The 2014 kept the 2013 refresh and its 173-horsepower 2.5-liter BOXER, with EyeSight offered on more models. It started at $23,495, and NHTSA lists 208 complaints and 10 recall campaigns.
Go ifBuyers who want the refreshed fourth generation with the newer 2.5-liter engine and EyeSight available
Skip ifYou want the roomier fifth generation (2015 on)
Why #6 over #7: NHTSA lists 208 complaints for it versus 292 for the 2012.
7
2012 Subaru Outback (BR)
Answrs VerdictThe early fourth-generation pick.
NHTSA complaints: 292 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Outback; 107 of them list the power trainNHTSA recalls: 16 recall campaigns listed, 8 of them for the front passenger air bag inflatorEngine: EJ253 2.5-liter SOHC H4 (2010-2012) or 3.6-liter EZ36 H6, with a Lineartronic CVT, 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manualGround clearance: 8.7 inches for the fourth-generation OutbackEPA fuel economy: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg (2.5-liter, CVT)
The 2012 is the early fourth-generation Outback, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a Lineartronic CVT. NHTSA lists 292 complaints, 107 of them for the power train, and 16 recall campaigns.
Go ifThe lowest-cost way into the bigger fourth-generation Outback
Skip ifYou want the 2013-2014 refresh and its new engine (the 2014 lists 208 complaints)
Why #7 over #8: NHTSA lists 292 complaints for it versus 296 for the 2021.
8
2021 Subaru Outback (BT)
Answrs VerdictThe value sixth-generation pick.
NHTSA complaints: 296 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 OutbackNHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed (shift linkage; transmission control module; park/neutral start interlock switch; front passenger occupant classification sensor)Price when new: $26,795 (Outback Base), only a $150 increase over the previous yearNew for 2021: Steering Responsive LED Headlights standard across all trim levels, plus front and rear passenger seat belt remindersEPA fuel economy: 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg (2.5-liter, CVT)
The 2021 started at $26,795 and made Steering Responsive LED Headlights standard on every trim. Its 2.5-liter is rated 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg; NHTSA lists 296 complaints and 4 recall campaigns.
Go ifBuyers who want the sixth generation at an early-year price, with the best EPA highway rating here
Skip ifYou want fewer complaints in the same generation (the 2023 lists 89)
Why #8 over #9: NHTSA lists 296 complaints for it versus 509 for the 2015.
9
2015 Subaru Outback (BS)
Answrs VerdictThe best fifth-generation Outback.
NHTSA complaints: 509 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 OutbackNHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listedPrice when new: $24,895 (Outback 2.5i); 2.5i Limited from $29,995All-new design: Bolder design for the roomiest, most capable Outback yet, with the Lineartronic CVT standard on all modelsEPA fuel economy: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg (2.5-liter, CVT)
The all-new 2015 started at $24,895 with the Lineartronic CVT standard on all models. NHTSA lists 509 complaints and 5 recall campaigns, the fewest complaints of the fifth generation here.
Go ifBuyers who want the fifth generation with the fewest NHTSA complaints
Skip ifYou want the 2018 refresh look and cabin
Why #9 over #10: NHTSA lists 509 complaints for it versus 813 for the 2018.
NHTSA complaints: 813 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Outback; 267 of them list the electrical systemNHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listedPrice when new: $25,895 starting MSRP, plus $915 destination and delivery; Outback 3.6R Limited $35,3952018 refresh: New headlights and door mirrors with improved aerodynamics and reduced wind noise; Limited from $32,695 with new 18-inch alloy wheelsEPA fuel economy: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg (2.5-liter, CVT)
The 2018 refresh added new headlights and door mirrors for less wind noise, from $25,895. NHTSA lists 813 complaints, 267 of them for the electrical system, and 3 recall campaigns.
Go ifBuyers who want the refreshed fifth generation and its 3.6-liter six still on offer
Skip ifYou want fewer complaints (the 2015 lists 509)
How we ranked these
We ranked Outback model years on what they give a used buyer today: NHTSA owner complaint and recall counts first, then price, power and EPA fuel economy, using NHTSA, fueleconomy.gov, Subaru of America press releases and Wikipedia. We kept at least one pick from each US generation (BH, BP, BR, BS and BT), so the 2003 is covered in the FAQ. Generation codes follow the Wikipedia record. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the most reliable Subaru Outback year?
By NHTSA records, the 2025 Outback: NHTSA lists 82 owner complaints and no recall campaigns for it. The 2023 lists 89 complaints and 2 recall campaigns.
Which Subaru Outback years should you avoid?
Be most careful with the 2019: NHTSA lists 1,035 owner complaints for the 2019 Outback, 364 of them for the electrical system. Check any used Outback for open recalls by VIN.
What are the Subaru Outback generations?
The Outback generations run BH (model years 2000-2004), BP (through 2009, facelifted for 2008), BR (2010-2014, refreshed for 2013), BS (2015-2019, facelifted for 2018) and BT (2020-2025, refreshed for 2023), followed by the seventh-generation BU.
Which Outback years had air bag inflator recalls?
Many older Outbacks did: NHTSA lists 7 front passenger air bag inflator campaigns for the 2004, 9 for the 2009 and 8 for the 2012. Confirm the work was done before you buy.
NHTSA complaints by model year (as listed) at a glance
2025 Subaru Outback (BT)82 complaints
2023 Subaru Outback (BT)89 complaints
2004 Subaru Outback (BH)90 complaints
2009 Subaru Outback (BP)112 complaints
2007 Subaru Outback (BP)129 complaints
2014 Subaru Outback (BR)208 complaints
2012 Subaru Outback (BR)292 complaints
2021 Subaru Outback (BT)296 complaints
2015 Subaru Outback (BS)509 complaints
2018 Subaru Outback (BS)813 complaints
NHTSA complaints by model year (as listed), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
