2026 Subaru Outback: Too new to judge
The 2026 Subaru Outback has been on the road for 13 months, short of the five years we need to rate it. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA so far. That's 0.4× the rate other Outback years drew in their first 13 months, per vehicle sold.
The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the electrical system (29% of complaints).
- Complaint index
- 0.4×
- partial: first 13 months
- Rank
- Not ranked
- rated after five years
- Complaints
- 21
- in 13 months so far
- Recalls
- 0
- campaigns
Photo: 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness · MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Problem areas
Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles- Electrical29% · 6 complaints
- Seats and belts14% · 3 complaints
- Speed control10% · 2 complaints
- Driver assistance24% · 5 complaints
- Powertrain5% · 1 complaints
- Body and structure5% · 1 complaints
- Steering10% · 2 complaints
- Wheels and tires10% · 2 complaints
- Brakes5% · 1 complaints
- Suspension5% · 1 complaints
Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.
Recalls
Check a VIN on NHTSA ›NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2026 Subaru Outback.
A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.
Service bulletins
Subaru sent NHTSA 81 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2026 Outback. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:
- SubaruNet Announcement (T · October 2026This is an update announcement regarding the TechShare & NorthStar Integration - CVT Diag.
- 15-335-25R · October 2026The following information announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 5 Denso CP25 Audio and Navigation head units utilized…
- 15-336-25R · October 2026This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 5 CP25 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed.
- SubaruNet Announcement (S · October 2026This announcement provides information on the connected services platform for Subaru EVs.
- 15-344-26 · October 2026This bulletin provides a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles.
- 15-304-22R · October 2026This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns.
- SubaruNet Announcement (Q · October 2026This announcement provides information on DCM replacememts due to a parasitic draw.
- 18-246-26 · October 2026This Bulletin procedure announces a revised diagnostic procedure for DTC B28A6 INTERNAL STEREO CAMERA COMMUNICATION.
Questions owners ask
- Is the 2026 Subaru Outback reliable?
- The 2026 Subaru Outback has been on the road for 13 months, short of the five years we need to rate it. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA so far. That's 0.4× the rate other Outback years drew in their first 13 months, per vehicle sold. Ratings compare Outback years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
- What are the most common 2026 Outback problems?
- Owners' complaints most often involve the electrical system (29%), the seats and seat belts (14%) and speed control (10%). A complaint can name more than one area.
- Has the 2026 Subaru Outback been recalled?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2026 Subaru Outback.
Sources
Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of November 9, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. The 2026 Subaru Outback on NHTSA.gov · How we rate