Subaru Problems and Recalls by Model
Owner complaints and safety recalls from NHTSA for 2 popular Subaru models, 2008–2024 – and which problems a mobile mechanic can fix in your driveway.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
Subaru models side by side
Complaints depend on how many were sold, so compare the pattern, not the raw numbers.
| Model | Complaints | Recalls | Year with most | Most named system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback | 7,905 | 55 | 2019 | Electrical system |
| Forester | 5,170 | 34 | 2019 | Wipers, windows and mirrors |
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
What Subaru owners report most
| System | Complaints | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers, windows and mirrors | 3,233 | Often in the driveway |
| Electrical system | 2,866 | Often in the driveway |
| Engine | 1,380 | Diagnose first |
| Airbags | 1,198 | Dealer or recall |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 1,160 | Usually a shop |
| Brakes | 678 | Usually on the spot |
| Throttle and cruise control | 642 | Diagnose first |
| Driver-assist systems | 640 | Dealer or recall |
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
More makes
Need a mechanic for your Subaru?
Tell us where the car is and what is going on. We pass your request to one local mobile mechanic at a time – never to call centers or marketers. No cost to you.
Subaru recalls and news
Subaru: questions
What are the most common Subaru problems?
Across the 2 Subaru models here, NHTSA owner complaints most often name the wipers, windows and mirrors, electrical system, engine.
Which Subaru model has the most complaints?
Of the models here, the Subaru Outback has the most (7,905 for 2008–2024), which partly reflects how many were sold.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Subaru?
Yes, for most everyday repairs – diagnostics, batteries, brakes, starters, alternators and many cooling-system parts. Recall work is done free at dealers.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Subaru model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.