Used Subaru Outback: Inspection checklist

Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 3,593 complaints across these 8 years; the 2019 drew the most.

Choose a model year

2025
Most reported: electrical
43 complaints0 recalls
Open checklist
2024
Fewest complaints
Most reported: wipers and visibility
69 complaints0 recalls
Open checklist
2023
Most reported: wipers and visibility
83 complaints2 recalls
Open checklist
2022
Most reported: wipers and visibility
435 complaints4 recalls
Open checklist
2021
Most reported: wipers and visibility
283 complaints4 recalls
Open checklist
2020
Most reported: wipers and visibility
884 complaints6 recalls
Open checklist
2019
Most complaints
Most reported: electrical
1,017 complaints3 recalls
Open checklist
2018
Most reported: wipers and visibility
779 complaints3 recalls
Open checklist

Problems that follow the Outback from year to year

Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.

Area	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
Electrical	248	354	245	70	39	15	9	4	984
Wipers and visibility	255	345	354	99	261	17	17	3	1,351
Steering	35	35	12				5	2	89
Transmission		14	42	8	10	4	2		80
Airbags	8	11	15	15	4	2	3	4	62
Automatic emergency braking				7		11	7		25

Outback generations and updates

First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.

Sixth generation
2020–2025
2023 update: New front fascia; New headlights; Updated infotainment system
Fifth generation
2015–2019
- 2018update
- 2019
2018 update: Front and side cameras; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Mileages where Outback problems start

From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.

Typical mileage	Problem	Year
150–6,400 miles	Windshield cracks without impact	2021
200–14,000 miles	Battery drain and no-start	2022
300–3,000 miles	Sunroof glass spontaneously shatters	2023
500–9,000 miles	Windshield cracks without impact	2022
700–13,947 miles	Unintended acceleration while parking	2022
700–9,000 miles	Battery drains while parked	2021
1,300–29,000 miles	Battery drain, repeated dead batteries	2020
1,500–8,000 miles	Spontaneous windshield cracking	2024
3,000–29,000 miles	Windshield cracks without impact	2020
3,500–15,000 miles	Transmission whine and jerking	2022
4,615–10,104 miles	Early windshield cracks	2019
17,120–28,000 miles	Repeated battery failures	2018
29,000–50,000 miles	Repeat windshield replacements	2022
29,000–46,000 miles	Windshield cracks without impact	2019