Sixth generation (BT)
2023 Subaru Outback
The most reported problem on the 2023 Subaru Outback is windshield, with 20 complaints.
- 89owner complaints
- 2recalls
- 8involved a crash
- 9,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2023 Subaru Outback has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2023 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2023 Subaru Outback has 89 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 166 for 2023 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Outback model years since 2014, it has the 11th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2022 and 2024
- The 2023 is a low point between its neighbors: 22 complaints for each year on the road, where the 2022 has 93 and the 2024 has 34.
- Top problem
- Windshield leads with 20 of the 89 complaints (22%), ahead of phantom braking at 11. Too few of the windshield reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 9 of the 89 complaints (10%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 8 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 3 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 3 of 8, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 2 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2023, with 47 complaints, 2.4 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 6 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 20 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
89 complaints is 1.7 times fewer than the median 2023 model on this site and 1.9 times fewer than the median 2023 SUV. Among the 13 Outback model years here it ranks 11th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2023 Subaru Outback
Subaru filed 327 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2023 Subaru Outback. 11 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 20 complaints
This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel seals in response to limited concerns of erratic operation of the anti-entrapment feature and / or the door glass either not closing or closing very slowly.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 8 bulletins · 7 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin announces the design change made to the Center Information Display (CID) assemblies developed to address the following symptoms. 1. Illumination malfunction of the adjustment knobs and/or buttons (no illumination or flash/ flicker). 2.
6 more on this problem
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address DTC B28C7 (EyeSight Fan Motor RPM), E5 (halt code deected by EyeSight Stereo Camera), and B28A6 (Internal Stereo Camera Communication 1).
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address cases were a halt code E5, B28A6 and or DTC B28C7 is detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera assembly.
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the following three symptoms: EyeSight camera cooling fans becomes inoperable with DTC B28C7; EyeSight system enters temporary halt mode;
This Service Information Bulletin is to inform you of the diagnosis procedure of the CP1/ CP1.5 Infotainment System when DTC B2256 is detected.
This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns.
This Service Information Bulletin addresses isolated customer concerns regarding the pictured CP1 BASE Model Center Information Display (CID) LOWER 7-inch display screen flashing, not responding to touch inputs and / or shutting off intermittently.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 7 complaints
This bulletin announces a design change made to the front brake pads developed to reduce any brake pulsation and/or vibration felt during brake operation.
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
Complaints filed by year
47 complaints came in 2023, 9.4 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2023 Subaru Outback
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 2 recalls on the 2023 Subaru Outback, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2023 Subaru Outback?
Windshield, with 20 of the 89 complaints.
At what mileage do 2023 Subaru Outback problems start?
Of the 19 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 2,000 miles and half by about 9,000.
Is the 2023 Subaru Outback better or worse than the 2022 and 2024?
Counted per year on the road, the 2023 has fewer complaints than both the 2022 and the 2024: 22 a year against 93 and 34.
How many 2023 Subaru Outback complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
9 of them (10%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2023 Subaru Outback?
No recall on file for the 2023 Subaru Outback is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.