2025 Subaru Outback recalls & problems
The 2025 Subaru Outback has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 83 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is forward collision avoidance (24 complaints).

Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2025 Subaru Outback.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings


2025 Subaru Outback SW AWD
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 18.5% |
Forward collision warning: Standard & Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness SW AWD
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Outback AWD
| City / highway | 26 / 32 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
Outback AWD
| City / highway | 22 / 29 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Outback Wilderness AWD
| City / highway | 21 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance Automatic emergency braking; Warnings | 24 | — |
| Lane departure Assist; Warning | 20 | — |
| Unknown or other | 18 | — |
| Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Software | 14 | 1,999 mi |
| Steering | 6 | — |
| Service brakes | 6 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | — |
| Air bags | 5 | — |
| Back over prevention Sensing system › Camera; Rearview system braking | 5 | — |
| Engine | 5 | — |
| Power train | 5 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Oct 16, 2026Service brakes
Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) system conducted an emergency , neck snapping stop while backing out of a sloped driveway at 9PM local time, zip 94596, walnut creek, California. There was no vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic or other movements nearby to trigger the RAB system. There was a local rescue ambulance parked on another intersecting street, well over 300 feet away, with emergency flashing lights. As the driver, I immediately checked for traffic, pedestrians, etc, found nothing; rolled down windows to check again, found nothing. The vehicle was still held by the RAB system, I applied pressure to the throttle and the car slowly started to backup and the brakes then released. I believe… - Oct 1, 2026 · 14,500 milesPower train
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving on the freeway in stop-and-go traffic with the automatic braking system activated, the vehicle erroneously reversed and failed to immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal. The contact shifted out of drive(D) and then back to drive(D), and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the failure had occurred a second time during a trip before returning to normal operation, and the vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered.… - Jul 4, 2025Electrical system
July 4, 2025 car had about 4100 miles Severe dangerous phantom braking on highway CA 280 N just prior to foothill expressway exit at about 7:30 pm. Suddenly while traveling 60+ MPH on mid lanes of freeway car auto braking caused car to brake/slow to 1/2 speed with no visible obstacle seen by any of 4 adults in car. Multi[ple Dash lights up with eyesite failure and all red , green and yellow lights. Gas pedal ws unresponsive no power. Eminent crash danger. Driver responded trying to hit gas then brake to steer off freeway. After several seconds the car gas pedal eventually responded and I was able to exit freeway at next exit. Taken to dealer July 23, 2025 Reported to Subaru of Santa Cruz .… - Jul 1, 2026Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment
See attached document for complaint. - Sep 8, 2026 · crashService brakes
The brakes failed and could be inspected upon request. My safety and the safety of two other passengers was put at risk because my vehicle rear ended an another vehicle at a red light. The problem has not yet been confirmed or reproduced by the dealership or inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative of others. There were no warning messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. - Sep 10, 2026Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
While traveling along I-94E outside of Macomb County on September 10th at around 8:30AM, forward collision warning triggered twice while facing the direct sun. It triggered for around 6 seconds. Shortly after getting off the Shook Rd exit at around 8:45M and turning right, I had a full AEB activation while again facing the sun, almost causing the vehicle behind me to rear end me. - Sep 5, 2026Electrical system
The large LCD screen infront the shifter just goes blank. Been to the dealer the reload the operating system to no avail. - Aug 1, 2026Lane departure › Assist
Lane-keeping/lane-centering: The system repeatedly pulls the vehicle too far to the right. More seriously, while driving on the freeway, it has randomly and suddenly jerked the vehicle to the right with a rapid steering input. This is not simply a matter of the system being imperfectâit creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle can move abruptly toward the edge of the lane or toward an adjacent lane.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.