2011 Subaru Outback
Common Problems
Ranked from 266 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
13 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Torque Converter Failure Causing Stall
91complaintsSafety riskEngineThe torque converter can fail, causing the vehicle to stall when braking or coming to a stop.
$1,500–$3,000est. torque converter replacement · 6–10 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Headlight Failure
89complaintsHigh severityOtherHeadlights, particularly the low beams, frequently fail and require replacement every few months.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Torque converter failure causing engine stall
33complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe torque converter can fail, causing the engine to stall during braking or at stops, posing a safety risk.
$1,500–$3,000est. torque converter replacement · 6–10 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 10V326000
- 4
Air Bag Recall Issues
20complaintsMedium severityElectricalSubaru is facing issues with the availability of parts for the Takata air bag recall, causing delays and inconvenience for owners.
Related recalls: 19V297000, 13V061000
- 5
Electronic Parking Brake Failure
20complaintsSafety riskOtherThe electronic parking brake frequently fails to engage or disengage, posing a risk of the vehicle rolling down a hill.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Brake line corrosion leading to brake failure
15complaintsSafety riskBrakesRust in the brake lines causes them to fail, leading to brake pedal going to the floor and loss of braking ability.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Engine Stall During Deceleration
15complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine stalls when decelerating or coming to a stop, requiring the vehicle to be restarted in park. This poses a safety risk in traffic.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Transmission stall at stop
8complaintsSafety riskTransmissionTransmission torque converter failure causes the vehicle to stall at stops, posing a risk of collision.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 10V326000
- 9
Steering Wheel Vibration at High Speeds
6complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel vibrates and shakes at speeds over 65 mph, causing discomfort and potential loss of control.
- 10
Engine Overheating Due to Head Gasket Failure
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe head gasket fails, causing the engine to overheat, which can lead to further engine damage and potential breakdowns.
$1,400–$2,800est. head gasket replacement · 8–15 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Front Passenger Airbag Not Activating
5complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe front passenger airbag does not activate when an adult passenger sits in the seat, posing a safety risk in the event of a collision.
Related recalls: 19V297000, 13V061000
- 12
Headlights Not Providing Proper Illumination
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe headlights do not provide adequate illumination, making it difficult to see at night, especially in low light conditions.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Passenger airbag not deploying
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe passenger airbag does not deploy when a passenger weighing over 80 lbs sits in the seat.
Related recalls: 19V297000, 13V061000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.