2023 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Forward collision avoidance is the leading concern among 89 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 8 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switchNov 9, 2023
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.
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V755000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftSep 21, 2023
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.
Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V647000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
89 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 6, 2024
I have had several times where tiny road pebbles have kicked up hitting the windshield and have caused cracks. There is now also a crack forming where there has not been any impact. I have never had a windshield that has been as fragile as this one. It seems to be a manufacturing issue with the windshield. Based on research online, appears this is a known issue.
Seats, Jul 19, 2024
The back of the passenger seat is shaking uncontrollably at higherspeeds. According to my local subaru dealership all 2023 outback they have with power seats are exhibiting the same issu, while the manual seats do not.
Forward collision avoidance, Jul 16, 2024
In the last approximately 8 months my car has deployed the forward collision warning--Slamming on the brakes-red lights flashing on the screen-seat belts locking--for no apparent reason. Nothing was in front of me!! Twice I was in a local construction zone with cars right behind me and was nearly rear-ended!! Very Frightening experience each time! I took it to the Subaru dealer but they found nothing wrong with the eye sight technology. They did a test drive and it did not do that for them.. But what are the chances that it would occur for them when it has only occurred once a month or so. Contacted Subaru Customer line and was basically told unless it could be collaborated by their mechanics -there was nothing they could do.! Unbelieveable!! Ironic if my safety features are going to get me in an accident!! I am fearful about driving the car as there is no rhyme or reason to the device malfunctioning and slamming on the brakes. I hope you have some information on this to help me.
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2024
Starlink head unit/infotainment system - system freezes, major system lags, ghost input (buttons pressed without user input), radio cut outs, and delayed system startup and operation). Delay/lag issues are experienced daily and other issues occasionally occur. No warning lamps or messages. I will be bringing the vehicle to the dealership, yet this seems like a common issue with the 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, May 6, 2024
The Eyesight system on my 2023 Subaru Outback will suddenly stop working. It will go out in all conditions, mornings, afternoons and evenings. Sometimes it will go out a a minute or two. Other times it will be out for hours. Since the feature is involved with automatic braking, this poses a safety hazard if there is any kind of driver distraction that occurs, even if it is from an external source like another vehicle. This has been brought to the attention of the local Subaru dealer for a fix. It worked for a period of time and is happening much for frequently now. Many of the other driver monitoring systems in the car have similar issues.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 5, 2024
While traveling at highway speeds (75 mph) the hood release mechanism released causing the hood to lift several inches. While the manual release kept the hood from opening completely, I had to immediately pull to the shoulder and firmly close the hood.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Mar 13, 2024
My entire infotainment system, including the "EyeSight" sensors regularly shut off, or won't turn on upon vehicle start. Happens to the radio and other parts of the infotainment system too. It's been happening since about September 2023. I purchased the car in March 2023.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 1, 2024, crash, fire
My son was traveling at an appropriate highway speed when the truck in front of him stopped suddenly. He braked immediately and was able to slow down significantly, but not enough to avoid colliding with the back of the truck in front of him. He was going approximately 20 mph, still braking, when the collision occurred. His best recollection is that the vehicle's pre-collision system did not engage until after he collided with the truck. There was damage to the front end of the vehicle but it was not severe. My son moved the vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway and put it in park. The driver of the truck called the police. My sons got out of the vehicle. While they were talking with the other driver and the police, a fire started under the hood of the vehicle and within several minutes the entire vehicle was consumed. The wreckage was towed to 1022 Shannon Court, Livermore CA 94550. In July 2023 we were involved in an accident that impacted the front bumper, left front quarter panel, and Subaru EyeSight system of the same vehicle involved in this accident. Repairs after the July 2023 accident were performed by Kraft Body Shop in Santa Clara, CA. Repair and calibration of the Subaru EyeSight system were performed by Santa Cruz Subaru after that accident.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2024
Driving on the highway approximately 65 mph a rock hit the lower right side of the windshield on the passenger side. This caused a broken round style depression in the glass and 2 cracks that radiated out about 5-6 inches. This is will be the second replacement windshield and 3rd repair within 1 year of ownership.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2024
It was 5:30 PM and I was driving 80mph (the speed limit) down interstate 84 near Mountain Home Idaho. There was no one near me and I heard a very loud bang and my sunroof had exploded. It exploded out as from the inside and not down as though something had hit it. I did not see anything that could have caused this is just exploded on its own.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the Eyesight feature of the vehicle was no longer operable. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was released; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 63 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she continuously pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that no issues were found. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH around a roundabout, the failure recurred, and the front passenger's side tire struck the curb. The vehicle then decelerated and bounced. The contact depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and test driven. The dealer informed the contact that due the vehicle striking the curb, the steering wheel was off center, the front passenger's side wheel was bent and imbalanced, and there was an abnormal wheel bearing sound. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the ball joint had detached from the knuckles, the brackets were shifted, and the tie rod and control arm showed marks. A Subaru field inspector inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the unintended acceleration. The manufacturer later informed the contact that there were no abnormalities found. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2024
The windshield immediately cracked from a small pebble. I’ve had bigger rocks hit glass in other vehicles and only left a chip. This impacted the upper passenger side corner of the windshield close to the edge, the windshield spider webbed immediately, I’ve never seen anything like it.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2023
ON 12/15/23 TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET AT APROX. 40 MPH A ROCK/PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING A ROUNDISH CHIP CRACK THE SIZE OF A DIME/ .10 CENTS. THIS WAS REPAIRED AT A WINDSHIELD SHOP WITH EPOXY. THIS IS THE SECOND CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD IN 8 MOTHS ON A NEW VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2023
WINDSHIELD CRACKED EASILY WITH A SMALL PEBBLE ON 2/2023 MIDWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. SIZE WAS ABOUT QUARTER/ .25 CENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 1 MONTH OLD. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED IN APRIL 2023 BECAUSE TOOK 2 MONTHS TO GET A NEW WINDSHIELD. ON 12/15/2023 TRAVELING UNDER 40 MPH ON A STREET NOT A HIGHWAY A ROCK/PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD MIDWAY UP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CREATING A ROUNDISH CRACK THE SIZE OF A DIME/.10 CENTS. THIS WAS FIXED AT A WINDSHIELD SHOP WITH EPOXY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2023, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY I HIT A DEER AND MY FRONT END WAS PUSHED IN TO WHERE I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS AND THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I PAID EXTRA WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR FOR SUBARU STARLINK EMERGENCY SERVICES. THEY HAD GUARENTEED THAT IN ANY ACCIDENT ANYWHERE IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED STARLINK WOULD CONTACT ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES SO THAT AMBULANCES AND POLICE WOULD COME TO THE SCENED OF THE ACCIDENT. THE STARLINK SERVICES DID NOT WORK AND I WAS FORCED TO GET OUT AND WALK UNTIL I WAS PICKED UP BY A PASSERBY TO TAKE ME TO A SPOT WHERE I WOULD HAVE CELL SERVICE. IF I HAD SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2023
I literally just purchased this vehicle two days ago and I already have a crack in my windshield. There was no accident, and I did not notice any rock/debris hitting the windshield while driving.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2023
Spontaneous front windshield crack on passenger side, no impacts in that area.
Forward collision avoidance, Oct 12, 2023
Traveling on I-75 SB just outside Atlanta, was in lane 2 of about 7 lanes. One car in lane 1, bumper was near my driver door, another truck in lane 4 or 5 approx 200' in front of us. We were in the front of a pack of vehicles. I had the cruise control set about 70, weather was clear, about 3 in the afternoon. With nothing in front of us and no warning, the car began flashing the red dash lights, the cluster flashed the red warning about braking, and the brakes were automatically applied with enough force to set the seat belt pretensions and we unweighted the seats. The car drastically slowed, I am unsure the slowest speed, I was attempting to override the braking by pressing the accelerator. The system complied with my command and the car sped back up. We were nearly hit from behind when the following cars attempted to brake and go around us. No physical damage occurred in the incident. The Subaru dealership in Kennesaw attempted to recreate the problem without success. The diagnostic computer found no error codes in the vehicle. We have disabled the advanced safety systems of the Subaru to prevent any further unwanted braking.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 10, 2023
My 23 Subaru Outback Wilderness windshield cracked within 3 months of ownership. The crack occurred directly at eye-level of the driver side, posing a serious safety hazard. I do not know what, if anything, hit the windshield but it occurred while driving on a busy interstate highway during rush hour.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2023
Sunroof/Moonroof spontaneously shattered OUTWARD. Car was being driven, inside slider was closed. Driver heard a bang, followed by hearing glass on the roof. Car driven another mile and parked where local police responded, examined the damage and took photos.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2023
When driving east into direct sunshine, the entire windshield sparkles with thousands of diamonds, making it hazardous to drive. Just bought the car June 8, 2023, as a Certified Pre-Owned (it had been a dealer loaner). Had to dealer last week, they claim not a defective windshield and I must have gotten behind a truck with sand or gravel. Well, I have not and there is no damage to the hood or any other part of the vehicle. I am sure it is a defective windshield and they want $1008 to replace and the insurance is not wanting to pay for it. I called Subaru Customer Service and filed a report and have a case number with them. Disgusting to say the least and afraid to drive during the morning hours or late afternoon heading west into the sunset. What should I do? I believe Subaru needs to replace at their cost, not mine. I see other complaints on the Internet about sparkles in the windshield, then it just cracks all over and breaks. That is not something to look forward to. I am 78 and I bought this as my last car. May have to bury me in it. My husband was just diagnosed in July with inoperable cancer and I have to take him to chemotherapy several times a week for several months. Some of those appointments I have to be at the doctor by 8:30 a.m. and don't get out until after 5 p.m. So you can see my dilemma with the windshield driving in the morning sunshine and afternoon sunshine. Please have someone contact me, soon. If there is someplace in Maryland I can take to have the windshield professionally examined, and have them report their findings back to you, let me know. I am close to the Pennsylvania border as well and only 45 minutes from West Virginia if there is no place in Maryland. I thank you for your consideration and time. Regards. The contact wants to thank you for your support and good work getting her windshield fixed.
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 14, 2023
On my 2023 Outback my Subaru Eyesight is intermittently inoperable, which causes my cruise control and automatic braking to not work.
Exterior lighting, Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim while driving at night. Additionally, the contact stated that a black square shadow would appear in the illumination of both headlights which also impaired her vision while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who found no defect with the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2023
I purchased this Outback and did not test drive at night (assuming I'd never have issues with headlight functionality). Upon driving at night, however, there are safety issues with the low beams. As others have mentioned, there are two shadow artifacts near the top of the field of vision that move from side to side. They are distracting (almost looks like an animal darting across the road) and dangerous. Secondly, the cutoff line with the projector headlights on low-beams severely limits field of vision. I have to slow way down going around curves and down hills, as I can only see about 20 feet in front of the vehicle. I tried adjust the headlights up higher, but that just causes on-coming drivers to constantly flash me. I owned a 2015 Outback before this and had none of these issues. In researching forums, this is a widespread issue: [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 28, 2023
The Eyesight keeps disabling itself. And the infotainment system is not working properly. My car is at the dealership and they are telling me they are waiting for back up camera to come off backorder 10/3/23. This means my vehicle will have been at the dealership for repair a total of 45 days if backorder date is correct. I purchased this vehicle brand new 5/6/23. I have researched online and there is a class action lawsuit for the issue. The braking safety system does not work properly and warns with red lights beeping that collision is ahead which then brakes the car automatically when not needed. I have taken the car to dealer 3 times to have this repaired