2011 Subaru Outback Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2011 Subaru Outback recalls

Most common 2011 Subaru Outback problems

Problem areas named in the 653 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	216
Exterior Lighting	117
Engine	85
Air Bags	74
Electrical System	67
Service Brakes	67
Unknown Or Other	39
Steering	37
Vehicle Speed Control	26
Suspension	22

What owners report

2026-10-20, Vehicle Speed Control
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a fence and a bystander. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact was injured but medical attention was not needed. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

2026-09-25, Unknown Or Other
2010-2018 TR580 Outback Torque Converter Lock-up failure symptoms in TSB 16-90-13R fits my 2011 Subaru Outback. 2.5I Premium, (TSB) Originally issued on 1/6/2014 + later revised on 5/7/2014, Early yrs of the TR580 suffer from TCLUF, which causes stalls + bogs down during stops or idling at traffic lights, premature wear, valve-body/solenoid failure, overheating, breakdown of transmission fluid/coolant + Catastrophic Chain Failure. These issues were exacerbated by Subaru specifying these transmissions have a "lifetime fluid" that never has 2 be replaced. Most Subaru failures were related 2 fluid breakdowns. The Subaru lineartronic CVT, designed in house by Subarun2 integrate w the company's

2026-08-03, Electrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Subaru Outback. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase on 2/26/2026, the mileage was 95,999. The contact found a bill of sale from 07/29/2026, that stated that the mileage was approximately 95,999; however, the title stated that the mileage was approximately 94,669. The contact stated that the current approximate mileage was 90,000.

2026-08-03, Suspension
I have advised Autozone about premature failure of this part number ball joint. Originally the part number was FA267. Autozone changed the part number and color but did not address the quality and/or longevty concern. I have had to replace all of these part numbered ball joints with oem Subaru parts. The Autozone version will not last until the next oil change(approximately 5k miles) before it is loose and making a knocking noise. The is a safety concern as the ball joint may break or fail while someone is driving. I have expressed this concern multiple time to multiple reps from Autozone over the last 12 years. Autozone's remedy was simply to change the color and part number, then continue

2026-05-13, Engine
Purchased my 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited from the dealership, new. Since 2013, the Subaru dealer has discovered multiple oil leaks, replaced the head gaskets 3 times, thermostat 4 times, the alternator 3 times, timing belt 4 times, radiator 3 times, starter once, and my HVAC system twice...all due to my engine seizing multiple times while driving on freeways. No warning lights, just the engine seizing suddenly. This caused a few minor bumper accidents on the freeways because of these incidents. Nothing was reported because no one was injured. Last year the engine was replaced with a used/refurbished one by the dealership. In less than 11 months after this engine was replaced, the dealer

2011 Subaru Outback questions

Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls for the 2011 Subaru Outback: Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel; Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags; Passenger airbag inflator may explode in a crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Outback?

Based on 653 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (216), Exterior Lighting (117), Engine (85).

How do I check if a recall on my 2011 Subaru Outback has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.