2023 Subaru Outback recalls and problems

The 2023 Subaru Outback has 2 safety recalls and 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
89
Crashes / fires
8 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2023 Subaru Outback vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2023 Subaru Outback recalls

Recall 23V-755: Power Train

Reported Nov 9, 2023 · 95,830 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 23V-647: Power Train

Reported Sep 21, 2023 · 4,311 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2023 Subaru Outback problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Forward Collision Avoidance36
Electrical System18
Visibility/Wiper16
Unknown or Other15
Service Brakes7
Exterior Lighting6
Power Train5
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Visibility3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Structure2
Air Bags2

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 17
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 10
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 8
  • Visibility › Windshield — 3
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 3
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock — 2
  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 9,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2023 Subaru Outback complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Lane Departure · reported Sep 2, 2026
While driving on the highway I had my cruise control on with my driving assist turned on. My car tried to veer to the left, hard, almost into the guardrail. It had happened before but not as severe as this time. Going highway speed, I was lucky enough no one was next to me. Someone could have got seriously injured!
Service Brakes · reported Aug 20, 2026
Driving at speeds around 40 and when braking to turn, the brakes jerk and feel like they are not engaging properly. It has happened to a different driver, twice both times on a 90 degree day, a few minutes after the vehicle had been started and the air conditioner was running on high. After this happened we Googled the issue to see what the problem could be. The Google search shows a Subaru Service Bulletin #16-150-24R, 09/13/24, revised 12/03/24, showing our year and model of vehicle and a VIN # for all those models as TBD. The service bulletin list the exact problem that we had, and listed…
Forward Collision Avoidance · reported Aug 3, 2026
Phantom Braking of Pre-Collision Braking 2023 Subaru Outback Turbo Wednesday, July 29, 2026. 9:30 am, sunny day Driving south on local city street. Brakes slammed on, car stopped, flashing yellow lights on left Combination Meter stating that Pre-Collision Braking was activated. There was no vehicle/obstacle/animal in the road. No parked cars, no cars backing out of a driveway. Road was completely clear. No strange shadows, no cracks in street. Pre-collision braking system hallucinated an obstacle and activated, throwing me forward into steering wheel, and dog in the back seat thrown forward…
Tires · reported Jul 30, 2026
The original equipment Yokohama Avid GT tires experienced rapid, catastrophic structural degradation (extreme inner-edge wear and chunking of the exterior edge over ~7,000 mi.). I have photos of the tires, and Carr Subaru (Beaverton, OR) has one of the tires available for inspection. I am the original owner of this vehicle. It has been regularly serviced at the appropriate intervals by the dealership where it was purchased in November 2022. At ~15,000 mi., the tires were rotated and the alignment was adjusted by the dealership. Between 15,000 and 22,000 mi., the tires completely wore through.…
Electrical System · reported Jul 8, 2026
The Advanced Driver Assistance System (EyeSight/Automatic Emergency Braking), the Service Brakes, and the Central Electrical System malfunctioned. The vehicle is currently held at an authorized dealership and is available for inspection.On Monday, June 22, 2026, at approximately 4:47 PM, while traveling at highway speeds on I-295 South under clear weather conditions, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic, unprompted automatic emergency braking event. While my right turn signal was active and I was initiating a lane change to pass a truck, the autonomous braking system engaged with maximum force…

Other Subaru Outback years

Compare all Subaru Outback years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2023 Subaru Outback: 23V-755 (power train), 23V-647 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Subaru Outback?

Owners report forward collision avoidance problems most often (36 reports), followed by electrical system (18). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 9,000 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.