2011 SUBARU OUTBACK Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Subaru Outback. This model year has 648 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2011 Subaru Outback Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Engine Problems
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Subaru Outback. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 216 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 117 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 92 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 76 | 11 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 73 | 5 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 66 | 3 | 4 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 38 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 36 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 25 | 7 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 11 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 9 | 3 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 648 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
Took my vehicle in for oil change and was notified the cam carrier is leaking. Researching this issue online it seems this is a very common problem with this vehicle and if I had known earlier wouldn’t have purchased for my daughter. With such a common problem I wonder why a reca…
When I came to a stop at a light, the car stalled and the engine turned off. It was just as if I was driving a manual transmission and didn't put the clutch down while in gear. I spoke with my husband about the issue and he told me it has been happening for several months now. I …
My CVT Transmission started having problems with the Valve Body inside the transmission. On acceleration from a complete stop my vehicle would start "bucking" hard causing a violent back and forth rocking or "jerking" of the drive train and vehicle. I did not request a inspection…
Just lost brakes. Was parked at an atm. In park, foot on brake as i was shifting into drive, brake pedal goes to floor and brake fluid leaks out... I see there was a recall for brake lines in Michigan. I've owned this car since 2020. All Brake pads are new as of 4/2025. T…
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission output shift was bent and …
In November 2023, I co-signed an auto loan to assist someone in securing a vehicle. However, I later discovered that my name was never placed on the title, leaving me financially liable for the loan while having no ownership or possession of the car. The individual has since fai…
Torque converter issue that causes stalling similar to a manual transmission vehicle. The issue should have been a full recall but instead was only a "bulletin." For my own safety, I am stuck paying several thousand dollars for an issue the manufacturer is aware of but refused …
When coming to a stop the RPM's drop and the engine will stall, similar to not engaging the clutch on a manual transmission. Luckily there has not been a crash to date but the condition has worsened to the point it is no longer safe to drive and must be repaired. This is a know…
The car was being driven down the road, when the brake pedal went soft. At that point the vehicle had lost all braking power. I pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and proceeded to check the vehicle. The vehicle brake reservoir was empty, and the line underneath the c…
The brake system had a total failure. Driving down the road and the brake pedal went completely soft and was not providing any brakes. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road where the brake fluid resivor was empty and the underneath of the car was wet with brake flu…
Going down the road and my breaks went to the floor, further inspection the back passenger 4 way block blew apart due to rust I looked online and there is so many of these cars the same year that this is happening to, would love to have this year and model included in the recall …
On [XXX] Clay Subaru in Norwood, MA told me that my 2011 Subaru Outback has front subframe rot. Supposedly they do a 100 point inspection every oil change, which is performed every 6 or so months, yet this problem was first report last October! The car had only 81,616 miles on it…
Coolant leak, steering power fluid leak, break pad leak, gasoline line leak, seat heater, clicking noise after turning off car, leaking seats and rear view mirror also leaking, steering wheel expanding due to possible air bag, heater and ac vents lose and also chemical smell/gas/…
The contact owned a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V001000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Bought vehicle from Carvana, immediately noticed transmission shudder issues when driving near 50 mph. Brought vehicle in to multiple repair facilities. It had warped brakes, bad calipers, needed a new torque converter at least and the repair shop recommended a total transmission…
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat near the hip area between the passenger and the door had failed and needed to be re…
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle while the vehicle was still in motion, and the vehicle returned to normal f…
Rear brake lines at junction block right rear corroded.As is the sane situation with 2009 models and under and impreza models newer with same design cannot understand why this model year was passed by
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and approaching a truck, the brake pedal was depressed and travelled down to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to fail to respond. The contact stated that the truck that was in fron…
1. Propulsion, acceleration, brakes, transmission- no longer available for inspection 2. The vehicle went completely out of control; I stood on the brakes as hard as I could but would not stop or slow the car at all. We careened down a hill and head on into a large tree 3. not re…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2011 Subaru Outback.
Recalls for 2011 Subaru Outback
16 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2011 Subaru Outback. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2011 Subaru Outback — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2011 Subaru Outback reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2011 Subaru Outback has 648 NHTSA owner complaints, 22 crash-related, and 16 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (216 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Outback?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (216 complaints). #2: Headlight/Taillight Failures (117 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (92 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Subaru Outback?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2011 Subaru Outback?▾
The 2011 Subaru Outback has 22 crash-related complaints and 6 fire reports out of 648 total NHTSA complaints. 6 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have any recalls?▾
Yes — 16 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2011 Subaru Outback. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Subaru Outback?▾
The 2011 Subaru Outback has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2011 Subaru Outback
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.