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2023 Subaru Outback problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2023 Subaru Outback. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 9% of relevant complaints.
Better than 98% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2023 Subaru Outback have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 7 of 89 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Outback concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (9%). For comparison, the 2022 scores 9%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2023 compares with other Subaru Outback years
Of the 14 Subaru Outback years with enough complaints to score, the 2023 is the 2nd-best on engine and transmission share (9%). The worst is the 2011 (62%), the best the 2019 (7%). By volume, the 2023 drew 89 complaints (7 drivetrain), against 464 for the 2022.
Subaru Outback years to avoid and best years →
2010 Outback problems · 2011 Outback problems · 2012 Outback problems · 2013 Outback problems · 2014 Outback problems · 2015 Outback problems · 2016 Outback problems · 2017 Outback problems · 2018 Outback problems · 2019 Outback problems · 2020 Outback problems · 2021 Outback problems · 2022 Outback problems · 2023
The rest of the picture on the 2023 Subaru Outback
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 7 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2023 Subaru Outback transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2023 Subaru Outback involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 2 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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…
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…
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2023 Subaru Outback? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2023 Subaru Outback
Does the 2023 Subaru Outback have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 7 of 89 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Outback concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (9%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Subaru Outback?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2023 Subaru Outback is forward collision avoidance: 22 of 89 complaints (25%) name it, followed by electrical system (17) and visibility/wiper (16). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 9% of the relevant total.
Is the 2023 Subaru Outback reliable?
On the engine and transmission, nothing stands out: 9% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain, below the 33% line where we call a signal elevated. That is better than 98% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Subaru Outback years we score, it ranks 2nd-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2023 Subaru Outback?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2023 Subaru Outback involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 2 in total: 23V755000 (power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch), 23V647000 (power train: driveline: driveshaft). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Subaru Outback years are better?
Among the Subaru Outback years we track, the 2019 (7%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2023 (9%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/subaru-outback
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.