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2011 Subaru Outback Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 652 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Subaru Outback, most often about the transmission (33% of complaints, typically around 114,000 miles). It is 5th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints and has 16 recalls.
Most common 2011 Subaru Outback problems
Transmission
216 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. While slowing down to make a turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…
While driving to approach a stop the car studders, begins to loose engine power and stalls. It then requires that the car must be placed in 'park', the key turned to the 'off' position and then restarted.
Lights
117 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
I am on my third set of headlight bulbs car is 23 months old and bulbs keep burning out. Never had a problem like this. Many other owners have the same issue and no resolution has been found. This is the low beam bulbs that burn out. Not at the same time usually within 2-4 weeks of each other.
The car's headlights burn out at a very frequent rate. Replacing them is very inconvenient and time consuming since you have to remove the wheels in order to get access. Dealer charges $100.00 to replace. Something must be wrong with the electrical system since my other Subaru has needed only one replacement since…
Engine
93 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Takata recall" I was driving on the interstate hwy. The car in front of me slammed on brakes, so I stepped on my brakes, car turked to a stop while engine stalled. Dead stop on interstate. Not a good thing. I started it back up, kept driving, when , I came to a safer stop sign. I tried to step on brakes like I had…
The engine shuts down whenever you brake suddenly or use any pressure to brake (not coast to a stop). The car shakes and then dies and you have to restart the car. This happens almost daily and after taking it to several shops it was determined that the torque converter is bad and needs to be replaced. There is a…
Brakes
78 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
While driving, if you have to stop quickly and step on the brakes hard the car engine stalls. This puts the car in jeopardy of being hit from behind and injury to the passengers. This has happened multiple times over the past couple of months at various speeds - both low speed and highway speed.
Car stalls out when I come to a complete stop, especially if I have to stop short due to being cut off. Car is an automatic, so this is not supposed to happen and is very dangerous when cars are coming behind me. I took it back to the dealer 3 times over the years and each time they said they could not replicate the…
Air bags
73 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The passenger air is disabled when my wife or daughter sits in the front passenger seat. Both weight approximately 120 lbs. We have taken it to the dealer and they say it works as designed but that means my wife and daughter have no air bag protection. Subaru states they fixed the problem in the 2012 model. That is no…
The vehicle in question was moving at about 35 MPH when its front end collided with the side of a car moving slowly across its path. The driver's seatbelt worked properly. The air bag did not deploy.
Electrical
67 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
My 2011 Subaru Outback has had a continue problem with light bulbs(headlight - brake light - parking lights) burning out. This model does not have a diagnostic light telling you when a light has burned out. And when I asked the Subaru service rep about the diagnostic light, he said that even the 2015 models don't have…
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS, brakes, traction control, check engine, and cruise control indicators remained illuminated. The contact drove home and contacted an independent mechanic who performed a function test of the ABS pump/module and was able to clear all…
Other or unspecified
39 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles.
I was 40 miles from home after coming down a steep curvy mountain road in manual when Subaru began shifting with big jerks and shudders in early sept 2019, had trouble shifting from one gear to next. Hanlee's Subaru evaluated, replaced valve body and serpentine belt. A few days later in rush hour traffic at a rr…
Takata recall" I was driving on the interstate hwy. The car in front of me slammed on brakes, so I stepped on my brakes, car turked to a stop while engine stalled. Dead stop on interstate. Not a good thing. I started it back up, kept driving, when , I came to a safer stop sign. I tried to step on brakes like I had…
Steering
36 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist system.
Purchased my 2011 Outback in july if last year. I have taken it to the dealer on several occasions due to a vibration in the steering and thumping in the tires...almost like there was flat spots in the tires. They first told me it was flat spots and it may take up to 3000 miles before it would quit, however it never…
High winds caused a loss of steering and the entire car was moved and I almost blew into a semi.this always happens in high winds (25- 30mph and above ). Internet bloggers call this " lane wandering" Subaru refuses to address this problem. I filed a claim with Subaru of america and their response was "it has been…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Subaru Outback recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began january 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began january 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (sti included), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began january 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming or "zone c." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Electrical: switch
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began may 10, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wuf-91.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester vehicles, 2008-2011 impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 wrx vehicles, 2005-2014 legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 outback vehicles and 2006-2008 tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 25, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-19.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, outback, and legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 25, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-19.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 forester, 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, outback, legacy, and 2010-2011 impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on january 25, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-19.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, legacy and outback vehicles, 2010-2011 impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the epb actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began july 19, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wtv-81.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 subaru legacy and outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (epb) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on february 9, 2018. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-18.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 legacy, forester, tribeca, wrx and outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began march 6, 2017. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-17.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 subaru baja, 2006-2011 impreza (including wrx and sti models), 2006-2012 tribeca, 2009-2012 forester, legacy, outback, and 2012 wrx vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began october 2016. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is wtk-71. Note: this recall supersedes recall 11v-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 legacy vehicles manufactured november 26, 2008, to june 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 outback vehicles manufactured january 9, 2009 to june 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 26, 2016. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact gm at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-16.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 legacy, outback, 2009-2011 legacy, outback, forester, 2006-2011 impreza, tribeca, 2003-2006 baja, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." these vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Equipment
Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the res key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on april 22, 2013. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Full defect summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 legacy and outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an audiovox remote engine starter (res) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an audiovox remote engine starter (res) accessory, and certain model year 2013 xv crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an audiovox remote engine starter (res) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 legacy and outback vehicles that may have received replacement res fobs. If the res fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began february 19, 2013. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Full defect summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 legacy and outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 tribeca vehicles sold before january 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 forester vehicles sold before january 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 outback and legacy vehicles manufactured from august 3, 2010, through july 1, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop alerting the driver of a problem. If the sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will eventually break and this condition will lead to vehicle power loss, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by drilling an oil lubrication hole and, if necessary, replace the internal parts with new ones free of charge. The safety recall began on july 28, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from april 28 through june 23, 2010. Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole within the 6-speed manual transmission was omitted.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 Subaru Outback
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Outback?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (216 complaints, typically around 114,000 miles); lights (117 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); engine (93 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Subaru Outback have?
- 16 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 2, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Subaru Outback?
- It is 5th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints, with 652 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.