Subaru · Outback · 2023
2023 Subaru Outback
2
Recalls
84
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2023 Subaru Outback has 2 recalls and 84 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: visibility/wiper (15 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2023 Subaru Outback page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility/wiper with 15 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Subaru Outback currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 84 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are visibility/wiper (15), unknown or other (11), forward collision avoidance (10).
- Vehicle
- 2023 Subaru Outback
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 84
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
18.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: Standard & OptionalLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V755000November 09, 2023
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 23V647000September 21, 2023
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
84 totalVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRASHApr 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. While turning into a parking spot, the accelerator pedal was slightly depressed, and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, crashing into a parked vehicle on the driver's side. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to move forward af...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 2, 2025
Recently, in my 2023 Subaru Outback, I have been having pop-up ads for SirusXM take over my infotainment screen. The ad appears in the center, does not allow the user to interact with the screen - including air conditioning control and traction control selection - and will not g...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outlook. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the Starlink system failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independ...
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LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2 injuriesOct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while walking around the vehicle attempting to put her husband in the passenger seat, the hatchback opened independently, and they both got pushed independently from the vehicle on the ground from the impact. The con...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 5, 2025
I have had no working SOS safety button in case of a crash despite having a 3 year plan. This started after a Starlink update failed to load to this date. I took it to the dealer and my software was found to be up to date and I was told not a Subaru problem for months. I wrote ...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 10, 2025
My 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness experienced multiple complete failures to start over a 2-day period at 51,930 miles, creating significant safety risks and stranding situations.Component Failure: Battery system (SOA821B700, 620 CCA) failed to maintain charge when vehicle parked/...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 9, 2025
The drivers side window frequently will not roll up. Has happened multiple times and dealership says they reset it but still does not work properly. In inclement weather conditions this is a serious safety issue. Most recent information is below
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Mar 13, 2025
Windshield was struck by a small stone. There was no immediate damage but over a period of several weeks 5 cracks appeared traversing the windshield top to bottom.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Mar 12, 2025
I have had several times where tiny road pebbles have kicked up hitting the windshield and have caused cracks. There is now also a crack forming where there has not been any impact. This is my second windshield replacement in two years. I have never had a windshield that has been...
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POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CRASH1 injuryJan 25, 2025
My car had an unintended acceleration that caused me to go in a ditch and hit a tree. I could not get car to stop when I realized it was increasing speed. It all happened very fast. My car was totaled. All airbags deployed. front right side of car was completely destroyed. The...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 84 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2023 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Outback Years
2024 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.76c2022 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.4r441c2025 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.55c2021 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.4r285c2026 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.3c2020 Subaru OutbackCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.6r888c
More 2023 Subaru Models
2023 Subaru ForesterAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.1r67c2023 Subaru AscentAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.3r38c2023 Subaru CrosstrekAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.29c2023 Subaru SolterraAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.4r25c2023 Subaru LegacyAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.2r9c2023 Subaru WRXAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.1r7c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Outback have?
The 2023 Subaru Outback has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2023 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has received 84 owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Subaru Outback.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2023 Subaru Outback?
The 2023 Subaru Outback received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Outback?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2023 Subaru Outback are visibility/wiper (15 reports), unknown or other (11 reports), forward collision avoidance (10 reports).
Does the 2023 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2023 Subaru Outback. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.