Model year 2023 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2023 Subaru Outback: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2023 Subaru Outback at 23–28 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 89 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

2

EPA combined mpg

23–28

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2023 Subaru Outback recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2023 Subaru Outback, newest first.

Power train: Automatic transmission: Park/neutral start interlock switch

NHTSA 23V755000 Reported Nov 9, 2023
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRQ-23)
Units affected
95,830 (estimate)
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.
Remedy
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Driveline: Driveshaft

NHTSA 23V647000 Reported Sep 21, 2023
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRN-23)
Units affected
4,311 (estimate)
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.
Remedy
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2023 Subaru Outback fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2023 Subaru Outback EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Outback AWD2.4L 4-cyl turboCVT (8 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular22/29/25 mpg$2,700356
Outback AWD2.5L 4-cylCVT (8 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular26/32/28 mpg$2,400314
Outback Wilderness AWD2.4L 4-cyl turboCVT (8 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular21/26/23 mpg$2,900378

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2023 Subaru Outback crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2023 Subaru Outback NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2023 Subaru Outback SW AWD5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars18.5%Standard & Optional
2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness SW AWDNot rated5 stars5 starsNot rated—Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2023 Subaru Outback owner complaints

Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Outback, most recently on Sep 2, 2026. 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2023 Subaru Outback complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Electrical system17
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking17
Visibility/wiper16
Unknown or other15
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control10
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings8
Service brakes7
Exterior lighting6
Power train5
Vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal3

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Subaru Outback model years

Subaru Outback by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Outback23–27 mpg———
2026 Outback23–27 mpg021—
2025 Outback23–28 mpg0835/5
2024 Outback23–28 mpg01045/5
2022 Outback24–29 mpg44655/5
2021 Outback26–29 mpg42985/5
2020 Outback26–29 mpg69015/5
2019 Outback22–28 mpg31,0365/5
2018 Outback22–28 mpg38165/5

All Subaru Outback years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2023 Subaru models

2023 Subaru Ascent2023 Subaru BRZ2023 Subaru Crosstrek2023 Subaru Forester2023 Subaru Impreza2023 Subaru Legacy2023 Subaru Solterra2023 Subaru WRX

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Subaru.