2011 Subaru Outback Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 649 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 Subaru Outback overview page.
What owners report
“THIS VEHICLE IS HESITATING FROM A START, POSING A HIGH RISK OF CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION OCCURS, ON AVERAGE, ONCE…”NHTSA complaint 10531704 — filed 07/24/2013
“WHILE DRIVING AT 40 OR 50 MILES AN HOUR, MY HUSBAND TRIES TO SHIFT TO 4TH OR 5TH GEAR AND THE GEAR SLIPS INTO REVERSE…”NHTSA complaint 10512418 — filed 05/16/2013
“2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT THE KEY IN IGNITION AND ENGINE OFF *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FINALLY…”NHTSA complaint 10479021 — filed 10/02/2012
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 Subaru Outback: 209 of 649 complaints on file (32.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2011 Subaru Outback have in total?
649 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 23 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
