Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (41.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Electrical System complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 381 · 41.5% | No official action | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 205 · 22.4% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 45 · 4.9% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 43 · 4.7% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 27 · 2.9% | No official action | — |
| Visibility:windshield | 26 · 2.8% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 917 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V910000 · 2019 · reported 12/19/2019
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V576000 · 2016 · reported 08/03/2016
If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V716000 · 2016 · reported 10/06/2016
If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V292000 · 2016 · reported 05/11/2016
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“THE ATTACHED INVOICES ARE A RESULT OF NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED SINCE OWNING THE OUTBACK. EACH TIME I WOULD GO FOR SERVICE…”NHTSA complaint 11220645 — filed 06/17/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE KEY…”NHTSA complaint 11208057 — filed 05/16/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“NAVIGATION SCREEN CAN NOT SEE IN DAY TIME AND IGNITION KEY WILL NOT REMOVE SOMETIME WHEN PARK.”NHTSA complaint 11193264 — filed 04/02/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 381 of 917 NHTSA complaints (41.5%), followed by visibility/wiper (205), unspecified/other issues (177), power train (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
917 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 32 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V910000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
