2023 Subaru Outback Safety Report
2023 Subaru Outback: Excellent Crash Ratings Mask Emerging Infotainment, Windshield, and Active Safety System Concerns with Two Recalls
AI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Subaru Outback
Reliability Score
The 2023 Subaru Outback receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
Known Issues for the 2023 Subaru Outback
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Subaru Outback:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infotainment/Starlink System Malfunctions System freezes, lags, ghost inputs, radio cut-outs, and delayed startup, impacting access to climate control, navigation, and safety features like the SOS button and EyeSight. |
Medium | Common | 0-50000 miles |
| Fragile Windshield Cracking Windshields cracking easily from small impacts or spontaneously, requiring frequent replacement and recalibration of EyeSight. |
Medium | Common | 0-50000 miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunctions Unintended braking or acceleration, and the EyeSight system randomly shutting off, posing a significant crash risk. |
High | Occasional | 0-50000 miles |
| Driveshaft Center Support Bolt Loosening (Recall) Center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, leading to disconnection and increased crash risk. Affects certain 2023 Outback vehicles. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
| Inhibitor Switch Weld Issue (Recall) Insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, preventing reverse lights and rearview camera display, increasing crash risk. Affects certain 2021-2023 Outback vehicles. |
Medium | Rare | N/A miles |
| Driver'S Side Window Malfunction Driver's side window frequently fails to roll up, posing a safety issue in inclement weather. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-50000 miles |
| Unintended Acceleration Vehicle accelerating unexpectedly when the brake pedal is depressed, leading to crashes. |
High | Rare | 0-50000 miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Subaru Outback:
Frequent complaints about fragile windshields cracking easily and issues with window operation.
Malfunctions including unintended braking, acceleration, and the EyeSight system randomly shutting off.
Issues with the Starlink infotainment system, battery failures, and general electrical glitches.
A variety of miscellaneous issues not fitting into specific categories, including pop-up ads on infotainment and seat shaking.
Reports of the car jerking or stalling when coming to a stop, and recall related to driveshaft and inhibitor switch.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Subaru Outback
Is the 2023 Subaru Outback safe?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 Subaru Outback received excellent 5-star overall, frontal, and side crash ratings, and a 4-star rollover rating, indicating strong passive safety. However, there are 83 consumer complaints, including 7 crashes and 3 injuries, highlighting concerns with active safety systems like Forward Collision Avoidance, infotainment reliability, and fragile windshields. Two recalls also address potential power train safety issues.
What are common problems with the 2023 Subaru Outback?
The most reported issues for the 2023 Subaru Outback include problems with VISIBILITY/WIPER (15 complaints), often related to fragile windshields, and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (10 complaints) with reports of unintended braking or system failures. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues (9 complaints), primarily concerning the Starlink infotainment system, are also common. Two recalls address potential driveshaft and automatic transmission issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2023 Subaru Outback?
Yes, the 2023 Subaru Outback has two recalls. One recall (POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT) is for loosening center support bolts that could cause driveshaft disconnection. The other recall (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH) is for an insufficient weld that may affect reverse lights and the rearview camera.
How does the 2023 Subaru Outback perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Subaru Outback performs exceptionally well in NHTSA crash tests, achieving a 5-star overall safety rating. It also received 5 stars for frontal crash and side crash tests, and a 4-star rating for rollover resistance.
What should I know about the EyeSight system in the 2023 Outback?
While EyeSight is a key safety feature, there are 10 complaints specifically about the FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE system, which is part of EyeSight. Reports indicate instances of unintended braking, unintended acceleration, and the system randomly shutting off, which can pose significant safety risks. These issues are also sometimes linked to the broader infotainment system malfunctions.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of reported issues with the infotainment system, fragile windshields, and active safety system glitches, and ensure all recall work has been completed.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Subaru Outback
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Subaru Outback. The data includes 83 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 7 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 Subaru Outback an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.