Best And Worst Years For Subaru Outback (2023 Updated)
Last updated on February 3rd, 2023 at 10:24 pm
The Subaru Outback has a higher ground clearance than most cars and SUVs, which is a big plus. Its spacious cabin and cargo hold make it great for off-road adventures and useful for families. Like any other car series, the Outback has had both good and bad times.
The Subaru Outback is a well-known SUV with many unique features that make it comfortable for many people. The outback is useful for many things, from running errands to taking a vacation.
In this article, we’ll look at what’s the best and worst years for subaru outback.
Must Check: What Are The Best And Worst Years For The Subaru Crosstrek?
The Best Years For The Subaru Outback
We will start with the positivity so we will look at the best subaru outback reliability by year. The cars below have been tried and tested, so if one or more interests you, don’t be afraid to put money down. Again, each brand and model has its unique benefits. I’ll tell you the best years to buy a used Subaru outback, so I don’t waste more of your time.
2022
With its Wilderness package, updated suspension, and all-terrain tires, the subaru outback reliability by year from this model year is a big step up from the ones that came before it. Customers are drawn to the vehicle’s strong exterior because it can go off-road without sacrificing space for luggage or people.
2021
As we’ll see, the Subaru Outback didn’t have a good model year in 2020 (more on that below), but the Japanese automaker made some big changes for the 2021 model. The electrical system was fixed, and the windshield stopped cracking for no apparent reason. For example, Subaru added rear passenger warning lights and adaptive headlights, which are small but important changes for the year.
2009
People loved the 2009 Subaru Outback even more than the ones before it. This is because problems present in earlier model years have been fixed. The overall look of the 2009 Subaru Outback was improved significantly. For example, by adding a Turbocharger XT, the power went up by at least 250 HP at 6000 RPM, which isn’t very fast. The was among the best years for subaru outback.
2008
The 2008 Subaru Outback was a continuation of the best generation of Outbacks. It had all the same features that made that generation stand out.
There were three engine choices, some small changes to the front end, a wagon body style and a sedan body style, and all-wheel drive came as standard.
The car’s strong, comfortable interior and high ground clearance made it a pleasure to drive without sacrificing its usefulness.
2007
Even though the third generation of the Subaru Outback was successful, the 2006 model year wasn’t as popular as the 2005 model year.
But the 2007 model was better because it had fewer problems overall. However, it still had the same helpful features and comfortable cabin, like higher ground clearance, AWD, an automatic transmission, and a nice cabin.
The smart drive was a nice added feature because it let you choose between speed and gas mileage. The Subaru Outback has been a good alternative to larger SUVs for a long time.
2005
This car is part of Subaru’s third-generation lineup, which includes some of the brand’s most famous years. Some changes have been made to this car, which has an XT turbo engine. Many unique changes to the inside have helped it stand out from others. Customers were impressed by these best years for subaru outback which had 250 horsepower of the 2.5-liter engine.
1999
Starting with the 1994 model year, the first generation of Subaru Outbacks had the same high-quality features as the 1999 model. This vehicle’s all-wheel-drive system is very impressive.
The car is fun to drive on flat and rocky roads because it handles well, has good springs, and is easy to steer.
Again, dependability is the most important thing, as this car will run for decades with only an oil change every few years.
1996
The 1996 Subaru Outback came out only two years after the first Outback. It was another hit for the brand.
Its all-wheel drive was well-known for making it easy to drive through snow, where other cars like Jeeps and Rodeos would get stuck.
Features like lumbar support and heated seats are nice to have. This type is reliable and will serve you well for many years of travel and use with the least care.
1994
The 1994 model, which was the first and best of its kind, helped the first generation of Subaru Outbacks hit a home run. It’s one of the best and most reliable products that the company has ever made.
The car’s 125 horsepower isn’t too much to handle because of its independent suspension, hydraulic amplifier, and disc drive braking system.
This model made Top Gear’s top 10 list in 2003, which shows how committed Subaru is to making high-quality cars. Hence, this was the best rated year for subaru outback.
You might also like: Cars Similar To The Subaru Outback
The Worst Years For The Subaru Outback
This part will discuss what’s the worst years for subaru outback and why you shouldn’t buy them. It’s important to keep in mind that even a small problem with your car could get worse over time. You should stay away from them because of this. We’ve compiled a list of the worst years to buy a Subaru Outback for your convenience.
2020
Problems with the windshield had been going on for two years, but this was the last. The driver and other drivers were annoyed by the headlights, and the speed control showed signs of early wear in the worst years for subaru outback. Maybe the bright headlights were supposed to warn other drivers that the car in question was dangerous.
2019
Compared to other generations, there are more complaints about the 2019 Subaru Outback on the page for complaints. People who owned the car often complained about the battery and the windshield.
The battery in this car may die too quickly, and the windshield may crack for no reason. Because this happens so often, cracks seem to appear out of nowhere. It’s important to note that many people think driving this car is inherently dangerous. Don’t buy a 2019 Subaru Outback to avoid these problems.
2017
The 2017 Subaru Outback had the same battery problems as the previous models.
Sometimes the battery would just die, making it impossible to start the engine. Still, the windshield was in bad shape, with cracks that didn’t seem to have any reason.
It was so cheap that even the rain could break it easily. There were also problems with how fast the car moved, which made it hard to move forward.
It was too bad that the touchscreen inside the car often froze and stopped working.
2016
The 2016 Subaru Outback kept up the bad track record set by the 2015 model, showing buyers that they shouldn’t spend money on this generation.
Even though it had fewer problems than the 2015 Outback, it still had enough problems to be on this list. The battery would die so quickly that the engine wouldn’t start very often.
The electrical system in the car was so bad that the battery had to be jumped a few times a week just to start the engine. There were still low-quality parts inside, like the touchscreen, and the windshield was still easy to crack.
2015
With the 2015 Subaru Outback, a new generation of Subaru Outbacks started. With its new look came many new problems, making this model the one about which people have complained the most.
The battery had a lot of problems, and it broke down often. Sometimes the battery was so weak that it was impossible to start the engine.
The windshield was also cheaply made and weak. It cracked while driving for no apparent reason, which could have been very dangerous.
2014
People didn’t like a lot of things about the 2014 Subaru Outback. The problem with acceleration was that it was slow. This car has other problems, such as problems with the engine system. The 2014 Subaru Outback is said to have the most customer complaints of any Subaru car. It has problems that never seem to end, and each one costs a lot to fix. More than 349 people said bad things about the 2014 Subaru Outback.
Because of problems with the front airbags, the car was called back at least ten times. Several drivers were worried that the airbags didn’t work right. Explosions happen often, and they can be dangerous. It is thought that this problem affects as many as 258,813 cars.
2013
Oil is used to make almost every part of a car. Motor Biscuit says that this is what keeps everything oiled and running well. Most people know that putting enough oil in a car’s engine is important for it to work right. The 2013 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, is very different.
Because the piston rings are broken, oil gets into the engine’s combustion chamber. This leads to many other problems and makes it hard to control the car. Since the oil doesn’t collect where it should, it must be somewhere else. Carbon dust is what comes out of this.
2011
The 2011 Subaru Outback, the second model in the fourth generation of the Outback, came out with more problems than its predecessor. There were many problems with the lights and transmission, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got hundreds of complaints.
The car’s headlights and bulbs often burned out, and when they did, the headlight casing would sometimes completely melt.
This is a pretty expensive problem to fix. This was a common problem: transmissions often jerked and broke down. This model was one of the ones that Takata called back. When the airbags were turned on, they blew up, sending pieces of metal all over the people inside.
2010
The 2010 Subaru Outback is one of the most trouble-prone cars on the market, so you should stay away from it. Think about how often this same car has been called back because of safety concerns. A car being called back 18 times is a lot, but that’s what happened to the Subaru Outback. One of the main reasons this car has been called back so many times is that the airbags don’t work right. The airbags on this car don’t seem to work right. If the airbags don’t protect you while driving, it could be very dangerous.
FAQs About Best and Worst Years For Subaru Outback
Which year Outback is most reliable?
The 2009 Subaru Outback is among the most reliable year for subaru outback. It was produced during a period in which Subaru paid special attention to making their vehicles faster and more agile. Subaru’s new rough wagon look has inspired similar designs from other automakers. This Subaru outback is trustworthy because of its many uses and all-wheel-drive technology.
What years are the worst for Subaru?
The top five worst years for Subaru are:
2010
2013
2014
2019
2020
What is the most unreliable Subaru?
Everyone agrees that the 2013 Outback is the worst because it uses a lot of oil in a bad way.
What is the best Subaru Outback engine?
The 2019 Subaru Outback Touring grade is the way to go if you want the most power out of the latest generation of this popular crossover. In this trim, Subaru provides a 3.6L DOHC six-cylinder engine, good for 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque.
What year is the safest Subaru Outback?
Based on the new IIHS side crash test results, the 2022 Subaru Outback and 2022 Subaru Ascent are the safest new midsize automobiles on the market.
Conclusion
The Subaru Outback has a good reputation for being well-made and comfortable inside. Fans like this car because it is reliable, tough, and safe. This means it’s a great car for driving in the city and going off-road. If you’re looking for a used car, we’ve already told you which model years of the Subaru Outback to stay away from and which to look for first.
As long as you take care of your Subaru Outback, you should be able to drive it for another 200,000 miles before it needs any major repairs. Altogether, this shows at least 18 years of hard work for the company.
Between 1994 and 1999, the Subaru Outback had some of its best years. Even the “worst” models of the Subaru Outback from the middle to late 1990s can’t hold a candle to what we have now, but the Outback was a big deal when it came out.
Since the 2005 model year, Outback has had all the aforementioned features, We believe it to be the greatest Outback ever produced. However, everyone agrees that the 2013 Outback is the worst because of its terrible problem with oil consumption.
