2011 Subaru Outback problems
The Subaru Outback is an automotive nameplate used by the Japanese automaker Subaru for two different SUV-themed vehicles: a Legacy-derived crossover station wagon, the Outback (1994–present, also sold as Legacy Outback (Japanese: スバル・レガシィアウトバック, Hepburn: Subaru Regashi Autobakku) in some markets), and an Impreza-derived off-road themed hatchback, the Outback Sport (1994–2011).
Most versions of the Outback wagon and Outback Sport have had all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
History
The original Outback station wagon was derived from the wagon variant of the second-generation Subaru Legacy. The first-generation Legacy, which made its debut in 1989, did not receive the cosmetic and suspension modifications to create an Outback version, although Subaru offered an Outdoor option package for the 1994 model year Legacy L all-wheel drive model, which added a compressed air strut height adjustable suspension, a luggage rack, a skidplate, and mud flaps.
Earlier, a raised-roof "Touring Wagon" variant had been offered on the preceding Subaru Leone for the 1988 and 1989 model years. Subaru also sold a raised-roof variant (chassis code BF) of the first-generation Legacy wagon outside the United States. North American Legacy wagons were only offered as the flat-roof variant (chassis code BJ) until a special "GT" model was marketed for the 1994 model year.
The second-generation Legacy wagon became the first generation of the Outback crossover series, called the "Legacy Grand Wagon" in Japan in 1995, and the "Legacy Outback" in most other markets. Compared to the existing Legacy wagon, the "Outback" variant added partial protective plastic side body cladding for off-road conditions, used a raised roof, and would later raise the suspension to provide additional ground clearance. It was introduced at the 1994 New York Auto Show. Aside from other small differences in trim, the Outback shares almost all of its components with the Legacy donor model.
When launched in Australia in 1996, the name "Legacy Outback" was shortened to "Outback", followed in other markets afterwards. In the United States, Subaru also retailed the Legacy SUS sedan between the 1997 and 2007 model years, with similar modifications to distinguish it from the equivalent Legacy model sedan. The Impreza Outback Sport was introduced at the 1996 New York Auto Show, but for the 1997 model year, the donor model names were dropped, and the cars were known as the "Outback" and "Outback Sport".
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Common 2011 Subaru Outback problems
The 2011 Subaru Outback has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. One of the most frequently mentioned issues is related to the engine, specifically pinging on regular gas.
Another issue that has been reported by many 2011 Subaru Outback owners is related to the backup camera. In some cases, the camera stops working altogether, requiring replacement to resolve the problem. This issue can be particularly concerning for drivers who rely on the backup camera for safety and convenience while reversing.
The 2011 Subaru Outback has also been reported to have problems with the cooling system, which can lead to head gasket failure.
In addition to these issues, the 2011 Subaru Outback has also been reported to have problems with the front O2 sensor, which can trigger a recall.
Finally, some 2011 Subaru Outback owners have reported problems with the steering and suspension system, including issues with shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage, power steering, wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, and electronic or air suspension.
Overall, while the 2011 Subaru Outback is known for its reliability and high-mileage engine, it is not immune to common problems that can affect its performance and safety. Owners of this vehicle should be aware of these issues and take steps to address them promptly to ensure the safe and reliable operation of their vehicle.
Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
The model year that had the most issue was the 2011 Subaru Outback. This model year had a total transmission failure that generally happened around the 100,000-mile mark on the engine.
Is 2011 Subaru Outback a good car?
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited SUV. Spacious interior, excellent outward visibility, crossover-besting cargo space, comfortable ride, perfect crash scores, commendable off-road performance for a wagon, simple controls on lower trims.
What year was bad for Subaru Outback?
2010 and 2011 Subaru Outbacks Stand Out as the Worst Years Due to High Recall Count, Excessive Oil Consumption, Head Gasket Failures, and Transmission Problems.
Are there any recalls on a 2011 Subaru Outback?
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2010, THROUGH MAY 20, 2011. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER MAY OVERHEAT. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
The model year that had the most issue was the 2011 Subaru Outback. This model year had a total transmission failure that generally happened around the 100,000-mile mark on the engine.
Is 2011 Subaru Outback a good car?
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited SUV. Spacious interior, excellent outward visibility, crossover-besting cargo space, comfortable ride, perfect crash scores, commendable off-road performance for a wagon, simple controls on lower trims.
What is the most common problem with a Subaru Outback?
Some top Subaru Outback problems include weak windshields, poor cooling systems, oxygen sensor failure, excessive oil consumption due to oil leaks, and faulty airbags.
Are there any recalls on a 2011 Subaru Outback?
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2010, THROUGH MAY 20, 2011. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER MAY OVERHEAT. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.
2011 Subaru Outback car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Outback problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Engine problems
- Service brakes problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Subaru Outback vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2011 Subaru Outback
The NHTSA has received 634 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Subaru Outback. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2011 Subaru Outback vehicles.
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-20
- VIN: 4S4BREKC8B2
- Components: POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Bought vehicle from Carvana, immediately noticed transmission shudder issues when driving near 50 mph. Brought vehicle in to multiple repair facilities. It had warped brakes, bad calipers, needed a new torque converter at least and the repair shop recommended a total transmission replacement. The whole vehicle shakes when driving near that speed or braking.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: 4S4BRBCCXB1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat near the hip area between the passenger and the door had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer confirmed that due to the mileage on the vehicle, the manufacturer was not obligated to assist with the repair. The failure mileage was 230,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-21
- VIN: 4S4BRBCC6B3
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle while the vehicle was still in motion, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- VIN: 4S4BRBCCXB3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Rear brake lines at junction block right rear corroded.As is the sane situation with 2009 models and under and impreza models newer with same design cannot understand why this model year was passed by
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 4S4BRBGC2B3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and approaching a truck, the brake pedal was depressed and travelled down to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to fail to respond. The contact stated that the truck that was in front of the vehicle made a turn, which prevented the vehicle from crashing into the truck. The contact stated that he was able to pull into a parking lot, where the vehicle rolled until it stopped. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that his wife who had just undergone a spinal surgery was occupying the front passenger's seat when the failure occurred. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake lines had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the VIN was included in an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-19
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 4S4BRDKC0B2
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 1. Propulsion, acceleration, brakes, transmission- no longer available for inspection 2. The vehicle went completely out of control; I stood on the brakes as hard as I could but would not stop or slow the car at all. We careened down a hill and head on into a large tree 3. not reproduced or confirmed 4. Vehicle was inspected by insurance company and was declared a total loss 5. no signs of any malfunction prior to wreck
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-02
- VIN: 4S4BRDKC3B2
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The parking brake actuator has failed. A recall already exists for this exact component but only extends to manual transmission vehicles. The recall for manual transmission vehicles is # 18V626000; the latest version of the part in question is Subaru part #26002AJ01E. The recall refers to a manufacturer defect. The quoted repair price for this issue is over $1300; the part alone is $850. At that price, many people (including me) simply cannot afford the repair and will have to forgo the added layer of safety provided by the parking brake. It is clear Subaru is aware of a manufacturer defect impacting a safety critical part but has minimized their costs by restricting the recall to a small subset of vehicles. Additionally, given that Subaru is charging $850 for a relatively simple component, Subaru may be seeking to profit from their own mistake. I request that NHTSA require Subaru to extend the recall to ALL vehicles with that component, not just the ones with manual transmissions. While automatic transmission vehicles have the parking gear manual transmission vehicles lack, I can think of a number of circumstances in which a parking brake could be critical. Barring that, I request NHTSA order the manufacturer of that component to provide repairs free of charge in the event of a failure.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-01
- VIN: 4S4BRCGC1B3
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Seems like a transmission problem on my Subaru Outback. While braking to a stop the car shudders and then the engine stalls creating a hazardous situation. I'm forced to put the car in park and restart the engine. This sounds like a common issue with the tourque converter on these cars. This problem happens on a near daily basis unless you drive with such extreme caution you can sometimes avoid the issue.
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-30
- VIN: 4S4BRDKC1B2
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The emergency brake light and traction symbol have started flashing when I’m driving and now the EB has stopped working. I’ve visiting the Subaru dealership twice and two other mechanics. They’ve all told me different reasons why my car is doing this. I’ve never had an emergency break stop working.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-05
- VIN: 4S4BRCCC6B3
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: in 2023 my car started overheating. took it in and it was the headgasket. even with the age of my car, it only had just over 105,000 miles on it. looking at other subarus for sale out of curiosity, I saw that quite a lot had their engines replaced. even newer than mine. i do see this as a expensive problem, which I know first hand. the headgasket went while i was on the freeway. tried to make it home, wasn't to far away, but had to be towed.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-01
- VIN: 4S4BRDJC7B2
- Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: Dashboard lights flashing, Brake lights Traction control Cruise Check engine
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-28
- VIN: 4S4BRBJC0B3
- Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I have maintained my 2011 Outback well, and in August of 2023, while driving the vehicle, I lost the brakes. I had to fully depress the brake pedal to the floor in order to stop, fortunately not hitting the car in front of me . I brought the car to my local mechanic who advised me that the brake line rusted and failed as a result. As he was making the brake line repair, he advised me that there is SEVERE rusting to my underbody of my car and it's not normal. I then contacted Subaru Corporate Customer Service who asked me to bring the car into a Subaru Repair facility to have the car inspected. I brought the car into Ramsey Subaru, and with a charge of $150 to inspect the car, they advised me that the rust is significant and is unsafe to drive. They proceeded to quote me an estimated repair bill of over $6,000 to correct the rust issues. I then contacted Subaru Corporate HQ (Case #231011-1901134) and they advised me that the car is old, and there's nothing that they can do to assist me. However, what I'd like to bring to your attention, is the Outback model up to 2010, had a brake line rusting issue and they had a recall on it. In addition, when you search for 'Rust on Subaru" you can see that previous models years have been identified with Body Frame rusting issues, that prompted a recall on previous models. My ask is? Have you be contacted by other 2011 Subaru Outback owners about severe rust issues, and as a result lost their brakes and were told there car in no longer safe to drive?
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-09
- VIN: 4S4BRCJC4B3
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The car shudders when we come to a stop, sometimes cuts off completely. I am told this is a faulty torque converter. This is my 5th subaru, so I love the car, but, I have a family now, and I am not sure this is a safe vehicle for them to be in, please help me!!
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- VIN: 4S4BRBCC9B3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Rear brake line rusted through at 4 way connector and again on side of tank. It is visible to inspect when a plastic cover is removed. The brakes failed and the car would not stop. The brake light did not appear until after I applied the brake pedal to stop. This could have caused a serious accident.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-01
- VIN: 4S4BRBGC3B3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The rear brakes lines have rusted out to the point of leaking. Could of loss brakes on the road!
POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-03
- VIN: 4S4BRCGC6B3
- Components: POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Transmission failure at 55mph my couldn't shift and the motor revved up all the way to the redline mark and wouldn't stop when I tried to stop it the reaction control lights came on the cruise control light was flashing the emergency break light was flashing every light on my dash was flashing there was a terrible vibration in the steering wheel the Transmission was humming really loud and just got worse the car just kept going and not stopping I could have hit someone another person a car I could have hit anything instead I choose the ditch and cornfield the car has been looked at by a repair shop and everything has been duplicated by them the problem hasn't gone away or changed all the codes were cleared and as soon as it starts up they all came back signaling the transmission and torque converter the sounds are still there also upon start up the engine starts fine but the car can't be driven can't get above 15 mph without vibration and loud noises and the motor revving up without notice this is very dangerous you can't control the car
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-14
- VIN: 4S4BRDKCXB2
- Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated there was a clunking sound coming from the front suspension location and the vehicle started feeling unstable while driving approximately 30 MPH. The steering wheel began to sway towards the left causing the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the front subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion and needed to be replaced along with the front suspension. The front subframe and suspension was repaired; however, while doing so the dealer further diagnosed that the rear subframe and suspension had severe corrosion. The rear subframe and suspension was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-21
- VIN: 4S4BRDGC9B2
- Components: SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that subframe was severely corroded. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-17
- VIN: 4S4BRDGC9B2
- Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: My mechanic tells me my Outback's K frame/engine cradle is rotting out where the control arms are attached. This is obviously a common problem with this run of vehicles, and leads to catastrophic failure. Further, the rear brake lines have rotted, and the geniuses ran them above the fuel tank, which would have to be dropped in order to repair. I believe this is a common enough problem to warrant investigation.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-09
- VIN: 4S4BRCJC0B3
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: Vehicle engine/transmission/torque converter dies when coming to a stop. This is especially an issue when having to stop suddenly and get going again quickly as the vehicle has to be put in neutral, restarted, and put back in drive. It is a safety issue at traffic lights, traffic signals, and in stop and go traffic that has resulted in a multitude of near-miss rear end collisions that put my life and my families lives in danger. There is a service bulletin from Subaru (Bulletin Number: 16-90-13R; Revised: 02/15/18) that addresses a similar issue, but fails to mention the vehicle engine dying and the inherent safety issues that comes with the engine shutting off.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-27
- VIN: 4S4BRBGC3B3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: July 2023 badly leaking hard brake lines, apparently at Right Rear underbody 4-way connector. This caused radically diminished braking capability, rendering car not drivable.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-09
- VIN: 4S4BRBGC3B3
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: October 2019 Torque Converter failed, with unexpected stall outs & difficulty re-starting at stops. This was potentially dangerous, as driver could not get out of way of approaching vehicles.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-20
- VIN: 4S4BRBCC4B3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My front subframe broke. I was driving the car and was exiting the highway. I heard a snap n then had no control. Had my mechanic look at car and said frame snapped and control arm broke. The week before i had my car alignment and new tires put on. Nothing was noticed then. Mechsaud rusted from inside out.. After talkwith many different repair shops, they all stated that the front subframe breaks on subarus. They need to change the design. I called subaru and asked them to fix. Said car was to old and to many miles. I have owned cars for over 40yrs , with well over 200k mils on them. I have never had a frame break. It's very unusual when mechanics says this is a problem with subaru. Plus the subframes are on backorder. Thats how many they are selling. Even the used parts dealers can't get them
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-27
- VIN: 4S4BRCKC9B3
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: Failure of front subframe while driving. Vehicle is unable to be driven. Vehicle pulled severely to drivers side while driving. Subframe had severe deterioration by rust . Vehicle is at Annen Brake Fond du Lac, Wi and available for inspection. Replacement part is unavailable and there is no ETA by manufacturer.
STEERING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-31
- VIN: 4S4BRDKC8B2
- Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS
- Summary: Loss of steering wheel electronic functions including paddle shifters radio volume and Airbag light illuminated. Looked up faults and found NHTSA campaign ID 10V283000 which describes cable damage from Subaru manufacturing. According to Subaru and NHTSA, our vehicle was manufactured 2 months after "Affected" vehicles. Subaru unwilling to work on problem as it is not listed in affect vehicles, yet clearly the problems found are exact match to campaign list. I will seek outside confirmation of failure and then request NHTSA to update the affect vehicles list so Subaru can fix a safety issue for all affected vehicles.
2011 Subaru Outback recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 16 recalls for different components of the 2011 Subaru Outback.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
- Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
- Consequence: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
- Consequence: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
- Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
- Consequence: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
- Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
- Summary: SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 3, 2010, THROUGH JULY 1, 2011. THE MOONROOF GLASS MAY COME LOOSE OR DETACH. THE AMOUNT AND POSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE GLASS AND RETAINER WAS INADEQUATELY APPLIED.
- Consequence: THE MOONROOF GLASS CAN LOOSEN AND DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GLASS ADHESION CONDITION AND EITHER APPLY ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE OR REPLACE THE MOONROOF GLASS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
- Summary: SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.
- Consequence: IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
- Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Negative 2011 Subaru Outback car reviews
Positive 2011 Subaru Outback car reviews
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It's great for utility purposes! I mountain bike, ski, and carry lots of sporting gear all over the place. The acceleration is impressive for the HP and it drives very well for the price. I highly recommend this car to others because of its value and safety. Although the Bluetooth and noise in the car could be improved, I've had such a good experience with this car that I felt compelled to write a review.
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I recently purchased this Outback used, and it's my 5th Subaru. I have always been pleased with the brand, and this car is no exception. Compared to my 03, this car is very refined and quiet, with lots of room. As someone who is 6 ft 5, I was pleasantly surprised to find that even with the seat all the way back, I can still comfortably reach the pedals. While some reviewers have noted that these Subarus don't handle as well as previous models, I find that it turns well and has adequate road feel. The base radio is fine, although I do miss the weather band. I've read reviews that criticize the interior for having too much plastic, but I don't think it looks cheap at all. The fit and finish are good, and I believe that Subaru hit the mark with this redesign. It's tight, well-made, and will last a long time. In fact, my previous Subaru lasted around 8 years, which is the longest I've ever held onto a car. I feel blessed to have good dealer support in southern New York, and I've been dealing with the same dealer for over 20 years. When my 03 was in an accident, the turnaround time to my 2011 was done in a day! Overall, I highly recommend this car.
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As a manufacturers rep, I spend a lot of time on the road, covering 40,000 miles a year. For my last two vehicles, I opted for Honda Odyssey Vans, which I can honestly say I have no complaints about. However, I felt it was time for a change and decided to try out a Subaru. After two months and 8,000 miles, I can confidently say that I am very satisfied with my decision. I must give credit to the personal reviews on this site, which helped me make my choice. I was initially concerned about the 4-cylinder engine and whether it would provide enough power, but I needn't have worried - it's been more than adequate. I look forward to updating my review in the future and providing an honest assessment for potential Subaru buyers. Overall, I am a truly happy Subaru owner.
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I really love this car! With 3.6L engine, it has plenty of power while still maintaining decent gas mileage. Although I did have one complaint about the soft ride and poor handling, I was able to fix it by installing KYB gas shocks. Now, it handles great and rides nice and firm. (Watch out Cayennes!) My friends and I have taken this car on the LA to Mammoth trek many times for skiing, and the AWD has been a lifesaver. We can even fit 4 adults and a dog for a weekend of skiing if we put the skis and boards on the ingenious roof rack system.
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Congratulations on your new Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited with moonroof package! It sounds like the perfect vehicle for your winter ski trip and family vacations. With 1200 miles on it already, you've had a chance to experience its reliability and value firsthand. It's great to hear that it's averaging around 25 miles per gallon for daily driving. While the auto climate control for the limited may be a little weak on Auto, increasing the fan speed by two notches does the trick. Overall, it sounds like you made an excellent choice with this vehicle!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2011 Subaru Outback problems:
2011 Subaru Outback Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Mar 17, 2022 ... It is reliable, have had no major problems that have cost a ton of money to repair. Good for kids, pets, active lifestyle. Gas mileage is pretty ...
Just bought a 2011 3.6r premium outback! Any known issues? : r ...
Jun 1, 2021 ... Front subframe rust, oring between oil cooler and engine tend to leak, squeaky strap tensionner... Thats about it.
2011 Outback owned since new showing issues - would you fix or ...
Dec 13, 2022 ... There are repair parts everywhere for the EJ253 in the car and it is easy to work on. The CVT? A new reman from Subaru is $7k or so - about the ...
Thinking about buying a 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5 Limited : r ...
Jun 23, 2020 ... Those seem to be the most pressing issues with this car. Struts, fluids and scratches are relatively irrelevant. I'd ask for a significant ...
Gen 4 - 2011 Subaru Outback - Should I buy? | Subaru Outback ...
Sep 7, 2021 ... Transmission Failure Is a Common Problem for the 2011 Subaru Outback. There are a few Subaru Outback problems worth looking out for ...
Other years of Subaru Outback
Are you having problems with your 2011 Subaru Outback?
Conor Pfannerstill 2024-10-13
Hello! I just wanted to give you an update on my 7/28 review. I'm happy to report that Subaru has released a TSB for the steering wheel shake, which includes new front and rear bushings, a new steering wheel with dampener, a new mount for the trans, and a bunch of other parts. My car was at the dealer for 2 days for the repair, and it drives a lot better now without the shake. However, I did notice that the steering wheel vibrates above 70 mph, kind of like operating a power tool. I called the dealer to let them know about the issue, but unfortunately, they said there's nothing more they can do. Despite this, I still find the car to be comfortable, powerful, and fun to drive, as long as I stay below 70. I'm a bit envious of those of you without the shake or vibration, but overall, I'm still happy with my Subaru. Thanks for reading!
Darrin Watsica 2024-08-26
The transmission on this car may have issues after 118000 miles, but the rest of the vehicle is in great condition. It is important to note that this is a common issue with cvt transmissions on these models. However, with proper maintenance and care, this car can still be a reliable vehicle. Overall, it is a good choice for those who prioritize performance and style.
Marcellus Glover 2024-07-13
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with our car. We've had it for 6 years now and overall it's been very reliable. However, we have noticed some issues with the electronics lately, such as the O2 sensors, rear view camera, and electronic parking brake not working properly. Unfortunately, diagnosing and replacing these electronic modules can be quite expensive. While the rear view camera and electronic parking brake are nice features to have, we've found that we can still get by without them. In fact, we've found that the old fashioned way of turning your head and using mechanical brakes can be just as effective and more affordable to repair. Overall, we've found that these electronic features can start to break down after the warranty period, but we've still been able to enjoy our car without them. Thanks for listening!
Dimitri Tromp 2024-05-20
I have owned two Subaru's over the past four years, a 2009 Forrester and a 2011 Outback. While I was excited to start driving a Subaru, I have to admit that I've been disappointed with the quality of the cars. Unfortunately, I've experienced some issues that have been a bit frustrating, such as the standard Subaru brake clunk and muffler-guard rattle, as well as a catalytic convertor baffle noise vibration. Additionally, there have been some clicking noises behind the driver's dashboard and creaking/rattles in the plastic trays on the sides of the doors. As a result, I've started to explore other car brands that might better suit my needs. Thank you for the time we've had together, Subaru, but it's time for me to move on.
Nelson Cole 2024-05-17
CVT transmissions have been known to have some issues. If your vehicle is out of warranty, the cost of installing a remanufactured CVT transmission can be as high as $10,000. It's worth noting that some dash warning lights may flash every few weeks, which can cause some systems to shut down. While Subaru shops may not have a clear understanding of why this happens, there are many resources available online that can help you troubleshoot the issue. If you're considering purchasing an older model, particularly one from around 2011, it may be worth doing some additional research to ensure that it's the right fit for you.