2011 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

85Engine complaints

13.1%Of all 649 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN209 · 32.2%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING115 · 17.7%

ENGINE85 · 13.1%

SERVICE BRAKES67 · 10.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66 · 10.2%

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

“1ST INCIDENT 1/10/2014- LEAVING A STOP LIGHT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND VDC, CEL AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING. SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD…”NHTSA complaint 10562754 — filed 02/03/2014

“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

“THIS CAR IS A SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I MANUAL 6SPD TRANSMISSION. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH CAR IDLING, THE RPM'S GET VERY LOW AND CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10505730 — filed 04/09/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2011 Subaru Outback: 85 of 649 complaints on file (13.1%). 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 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 23 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.