2023 Subaru Outback
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2023 Subaru Outback is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 370 on record.
2023 Subaru Outback at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2023 Subaru Outback recalls 2
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2023 Subaru Outback common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2023 Subaru Outback safety ratings
Rollover risk: 18.5% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2023 Subaru Outback SW AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2023 Subaru Outback MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2023 Subaru Outback costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2023 Subaru Outback — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 334
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 334.
This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
Bulletin SubaruNet Announcement (M · Electrical System · Oct 2026This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
Bulletin SubaruNet Announcement (T · Power Train, Electrical System · Sep 2026This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Bulletin 13-109-26 · Sep 2026"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
Bulletin 18-244-26 · Electrical System · Sep 2026This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Bulletin SubaruNet Announcement (C · Sep 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Bulletin 15-333-25R · Electrical System · Sep 2026This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Bulletin 15-304-22R · Electrical System · Sep 2026This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Bulletin 05-62-18R · Structure · Aug 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
Bulletin SubaruNet Announcement (C · Power Train, Electrical System · Aug 2026This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
Bulletin 16-158-26 · Power Train · Aug 2026Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the OUTBACK AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2023 Subaru Outback. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus", "Rims/Jantes", "Front/Avant" and "Rear/Arriere". Canadian regulations require this information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safet…
Transport Canada #2024546 · Aug 2024Electrical
Issue: On certain vehicles, water could enter the inhibitor switch and cause it to fail. If this happens, the backup lamps may not turn on and the rearview camera image may not display when backing up. This could also cause the gear selection indicator in the instrument panel not to be displayed. Safety Risk: Backup lamps that don't work could cause others not to recognize when…
Transport Canada #2023607 · Nov 2023Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the driveshaft center support brace could loosen. If this happens, the front end of the driveshaft could separate. Safety Risk: A driveshaft that separates could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Subaru will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to clean the bolt mounting surfa…
Transport Canada #2023521 · Sep 2023Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is an automotive nameplate used by the Japanese automaker Subaru for two different themed vehicles: a Legacy-derived station wagon, the Outback, and an Impreza-derived off-road themed hatchback, the Outback Sport (1994–2011).
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2023 Subaru Outback trims & engines on record
2023 Subaru Outback vehicles on record
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTANC4P3184680
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTGUD2R3138569
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTGLD1P3217889
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTALC3R3184806
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTGND7R3166530
2023 Subaru OutbackJF1BT9LL3PG039148
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTANCXR3136197
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTAFC6P3204488
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTANCXP3192699
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTADC6P3211766
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTANC4R3198629
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTANC1P3187438
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTANCXR3219001
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTALC6R3131307
2023 Subaru OutbackJF1BTAL83PG046104
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTDKC9P3212379
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTGND9R3180073
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTGPD2P3165716
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTGPD9P3218122
2023 Subaru OutbackJF1BT9LL3PG039824
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTANCXP3212725
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTADC3P3222045
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTGUD8R3216661
2023 Subaru Outback4S4BTAPC7P3171483