Is the Subaru Outback reliable?
57% of the 44 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 65/100 — it scores a little better than average.
44
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections65/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10057%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 44 used Subaru Outbacks we inspected, this model scores a little better than average — average condition 65/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
66%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
32%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
30%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
18%
Fluid leaks · Steering (hydraulic power)
18%
Share of inspected Subaru Outbacks where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 27%
Good 30%
Mediocre 30%
Poor 14%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
61%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
5%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
25%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a Outback stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
Share of Subaru Outbacks in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; a band under 20 cars follows the nearby bands, so a run above the all-cars line stays above it, and a band of 20 or more uses the rate we measured; where a band has too few cars, the line follows the trend between the bands on either side; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Subaru
Other Subaru models we've inspected — or see the full Subaru profile.
Straight from recent Subaru Outback reports
2018 Subaru Outback · 105k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, oil leaks, dirty or low engine oil. Inspected Nov 4.
2017 Subaru Outback · 182k mi — flagged: crankcase gas pressure, belts, oil leaks. Inspected Oct 29.
The bottom line
Standing in front of an Outback, treat the engine as the deal-breaker and the paint as background noise. Oil leaks show up on most of these cars, and cooling trouble on about 30 percent, so check the underside and the reservoir before you trust a clean dashboard. Cracked suspension bushings come next; if steering fluid is also weeping or the tires are shot, that is a repair bill worth negotiating or walking away from. A repainted panel is ordinary here and much less worrying than structural repair, which barely appears. Cleared codes are routine, so they prove nothing until those leaks are ruled out.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Subaru Outback?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (66%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (32%), low coolant / cooling system issues (30%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 25% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Subaru Outback? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 44 inspections · updated Nov 11, 2026
