Subaru
Outback
Subaru Outback: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.
Licensed photo · Photo creditMakeSubaru
ClassSmall SUV
Model years (US)2005–2027
New registrations (EU)2000–2025
Recall dataNHTSA (United States)
Generations and technical specifications
Subaru Outback – Seventh generation2025–present
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | BU |
| Production | 2025–present |
| Model years | 2026–present |
| Body styles | 5-door SUV |
| Platform | Subaru Global Platform |
| Engines | Gasoline 2.4 L FA24F turbo H4 (XT) 2.5 L FB25D H4 |
| Transmissions | CVT |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm |
| Length | 4,869 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,715–1,735 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,697–1,806 kg |
Subaru Outback – Sixth generation2019–2025
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | BT |
| Production | July 2019–2025 |
| Model years | 2020–2025 |
| Body styles | 5-door station wagon |
| Platform | Subaru Global Platform |
| Engines | Gasoline 1.8 L CB18 turbo H4 (Japan) 2.4 L FA24F turbo H4 2.5 L FB25D H4 |
| Transmissions | 8-Speed Simulated Lineartronic CVT |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm |
| Length | 4,859 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,679 mm |
Subaru Outback – Fifth generation2014–2019
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | BS |
| Production | 2014–2019 |
| Model years | 2015–2019 |
| Body styles | 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | F4 layout |
| Engines | Gasoline 2.5 L SOHC i-AVLS 170 hp H4 (EJ253) 2.5 L DOHC DAVCS 170 hp H4 FB25 3.6 L DOHC DAVCS 256 hp H6 (EZ36D) Diesel 2.0 L DOHC turbodiesel 148 hp H4 (EE20) |
| Transmissions | Lineartronic CVT 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,746 mm |
| Length | 4,816 mm |
| Width | 1,839 mm (w/mirrors) |
| Height | 1,679 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,630 kg |
Subaru Outback – Fourth generation2009–2014
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | BR / BM |
| Production | 2009–2014 |
| Model years | 2010–2014 |
| Body styles | 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | AWD |
| Engines | Gasoline 2.5 L EJ253 SOHC i-AVLS H4 (2010–12) 2.5 L FB25B DOHC AVCS H4 (2013–14) 3.6 L EZ36 DOHC DAVCS H6 Diesel 2.0 L DOHC EE20 turbo H4 |
| Transmissions | Lineartronic CVT 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,741 mm |
| Length | 2010–12: 4,780 mm 2013–: 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,821 mm |
| Height | 2010–12: 1,669 mm 2013–: 1,623 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,659 kg (3.6R Limited) |
Subaru Outback – Third generation2003–2009
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | BL (Sedan) / BP (Station Wagon) |
| Production | 2003–2009 |
| Model years | 2004–2009 |
| Body styles | 5-door station wagon 4-door sedan (United States; 2005−2007) |
| Engines | 2.5L SOHC 175 hp H4 2.5L DOHC 243 hp H4 turbo 3.0L DOHC 245 hp H6 2.0L turbodiesel 148 hp H4 (Europe only) |
| Transmissions | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm |
| Length | 4,793 mm (2005–07 Station Wagon) 4,729 mm (sedan) 4,801 mm (2008–09 Station Wagon) |
| Width | 1,770 mm |
| Height | 1,605 mm (2005–07 Station Wagon) 1,501 mm (sedan) 1,565 mm (2008–09 base Station Wagon) |
Subaru Outback – Second generation1999–2004
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model code | BE (sedan) / BH (wagon) |
| Production | 1999–2004 |
| Model years | 2000–2004 |
| Body styles | 5-door station wagon 4-door sedan (US only) |
| Engines | 2.5 L SOHC 165 hp H4 3.0 L DOHC 212 hp H6 |
| Transmissions | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,649 mm |
| Length | 4,760 mm (wagon) 4,684 mm (sedan) |
| Width | 1,745 mm (Int'l) 1,694 mm (Japan) |
| Height | 1,608 mm (2000–02 wagon) 1,580 mm (2003–04 wagon) 1,481 mm (sedan) |
Engines and transmissions
| Model years | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2027 | 2.4 L, 4 cyl | CVT (continuously variable) | All-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
| 2010–2027 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl | CVT (continuously variable) | All-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
| 2015–2019 | 3.6 L, 6 cyl | CVT (continuously variable) | All-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
| 2010–2014 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl | 6-speed manual | All-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
| 2010–2014 | 3.6 L, 6 cyl | 5-speed automatic | All-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
| 2005–2009 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl | 4-speed automatic | Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
| 2005–2009 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl | 5-speed automatic | Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2005–2009 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl | 5-speed manual | Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2005–2009 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl | 5-speed manual | Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
| 2005–2009 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl | 5-speed automatic | Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Model years | Configuration | Combined | City | Highway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2027 | 2.4 L, 4 cyl · CVT (continuously variable) · All-wheel drive | 9.0–10.2 L/100 km | 10.2–11.2 L/100 km | 7.8–9.0 L/100 km |
| 2010–2027 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl · CVT (continuously variable) · All-wheel drive | 8.1–9.8 L/100 km | 9.0–11.2 L/100 km | 7.1–8.4 L/100 km |
| 2015–2019 | 3.6 L, 6 cyl · CVT (continuously variable) · All-wheel drive | 10.7 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 8.7 L/100 km |
| 2010–2014 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed manual · All-wheel drive | 9.8–10.7 L/100 km | 10.7–12.4 L/100 km | 8.4–9.0 L/100 km |
| 2010–2014 | 3.6 L, 6 cyl · 5-speed automatic · All-wheel drive | 11.8 L/100 km | 13.1 L/100 km | 9.4–9.8 L/100 km |
| 2005–2009 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl · 4-speed automatic · Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | 10.7 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 9.0 L/100 km |
| 2005–2009 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl · 5-speed automatic · Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | 11.8–12.4 L/100 km | 13.1–13.8 L/100 km | 9.8–10.2 L/100 km |
| 2005–2009 | 2.5 L, 4 cyl · 5-speed manual · Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | 10.7–12.4 L/100 km | 11.8–13.8 L/100 km | 8.7–10.2 L/100 km |
| 2005–2009 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl · 5-speed automatic · Four-wheel or all-wheel drive | 11.8 L/100 km | 13.8 L/100 km | 9.8–10.2 L/100 km |
Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.
EU type-approval data
| Years | Powertrain | Engine | Power | Mass | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2025 | Petrol | 2498 cm³ | 124 kW (169 PS) | 1718–1741 kg | 193 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2021–2025 | E85 flex-fuel | 2498 cm³ | 124 kW (169 PS) | 1716–1741 kg | 193 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2016–2021 | Petrol | 2498 cm³ | 129 kW (175 PS) | 1665–1683 kg | 193 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2018–2019, 2021 | LPG (bi-fuel) | 2498 cm³ | 129 kW (175 PS) | 1666–1767 kg | 176–193 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2011–2019 | Diesel | 1998 cm³ | 110 kW (150 PS) | 1646–1764 kg | 193 g/km (WLTP) |
Years are registration years. Each range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the values reported for new registrations; it is not an average. Mass is the mass in running order. For electric cars the power is the type-approval net power, which can be lower than the peak power in brochures.
Key specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| EPA size class | Small SUV, SUV |
| Model years in EPA data | 2005–2027 |
| Powertrains | Petrol |
| Engine displacement | 2.4–3.6 L |
| Cylinders | 4, 6 |
| Transmission types | CVT, Manual, Automatic |
| Drive | All-wheel drive, Four-wheel or all-wheel drive |
| Fuel | Petrol (regular), Petrol (premium) |
| Configurations listed | 77 |
| Forced induction | Turbocharged (on some versions) |
| Start-stop system | On some versions |
| Luggage volume (EPA) | 963–991 L |
| Passenger volume (EPA) | 2,973 L |
| Powertrains (EU) | Petrol, Diesel, E85 flex-fuel |
| Engine displacement (EU) | 1,998–2,498 cm³ |
| Power (EU) | 110–129 kW (150–175 PS) |
| Mass in running order (EU) | 1,646–1,764 kg |
| Wheelbase (EU) | 2,745 mm |
Years and markets
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years (US) | 2005–2027 |
| New registrations (EU) | 2000–2025 |
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
| Component | Complaints | Most reported model years |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2214 | 2016, 2017, 2019 |
| Visibility and wipers | 2019 | 2019, 2020, 2022 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 815 | 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| Engine and cooling | 779 | 2010, 2011, 2013 |
| Airbags | 608 | 2007, 2008, 2011 |
| Brakes | 466 | 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| Speed control and cruise | 418 | 2005, 2006, 2017 |
| Steering | 338 | 2010, 2011, 2018 |
| Lights | 322 | 2005, 2010, 2011 |
| Driver assistance | 317 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2005–2025: 8590 complaints, 299 with a crash and 72 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.