Saturn ION vs Subaru Outback
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | Saturn ION | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 5,471 | 12,381 |
| Model years covered | 2003–2008 | 1995–2026 |
| Worst model year | 2006 | 2017 |
| Best model year | 2005 | 1997 |
| Crashes reported | 334 | 686 |
| Fires reported | 23 | 149 |
| Injuries reported | 175 | 307 |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 8 |
| Most complained-about part | Steering | Electrical System |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 9.8% | 9.3% |
Saturn ION by year
What breaks
Steering
1,724
31.5%
Electrical System
1,598
29.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
583
10.7%
Engine & Cooling
288
5.3%
Airbags
263
4.8%
Transmission & Drivetrain
202
3.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
116
2.1%
Lights
106
1.9%
Subaru Outback by year
What breaks
Electrical System
2,289
18.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
2,092
16.9%
Other & Unspecified
1,322
10.7%
Engine & Cooling
1,023
8.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
990
8.0%
Airbags
701
5.7%
Brakes
613
5.0%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
538
4.3%