Subaru Outback vs Ford Focus
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 | Subaru Outback | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 12,410 | 29,823 |
| Model years covered | 1995–2026 | 1999–2018 |
| Worst model year | 2017 | 2000 |
| Best model year | 1997 | 1999 |
| Crashes reported | 686 | 1,631 |
| Fires reported | 149 | 424 |
| Injuries reported | 308 | 979 |
| Deaths reported | 8 | 54 |
| Most complained-about part | Electrical System | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 9.3% | 10.4% |
Subaru Outback by year
What breaks
Electrical System
2,292
18.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
2,092
16.9%
Other & Unspecified
1,326
10.7%
Engine & Cooling
1,024
8.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
991
8.0%
Airbags
701
5.6%
Brakes
614
4.9%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
551
4.4%
Ford Focus by year
What breaks
Transmission & Drivetrain
6,871
23.0%
Electrical System
4,477
15.0%
Engine & Cooling
3,630
12.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
2,729
9.2%
Steering
2,111
7.1%
Other & Unspecified
1,539
5.2%
Brakes
1,204
4.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
1,082
3.6%