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Subaru engine problems

Owners have filed 3,553 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on Subaru vehicles — 100% of everything reported about the brand, across 27 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Subaru Outback, worst in 2011.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

3,553

Complaints

100%

Share of all Subaru complaints

135

Crashes

144

Fires

Which Subaru models have the most engine problems

Outback 1,024 28.8%

Worst in 2011

Forester 1,019 28.7%

Worst in 2015

Legacy 473 13.3%

Worst in 2010

Impreza 363 10.2%

Worst in 2013

Crosstrek 148 4.2%

Worst in 2019

WRX 132 3.7%

Worst in 2002

Ascent 106 3.0%

Worst in 2019

BRZ 68 1.9%

Worst in 2013

XV Crosstrek 62 1.7%

Worst in 2013

Loyale 34 1.0%

Worst in 1992

Worst Subaru model years for engine problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2015 Subaru Forester 136 15% 43,500 D
2019 Subaru Forester 111 10% 28,500 C
2011 Subaru Outback 93 11% 100,000 B
2020 Subaru Forester 83 10% 36,092 B
2013 Subaru Impreza 76 22% 66,800 D
2014 Subaru Forester 72 13% 35,821 C
2013 Subaru Outback 68 17% 45,599 C
2010 Subaru Outback 67 14% 67,400 C
2011 Subaru Forester 67 34% 65,850 F
2016 Subaru Forester 60 10% 42,000 C
2012 Subaru Impreza 56 17% 32,405 C
2016 Subaru Outback 56 7% 41,000 C
2012 Subaru Outback 52 14% 110,770 C
2020 Subaru Outback 52 5% 7,800 C
2006 Subaru Outback 50 12% 100,000 B
2015 Subaru Outback 50 8% 46,055 C
2013 Subaru BRZ 49 60% 60,000 F
2017 Subaru Forester 48 6% 18,825 B
2019 Subaru Ascent 48 9% 9,600 B
1998 Subaru Outback 46 28% 93,850 C

Other Subaru problems

Engine problems on other brands