118 of the
12,381 complaints filed about the Subaru Outback
are about the tires —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
The original equipment Yokohama Avid GT tires experienced rapid, catastrophic structural degradation (extreme inner-edge wear and chunking of the exterior edge over ~7,000 mi.). I have photos of the tires, and Carr Subaru (Beaverton, OR) has one of the tires available for inspection. I am the original owner of this vehicle. It has been regularly serviced at the appropriate intervals by the dealership where it was purchased in November 2022. At ~15,000 mi., the tires were rotated and the alignment was adjusted by the dealership. Between 15,000 and 22,000 mi., the tires completely wore through. When I noticed the wear, I brought the car to the dealership to replace the tires, check the alignment, and check whether there might be other issues contributing to the tire degradation. According to the service department, the alignment was within spec when the car arrived, but the inner tread was completely smooth, the outer tread was coming apart, and the tires "were within 1,000 miles of a blowout." I regularly transport my children in this vehicle on the steep, windy, rainy roads of [XXX]. If the tires had blown out or lost traction due to wear, my family, cyclists, pedestrians, or I could have been badly injured or killed. Additionally, on the morning before I discovered the extreme tire wear, I drove my wife and children 45 mi. on XXX from [XXX] to [XXX]. If the tire had blown out when we were going 65 mph on the heavily-traveled highway, it could have been catastrophic for us and other motorists. On XXX, I reported the incident to Subaru of America (case #XXX). I shared photographs of the tires and service records with Subaru of America. On XXX, Carr Subaru -- a representative of the manufacturer -- inspected the tires, confirmed the extreme wear, and reserved a tire for inspection. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The tires were deemed fit ~7,000 mi. ago. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11753730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought a new 2026 Subaru Outback Limited XT which came with Bridgestone ECOPIA H/L 422 Plus 225/55R19 99H. Went on a trip and noticed when going 60mph and above a low humming noise and felt a vibration in the steering wheel and floor. This happens on all road surfaces, concrete, blacktop etc. Took car to the dealer, they drove it and confirmed what I was noticing, after doing a road force balance they said all (4) tires were "quote" way out of spec. They did what they could to help with the vibration, they said it's better but after driving it home it's not better by much. The service rep said this was becoming a common complaint with these Bridgestone tires. They told me Subaru is a where of the problem and they were expecting to see a TSB in the coming weeks. It's been almost a month now and no word yet about what Subaru is going to do about this issue
NHTSA complaint #11727776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Door and Window Open" message was displayed. The information screen indicated that the driver monitoring system and EyeSight were disabled. While driving, the low tire message was displayed. The contact attempted to inflate the tire. A good Samaritan attempted to assist with the tire. The contact was able to continue driving to the destination. The contact stated that the App failed to provide the notifications. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. There were no fault codes retrieved. The dealer disabled the system. The dealer then informed the contact that the tire needed to be replaced; however, it was determined that the tire was okay as-is. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 1,999.
NHTSA complaint #11693866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
225/65r17 102h 535 inside side wall of tire blew out on the freeway was able to stop and change it out. when i got home i checked the other ones and they are almost the same way they have 30000
NHTSA complaint #11624382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Outback Wilderness comes stock with Yokohama Geolandar A/T 225/65R17. There was 13,300 miles on it from factory new tires. At interstate speed of about 75mph, the tread appears to have fully separated from the sidewalls. The tread was closely inspected for any debris by myself, my dealer, and others and no tire punctures are present. We believe this tire has a manufacturers defect and would like to have it inspected if possible. We have kept the tread, despite asking dealer to save all part of tire, the still managed to lose the part from the rim, thought there as not much left from the accident, it was virtually destroyed. Very unusual in all my years of driving.
NHTSA complaint #11509086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at highway speed the tire separated at the seam of the sidewall and tread. Tire tread depth was between 9–9.5/32nd on the tire. 225/60 r17 tire. Because of the complete separation of the tire and how sudden the separation occurred, it caused the vehicle to lose control, thankfully the driver was able to get control of the vehicle and get it start safely. The safety of all occupants and vehicles on the roadway were put at risk. Tire was taken to the retailer (car dealership), retailer and consumer contacted the manufacturer who stated this is not a manufacture defect.
NHTSA complaint #11490834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tires worn to wear bar 2/32 to 4/32 in in 28,000 miles. At severe risk for hydroplaning and possible accident related to all tires with premature wear. This is second full set of Michelin tires that have worn prematurely. The tires have been inspected by Costco tires which is the purchasing dealer. I have called the manufacture also Aug 18, 2022. They have started a warranty but was told it would be toward purchase of new set of Michelin. I do not wish to purchase their tires in the near future. I have been a customer with Michelin for many years and have always been very satisfied but recently the tires are very poor quality.
NHTSA complaint #11479901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Continental Pro Contact P 225/ 60 R 17 Driver side tire sidewall formed large bubble. Purchased in November 2021 and had dealer install 4 tires. Noticed large sidewall bubble on sidewall in January 2022. Only three thousand miles on tire. Worried that this is a lifethreatening safety issue. We brought the car back to the dealer. We were told they have not seen anything like it on a Subaru Outback before. But other complaints on this site and others show that sidewall bubbles on the Continental Pro Contact series of tires is a known issue and should be addressed before someone is seriously injured.
NHTSA complaint #11455207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WERE PREMATURELY WORN. THE CONSUMER SLID OFF THE ROAD 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11404514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRE FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE. TIRES NOT PASSING SAFETY INSPECTION AFTER APPX 20,000 USE. TREAD DOWN TO 4//32. TIRES PURCHASED AT COSTCO . LINE IS MICHELIN PREMIER A/S . MULTI VISITS TO COSTCO TO INSPECT AFTER TWO INDEPENDENT TIRE INSPECTORS STATED THEY WOULD NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION WITH WEAR BARES CLOSE TO TREAD SUFACE. COSTCO REFUSED TO CALL FAILURE STATING THAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF TIRES. THE RATING WAS AT LEAST 60.000 MILES. THERE WAS A RECENT ROAD HAZARD THAT PUNCTURED FRONT TIRE AND COSTCO WANTED TO CHARGE FOR NEW FRONT TIRE. VERY UNSTATISFIED WITH TIRES, FREQUENT SLIPPING AND LOSS OF TRACTION ON SNOW AND RAIN. UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #11318874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK EQUIPPED WITH FOUR BRIDGESTONE DUELER HP SPORT AS TIRES, SIZE: 225/60/R18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE LINES FROM THE BEAD TO THE THREAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,927 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11242086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE STARTED TO DEFLATE, WHETHER IN MOTION OR WHEN PARKED. THIS WAS A SLOW LEAK. THE TIRES HAD 6/32 TREAD REMAINING. THE PROBLEMATIC TIRE WOULD HOLD PRESSURE FOR ABOUT 40 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, OR SEVERAL HOURS WHEN PARKED, BEFORE THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT WOULD COME ONE. THE TIRE WAS REPEATEDLY FILLED WITH AIR DURING THE COURSE OF THE ROAD TRIP. UPON ARRIVAL AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR IT TO BE CHECKED AND REPAIRED AT A LOCAL SHOP. TURNS OUT THE BELT WAS PARTIALLY SEPARATED. GIVEN THE CAR IS ALL WHEEL DRIVE I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #11004184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BEARINGS WERE GONE AT 65,000 MILES. THE PURCHASED TIRED WER BALD AT 25,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10971328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN ROTATING OR REPLACING TIRES, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FLASHED AT THE SUBARU DEALER SINCE 2015. IF NOT, THEY WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH NEW YORK AND WOULD FAIL INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/25/2017
NHTSA complaint #10925991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TL TIRES, SIZE: 225/15/R17 (NA). THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BEGINNING TO DETERIORATE. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, DETAILS OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10887767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R CAME WITH CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT GX P225/60 R17 TIRES. NOTICE ONE OF THE TIRES WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DEFLATED. TOOK TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SMALL HOLE BUT NO NAIL AS THE CAUSE. NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAS DEVELOPED SIDE WALL BUBBLE. I TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER WHO DID NOTHING AND TOLD ME TO CALL CONTINENTAL TIRES ABOUT WARRANTY (DIDN'T EVEN WARN ME OF THE DANGER NOR DID THEY PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON) CONTINENTAL SAID PASSED RESPONSIBILITY BACK TO DEALER. I THEN WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRES THEN AMERICAS TIRES. ALL SAID (BEFORE EVEN LOOKING AT THE TIRE) THAT IMPACT DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED. FIRST 95% OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAYS AND I HAVE HIT NO POT HOLES OR HAD ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH TIRES. THERE IS 350 COMPLAINTS IN DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT SIDEWALL PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR CONTINENTAL TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY?
NHTSA complaint #10735635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.