Subaru · 1994–present
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is an automotive nameplate used by the Japanese automaker Subaru for two different themed vehicles: a Legacy-derived station wagon, the Outback (1994–present, also sold as Legacy Outback (Japanese: スバル・レガシィアウトバック, Hepburn: Subaru Regashi Autobakku) in some markets), and an Impreza-derived off-road themed hatchback, the Outback Sport (1994–2011). Most versions of the Outback wagon and Outback Sport have had all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
UK fuel mix: —. Records from the VCA fuel & emissions archive.
Model years
Generations & variants
Photos
UK vehicles on the road
9,372 licensed and 1,045 SORN (10,417 total) at 2025 Q4.
| Year (latest quarter) | Vehicles |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 6,642 |
| 2015 | 7,347 |
| 2016 | 7,991 |
| 2017 | 8,233 |
| 2018 | 8,681 |
| 2019 | 8,942 |
| 2020 | 8,959 |
| 2021 | 9,259 |
| 2022 | 9,470 |
| 2023 | 9,865 |
| 2024 | 10,185 |
| 2025 | 10,417 |
DfT/DVLA VEH0120 vehicle licensing statistics, source ↗, Open Government Licence v3.0. Small counts are rounded or suppressed at source.
US NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2024 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2023 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2022 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2021 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2020 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2019 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2018 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2017 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2016 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2015 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2014 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2013 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2012 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (US government, public domain). US-market versions; not the same tests as Euro NCAP.
US safety recalls
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24V227000 2024-03-22 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this…
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23V755000 2023-11-09 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
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23V647000 2023-09-21 · model years 2023
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at…
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22V712000 2022-09-22 · model years 2022
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
Remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's…
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22V485000 2022-07-08 · model years 2020, 2021
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free…
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22V473000 2022-07-01 · model years 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's…
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21V955000 2021-12-09 · model years 2020
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free…
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21V587000 2021-07-29 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this…
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21V024000 2021-01-26 · model years 2021
POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number…
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20V766000 2020-12-10 · model years 2020
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia navigation. The August 2020 over-the-air software update may have timed out without completing the installation, corrupting the data, and causing the rearview display to shutoff…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software and, if necessary, replace the Cockpit Control Module, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
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20V218000 2020-04-16 · model years 2019
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this…
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20V001000 2020-01-02 · model years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,…
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may…
NHTSA recalls database (US government, public domain). Recalls apply to US-market vehicles; check the manufacturer for your country.
US EPA fuel-economy records
| Year | Engine | Drive | Transmission | Fuel | MPG (US) comb. | CO₂ g/mi | EV range mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 23 | 385 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2027 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 24 | 369 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2027 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 27 | 330 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 23 | 385 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 24 | 369 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2026 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 27 | 330 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2025 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 23 | 378 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2025 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 25 | 356 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2025 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 28 | 314 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2024 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 23 | 378 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2024 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 25 | 356 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2024 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 28 | 314 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2023 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 23 | 378 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2023 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 25 | 356 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2023 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 28 | 314 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2022 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 24 | 377 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2022 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 26 | 343 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2022 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 29 | 308 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 26 | 343 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 29 | 308 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2020 | 2.4 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 26 | 343 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2020 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 29 | 308 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2019 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | Regular | 28 | 320 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2019 | 3.6 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 22 | 398 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2018 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | Regular | 28 | 320 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2018 | 3.6 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 22 | 398 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2017 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 28 | 319 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2017 | 3.6 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 22 | 398 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2016 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 28 | 319 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2016 | 3.6 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 22 | 398 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2015 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 28 | 319 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2015 | 3.6 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 22 | 398 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2014 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Regular | 26 | 341 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2014 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | Regular | 24 | 368 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2014 | 3.6 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S5) | Regular | 20 | 444 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2013 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Regular | 26 | 341 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2013 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | Regular | 24 | 375 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2013 | 3.6 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S5) | Regular | 20 | 443 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2012 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Regular | 24 | 370 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2012 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | Regular | 22 | 404 | — | EPA ↗ |
US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle), fueleconomy.gov ↗, US government public domain.
Sources
- Wikidata / Wikipedia profiles — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/cars/Q1536958CC0 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_OutbackCC BY-SA 4.0 · Intro text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377304322 · retrieved 2026-10-03
- UK Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) fuel & emissions data — https://carfueldata.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/Open Government Licence v3.0
- DfT/DVLA VEH0120 licensing statistics — https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tablesOpen Government Licence v3.0
- US EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ws/index.shtmlUS Government public domain
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API — https://api.nhtsa.gov/SafetyRatingsUS Government public domain
- NHTSA recalls database — https://www.nhtsa.gov/recallsUS Government public domain
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.
