Subaru Outback Lemon Odds and Nada Odds
Other sources of Subaru Outback reliability information provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Subaru Outbacks with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Subaru Outbacks that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.
These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track Subaru Outback lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Subaru Outback has been recently.
See what our members say about Subaru Outback lemon odds and brand reputation.
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Subaru Outback
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Subaru Outback Lemon Odds and Nada Odds through December 31, 2012
General NotesNote the sample sizes in the right column. For a precise Nada Odds, it'd be best to have 50+ cars. For Lemon Odds, 100+. In most cases the sample sizes are between 25 and 35, and differences of less than six points are probably not meaningful. This is especially a factor with the "Lemon Odds," where nearly all scores are low.That said, the Lemon Odds figures are probably much lower than many people suspected, so we've posted them. Similarly, the Nada Odds are probably higher than many people suspected. Even with the least reliable cars in this results set your odds of no repairs would be better than one in three. Surprised? MethodologyThe samples include cars for which we have at least nine months of data in the past year. The "Nada-odds" are adjusted based on the average number of months of data per car. These stats are very close to what they'd be if we included only cars with a full year of data.
Only successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Recalls and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Nada Odds per 100 Cars | Lemon Odds per 100 Cars |
| 70 vehicles, 10.9 months per vehicle, 14900 miles driven2012 | Subaru Outback | 86 | < 1 |
| 129 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 25700 miles driven2011 | Subaru Outback | 83 | 1 |
| 92 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 37300 miles driven2010 | Subaru Outback | 83 | < 1 |
| 45 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 48300 miles driven2009 | Subaru Outback | 77 | 2 |
| 48 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 62300 miles driven2008 | Subaru Outback | 76 | < 1 |
| 32 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 64200 miles driven2007 | Subaru Outback | Join or sign in to view | |
| 51 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 76700 miles driven2006 | Subaru Outback | 46 | 12 |
| 82 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 96800 miles driven2005 | Subaru Outback | 47 | 5 |
| 27 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 146900 miles driven2001 | Subaru Outback | Join or sign in to view | |
Competing Car Model Lemon Odds and Nada Odds Results through December 31, 2012
What Our Members Are Saying about Brand Reputation and the Subaru Outback
| Brand Reputation of the Subaru Outback: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2012 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
This is our 3rd Outback and 10th Subaru with ours and our kids. We love Subaru's. Safety was the reason we purchased our first Subie, a '95 Legacy, for our daughter. All wheel drive and the other safety features of Subaru sold us. We still feel like our Subaru's give us an edge in any unexpected unpleasant situation on the road.<br /> <br /> When Subaru came to the U.S., it was known for quirky fun vehicles. The Subaru's of today remain fun, but a lot of the quirkiness is gone. In design and execution, they seem more mainstream now.<br /> <br /> Our Subaru's have been reliable. The all wheel drive system seems bullet proof and with one exception the engines have been the same. Our '99 Outback has had an overheating gremlin. With normal maintenance a Subaru can be trouble free. |
| 2012 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Lived up to reputation, one year 20,000 miles no repairs. |
| 2011 | 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Most Subaru owners go back again when changing their cars |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Very durable and GREAT in the snow. |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
After reading the excellent reviews on Conumer Reports, and talking to Subaru owners I beagn to like the product. After seeing the bank for my buck value and then driving one I was sold! |
| 2010 | 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
It has engendered fierce owner loyalty. I wanted to understand that better after owning many other vehicles over 4 decades. |
| 2009 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Many independent reviewers gave it high ratings, and current owners we s/w gave it high ratings for performance & satisfaction. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Again, these cars are everywhere in the Northwest. This leads to wide availability of quality independent mechanics. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I take care of my own vehicle maintenance, and I like the reputation for longevity that the drive-train, engine components, and suspensions have. I do regular oil changes with Mobil 1 synthetic, and get 200K miles out of my cars. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
sturdey, reliable, lasts for ever. |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
They have the reputation that there cars never break. So far that has been true. |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Excellent and consistent reliability. The boxer engine is very smooth and consistently powered through all rpms. |
| 2006 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Everyone knows a Subaru will never quit. |
| 2006 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Has a decent reliability reputation. |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
reliable enough. Not too common (its not toyota or honda) |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
It is a Subaru |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Subaru reputation for reliability and high resale. |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Subarus are known for 200K+ mile durability. |
| 2003 | 4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Great reliable brand with many cars over 150k mile mark on the road today still. AWD is standard on all vehicles and Subaru seems to be about reliability and keeping Subaru customers Subaru customers. |
| 2003 | 4dr Wagon 212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD |
Reliability, safety, ruggedness |
