MODEL
Subaru Outback
NHTSA safety across every Subaru Outback model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Subaru Outback we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2024 at 91 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2023 at 83. 19 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Subaru Outback occupies a unique corner of the market as a raised wagon - often categorized alongside midsize SUVs despite its sedan-based roots. Aimed at active families, outdoor enthusiasts, and all-weather commuters across its 2019 to 2025 model years, the Outback blends all-wheel-drive capability with a car-like driving character. Its safety reputation is a core part of its identity, making the federal data especially worth examining closely.
The Subaru Outback earns genuine respect in federal safety testing, and the numbers back that up. The best NHTSA Safety Index across our covered years reaches 91 out of 100 for the 2024 model, landing in the Exceptional band - a meaningful result that reflects consistent performance rather than a one-year fluke. Crash-test star ratings at their peak show a perfect 5 out of 5 in both frontal and side impact disciplines, with rollover coming in at a solid 4 out of 5. That rollover score is worth noting: the Outback's raised ride height, a deliberate design choice that gives it SUV-like ground clearance, introduces the modest physics trade-off you see in virtually all vehicles of this type. Across the 2019 to 2025 window, the Outback carries 19 recalls - a figure that sits on the higher side for this segment and warrants attention. Shoppers should verify outstanding recalls through NHTSA before any purchase. Owner complaints total 2,808, including 71 reported crashes and 14 reported fires. These are unverified allegations, but 14 fire-related complaints is a thread worth monitoring. No deaths are reported in this dataset. Overall, the Outback's crash performance is legitimately strong, but the recall volume and complaint totals mean buyers should do their homework rather than simply rely on the star ratings.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Outback as one of the more well-rounded choices in its segment, praising its all-weather capability, practical cargo space, and composed road manners. Safety technology content tends to draw positive attention across coverage. Criticism, when it appears, typically centers on the infotainment system and engine refinement rather than anything structural to the vehicle's safety character.
- The 2024 Outback achieves a 91 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index in the Exceptional band - the strongest result across the 2019 to 2025 model years we cover, so newer model years carry a meaningful safety-data advantage.
- Nineteen recalls span the covered model years. Before buying any used or new Outback, run the VIN through the NHTSA recall database to confirm all open recalls have been addressed by a dealer.
- Owner complaints include 14 reported fire-related allegations across the dataset. These are unverified, but the figure is worth tracking. Review current NHTSA complaint filings for the specific model year you are considering.
- The 4 out of 5 rollover star rating is consistent with the Outback's elevated ride height. It is not a red flag, but buyers who prioritize rollover resistance above all else should weigh it against the vehicle's other strong crash scores.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 Subaru Outback with 6 recalls.