NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2026 Subaru Outback Safety Record
The 2026 Subaru Outback has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 0 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2026 Subaru Outback has not been evaluated by NHTSA's crash-test program, resulting in an absence of star ratings and a computed Safety Index. The federal record shows no recalls and eight unverified consumer complaints reported to NHTSA. This limited data provides neither an endorsement nor a warning regarding the vehicle's safety performance, as key crashworthiness assessments have not been conducted.
The 2026 Subaru Outback has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, carries zero recalls, and holds a Light recall and complaint burden band, according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 8 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Subaru Outback?
The 2026 Subaru Outback currently lacks federal crash-test data; NHTSA has not yet evaluated this model year, leaving no structural or restraint performance data in the federal record. With a classification in the Light burden band, the vehicle shows zero open recalls. Eight unverified owner complaints have been reported, with no single component area indicating a concentrated safety concern. However, three Electrical System complaints and one Forward Collision Avoidance complaint bear watching as the model year accumulates more owner experience. While previous model years show Safety Index scores of 88 for 2025, 91 for 2024, 83 for 2023, and 86 for 2022, these figures apply only to those specific years and are not transferable to the 2026 model.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
The 2026 Subaru Outback has zero recalls on file with NHTSA. No recall campaigns have been opened for this model year, so there are no park-outside or do-not-drive advisories tied to a recall at this time. Shoppers should still run a VIN check at nhtsa.gov, because recalls can be issued at any point after a vehicle enters service.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Subaru Outback?
Eight complaints have been reported to NHTSA against the 2026 Outback. The top components named in those unverified allegations are the Electrical System and the Unknown Or Other category, each cited three times, followed by single allegations touching Forward Collision Avoidance, Structure, Seats, and Seat Belts. One complaint alleges an injury. All are unverified consumer allegations, not established findings.
8 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Subaru Outback?
Before purchasing a used 2026 Subaru Outback, run the vehicle's VIN through the free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov to confirm no open recall campaigns are attached to that specific unit. Recall status is tied to the individual VIN, not the model year as a whole.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2026 Subaru Outback, meaning no Safety Index or star ratings exist for this specific model year in the federal record.
- Zero recall campaigns are on file for the 2026 Outback, giving it the lowest possible recall exposure within the NHTSA system at this stage of the model year.
- Eight unverified consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA, with Electrical System and Unknown Or Other components each appearing three times, and one complaint alleging an injury.
- NHTSA-tested sibling years, the 2022 through 2025 Outback, each received Safety Index scores ranging from 83 to 91, but those scores apply only to their respective tested model years and do not extend to the untested 2026.
FAQ2026 Subaru Outback safety questions
Was the 2026 Subaru Outback crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 0 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2026 Subaru Outback have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Subaru Outback as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Subaru Outback?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 8 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Subaru Outback. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Outback years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Subaru Outback 2026.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.