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2025 Subaru Outback Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2025 Subaru Outback has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Windshield cracking without impact damage.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2025 Subaru Outback.

Reported to NHTSA

Windshield cracking without impact damage

VISIBILITY/WIPER

6 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2026-02

“Windshield made a very loud bang noise as if something hit it but nothing was observed to hit. After arriving home, I inspected the windshield and discovered a 4 inch straight hairline horizontal crack with no sign of debris impact (no chip, scratch, etc)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11699326
“Windshield crack suddenly appeared without any known outside trauma (i.e., rock hitting windshield). The crack goes from the base of the windshield next to the wiper blade motor and stretches >10 inches across the bottom”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690413
“On my second windshield repair, windshield is highly sensitive and prone to cracks and chips, unbelievable / unacceptable for a new car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11650376

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof and moonroof glass shattering

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2026-07

“Driving on the freeway at 65 mph, my sunroof spontaneously exploded. The car is less than one month old and no debris whatsoever hit the car prior to the sunroof exploding. It was a sunny day, about 85 degrees and the freeway traffic was light”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11674725
“2025 Subaru Outback was parked in the garage. The high temperature for the day was in the upper 80's. The temperature on the thermometer in the garage was 85. The car had been parked in the garage after the drive home from work for over 3 hours”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11684097
“On May 16, 2026, I was driving approximately 65 mph northbound on the Glenn Highway near Anchorage, Alaska, in my 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Traffic was light, and there were no vehicles within approximately 150 yards of my vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11752963

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Infotainment pop-up ads during driving

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

9 NHTSA complaints · 2025-11 → 2026-06

“I am writing to report a serious safety issue with the satellite radio service in my vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701541
“While driving, the vehicle's infotainment system becomes unusable due to a pop-up ad for Sirius XM satellite radio”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11702541
“I was driving and an ad for SiriusXM popped up. This has happened before. This disables thr head unit until you press the C button. This is dangerous. Please address with Subaru”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11741691

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Forward collision avoidance false activation

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, LANE DEPARTURE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2024-11 → 2026-06

“Twice in one week I was backing slowly out of my driveway. No cars were in sight and the Subaru slammed on the breaks. The first time tweaked my back as I was looking over my shoulder when it broke so aggresively. I am fine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743406
“1.) Lane departure is not operating until way over the line on right side of vehicle. 2.) Collision Warning is going off regularly with no cars in front or behind. Randomly goes off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11719139
“The Car will not stop if another vehicle is in front of it and I don't hit on the brakes. I have taken it in for this problem more than three times and they put it on the computer and it can not find anything wrong with it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11666660

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag status light failing for light occupants

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2025-02 → 2026-08

“The passenger seat airbag light does NOT always come on when my wife, 93 lbs, sits in the passenger seat. It will come on with someone heavier”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11754998
“The front seat passenger airbag has an amber colored lighted alert indicator on the dashboard that is supposed to change from “off” to “on” when an occupant of sufficient weight is seated in that position”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11648460
“Shortly after purchasing my vehicle I noticed that the passenger airbag illuminated “off” indicator did not switch from “off” to “on” when an individual weighing under 100 pounds occupies the front passenger set in the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11644733

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss after electrical system failure

STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-10 → 2026-05

“Trip start: EyeSight, collision avoidance, blind spot, and lane assist all offline; BRAKE indicator illuminated with no brake engagement. Minutes later, airbag warning activated. Dealer service advisor described the dash as "lit up like a Christmas tree."”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11732342
“The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels skidded and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736330
“CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - HIGHWAY SAFETY HAZARD 10/23/2025: While driving 2025 Outback (11K miles) at highway speed on I-485 Charlotte, complete electrical system failure occurred without warning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696638

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire following engine failure

ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2026-06 → 2026-08

“NHTSA Complaint Narrative — Draft On July 9, 2026, in the evening, my leased 2026 Subaru Outback Touring caught fire while we were driving home. We were stopped in a left-turn lane waiting on a left-turn signal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755608
“On June 2 when I was driving home from work on the I 94 Highway in Detroit Michigan I was going about 50 mph when my check engine light went on and within seconds the engine failed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11741875

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

4 crashes 1990–2024

How the 4 occupant deaths break down

2

driver deaths

2

passenger deaths

4

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2024 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2025 Subaru Outback reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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