2003 Subaru Outback Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the tires of the 2003 Subaru Outback, 5% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,250 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving in a middle lane on I-270, I sudenly became aware of a bumping noise. I pulled over to the right shoulder through several lanes of traffic. When I checked the tires, I saw that the sidewall of my passenger side rear tire had become completely disattached from the tread. The tire was original equipment on my 2003 Subaru Outback. A firestone dealer inspected the tire in detail, but could find no puncture or other cause of tire failure besides spontaneous disintegration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10036950, filed 2003-08, 6,800 miles“1. Events leading to failure: no abnormal events prior to failure (no tire visual indications, no sounds, normal steering and suspension behavior, no tire impacts). Tire pressure checked monthly and tires rotated regularly (~ every 8,000 mi). 2. Failure and its consequences: a single oem tire (bridgestone potenza p225/60r16 e92qz) with 43,700 miles lost all pressure due to failure of sidewall, with separation apparent around entire circumference of tire. Failure occurred while parked on level parking lot surface after driving 10 minutes at moderate speed. 3. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154536, filed 2006-04, 43,700 miles“Two original equipment bridgestone potenza tires on our Subaru 2003 Outback failed at 9,800 and 11,700 miles of use, within three months of each other. Both started as slow leaks for about a week,which we monitored and filled. Then suddenly a big white circular split appeared in the sidewall about an inch away from the tread, and tires were dead flat and ruined. First tire was driver-side rear; second was passenger-side front. When brought to firestone dealer for warranty fulfillment for first tire, we were told it was our fault (?!) and we had to pay for replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10066484, filed 2004-04Related service bulletins
- 10037968Feb 3, 2011Subaru: there is a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance.
Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 3 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 9 | 1% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% |
| 2000 | 30 | 14% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Outback
19 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology