2011 Subaru Outback Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 653 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2011 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 653 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,500 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.
“With no passenger seated, the seat belt chime started ringing. To try to stop it, I latched the passenger seat belt. Chiming continued. I notice the air bag warning light was lit. I drove the car straight to my Subaru dealer and was told the passenger side air bag sensor had failed. I was also told the only way to fix it was to replace the seat at well over $1000. I was still left with the problem of the seat belt chime. The dealership wouldn't disable the chime so I searched the internet for a solution. What I found is that this is a very common problem with 2011 outbacks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10621363, filed 2014-08, 79,000 miles“The passenger side airbag fails to activate or cycles on and off while the adult passenger remains seated in the proper position. Dealer claims no defects detected yet is unable to resolve the problem. Manufacturer representative is also unable to provide any assistance in the resolution of the problem even to the point of not acknowledging that a problem exists. I feel this is a serious safety issue as you cannot rely on whether or not the airbag will be properly activated or even deploy in the event of an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10446197, filed 2012-02, 606 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, he heard an abnormally loud popping noise from the seat. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 52,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10558701, filed 2014-01, 52,000 milesSeats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 4 | 0% |
| 2019 | 5 | 0% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 9 | 3% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 Subaru Outback
216 complaintsExterior lighting
117 complaintsEngine
85 complaintsBrakes
78 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsElectrical system
67 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsFuel system
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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