2011 Subaru Outback Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 2%of 653 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the body and structure of the 2011 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 653 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Our moonroof suddenly detached and flew off from the car while driving on highway. We were going across the san mateo bridge around 10:45 am on sunday 2/9/20 and suddenly heard lots of wind noise from the moonroof, slid back the sun shade, and found the moonroof was gone.”
NHTSA complaint #11308031, filed 2020-02, 143,802 miles“Driving on the freeway, I toggled the up/down feature of the sunroof to ensure the loud wind vibrations weren't coming from the top of my car and returned it to its original position. Moments later, a huge noise erupted from above me and I shut the upholstery shade closed to seal off the high speed wind from entering my car and proceeded to pull over. When I was able to stop, I looked up to see that the entire window pane was gone. The frame and the mechanical fixture was completely in tact but the whole glass piece was missing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11327677, filed 2020-06, 180,000 miles“On june 30, 2011 at 11pm I looked out of my window and our entire garage was engulfed in flames. This building was not completed and had no electrical or heating system. I believed at that time that it was the car(Subaru) that started the fire. ,as the intensity of the fire was on the side of the garage where it was parked.I had just had it detailed the day before the fire, as the dealership had done some extra electrical work and the car was returned to us filthy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10520721, filed 2013-06, 4,000 miles“Purchased my 2011 Subaru new and have always keep the upkeep. About a year ago my tierod in the front went bad and ruined my tires so had to get new tires. Then it started stalling all the time, and no one seemed to why. Once at an intersection which I was almost hit. Then had to change the timing belt, but knew this when I bought it. Then the muffler rusted and now I will have to change the head gaskets. I purchased this car because everyone said it would last forever. Well I guess it will if you keep fixing everything that is wrong with it. This is my first and last Subaru I will ever buy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10970545, filed 2017-04, 120,000 miles“The front subframe is rusted through on the driver's and passenger side. I am arranging to have it replaced now so it may not be available for inspection in the near future. A collapse of the subframe would obviously be a serious safety issue. I am a fairly competent amateur mechanic and found this issue myself. I've seen several instances of this discussed in online forums. This is the communication I exchanged with Subaru of America: From myself to SOA: Hi, I'm the owner of a very well maintained 2011 Outback. …”
NHTSA complaint #11474045, filed 2022-07Related service bulletins
- 11022304Aug 11, 2025This bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
- 10117544Aug 28, 2017MODELS WITH SUNROOFS ONLY. If you encounter a customer complaint of water leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the map light area, the following 2 areas should be…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 2% |
| 2021 | 7 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 27 | 3% |
| 2018 | 15 | 2% |
| 2017 | 26 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 3% |
| 2015 | 33 | 6% |
| 2014 | 11 | 5% |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 10 | 7% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 13 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 7% |
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 27, 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