Home · 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness · Complaints

What 83 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (83)Crash / fire / injury (7)Visibility & wipers (17)Electrical system (14)Driver assistance (13)Airbags (6)Lane Departure (6)Transmission & drivetrain (6)Engine (5)Steering (4)Backup camera & sensors (3)Brakes (3)

13 of 83 complaints match · Driver assistance · clear filters

Mar 6, 2026Lane DepartureDriver assistance

All of my safety systems malfunctioned. On a Subaru vehicle it is called “eyesight.” in order to make all of them work again, the dealership had to perform an ECM update. They did not have to replace anything or repair anything. They had to update software. This is on a two-year-old car with 38,000 miles. Because it was 2000 miles out of the base warranty I was charged $400 for them to do an update on my vehicle to make all of the safety features function again.

NHTSA ODI 11722610

Jul 15, 2025Visibility & wipersDriver assistanceLane Departure

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, I received a warning that my EyeSight was disabled in the middle of driving. This meant that I was unable to utilize cruise control or any driver assistance functions. The weather was clear, sunny, and there was nothing obstructing the EyeSight cameras, nor were there any cracks in the windshield. The following day, Monday, July 14, EyeSight worked normally in the morning, but was disabled in the afternoon. Again, the cameras were clear of any obstructions and no cracks were visible on the windshield. Cruise control and driver assistance features were unavailable. On the morning of Tuesday, July 15, I came out to a 7-8 inch crack in the windshield, on the passenger side. No impact had occurred to cause this crack and it was not present the previous days. EyeSight is still disabled due to this and the windshield needs a full replacement. All driver assistance/collision prevention features are not available until the windshield is replaced and a recalibration is completed. Advantage Auto Glass of Rockford, IL will be inspecting the glass and can make it available for NHTSA evaluation. However, given that I have owned two Subaru Outbacks now, windshield weakness has been an issue with this vehicle, especially in warmer weather.

NHTSA ODI 11673607

Jan 20, 2025Driver assistance

In a residential area at night there is a film or tint that covers at least three quarters of the windshield. No problem on bright highways. I complained to three different dealers. They can't confirm because they are not allowed to touch eyesight/camera. I called Subaru USA. Gary told me that it's to expenses and offered me service coupons, insulting.

NHTSA ODI 11637136

Dec 7, 2024Speed controlDriver assistanceLane Departure

I was driving down the street, stopped at an intersection, and made a U-turn. Immediately after I made the U-turn a message came up on the screen saying "Eye Sight Disabled." From that point on the cruise control stopped working, the lane deviation stopped working, the forward collision system stopped working, and several other things malfunctioned (I can't seem to connect to the bluetooth system with my cell phone). The local Subaru dealer told me they are aware of the problem, but, have not notified anyone, they told me that I needed to make an appointment to get the problem fixed and it would take four to five hours.

NHTSA ODI 11629445

Nov 11, 2024Driver assistanceBackup camera & sensors

The car Will stop going backwards down a steep driveway thinking that the road is something that I’m going to hit. It will break going forward, including on the highway when there’s nothing in front of it it will break in the fog if the fog is heavy enough. In construction zones, it thinks every cone is a moving car and stops often. I contacted Subaru and they have not addressed my concerns.

NHTSA ODI 11624592

Sep 5, 2024Driver assistance

Driving on a slightly curving road next to a lake a car started to pull from the left of the road so he could see. This was slow And I started to brake and then to continue when he stopped. He did not enter past the double yellow. Yes he was facing the wrong way. The car locked its breaks and I was shocked but the other driver was waiting still. I could not move!! It did release finally and I continued. Not able to move was terrifying that I was going to be rear ended.. But on Labor Day 3024 9/01/2025 , I went through a construction area and it locked up at a stop sign. I had floor the car to move. Pulled over and tried to fathom why the car was saying the brakes were on. The engine light on. The eye sight light on.... basically everything. . These brakes should not remain locked and I find the idea of locking brakes is not healthy. This can not be logical. Other problems of stupid risks. 1. The turn signal continues on after turns on less they are sharp? If a wheel is turned and straightens out the light should go off. Automatically. 2. The cruise control takes a 3 second wait for a response. Then it will decide to go not to 70 bit right up and past 80. It it not an easy set. Poor and distracts even trying to get it set. Maybe get used to slow. 3. The dynamic steering is a problem in that it is not adjustable. It drives what it considers the middle of the road. Trucks are in the right lanes and trying not to be so close I fight the controls and have a a sore steering arm muscles. Get used to being in the hands of truckers is not my thing. The idea they cann't adjust it is bizarre and illogical. I hate the pull to the right. Yeah. Don't use cruise and turn off the safety systems was the statements from Subaru. 4. The hatchback opens unexpectedly but not when you have hands full. Final: This car is too risky for me. I do not want to drive this machine ever again.

NHTSA ODI 11612727

Apr 17, 2024Transmission & drivetrainDriver assistance

The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH with no other vehicles nearby, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking system engaged inadvertently, and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle started jerking and was hesitating while driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure related to the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking system. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 100.

NHTSA ODI 11583539

Mar 14, 2024Driver assistanceLane Departure

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11577274

Mar 12, 2024Speed controlBrakesDriver assistance

While going 65-70 mph on the freeway the car began braking on its own with no cars nearby. It almost came to a complete stop but then started moving, then hesitated once more before releasing. I reported it to the dealership. They said they could try to recalibrate but otherwise I should contact Subaru of America because I no longer felt safe on busy California freeways.

NHTSA ODI 11576944

Feb 23, 2024Driver assistance

The pre-collision braking system has engaged twice during normal traffic flows and came close to causing an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11573691

Feb 23, 2024Driver assistance

Adaptive cruise control slows way down for a sound wall on a curve.

NHTSA ODI 11573693

Feb 22, 2024Driver assistance

The front collision warning does not work in this car. When coming within 5 feet of the car in front of my vehicle at higher rates of speed my car offered no warning indication nor did it brake. Pre collision braking is turned on. Lane departure all functions is turned on. Driver monitoring system is turned on. I took car in to have it evaluated and colonial Subaru in Feasterville told me all systems were fully functional.

NHTSA ODI 11573279

Aug 2, 2023Backup camera & sensorsDriver assistanceCrash

while backing into a parking spot between 2 cars in a parking lot the reverse auto braking engaged. when going into forward the car accelerated and crashed into cement wall about 10-15 feet ahead. Just occurred so no other info available.

NHTSA ODI 11536023

Working with the data? Download all 83 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness verdict →