2011 Ford Flex vs 2011 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2011 Ford Flex | 2011 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 144 | 651 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 16 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 45 | 329 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 23 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–19 | 20–24 |
| Median reported mileage | 82,000 mi | 89,118 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Flex | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 19 | 216 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 117 |
| Engine | 25 | 85 |
| Steering | 57 | 36 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 67 |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 67 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 73 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 25 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 11 | 192 |
| Loss of power | 10 | 11 |
| Steering problems | 10 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 27 |
| Hesitation / surging | 5 | 20 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 84 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 28 |
| Overheating | 0 | 15 |
2011 Ford Flex
2011 Subaru Outback
Compare all Ford Flex vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.