2011 Subaru Forester 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 Subaru Forester | 2011 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 147 | 651 |
| Recall campaigns | 16 | 16 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 349 | 329 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 21 | 23 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 20–24 |
| Median reported mileage | 60,000 mi | 89,118 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 8 | 216 |
| Engine | 60 | 85 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 117 |
| Air Bags | 29 | 73 |
| Service Brakes | 17 | 67 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 67 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 25 |
| Steering | 1 | 36 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Oil consumption | 22 | 0 |
| Stalling | 8 | 192 |
| Check engine light | 7 | 27 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 5 | 28 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 84 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 20 |
| Overheating | 0 | 15 |
2011 Subaru Forester
2011 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Forester 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.