Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated there was a clunking sound coming from the front suspension location and the vehicle started feeling unstable while driving approximately 30 MPH. The steering wheel began to sway towards the left causing the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the front subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion and needed to be replaced along with the front suspension. The front subframe and suspension was repaired; however, while doing so the dealer further diagnosed that the rear subframe and suspension had severe corrosion. The rear subframe and suspension was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that subframe was severely corroded. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
I have maintained my 2011 Outback well, and in August of 2023, while driving the vehicle, I lost the brakes. I had to fully depress the brake pedal to the floor in order to stop, fortunately not hitting the car in front of me . I brought the car to my local mechanic who advised me that the brake line rusted and failed as a result. As he was making the brake line repair, he advised me that there is SEVERE rusting to my underbody of my car and it's not normal. I then contacted Subaru Corporate Customer Service who asked me to bring the car into a Subaru Repair facility to have the car inspected. I brought the car into Ramsey Subaru, and with a charge of $150 to inspect the car, they advised me that the rust is significant and is unsafe to drive. They proceeded to quote me an estimated repair bill of over $6,000 to correct the rust issues. …
On [redacted] Clay Subaru in Norwood, MA told me that my 2011 Subaru Outback has front subframe rot. Supposedly they do a 100 point inspection every oil change, which is performed every 6 or so months, yet this problem was first report last October! The car had only 81,616 miles on it. (Now it has 82,000ish) The dealer claims it will cost $5368.96 to fix the car and that the subframe needs fixing within 12 months. No warning lights have appeared. I've owned the car since 2017. It had 39,371 miles on it when bought & had been serviced and sold by this same dealer with only one owner It was in pristine condition, according to an independent mechanic that inspected it before I bought it. All my oil changes are done at the same dealer, yet the problem was not identified before. This is a vehicle made for off road travel (which I have NOT done) and for winter weather. …
In May, returning from VA, we noticed an odd noise coming from the right front side of the car. Then the noise stopped. Driving a week later, at about 40 mph, I again heard the noise and as I approached a yellow light and began to slow to a stop, the vehicle pulled sharply to the right. I was able to regain control, drove slowly home, called our repair shop and brought it in for evaluation. The front subframe had rusted out due to the air conditioner condenser dripping onto it. Our mechanic would not let us drive the car without repair, it was too dangerous. The subframe could have dropped at any moment. No inspections other than that of our mechanic were done. I took photos of the subframe that had been removed which are attached. It is not available for inspection as far as I know. The car sat at the mechanic's for a month waiting for parts from Subaru before being repaired.
I have advised Autozone about premature failure of this part number ball joint. Originally the part number was FA267. Autozone changed the part number and color but did not address the quality and/or longevty concern. I have had to replace all of these part numbered ball joints with oem Subaru parts. The Autozone version will not last until the next oil change(approximately 5k miles) before it is loose and making a knocking noise. The is a safety concern as the ball joint may break or fail while someone is driving. I have expressed this concern multiple time to multiple reps from Autozone over the last 12 years. Autozone's remedy was simply to change the color and part number, then continue selling the same sub standard part. Your attention to this would be beneficial to all involved. Thank you.
The front lower subframe cracked where the driver's side front wheel attaches to it in our 2011 Subaru Outback. This resulted in loss of steering control of vehicle. The issue has been confirmed by independent mechanic. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance agent. It is available for inspection at [redacted]. There were no warning lights when this failure occurred.
Failure of front subframe while driving. Vehicle is unable to be driven. Vehicle pulled severely to drivers side while driving. Subframe had severe deterioration by rust . Vehicle is at Annen Brake Fond du Lac, Wi and available for inspection. Replacement part is unavailable and there is no ETA by manufacturer.
The 2011 Subaru Outback subframe (K-Frame) failed structurally while the vehicle was in operation. The bolted connection between the left side (driver side) control arm broke due to extensive corrosion of the K-frame allowing the bolt to pull through one side of the box-shaped frame. The vehicle exhibited a pronounced pull to the left and handled erratically. The vehicle was immediately driven to a local repair facility where the broken frame connections at the control arms was discovered. The vehicle has approximately 79,000 miles and has been regularly serviced. Evidence of heavy corrosion and metal fatigue were noted at several locations on the K-frame (photo attached). The 2011 Subaru Outback has been owned/operated in western NY State where roads are frequently treated with brime and salt throughout the winter season. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while drivign at low speeds, a divot was encountered and control of the vehicle was lost. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the links needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken again to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the struts and support bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. …
Suspension complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2011 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Subaru Outback, 3% of the model year's 652 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Subaru Outback suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2011 Subaru Outback, though it has 16 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Subaru Outback suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 11,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.