Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 10 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 32 | 3% | 16,000 miles |
| 2018 | 46 | 6% | 6,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 2% | 31,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2015 | 18 | 4% | 33,000 miles |
| 2014 | 13 | 6% | 20,000 miles |
| 2013 | 15 | 5% | 27,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% | 121,000 miles |
| 2011 | 16 | 2% | 77,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 7% | 115,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 109,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% | 79,000 miles |
| 2006 | 40 | 14% | 108,000 miles |
| 2005 | 19 | 7% | 126,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% | 92,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% | 94,000 miles |
| 2002 | 32 | 22% | 87,000 miles |
| 2001 | 32 | 19% | 83,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% | 120,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% | 150,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% | 140,000 miles |
| 1997 | 5 | 6% | 150,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% | 136,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I just bought my Subaru outback brand new in October 2025. I've maintained my oil changes at the dealership. I bought it from in the last one was last may 26. I filled up my tank with a full tank of gas June 1. On June 2 when I was driving home from work on the I 94 Highway in Detroit Michigan I was going about 50 mph when my check engine light went on and within seconds the engine failed. The car was still on, but the gas pedal wouldn't work and I was in the far left-hand side lane of the highway. I was able to slowly pull over to the fire right hand shoulder, even though it was during peak traffic time. As I pulled over, I started seeing smoke come from under the hood. I then seen a big flame which made me quickly get out of the vehicle and then seconds two minutes later the entire vehicle was in golf in flames and had many explosions throughout. …
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, gasoline started to spill from the fuel filler neck. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to provide a diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 300.
My wife who is a small statured woman was leaving parking lot of church onto a narrow 2 lane street. As she made a left turn, the right front tire climbed the curb and dropped back onto the street. The car suddenly accelerated to top speed and crushed into a tree about 50 yards down the street. Airbags deployed causing bone breaks in left cavalcule, fractured ribs and T12. The driver is short and must sit almost against the steering wheel to drive. Without much effort to stretch her toes, she is unable to push the accelerator to the floor. she said she tried to push on the brake with no results. Eyewitnesses said they watch as she was leaving, they noted the car "jumping the curb" and said the car suddenly accelerated to a very high speed and crashed into a tree. There were no distinctive marks to show any stopping action.
Driving on the highway, engine started making a rattling noise, then began to labor and eventually stopped being able to accelerate at all. Oil pressure warning light came on around the time the acceleration gave out altogether. We pulled over to the side of the highway and got out of the car, seeing steam/white smoke coming out of the front of the car. The smoke increased and after several minutes, the front of the car caught on fire.
On Sunday, August 20, 2023 I was pulling into a parking spot in front of an Anytime Fitness at a local strip mall. As I applied the brake, the motor raced and accelerated driving me into a pillar outside of the fitness center. I was in shock, not understanding what had happened. Had I chosen to park one stall to the right, the car would have gone through the window of the business instead of the pillar. Considerable damage was done to the pillar and to my 2021 Subaru Outback, but I was not injured, and no one else was injured. I had the brakes checked at my vehicle service center and was told the brakes were functioning as they should be. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warning was provided by the vehicle. The crash occurred in two seconds.
Car experienced unintended acceleration and the pre-collision safety system failed to engage. Car accelerated into a building and the driver stopped car's attempt to continue forward progress by taking the car out of drive mode. The pre-collision system failed completely. The Electronic Control Units seemed to fail entirely. This happened while pulling into a parking space at a very low rate to speed (until the car "took off").
3 weeks ago the all of the warning lights came on. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Could not find out what was wrong. Saw there was a lot of carbon build up which was unusual since there is only 26,000 miles on vehicle. After a week a dealership a cleaning took it home. Went back the next day. They inspected and stated it was the spark plugs and needed new fuel injectors. Had replaced. Everything still covered. Picked vehicle up finally after 17 days of it being there. When picking it up the paper work stated the vehicle had cylinder 1 misfires 30-45 times in a 3 hour period. But was assured the vehicle was repaired and fully inspected and 100% safe. Within 24hrs of driving the vehicle. The next morning we drove to school and with after the second light we smelled smoothing rolled windows down and but was sure if it was us. …
On 12/6/2023, as I slowly turned right into a parking space, my car suddenly surged forward and accelerated without my input to the gas pedal. The brakes did not work, and there was no resistance from the brake pedal when I repeated to push it. The car continued to accelerate for about 80 ft as I focused on steering to avoid hitting other cars parked in the lot. The car ran over a curb, up a grassy area, and crashed into a row of trees. The airbag did not deploy. I sustained neck muscle strain/whiplash, and bruises to my chest and right knee. My safety was at risk, as well as anyone or anything that was in the car's path since I had no control over the acceleration or the brakes. The car is a 2020 Subaru Outback with about 44000 miles. It is in a body shop and they have not yet determined if it is safe to work on. So far, they have observed the engine race when the car was turned on. …
Related recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Certain passenger or sport utility vehicles May have a loose or out of position fuel filler hose clamp.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the clamp on the fuel filler hose. Owner notification began August 27, 2003. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Outback years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (46), 2006 (40), 2001 (32), 2002 (32) and 2019 (32) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Subaru Outback fuel system problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 21V-587 (fuel pump, Jul 29, 2021); 20V-218 (fuel pump, Apr 16, 2020); 03V-303 (filler pipe and cap, Aug 20, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Outback fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (8 mentions), followed by the delivery › fuel pump (4).
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.