6.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
17,250 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replace center dash unit (3 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Subaru dealer.

problem #7

Feb 102022

Outback 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,561 miles

Damn radio has a life of its own, it changes channel, volume up volume down, from am to fm and back again and again... It's driving me crazy.

- Peter K., Sydney, NSW, Australia

problem #6

Jan 012019

Outback Limited 3.2L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 3,000 miles

After it freezing up and restarting, I took it in for software update under a recall, and now with the new software the radio doesn’t hold memory and it keeps resetting itself. I am tired of this.

- brogonni, New York, US

problem #5

Jan 282021

Outback 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,263 miles

Latest Android cell phone Samsung Galaxy does not at all connect in order to use Google Maps or such on Subaru screen. This is not a modern setup, so it should be fixed. There is Starlink but not only does it not work, there also are no workarounds on the internet.

Suggestions:

1. I use a cell phone mount by Brodit / Proclip USA, to mount my cell phone and use that as navigation system, since the built-in system appears stale, not easy to update and not comfornant to cell phone interconnection. The mount clip goes into the air condition fan opening / outlet. However, the Subaru dashboard area should offer more, and sturdier, cell phone mount points, seeing as if the head unit is in dire need for extra device supplements anyway. However, other manufacturers also have these problems, so if possible, car manufacturers may unite to standardize cell phone mount points shape / dimension wise, to better accomodate for simplified clip designs.

2. The Subaru Outback may also in the future be offered with this option, the existing reduced function head unit with occasional / frequent / permanent serious issues, but alternatively, I will expect Subaru to offer, as an alternative, an actually functional head unit that interconnects also with Android phones reliably, and that also does not freeze / crash all the time. That should be an option that the company should very seriously consider to provide.

- Wolf S., Brüttisellen, Switzerland

problem #4

Apr 142020

Outback

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

I was driving home from work and the starlink system froze on the screen, the radio volume froze, and the channel froze. I was unable to adjust anything, lower the volume, or change the station. I pulled over, turned off the car and waited 5 minutes, nothing changed and I still have the issue. With the COVID-19 virus in full affect, I am stuck with this problem until I can take it in to get fixed.

- D C., Colorado Springs, CO, US

problem #3

Apr 172019

Outback 3.6R Touring V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 9,750 miles

Second black screen of death almost 1 year from the original.

- amcomplx, Buckley, US

problem #2

Jun 012018

Outback 3.6R Touring V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 950 miles

Infotainment system failure with black screen at 950 miles.

- amcomplx, Buckley, US

problem #1

May 012018

Outback Premium 4 Cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

In less than one year the system has failed 7 times, even after the dealer replaced all of the related equipment. Got lost in West Texas (from Louisiana) because of GPS failure. Radio went to full volume each time I had to pull the fuse to disable it. Not what I expected from a $32,000. new vehicle.

- Lawrence E., Geismar, LA, US