Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls & years to avoid

Years to avoid and years with the fewest complaints

A year is one to avoid when it drew at least 2 times the complaints of its model's typical year (the median across the model's years on this site) and at least 200 complaints, or when its complaints include 5 or more reports of a death. The years with the fewest complaints have no such flag and are from 2023 or earlier: newer years have not been on the road long enough to compare. Each model is measured only against its own years. Source: NHTSA owner complaints, as of October 26, 2026.

The 16 model years both have, side by side

Complaints link to each model year's report. "Times its typical year" sets a year against the same model's typical year. The two models' counts can't be compared directly: they are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Most reported problem, by model year

Top problems of each model

The areas of the car NHTSA owner complaints name most, all model years together. A complaint can name more than one area.

Subaru Outback

• Electrical system: 2,080 complaints name it, most in 2017, 2019 and 2016.
• Wipers and visibility: 2,005 complaints name it, most in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
• Transmission and drivetrain: 750 complaints name it, most in 2011, 2012 and 2010.
• Engine: 648 complaints name it, most in 2011, 2013 and 2010.
• Brakes: 372 complaints name it, most in 2011, 2010 and 2012.

Toyota RAV4

• Electrical system: 980 complaints name it, most in 2018, 2020 and 2017.
• Engine: 829 complaints name it, most in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
• Fuel system: 509 complaints name it, most in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
• Brakes: 428 complaints name it, most in 2011, 2016 and 2012.
• Airbags: 421 complaints name it, most in 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Recalls

• Subaru Outback: 49 recalls across its 17 model years (2010–2026), 49 of them covering the model years both have (2010–2025). Every Subaru Outback recall is on its model page.
• Toyota RAV4: 39 recalls across its 16 model years (2010–2025), 39 of them covering the model years both have (2010–2025). Every Toyota RAV4 recall is on its model page.

NHTSA recall campaigns. A campaign that covers several model years is counted once.

More on these two models

• Subaru Outback: every model year, years to avoid and recalls
• Toyota RAV4: every model year, years to avoid and recalls
• Compare the 2025 Subaru Outback and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 side by side
• The $15 report on both cars adds when each problem tends to start, by age and mileage, what the fix usually was and how often it didn't hold, and which engine the problems cluster on.

What the data can't show

• Complaints are unverified reports that owners filed with NHTSA. They are not a reliability rating.
• Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so the two models' counts can't be compared directly. Each model's years are measured only against its own typical year.
• Newer model years have had less time on the road to draw complaints, so their counts can still rise.