Subaru Outback Wheels Problems
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA about wheels problems on the Subaru Outback across 27 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (11). The words owners use most often: “wheel bearing” (17% of reports).
- 113wheels complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 51%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Wheel bearing: mentioned in 19 of 113 complaints (17%)
At what mileage do wheels problems happen?
Based on 67 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 113 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury.
Subaru Outback wheels complaints by model year
| Model year | Wheels complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 Outback | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Outback | 6 | 2% | 3,718 |
| 2020 Outback | 5 | 1% | — |
| 2019 Outback | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2018 Outback | 11 | 1% | 8,200 |
| 2017 Outback | 5 | 1% | 23,000 |
| 2016 Outback | 3 | 0% | 500 |
| 2015 Outback | 8 | 2% | 48,000 |
| 2014 Outback | 2 | 1% | 61,388 |
| 2013 Outback | 6 | 2% | 40,500 |
| 2012 Outback | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2011 Outback | 10 | 2% | 22,500 |
| 2010 Outback | 5 | 1% | 8,000 |
| 2008 Outback | 5 | 2% | 69,000 |
| 2007 Outback | 3 | 2% | 69,000 |
| 2006 Outback | 6 | 2% | 97,000 |
| 2005 Outback | 9 | 3% | 77,642 |
| 2004 Outback | 1 | 1% | 75,000 |
| 2003 Outback | 4 | 4% | 3,500 |
| 2002 Outback | 2 | 1% | 150,000 |
| 2001 Outback | 2 | 1% | 87,000 |
| 2000 Outback | 2 | 1% | 138,934 |
| 1999 Outback | 1 | 1% | 3,000 |
| 1998 Outback | 4 | 3% | 86,225 |
| 1997 Outback | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1996 Outback | 3 | 7% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Wheels
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines, the aluminum wheels may have an off-center diameter.
Risk: This can result in the eventual loosening of the wheel hub-nuts during vehicle usage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace all 4 aluminum wheels. Owner notification began september 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The warning lights on our 2020 Subaru Outback have lit intermittently for the past 2 years. When bringing the vehicle into the dealer for service and oil changes, this was reported. Recently the TPMS light began to light intermittently. Tire pressure was checked and adjusted but the problem…
The CVT failed at 62 miles per hour on a busy interstate, XXX. This caused the drivetrain to lock. The car has been repaired and traded locally in [XXX]. The car was very difficult to steer with locked wheels in traffic. This was a rapid evasive manuver on a busy interstate. An undrivable vehicle…
I bought a brand new 2025 subaru outback in April of 2025. At first service (oil change and tire rotation) in Jan 2026, I complained that the vehicle keeps swerving left and right and Subaru of Ann Arbor said they will diagnose the i-Sight vehicle system and correct it. But right after delivery , i…
Not really sure, I donât remember. Itâs a wooded area , lots of deer etc. But I honestly donât remember I saw my car It it fully intact , all doors , hood,trunk Open, car starts too Only front drivers wheel is bent in and lowest part of front bumper needs repair
Transmission is failing. Wheel bearing bad. This is a 5 year old car with regular maintenance. No warning lights.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Outbacks have wheels problems?
No. NHTSA has 113 owner complaints about wheels for the Subaru Outback. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Outback wheels?
Yes: 1 safety recall list wheels. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about wheels problems on the Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “wheel bearing”, in 19 of 113 complaints.
Other Subaru Outback problems
- Electrical System problems (2,285)
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,760)
- Power Train problems (988)
- Engine problems (718)
- Air Bags problems (693)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (530)
- Service Brakes problems (431)
- Steering problems (366)
See all Subaru Outback problems.