2025 Subaru Outback

NHTSA Complaint Narrative — Draft On July 9, 2026, in the evening, my leased 2026 Subaru Outback Touring caught fire while we were driving home. We were stopped in a left-turn lane waiting on a left-turn signal. When the light turned, the vehicle in front of us moved forward — which, in hindsight, was fortunate, because molten metal was sprayed across that exact spot moments later. The engine effectively exploded, throwing molten metal from the melted hood and engine components into the air around the car. We exited the vehicle immediately, leaving it burning in the left-turn lane. The fire department, based only about half a mile away, arrived within approximately 4 minutes, but it still took them roughly 35 minutes to fully extinguish the fire given its intensity. The vehicle had just been returned that day (or very recently) from a 3.5-week internal engine repair at the dealership. This was the third time I had reported the same underlying engine problem to Subaru — the recent lengthy repair was the first real attempt by the dealer to address it, and it failed within days of the vehicle being returned to me. My spouse and I were in the car moments before the explosion. Had we been delayed even briefly — for example, had the car ahead of us not moved forward when it did — we believe we could have been seriously injured or killed by the explosion and flying molten debris. The vehicle was a total loss. I am filing this complaint because: This was the third report of the same engine issue prior to the fire, indicating a recurring, unresolved defect rather than an isolated incident. The failure occurred immediately after a dealership repair specifically intended to fix this problem, suggesting the underlying defect was not — or could not be — properly corrected. The nature of the failure (explosive engine fire while driving, throwing molten metal across an active traffic lane) presents a serious risk of injury or death to occupants, other drivers, and bystanders

NHTSA ID

11755608

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving during heavy rainfall, the front windshield displayed a distorted view while the windshield wipers were activated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not identified. The front windshield was cleaned. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with the manufacturing of the windshield glass. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA ID

11755406

Incident

Apr 15, 2026

Mileage

2,000 mi

The passenger seat airbag light does NOT always come on when my wife, 93 lbs, sits in the passenger seat. It will come on with someone heavier. This also happened in the loaner car I was given, 2026 Forester, by the dealer while they investigated my car. The airbag light did not come on when my wife was in the seat. Dealer says thereshold switch is operating according to factory specification. I say the specification needs adjustment. This was NOT a problem with my 2021 WRX.

NHTSA ID

11754998

Incident

Dec 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while attempting to start it. There were no warning lights illuminated. A tow truck company successfully jump-started the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact returned to retrieve the vehicle, and the key fob failed to operate, and the vehicle failed to start. The dealer provided a loaner vehicle. There was no indication that the battery had failed; however, the dealer replaced the battery. The dealer had not yet determined the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11753796

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

Mileage

10,000 mi

On May 16, 2026, I was driving approximately 65 mph northbound on the Glenn Highway near Anchorage, Alaska, in my 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Traffic was light, and there were no vehicles within approximately 150 yards of my vehicle. Without warning, my wife and I heard a loud bang followed immediately by the sound of rattling glass. The factory-installed moonroof suddenly shattered while the vehicle was traveling at highway speed. I did not observe any object strike the vehicle, and there were no nearby vehicles or adverse weather conditions that would explain the failure. Fortunately, the interior moonroof shade was closed. Had it been open, shattered glass could have fallen directly onto the driver and passenger, potentially causing eye injuries, distraction, or loss of vehicle control while traveling at highway speed. After safely pulling over, I documented the damage with photographs and contacted Continental Subaru of Anchorage two days later to schedule a warranty inspection. When I brought the vehicle to the dealership on May 28, the warranty claim was dismissed before any inspection findings were explained to me. I was ultimately told that Subaru does not cover shattered moonroof glass under warranty and that only cracked glass may be covered. I was directed to file an insurance claim instead. I asked the dealership to identify evidence of an external impact that would explain the failure, but no impact point or other physical evidence was shown to me. I was required to pay for replacement of the moonroof despite the vehicle having only approximately 30,000 miles. I am submitting this report because a spontaneous failure of a factory-installed moonroof while driving at highway speed presents a significant safety hazard. I am also aware of numerous publicly reported incidents involving similar sudden moonroof failures in Subaru Outback vehicles, which I believe warrant further investigation.

NHTSA ID

11752963

Incident

May 16, 2026

The back passenger seatbelt does not retract. It stays loose after use and there are safety concerns. I don't feel safe having any passengers in my car.

NHTSA ID

11751938

Incident

Dec 4, 2025

The seat belts in the backseat get un-aligned when you sit in the seat buckled up. when this happens the seat belt will not retract. This happens every time I sit in the backseat and I have to remember to refeed the belt into the guide.

NHTSA ID

11749039

Incident

Jul 8, 2026

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 realized the steering had to be held at ~5 degrees to the right (off centered) to get the car go straight. I complained and I was made to bring the car in 3 times to Subaru of Ann arbor - only to go without a fix. The car fishtailed, the traction control system malfunctioned in normal roads and highways due to the steering angle error. I was asked my Subaru of Ann Arbor to not come there anymore and take it to a different dealership. I complained to Subaru of America (Customer advocacy) and they asked me to pick a different dealer - Lafontaine Subaru. Even there the technicians argued that the car is good and just did an alignment without fixing the steering angle error issue. The steering angle sensor is tied to the vehicle safety software controls, traction control system and safety systems such as lane keep. I have to keep the steering tilted to keep the vehicle in lanes and I am struggling to keep it safely within lanes since January 2026. Subaru of America has not intervened even after the 6th repair in 3 months as the problem is not fixed. the lives of my family including a [XXX] infant for whom I got the car is being threatened on a daily basis. I keep telling the urgency and grave danger and the last response from the second subaru dealer was this is the maximum we can do. I am feeling threatened as I paid a fortune for a new car and wanted to secure my infant and my family. Our safety has been disregarded despite multiple complaints and repairs in the first year of ownership. Mileage now is 6100 miles total. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11748229

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.

This bulletin outlines a repair procedure to be performed if DTC B2781 is set in the steering lock control module.

This bulletin provides instruction for use (FOTA) of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 4.5 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin).

This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.