2011 Subaru Outback MPG
EPA ratings for the 2011 Subaru Outback run from 18–21 mpg in town to 24–28 on the highway, or 20–24 combined, depending on which of its 3 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 24 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 20 mpg combined, 4 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2010 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular · 370 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular · 444 g CO₂/mi |
2011 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2011 Subaru Outback costs about $2,720 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (24 mpg combined), or roughly 18 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (20 mpg combined) comes to about $3,270 a year, $540 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2011 Subaru Outback specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2011 Subaru Outback: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with automatic, continuously variable (CVT) and manual transmissions, with all-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2011 Subaru Outback problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 653 owner complaints about the 2011 Subaru Outback.
Power train is the most-reported area (25% of component mentions), followed by exterior lighting (14%) and engine (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 41 complaints a year: more than the 2010 (21 a year) and the 2012 (20 a year).
That ranks 9th of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 653, 24 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 6 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 216 | 25% |
| Exterior lighting | 117 | 14% |
| Engine | 85 | 10% |
| Air bags | 74 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 67 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 67 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 39 | 5% |
| Steering | 37 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 3% |
| Suspension | 22 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 18 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 1% |
| Structure | 11 | 1% |
| Wheels | 10 | 1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 9 | 1% |
| Tires | 9 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 7 | <1% |
| Visibility | 5 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 4 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 4 | <1% |
| Seats | 4 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment | 2 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
My CVT Transmission started having problems with the Valve Body inside the transmission. On acceleration from a complete stop my vehicle would start "bucking" hard causing a violent back and forth rocking or "jerking" of the drive train and vehicle. …
LOW HEADLAMP BULB HOUSING MELTED SO BAD IT MUST BE REPLACED AT ESTIMATED DEALER COST OF $650. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR REPLACING THE BULBS THAT HAVE BEEN BURNING OUT EVERY 6-9 MONTHS. …
Took my vehicle in for oil change and was notified the cam carrier is leaking. …
2011 Subaru Outback recalls
The 2011 Subaru Outback has been the subject of 16 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 20V001000 from January 2020, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 9 of the 16 campaigns, more than any other area.
11V467000 · September 7, 2011 · Visibility
Problem: THE MOONROOF GLASS MAY COME LOOSE OR DETACH. THE AMOUNT AND POSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE GLASS AND RETAINER WAS INADEQUATELY APPLIED.
Risk: THE MOONROOF GLASS CAN LOOSEN AND DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GLASS ADHESION CONDITION AND EITHER APPLY ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE OR REPLACE THE MOONROOF GLASS, FREE OF CHARGE.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V001000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V002000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V003000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 19V297000 | April 11, 2019 | Electrical system | 2008–2014 |
| 19V007000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 19V009000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 19V008000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 18V626000 | September 13, 2018 | Parking brake | 2010–2014 |
| 18V012000 | January 9, 2018 | Air bags | 2009–2013 |
| 17V014000 | January 10, 2017 | Air bags | 2009–2012 |
| 16V694000 | September 27, 2016 | Visibility | 2010–2014 |
| 16V358000 | May 25, 2016 | Air bags | 2009–2011 |
| 13V061000 | February 25, 2013 | Equipment, Electrical system | 2010–2013 |
| 12V602000 | December 26, 2012 | Exterior lighting | 2010–2011 |
| 10V326000 | July 20, 2010 | Power train | 2010–2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2011 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2011 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2011 Honda CR-V (24 mpg), 2011 Nissan Rogue (24 mpg) and 2011 Toyota RAV4 (24 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 22 | 226 | 12 | 8 |
| 2009 | 22 | 106 | 5.9 | 13 |
| 2010 | 24 | 360 | 21 | 18 |
| 2011 | 24 | 653 | 41 | 16 |
| 2012 | 24 | 294 | 20 | 16 |
| 2013 | 26 | 297 | 21 | 12 |
| 2014 | 26 | 208 | 16 | 10 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2011 models
FAQ
Is the 2011 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2011 Subaru Outback has 41 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (9th most of 17 model years), 16 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 24 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2011 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are power train (216), exterior lighting (117) and engine (85). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2011 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 20–24 mpg combined (18–21 city, 24–28 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Outback per year?
About $2,720 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $3,270 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).