SubaruOutback2023Overview/subaru/outback/2023/base/

2023 Subaru Outback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Outback.

The 2023 Subaru Outback continues the nameplate's long-running presence, with its engine lubrication system requiring 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 viscosity oil to maintain proper operation. When measured against the model's entire complaint history spanning from 1995 to 2026, this iteration represents a notably stable chapter, accumulating just 85 total owner complaints and two recalls—a stark contrast to the problematic 2019 model year and its 1,029 complaints. The primary issues flagged for the 2023 model center on visibility and wiper functionality rather than severe mechanical failures. This comparatively low volume of grievances positions the 2023 Outback as a reassuringly reliable point in the vehicle's evolution, offering a much cleaner track record for researchers to evaluate.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88.5 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire size17" 225/65R17 102HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.1 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3651 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.60 sec — 2023 Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023Touring 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.4L Turbo F-45.80 sec14.60 sec260 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.4L Turbo F-45.80 sec14.40 sec260 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.70 sec260 hpAWD
2024Touring XT 2.4L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.60 sec260 hpAWD
2025Touring XT 2.4L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec260 hpAWD
2020Onyx Edition XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.80 sec260 hpAWD
2020Touring XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.30 sec14.80 sec260 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.5 qt
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.2 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)Use new O-Rings: 4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Hand Tighten ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Hand Tighten ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Hand Tighten ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)Use a new gasket: 12.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugUse new gaskets. 40.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new gaskets: 40.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts88.5 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugUse a new gasket. 35.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug TypeSILKFR8A6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.020-0.024" in
Spark Plug Torque13.3 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeDILKAR7Q8
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.93-1.05 lbs
Oil TypeND-Oil 12
Oil Capacity2.36 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.06" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen Bolts 1, 2 & 3 in Reverse: 180°, Step 3: Bolts 1, 2 & 3: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 4: Loosen Bolts 8, 6 & 4: 180°, Bolts 4, 6 & 8: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen Bolts 7, 9 & 5: 180°, Step 6: Bolts 5, 9 & 7: 13.313.3 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen Bolts 1, 2 & 3 in Reverse: 180°, Step 3: Bolts 1, 2 & 3: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 4: Loosen Bolts 8, 6 & 4: 180°, Bolts 4, 6 & 8: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen Bolts 7, 9 & 5: 180°, Step 6: Bolts 5, 9 & 7: 13.313.3 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen Bolts 1, 2 & 3 in Reverse: 180°, Step 3: Bolts 1, 2 & 3: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 4: Loosen Bolts 8, 6 & 4: 180°, Bolts 4, 6 & 8: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen Bolts 7, 9 & 5: 180°, Step 6: Bolts 5, 9 & 7: 13.313.3 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply clean engine oil to the crank pulley bolt, seat and threads. Step 214.8 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply clean engine oil to the crank pulley bolt, seat and threads. Step 214.8 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply clean engine oil to the crank pulley bolt, seat and thread and use a new o-ring. Step 270.1 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use Liquid Gasket 3-Bond and install oil pan. Step 24.7 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use Liquid Gasket 3-Bond and install oil pan. Step 24.7 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use Liquid Gasket 3-Bond and install oil pan. Step 24.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2023 Subaru Outback sits at a notable low point within its generation’s complaint and recall trend. The current generation launched in 2020 with 891 complaints and 6 recalls, then dropped to 291 complaints in 2021 before rising again to 454 in 2022; the 2023 model year reverses that climb with only 85 complaints and 2 recalls, the lowest counts for any year in this generation. Its 312 TSBs are also the fewest since 2020, suggesting the platform has been well-refined by its fourth year. The top complaint areas—Visibility/Wiper (15), Forward Collision Avoidance (10), and Electrical System (9)—are modest in number, and the data does not specify underlying causes for these issues. With just 8 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint, the 2023 Outback shows no alarming concentration of safety problems. This is a strong year to buy, as it represents the most settled and least-reported model of the current generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
312
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
85
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 85 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper15
Unknown Or Other11
Forward Collision Avoidance10
Electrical System9
Exterior Lighting6
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance4
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V647000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 21/09/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the… Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners…

23V755000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock SwitchReported 09/11/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 312 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
15-246-19R2026-06-29Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…
02-196-262026-06-22EngineThis bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2023 Outback take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic SP, SN or SN+ Resource Conserving ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.