Lemon Law Analysis

2024 Subaru Outback

NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data

✓ Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. · Updated June 2026
2
NHTSA Complaints
Active Recalls
2-4
Avg. Repair Attempts

The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.

As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 2 complaints against the 2024 Subaru Outback. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2024 Subaru Outback complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.

The 2024 Subaru Outback has generated 70 NHTSA complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your 2024 Subaru Outback has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Subaru pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.

Visibility/Wiper

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Very Strong

The 2024 Subaru Outback has generated 15 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The moon roof shattered. Have not even had the vehicle two days yet. It was fine yesterday (5/26/2023). Went out this afternoon (5/27/2023) and found the moon roof completely shattered and fractured. There is a hole near the rear center and fractures covering the entire moon roof window. We had not even operated the moon roof. This vehicle has less than 100 miles on it. Called the dealership and was told to call my insurance company because I could not prove it was caused by a defect.” (NHTSA Complaint #11524134)

Other Systems

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Strong

The 2024 Subaru Outback has generated 10 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The windshield on the 2024 Subaru Outback obtains cracks easier and more often than my 2017 outback. Is there a possibility that Subaru did not fix th…”

Electrical System

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2024 Subaru Outback include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 6 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Sirus XM advertisements, whilst driving, taking over display, despite opting out of all possible options, disablement and NEVER purchasing the satelli…”

Forward Collision System

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2024 Subaru Outback has 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “In a residential area at night there is a film or tint that covers at least three quarters of the windshield. No problem on bright highways. I compla…”

Equipment

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

The 2024 Subaru Outback has generated 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after the purchase of the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact to schedule an appointment to install the trailer hitch harness. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle could tow a capacity of 3,500 lbs. The contact wanted to attach a camper to the trailer hitch. The contact was then informed by the dealer when the dealer attempted to install the hitch harness that the vehicle did not have any trailer brakes to which the tow harness could not be installed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer would not install the trailer brakes and referred the contact to an independent mechanic for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 3,395.” (NHTSA Complaint #11621051)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2024 Subaru Outback

As of the date of this review, no active recalls have been issued specifically for the 2024 Subaru Outback. Recall status can change at any time. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the most current information. The absence of a recall does not mean your vehicle is defect-free — many lemon law claims proceed without a recall on file.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2024 Subaru Outback:

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
  • 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
  • 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Subaru to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Subaru must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2024 Subaru Outback qualifies as a lemon under California law, Subaru may be legally required to:

  • Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
  • Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
  • Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Subaru pays all legal fees if you prevail
  • Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Subaru willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2024 Subaru Outback Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Subaru a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Subaru dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Subaru pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Subaru a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2024 Subaru Outback Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2024 Subaru Outback as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Subaru pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Subaru is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2024 Subaru Outback?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.

Think Your 2024 Outback Qualifies?

Get a free case evaluation. Subaru pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.

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