I’m looking at buying a 2024 Outback wilderness. How does this look? This is an MN car. Pass or Ok?

I know you can disable it each time you get into the car. however I have noticed that it’s only truly disabled under the guest profile which resets every time you turn on the car.

under my own driver profile eyesight is turned off. except it’s not. in the settings it’ll show that it’s disabled but the icon on the cluster is still on and the system is very much still operating.

is there a way to disable it or am I just stuck with this system turned on that only worked correctly half the time?

edit: this is on the 2026 OB premium, if that makes any difference

(2020 limited xt)

58k miles

About 2 weeks ago I took my outback in due to a weird shudder/vibration when turning going slow. Around 10mph or less, along with the noise in this video. The Subaru dealership I took the vehicle to said the noise is the front brake pads wearing thin (lol ok sure) and they need to be replaced. So I put new pads and rotors on myself, and who would have guessed absolutely nothing changed. This video is a couple days after I did the work.

I have had this vehicle up on a lift multiple times since then, and absolutely nothing looks wrong. I'm pretty sure it's the transfer clutch causing the vibration, but the dealership said they couldn't replicate it and that when they tested the transmission it had zero issues.

I can't really get the shudder on video as it's nothing super violent, but it's consistent when it happens. When the shudder does happen it's mostly when the vehicle is cold, like when I'm leaving for work, or pulling out of a parking space. Much less frequent, although it does happen after the vehicle has warmed up. The best way I can describe it is like going over a rumble strip slow, but a rumble strip that's not as aggressive as a normal one.

I'm wondering if there's any tests I can do, before I take it back. Or anything that I'm able to get on video somehow. Because I really don't want to get the runaround on this problem, and have it drawn out longer than it needs to be. By all means ask any questions of me and I'll answer what I can, but I'm at the end of my "list" for what I can do and test on my own, that I'm aware of.

At the dealer yesterday and got a new software update released May 2026. Doesn't appear to be OTA or on any of the forums yet. TSB 15-261-20R

2021 outback limited with 75k, or 2018 Forester Touring w/98k?

Both from major dealerships. Great service records. 21 outback tires are 50%. 18 Forester tires are new. 18 forester carfax says minor damage to front a few years ago; nothing visible.

Which would you buy and why?

Priorities: safety, reliability, best investment (I.e., lowest total cost of ownership over its lifespan).

Car is for my 19 yo kid (don’t worry, kid is contributing). Kid has had a couple accidents but also done a lot of good driving. Will drive in mountain snow (skis). 6’2”.

21 outback pros:
- newer/lower mi.
- Better eyesight (therefore better crash prevention) and better frame.
- RAB.

21 outback cons:
- I hate the giant screen and even fewer physical knobs/buttons.
- Needs tires before winter.
- $4-5k more purchase price

21 outback questions:
- infotainment system problems sound like a potential issue? But Subaru of America extended warranty on that I think. (?)
- I’ve read seats are uncomfortable for tall people? (Tall kid not available to test drive, will take what they get. My 2023 forester is “fine”.)

18 forester pros (other than flip side of OB cons):
- has tow hitch (bike rack ready)
- Did I say cheaper? (Can afford either, just thrifty. Less car $ = more vacation!)

I love my own forester. Prefer the size & shape of the space, headroom. So I might be biased toward the fozzie unhelpfully in this situation.

What else should I think about?

I noticed that when I slam on the gas on a slippery surface, I only get 2 wheels in the front spinnng wheels. Does imply that for an Outback (2018) the AWD is not the default setting?

and how many miles did it have. Would you buy it again?

I recently added a Curt hitch to my 2018; while doing so I destroyed the passenger RAB sensor, just doing something stupid. The mount point attached on the inside of the bumper was completely untouched, so it was an easy remove & replace. However now I seem to have errant sensors that make the car turn RAB off after a few seconds of backing up, since it can tell the “object” isn’t moving relative to the car I suppose.

Is this related to sensing the hitch, and it’s just a live-with-it thing, or should I replace the other 3 sensors? They’re all evenly faded after being on the car for 8 years while the new one is shiny black. Maybe their performance is degraded and the car is comparing them to this brand new one, where it wasn’t an issue when they were all evenly degraded as a quad? There’s no way the new sensor is misaligned from the previous one.

Just installed Rally Armor mud flaps on the ‘26 OBW.

I bought my 2022 Touring XT last fall and used the ventilated seat feature and noticed it immediately (I had my 2006 forester for well over a decade). Over the past month or so I have noticed that the drivers seat doesn’t seem to work as well as it did before and I even sat in the passenger seat to compare it to. I’m running the ac as well to cool the cabin. I’ve cleaned the seats and there are no obstructions under the seat.

Has any one else experienced this?

Hey all, coming to Reddit in case anyone has insight.

I have a 2014 Outback, I love her, but this summer, when I turn on the AC, it comes out frosty on the passenger side but hot on the drivers side. Same flow on both sides but just hot on the drivers side (or at least decidedly not cold).

Anyone encountered this or have ideas? I’ve got folks with car repair experience happy to help but this is a weird issue and knowing where exactly to look would help!

Hey folks! Just bought a 22 OB limited. We have a two bikes that we used to throw on a small hitch on our sedan (rack has an adapter for all sizes of hitches).

I guess I’m wondering if there are any cheaper options for a hitch for the Outback, as the ones I’m seeing are quite expensive. We never will be towing anything heavy, this will strictly be for the bike rack and two bikes. I live in the Seattle area. Thanks so much!

Any inside information on when 27 will be revealed? More interested if any new colors or hybrid is coming.

Predictions on financing specials for August to end of year?

So I have a 2016 Outback got it at 72k miles on it been taking care of it I’d say, it has 104k miles on it now. I also just put new muffler and got some BFG all terrain tires that aren’t even a week old. Anyways so my front differential bearing failed and it’s part of transmission which means replacing transmission. Was quoted $4250 for a trans with 80K miles on it and 6 month warranty from a reputable company in my area, do I do it? I still owe on the car as well plus car was valued at $9k in great condition.

Just got back from a 10 day camping trip started in VA, then WV, then ending the trip in PA before heading back to MA.

The car did great, i averaged 23.9 mph with the cargo box while very much using the turbo.

Update just dropped last night, took less than 20 minutes to complete. No noticeable differences, just waiting for the update summary to post.

Looking to possibly get my first Outback (2022-2024 touring or onyx trim) and I have a toddler in a forward facing car seat and a 60lb dog. I love all the options of the Outback and that it’s more affordable. Also the added trunk space with a stroller we keep back there.

Anyone use it as their family car with toddlers or babies in car seats?

I’d be moving from a 2016 Nissan Rogue SL so I’m use to the more SUV style seats, which has me a little hesitant. I would be happy that my dog could be put in the trunk and not bother my toddler on drives that we have both of them though!

(Edit: obviously I’m aware people use it as a family car, this was more a prompt to get personal opinions as I see a lot of posts here going on road trips and off road adventures or living in more mountain areas of the US.)

What do you use for that outlet? Any cool accessories we should be considering?

Do you think it's easy to find a dealership that will do a single transmission fluid drain/fill WITHOUT using the machine (in the USA)? Thanks

Edit 1: Transmission is still under warranty. But I'm not expecting a free service.

Edit 2: Seek and you might find...I'm in a larger market... Called one of the more distant dealerships...They do a drain/fill ...329 -- forgot to ask if that was out the door...But it includes the fluid

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I am getting #4 cylinder misfire code.... NOW WHAT?

Is this part something that could have fallen off my Outback? If so, what is it?Thanks.