IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2025–2026 Subaru Outback Mk6 (BT)

We've identified 3 known issues that can affect the 2025–2026 Subaru Outback Mk6 (BT). None are considered critical, but they're worth knowing about before you buy.

3
Known Issues
0
Serious
2
Moderate
1
Minor

All Known Issues

12-Volt Battery Drain and Electrical Gremlins

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

Owners report batteries going flat or dying well before the usual four-to-five-year mark, sometimes linked to parasitic drain from keyless entry or infotainment modules staying awake. Battery condition and electrical faults are recorded MOT checks on this model.

Est. Repair Cost: £100–£300
Warning Signs:

Battery flat after a few days of sitting, Need for repeated jump-starts, Electrical warning messages on the dashboard

What to Inspect:
  • Check the battery's age and replacement history
  • Ask whether the car has suffered parasitic drain
  • Confirm the car starts easily after sitting for several days
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Suspension Knocking and Worn Bushes

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

Knocks and clunks from the front or rear suspension over bumps and potholes are a common complaint, usually traced to worn control arm bushes, strut top mounts or links. Suspension is the second most common MOT failure area on the Outback.

Est. Repair Cost: £200–£600
Warning Signs:

Knocks over bumps and potholes, Clunking from the front or rear suspension, Vague or loose steering feel

What to Inspect:
  • Drive over broken tarmac listening for suspension knocks
  • Check for play in suspension joints and links
  • Ask whether bushes or strut mounts have been replaced
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

EyeSight Windscreen and Camera Recalibration

MinorElectrics & Electronics

EyeSight-equipped BT cars use a stereo camera pair mounted on the windscreen. Any windscreen replacement or knock to the camera mount needs dealer or specialist recalibration, or the lane-keep and pre-collision braking features stop working properly. This adds cost on top of the glass itself and is an easy-to-miss expense for buyers.

Est. Repair Cost: £150–£300
Warning Signs:

EyeSight warning light after windscreen work, Lane-keep assist not working, Adaptive cruise disabled or faulty

What to Inspect:
  • Ask whether the windscreen was replaced and recalibrated
  • Test EyeSight functions during the test drive
  • Check for recalibration paperwork from a Subaru dealer
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2025–2026 Subaru Outback Mk6 (BT)

  • Run through the touchscreen climate and media menus slowly; laggy or glitchy screens are more than just an irritation on this cabin design.
  • Check for smooth Eyesight operation and ask whether any replacement windscreen has been calibrated correctly.
  • Make sure the heater works properly from cold, as cooling-system faults can look like a random electronics problem at first.
2024
Check a 2025–2026 Subaru Outback Mk6 (BT) by Registration