AUTOCOSTINDEX EST. 2026

Subaru Outback Maintenance Cost (2016–2026)

Report ACI-SUB-OUTBACK · Updated July 2026 · Figures are ACI model estimates

The Subaru Outback costs about $838 a year to maintain — $620 in year one rising to $1,185 by year ten, or $8,375 across a decade. That ranks #33 of 52 vehicles tracked by AutoCostIndex. Figures are modeled estimates at 12,000 miles a year with independent-shop labor, covering scheduled maintenance and expected repairs but not fuel, insurance, or depreciation.

Maintenance Cost Report ACI-SUB-OUTBACK
Subaru Outback
gas · midsize suv · MY 2016–2026
Avg annual cost
$838
10-year total
$8,375
Cost rank
#33 of 52 vehicles
Major-repair chance, 5 yr
14%
Average Annual Cost $838
$70per month
7.0¢per mile
Assumes 12,000 mi/yr · independent shop · 10-year average · ACI model estimate

The Subaru Outback ranks #33 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost.

What it costs as it ages

Annual cost by vehicle age · ACI model

Vehicle age, years · figures at 12,000 mi/yr, independent shop

Costs stay under $850 a year through year 6, then climb as tires (set of 4) and other wear items come due.

Common services

Typical U.S. pricing · independent shop
Subaru Outback routine service pricing
Service Typical cost Interval
Oil change (synthetic) $90 6,000 mi
Cabin + engine air filters $76 15,000 mi
Brake pads (front, pair) $320 48,000 mi
Tires (set of 4) $880 50,000 mi
CVT fluid exchange $240 60,000 mi

Your numbers

Table recalculates with the settings panel
Subaru Outback cost by vehicle age — your selected window
Vehicle age Annual cost Cumulative
Age 1 $620 $620
Age 2 $630 $1,250
Age 3 $660 $1,910
Age 4 $710 $2,620
Age 5 $765 $3,385
5-year total $3,385 $3,385

Ownership context

National averages · beyond the maintenance bill

Cost rank

#33 of 52

The Subaru Outback ranks #33 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost. One documented pattern: Windshield stress-cracking complaints on 2020–2022 cars, subject of a class-action settlement. Verify open recalls for any vehicle at NHTSA.gov.

Gas service profile

5 routine items

Routine costs are fluid-and-wear driven: oil at 6,000-mile intervals, filters, brakes, and tires. Tires (set of 4) is the single largest routine bill at $880.

Against its rivals

Average annual maintenance · ACI model
Subaru Outback vs. cross-shopped vehicles
Vehicle Avg annual 10-yr total vs. Outback
Subaru OutbackThis page $838 $8,375
Toyota RAV4 $647 $6,470 −$191/yr
Mazda CX-5 $725 $7,245 −$113/yr
Subaru Forester $803 $8,030 −$35/yr
Honda CR-V $819 $8,185 −$19/yr

Questions people ask

Is the Subaru Outback expensive to maintain?

It is about average. The Outback averages $838 a year in maintenance and typical repairs, ranking #33 of 52 vehicles on AutoCostIndex. That is mid-pack among vehicles we track.

What does a Subaru Outback cost to maintain per year?

$838 a year averaged over the first ten years — about $70 a month. Year 1 runs roughly $620; by year 10 the annual figure reaches $1185. Ten-year total: $8,375.

What are the most common Outback services?

The routine items are oil change (synthetic) (~$90), cabin + engine air filters (~$76), brake pads (front, pair) (~$320). Intervals and full pricing for every service are in the table on this page.

What's not included in this estimate?

Fuel or charging, insurance (about $1,610 a year nationally for this vehicle), collision damage, parking, tolls, taxes, and registration. The figure covers scheduled maintenance plus typical age-related repairs, modeled per our methodology.

Keep exploring

More Subaru models

How we calculate this

Every figure on this page is a modeled estimate from the ACI maintenance model: each routine service is amortized per mile from its manufacturer-schedule interval, priced at independent-shop labor rates, with an age-based repair expectation on top. The method is open — the exact formula, its calibration against AAA's published ownership-cost study, and its limitations are on the methodology page. Your invoices will differ; the model sets expectations, it doesn't predict a single car.

REFERENCES: AAA — Your Driving Costs 2025 (fact sheet) · AAA — Average mechanic labor rates by state (2026) · NHTSA — Safety recalls lookup  · Updated 2026-07-19