2025 Subaru Outback: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints for the 2025 Subaru Outback that list the forward collision avoidance component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11771903 (filed 10/18/2026): “Rear automatic braking (rab) system conducted an emergency , neck snapping stop while backing out of a sloped driveway at 9pm local time, zip 94596, walnut creek, california. there was no vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic or other movements nearby to trigger the rab system. there was a local resc…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765887 (filed 09/21/2026): “July 4, 2025 car had about 4100 miles severe dangerous phantom braking on highway ca 280 n just prior to foothill expressway exit at about 7:30 pm. suddenly while traveling 60+ mph on mid lanes of freeway car auto braking caused car to brake/slow to 1/2 speed with no visible obstacle seen by any of…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11764693 (filed 09/16/2026): “The brakes failed and could be inspected upon request. my safety and the safety of two other passengers was put at risk because my vehicle rear ended an another vehicle at a red light. the problem has not yet been confirmed or reproduced by the dealership or inspected by the manufacturer, police, i…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Varies
Depends on the specific failure; get a diagnosis first. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .