My Mom’s Subaru Outback Was Hit, and It Rolled 3 Times With Her Husband, His 88-Year-Old Mother, and Their 5 Lb Dog Inside, and They All Walked Away

My mom's Subaru Outback saved my family's lives. 

Ashley from Ontario, Canada, says that the Subaru Outback that her mom was in along with her husband, his 88-year-old mother, and their 5-lb dog was hit by a truck so hard that it flipped the car and rolled three times. 

Despite the severity of the impact, the Outback's safety features, including its airbags and sturdy construction, protected the occupants. 

When you see the aftermath of the accident, the Outback is barely recognizable, revealing the sheer force of the impact. Yet, miraculously, Ashley's family emerged unscathed, a testament to the Outback's safety. 

Picture yourself recommending the Subaru Outback to your mom. You've read that it's one of the safest vehicles on the road and told her about it. She bought the car two years ago at your recommendation. Now, it saved your family's lives.  

Ashely says, "I'm writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible safety features of your vehicles. Recently, my mother, her husband, his 88-year-old mother, and their 5 lb dog were involved in a severe car accident, and thanks to the design and engineering of their Subaru, they all walked away with minimal injuries." 

A Truck Slams Into the Subaru Outback

"A truck lost control on the highway going from California to Arizona and crashed into them, causing their car to roll over three times. Their Subaru, even after all the damage, recognized it was in an accident and dispatched 911 to the scene. I genuinely believe that the safety measures in place saved their life." 

"The crash's impact was devastating, but their Outback held up remarkably well, protecting them in ways I never imagined a car could. It is a comfort knowing that they were driving a vehicle that prioritizes the well-being of its passengers above all else." 

How Safe is the Subaru Outback?

In 2022, I wrote a report titled; The 2022 Subaru Outback Is The Best Midsize Car In the New IIHS Side Crash Test. 

Here's how the Outback outperformed all other midsize cars. 

In 2022, the IIHS subjected seven midsize cars to a rigorous side crash test. Only one model, the 2022 Subaru Outback, emerged with the highest 'Good' rating, a testament to its superior safety.

The Hyundai Sonata and Volkswagen Jetta received Acceptable scores, the Honda Accord got a Marginal rating, and the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Chevrolet Malibu received Poor ratings.

Why did the Outback get the highest possible rating?

The IIHS believes one reason could be the Outback's higher ride height, which gives it an advantage. "With vehicles that sit lower to the ground, the striking barrier hits higher on the door panel," says IIHS President David Harkey. 

"That potentially puts sedans and wagons at a disadvantage in this evaluation but reflects what happens in a real-world crash when a higher-riding pickup or SUV strikes these vehicles."

Ashley's family was hit by a larger truck, but the Outback kept her family safe.

They All Walked Away

The Subaru Outback has a ride height of 8.7 inches, higher than a sedan, and sits taller than most midsize SUVs. The IIHS says head-protecting airbags for the driver and rear passenger performed well in the Outback, Sonata, and Jetta, "contributing to a low risk of head and neck injuries for occupants in both seating positions."

Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, says,

"The new test means we all have new information about models that may provide additional protection in these types of side impact crashes, and those future models will likely incorporate improvements that make them even better. We will all benefit from those improvements, and we look to organizations like IIHS to continue to drive them."

The new IIHS side crash test reveals the Subaru Outback is the safest new midsize vehicle customers can buy. Ashley is thankful her family was riding in an Outback when they were struck by a truck. 

Ashley Thanks Subaru for Building Safe Cars

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for creating such an incredibly safe car. My family is forever grateful for the peace of mind that comes with knowing my loved ones were in a Subaru when this happened."

Joe Young, a spokesman for the IIHS, says, 

"We expect to see continued improvements with the rollout of this new test. These new ratings certainly reflect the challenge posed by the new test configuration, but, as the Subaru Outback demonstrates, good side protection is achievable for this vehicle class."

Final Thoughts and Questions for Subaru Outback Owners

Have you been in an accident with your Subaru Outback or another Subaru model? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us about your experience.

Check out my Subaru Crosstrek story: My Husband's Dream Is a Subaru WRX STI, But He Got Me a Crosstrek, But Unfortunately My Dream Car Was Totaled When A RAM 1500 Ran a Red Light

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru of America