Objective To investigate the awareness of diabetes complications in outpatients with diabetes. Methods A total of 300 cases of diabetic were collected from Department of Endocrinology between September 1st and October 10th, 2016. The awareness of diabetes complications in patients with diabetes was investigated by a self-made questionnaire, and the influencing factors on the awareness rate of diabetes complications were analyzed. Results The awareness rates of acute and chronic complications were all low. The awareness rate of hypoglycemia was the highest (59.0%) and the chronic pyelonephritis was the lowest (22.0%). In addition, the difference in awareness rate between different sexes was not significant (P>0.05). Educational extent had significant influence on the awareness rate of chronic pyelonephritis, retinopathy, glaucoma, myopia or hyperopia, iridocliory lesions, polyneuropathy, oculomotor and abducens nerve paralysis, vegetative nerve lesion, skin, muscle, and joints lesions, and infection complications (P<0.05). Occupation had significant influence on the awareness rate of ketoacidosis, diabetic hyperosmolar coma, hypoglycemia, diabetic cardiopathy, iridocliory lesions, polyneuropathy, oculomotor and abducens nerve paralysis, vegetative nerve lesion, skin, muscle, and joints lesions, and infection complications (P<0.05). Conclusions The awareness of diabetes complications in outpatients with diabetes is low. It is needed to strengthen the health education of diabetes complications and improve the awareness rate of complications.