2008 SUBARU OUTBACK

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    72 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    75
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,000–103,000 mi

    Median 78,500 mi, based on 83 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "SINCE THE CAR WAS NEARLY NEW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, RENDERING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT THE DEALER SAID NO FAULT CODE WAS FOUND.…"~2,000 mi, complaint #956404
    • "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT MALFUNCTIONING. SOMETIMES CEILING CONSOLE PASSENGER INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE BAG IS OFF (SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN WHEN LESS THAN 25 LBS IN PASSENGER SEAT) AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES DASHBOARD RED AIRBAG WARNIN…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1128782
    • "THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR FRONT END IMPACT. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATES THAT IT IS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. IT IS A HARD FAULT SINCE IT IS UNABLE TO BE CLEARED. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEE…"~76,740 mi, complaint #1240195
    • "THERE'S SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE WIRING ON 2005-2009 SUBARU OUTBACK/LEGACY MODELS THAT AFFECTS BOTH THE AIRBAG AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE THREADS ONLINE WHERE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON SPECIFICALLY INDICATING THAT THE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1476428
    • "TAKATA AIR BAG RELATED. WE REPLACED THE RECALLED PASSENGER TAKATA AIRBAG A WHILE AGO, AND AT THE SAME TIME PAID $297.95 TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE ISSUE (ERROR CODE 26) RELATED TO THE AIRBAG FAILURE INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT COMES. NOW WE ARE HAVING THE SAME PRO…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1443673
  2. #2

    brake hydraulics

    25 unsafe

    25
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 152,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS GIRLFRIEND WHO OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO FUNCTION AS INTENDED. THE BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDE…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1642623
    • "WHEN DRIVING HOME, BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR THEN LIGHT CAME ON. TRIED BRAKE FLUID AND GUSHED OUT. INCHED TO NEARBY MIDAS WHO RAISED CAR AND FOUND MAJOR LEAK BY GAS TANK. RECALL ON THAT AREA WAS TREATED WITH WAX IN 2014. CALLED SUBARU WHO DID NOT GUARANTEE HELP…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1547157
    • "DRIVING AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON I95 IN PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND, TAPPED THE BREAK TO KEEP KEEP SAFE DISTANCE FROM CAR IN FRONT, PEDAL SEEMED A BIT SOFT. THEN HAD TO PREFORM A HARD STOP AS THE ENTIRE 3 LANES HAD STOPPED DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO THE…"~152,000 mi, complaint #1587499
    • "THE BRAKE LINES SHOW EVIDENCE OF CORROSION WITH ONE LEAKING FLUID. MY DTR WAS DRIVING TO FL AND NOTED EXCESS BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL UPON ARRIVAL AND BROUGHT IT TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MEC.H INFORMED HER OF PROBLEM AND SENT PHOTOS OF CORRODED BRAKE LI…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1690738
    • "WHILE DRIVING IN BLOOMINGTON, THE BRAKE LINES FAILED. MANAGED TO PULL OVER INTO A MALL PARKING LOT. BRAKE FLUID POURED OUT FROM THE BRAKE LINES WHICH HAD RUSTED THROUGH NEAR THE GAS TANK. MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BASED ON RECALL WQK47, BUT IT WAS THIS AREA…"~230,000 mi, complaint #1682643
  3. #3

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 102,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN HEAVY SNOW, SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE DASH LIGHT FLASHED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDLES MOVED AS IF THE CAR WAS STARTING UP. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE, WOULD NOT CRANK. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WORKED. SAT IN HEAVY SNOW FOR TWO HO…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1153771
    • "RECENTLY REPLACED HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE ON A RETURN TRIP HOME. THEY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *TR"~81,000 mi, complaint #1140163
    • "THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BLINKED OFF & ON AND THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING, THEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. IT GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF INVOLVING A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE MOVING."~86,700 mi, complaint #1245793
    • "ONE WIRE LEADING TO THE REAR CARGO HATCH (RIGHT SIDE) BROKE AND 3 OTHERS HAD CRACKED INSULATION DUE TO A LACK OF RESILIENCE AFTER FLEXING. THESE WIRES ARE FLEXED EVERY TIME THE HATCH IS OPENED AND CLOSED. ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS ON THE HATCH TRAVEL THOUGH THIS…"~116,100 mi, complaint #930271
    • "WIRE HARNESS GOING TO REAR HATCH HAD MULTIPLE WIRES SEVERED BY REPEATED OPENING/CLOSING OF REAR HATCH. LOCK AND TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE BROKEN THOUGH. 4 OTHER WIRES HAD THEIR INSULATION CUT AND THE CONDUCTOR WAS EXPOSED. IN SEARCHING THE NET THIS APPEARS TO BE A…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1336198
  4. #4

    lighting exterior

    6 unsafe, 1 broken

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WE PURCHASED A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK IN OCT. 07 AND DISCOVERED A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AFTER DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME WENT INTO EFFECT. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE ON BACK ROADS WITH HILLY TERRAIN. VISIBILITY CAN BE LIMITED TO AS LITTLE AS 20 FEET…"~3,200 mi, complaint #657578
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR EVERY SIX MONTHS WHERE THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE M…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1005753
    • "PURCHASED THIS SINGLE-OWNER, WELL-CARED FOR OUTBACK ABOUT 1/9/2015. I WAS ASSURED ALL RECALLS HAD BEEN ADDRESSED. I SOON REALIZED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS EXTENDED THE LIGHT-FIELD FOR ONLY A VERY SHORT DISTANCE. (NO MORE THAN 7 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR). AT NEX…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1164966
  5. #5

    other

    4 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH A KAYAK STRAPPED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THE KAYAK FLEW BACKWARDS AND DETACHED FROM THE ROOF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RETRIEVED THE KAYAK WITH THE AERIAL BAR STILL ATT…"~17,600 mi, complaint #667997
  6. #6

    alignment and pull

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "VEHICLE SWAYING WHILE DRIVING AT HWY SPEEDS ON ICY ROADS. SUBARU OUT BACK 08. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SWAYING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. I WILL BE DRIVING AT 30-50% THEN ALL OTHER TRAFFIC TO MAINTAIN SAFE CHARACTERISTICS. THE TERM "GHOST W…"~15,000 mi, complaint #704848
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND GREATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD TEND TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, B…"~21,000 mi, complaint #677127
    • "SUBARU OUTBACK 2008 2.5I SIDE-TO-SIDE MOTION: RECURRING ISSUE IS CONSIDERABLY DANGEROUS AND PRESENTS ITSELF WHEN DRIVING ON WET AND OR SLIPPERY ROADS. YES, ALTHOUGH THE CONDITIONS ARE LESS THAN IDEAL THEY ARE NORMAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. TESTING HAS BEEN CO…"~30,000 mi, complaint #770944
    • "2008 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I DRIVING STRAIGHT ON COMPACTED SNOW OR ICY ROADS STARTING AT APPROX. 35MPH. REAR OF VEHICLE FEELS AS IF TRACTION IS BREAKING LOOSE AND FISHTAILING. TIRES ARE 1 YEAR OLD AND MADE FOR SNOW/ICE CONDITIONS AND ALIGNMENT WAS DONE 2 WEEKS PR…"~33,000 mi, complaint #846607
    • "MY VEHICLE IS "GHOST WALKING" AS DEFINED IN THIS THREAD: HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/66-PROBLEMS-MAINTENANCE/16527-ALL-GHOSTWALKING-OUBACK-OWNERS-PRINT.HTML THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLIDES FROM SIDED TO SIDE AT A CERTAIN FREQUENCY ABOVE 35 MPH IN SNO…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1161909
  7. #7

    engine head gasket

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERE OIL LEAKING FOR 4 YEARS. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, BUT ONLY OFFERED REPAIR AT FULL SHOP RATE PRICES. I SEE THIS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD."~55,000 mi, complaint #1401784
    • "VEHICLE OVERHEATED, DROVE TO NEAREST SERVICE STATION. RADIATOR FLUSHED AND TESTED FOR LEAKS, NONE FOUND. NO OTHER DETERMINATION MADE. CAR OVERHEATING, SLOW COOLANT LOSS. SUBARU DIAGNOSED MAJOR HEAD GASKET FAILURE PROBABLY OCCURRED PRIOR TO 73000 MILES, BUT BEY…"~73,000 mi, complaint #980870
    • "ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL. WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, BUT 74K MILES IS TOO EARLY FOR THIS MAJOR PROBLEM TO OCCUR. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST."~74,000 mi, complaint #1181345
    • "HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND, ONCE DISASSEMBLED, VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. *TR"~100,450 mi, complaint #1152659
    • "CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ALONG WITH TRACTION LIGHT ON, CRUISE LIGHT ON. CAN'T SHUT ANY OFF. CAR ACTUALLY GETS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH DRIVERS SIDE NEAR FENDER HEADLIGHT. COULD START ON FIRE! DANGEROUS! THINK THERE IS A RECALL ON FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR, ONLY IF TU…"~108,900 mi, complaint #1486702
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY CAR ENGINE STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN A SIGNAL, WHILE WAITING ON THE RED LIGHT AND WHILE STOPING AND IDLING AT THE PARKING LOT. WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH LIGHTS UP AND THE STEERING…"~54,000 mi, complaint #853640
    • "A YEAR AGO, MY VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT EVERY STOP (VEHICLE SHOULD BE NOTED IS STICK SHIFT). AFTER THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE RAN FINE. I DROVE IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ACCORDINGLY. I JUST RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK FROM SUBARU FOR RECAL…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1213585
    • "EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM CARMAX THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT 10+ TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DEC. 2016 THAT I WILL PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, (WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF, IN ORDER T…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1567895
  9. #9

    stability and traction control

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "COMPLAINT FOR A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAS A MAJOR STABILITY CONTROL ISSUE AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED (CONSTANT AND LOW THROTTLE POSITION) ON A FLAT, GOOD ROAD, WI…"~1,000 mi, complaint #838108
    • "EXPERIENCED SEVERE FISHTAILING ON SLIGHTLY SLIPPERY ROADS WITH A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THIS WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S HONDA CR-V THAT I DROVE ON THE SAME DAY ON THE SAME ROADS."~30,000 mi, complaint #775996
    • "I HAVE A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK EQUIPPED WITH GOOD WINTER TIRES. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON WINTER ROADS MY CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE REAR END OF THE CAR STARTS TO SWAY AND I AM ONLY ABLE TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL BY BRINGING DOWN MY SPE…"~32,000 mi, complaint #827207
    • "ON THURSDAY, DEC. 22, ABOUT 11:25 A.M., I CAME TO A INTERSECTION OF MEADOWLARK LANE AND RT. 528 IN RIO RANCHO, NM. AND GOT IN THE RIGHT TURN LANE. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL PART-WAY, FELT AND HEARD THE GRINDING UNDER MY FOOT. I LIFTED OFF MY FOOT AND DEPRES…"~72,300 mi, complaint #1343754
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON SLIGHTLY SLICK ROADS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN THE REAR WHEELS WOULD LOSE TRACTION AND START TO FISH TAIL. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT THE GAS APPLIED, WITH OR WITHOUT THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED. THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WAS SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE IN THE B…"~94,000 mi, complaint #1027471
  10. #10

    wheel bearing

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "SUBARU OUTBACK 2008 FRONT-WHEEL BEARING, SECOND TIME NEED TO BE CHANGE AFTER 25000 MILES. *TR"~25,000 mi, complaint #725908
    • "THREE FAILED WHEEL BEARING BY 100K. ONE AT 30K, THE SECOND AT 67K. THE THIRD AT 90K. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING AT 90K. AT 103K, THERE IS A HALF INCH OF PLAY IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A JET AIRPLANE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1098732
    • "INFORMED AT SHOP WHEN GETTING OIL CHANGE THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED AND REPLACED IT UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. HEARD NO NOISE AND FELT NO UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE TO ALERT ME OF THIS POWERTRAIN FAIL…"~52,000 mi, complaint #983096
    • "VEHICLE STARTED MAKING HUMMING NOISE FROM REAR END WHICH GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE REAR BEARINGS WERE BAD. I WAS TOLD THEY WEREN'T COVERED SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. EARLY FAILURE OF WHEEL BEARINGS IS APPARENTLY A…"~69,000 mi, complaint #983896
    • "I PURCHASED THE 2008 OUTBACK 2.5 LIMITED USED WITH 32K MILES. AT 41K MILES THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT. WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BEARING WAS REPLACED UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. YESTERDAY I WAS INF…"~80,000 mi, complaint #949333
  11. #11

    control module

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE AUDIO AND THE WHOLE PANEL RELATED TO THE HEAT/AIR AND DEFROSTER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUDIO AND H-BACK CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS WERE BLINKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1230892
    • "THE RADIO AND HEATER, A/C AND DEFROSTER CONTROLS ARE ALL ONE PIECE IN MY CAR. THE DISPLAY SCREENS ON BOTH GO BLANK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS NOTHING WORKS, MOST IMPORTANTLY THE DEFROSTER WHEN YOU BAD WEATHER WHILE DRIVING. THE OUTPUT TEMPERATURE AND F…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1075574
    • "HVAC / RADIO (CD 6 DISC CHANGER MODEL) FAST FLASHING, ALL FUNCTIONS STAY ENABLED BUT CAN NOT BE CONTROLLED FROM THE PANEL. CAN NOT TURN ON DEFROST UNIT OR ADJUST TEMPERATURE OR RADIO CONTROLS WHILE FLASHING OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY FOR A YEAR AND HA…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1132049
    • "THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING 45 MPH. I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF. AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE STOP LIGHT TO COMPLETELY STOP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE…"~87,700 mi, complaint #1567595
  12. #12

    interior trim

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "DASHBOARD HAS SUDDENLY BECOME VERY STICKY/TACKY, AND EXTREMELY SHINY. ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN OR REMOVE APPARENT RESIDUE HAVE HAD NO EFFECT ON STICKINESS, AND LINT FROM RAGS OR PAPER TOWELS TENDS TO STICK TO DASH. IN SUNLIGHT, MOONLIGHT OR STREETLIGHT, DASHBOARD S…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1154339
    • "MELTED DASHBOARD ON 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I. CAUSING GLARE IN WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY. *TR"~64,059 mi, complaint #1147060
  13. #13

    transmission automatic

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED AND THE VEHICLE SMOKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CON…"~50,284 mi, complaint #914153
    • "TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES SO FAR. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE LASTED MORE THAN A DAY OR TWO. VEHICLE WORKS FINE, THEN STARTS SLIPPING OUT GEAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR TWO MONTHS. MANUFACTURER SILENT ON GUID…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1440421
  14. #14

    unintended acceleration

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. EVEN PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE REVS UP OR SAME PROBLEM WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT. IT'S AS THOUGH THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO STOP. AT TIMES IF YOU SHIFT DOWN AND LET OFF ON THE…"~10,000 mi, complaint #663595
    • "MY WIFE HAD AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION EVENT IN HER 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO PARK BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. SHE DIDN'T THINK THE FLOOR MAT WAS INVOLVED. SHE HAD WINTER BOOTS ON AND THOUGHT SHE WAS ONLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. HER FRONT LICENSE…"~19,000 mi, complaint #747964
    • "TWICE IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, WHILE MY CAR WAS STOPPED BUT IN DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR HAS REVVED UP AND SURGED FORWARD OF ITS OWN ACCORD. BRAKING DID NOTHING TO STOP THE CAR EITHER TIME. ON AUGUST 3, 2015 AT @ 8:30 A.M., I P…"~36,580 mi, complaint #1253594
    • "I EASED INTO A PARKING SPOT, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND PUT THE GEARSHIFT INTO PARK. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, PICKED UP SPEED, AND DROVE INTO THE BUILDING. I NEVER TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND HAD TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT DOWN TO REVERSE (N…"~53,300 mi, complaint #1741293
  15. #15

    catalytic converter

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "IN JULY FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER I WROTE TO SUBARU TO INQUIRE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $728.08. APPARENTLY ONLY SEVEN STATES ISSUED A MANDATORY RECALL. VIRGINIA ISN'T ONE OF THEM. THE VEHI…"~97,600 mi, complaint #1133358
    • "I WAS DRIVING AND WITHOUT NOTICE THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF, BECAUSE OF A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY. HAD THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME BEEN ANY CLOSER I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. IT TURNS OUT THAT SUBARU HAS PROGRAMED THEIR VEHICLES TO D…"~173,200 mi, complaint #1364431
  16. #16

    door latch and hinge

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE (NEW), THE HOOD LATCH BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE SAFETY LATCH DOES CATCH THE HOOD BEFORE IT OPENS ALL THE WAY, BUT IT IS NEVERTHELESS DISCONCERTING, AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I CURRENTLY HA…"~2,000 mi, complaint #876443
    • "ON MANY SEPARATE OCCASIONS (BUT REPORTED TO SUBARU AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER ON 03/28/12, 10/01/11, AND 09/21/11), OUR HOOD HAS PARTLY POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A RANGE OF SPEEDS AND IN A RANGE OF TEMPERATURES. IT IS AS IF THE INITIAL HOOD RELEA…"~59,754 mi, complaint #928807
  17. #17

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Subaru Outback 2008 -- This model's frequent brakes problems are an outrage. Subaru has known for years, with several Subaru recalls already, that the Subaru 2008 Outback has a defective brakes design and/or manufacture. I have experienced brakes problems on…"complaint #2025852
    • "WE TOOK OUR SUBARU INTO THE DEALER TO GET REGULAR SERVICES. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE WAS COMPLETELY GROUND DOWN WHILE THE OTHERS WERE FINE AND OR NORMAL FOR OUR MILEAGE. OUR CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND ALTHOUGH THE DEALERS EXPLANATIO…"complaint #944322
  18. #18

    climate control module

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "HVAC FAILS TO OPERATE. DEFROSTER WILL NOT OPERATE. SYMPTOMS ACCOMPANIED BY FLASHING CONTROL PANEL FOR HVAC AND RADIO. WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM SHARED ON CAR OWNER INTERNET FORUMS."~115,234 mi, complaint #1222435
    • "MY 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK IS ON ITS SECOND AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT/CD PLAYER (IT IS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM). A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE SECOND FACTORY REPLACEMENT UNIT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING (SEE ATTACHED IMAGES). WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CLIMATE CONTRO…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1719898
  19. #19

    engine internal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING BIT ROUGH WHILE IDLING AT INTERSECTION; UPON ACCELERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER INSTRUMENT LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND CAR STALLED. RESTARTED NORMALLY. *TR"~63,046 mi, complaint #904782
    • "MY CAR HAS HAD CYLINDER MISFIRES FOR OVER A YEAR. SUBARU HAS TOLD ME IT IS "NOT THEIR PROBLEM" AND THEY HAVE CHARGED ME OVER $2,000 FOR THE VARIOUS TIMES I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY JUST "FIXED" IT LAST WEEK AND WITHIN 1 DAY, ALL MY CHECK E…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1332477
  20. #20

    power windows and locks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS STOPPED ON A SIDE STREET, WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHTTIP CHANGE AROUND 9:50AM ON SUNDAY, JUNE 17, IN DENVER, CO. THERE WERE CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND ONE IN BACK BUT NONE OF US WERE MOVING. SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW COMPLETELY…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1476280
    • "THE WIRING FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE LOCK IS BROKEN. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2013. DEFINITELY FAULTY DESIGN. SUBARU SAYS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS TO THE LIFT GATE FOR $500+."~74,000 mi, complaint #1181346
  21. #21

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESTRAINT. SHE STRUCK HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO HER CHEST AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS…"~12,900 mi, complaint #720097
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING COLUMN AND WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT…"~13,000 mi, complaint #722582
  22. #22

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS WINTER IN WISCONSIN. THE ROADS WERE MOSTLY CLEAR, BUT IT WAS STARTING TO SLEET. WHILE DRIVING, ANY TIME I WOULD GO UNDER A BRIDGE, THE REAR OF THE CAR WOULD DRAMATICALLY SHIFT TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. I SLOWED DOWN…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1003377
    • "GHOSTWALKING SUBARU OUTBACK, 2008. DRIVING MY FAMILY (2 ADULTS, 2 TEENS) TO A FAMILY EVENT, ALONG WITH LUGGAGE, EXPERIENCED REAR END SWAY BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING ON SLIGHTLY SLICK ROADS (SLUSHY CONDITIONS). IT FELT LIKE REAR END WAS SWAYING…"~106,000 mi, complaint #832718
  23. #23

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I BOUGHT MY 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK NEW. I HAVE DRIVEN IT IN ALMOST EVERY ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITION POSSIBLE. IT IS DRIVEN 90% OF THE TIME WITH JUST ME OR ME AND MY WIFE IN THE CAR. JUST A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH A FULL LOAD OF LUGGAGE, AND 3 ADULT PASSEN…"~44,000 mi, complaint #904807
    • "2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON SWAYS DANGEROUSLY ON ROUGH ROADS. THE SENSATION IS THAT WHEN ONE HITS A BUMP THE REAR END BOUNCES/KICKS/WALKS OUT TO THE RIGHT. WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR HAS BEEN…"~50,000 mi, complaint #789363
  24. #24

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE WILL LOOSE ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX (6) TIMES. WHEN THIS OCCURS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOTHING. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED IMMEDIATELY DROPS TO ABOUT 5 MPH. THE "ENGINE" AND "CRUISE" LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. THE TACHOMETER CONTINUAL…"~22,807 mi, complaint #984794
  25. #25

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "(VEHICLE HAS 112K MILES) BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY IN THE MARCH 2015 TIMEFRAME, THE RADIO CONTROLS/DISPLAY BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. AT FIRST, THE RADIO DISPLAY WOULD BLINK OFF/ON, AND THEN PRESET STATION BUTTONS STOPPED/STARTED WORKING, THEN THE CD…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1223805
  26. #26

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE LIGHTS AND THE RADIO ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONSTANTLY GO OFF AND ON SITTING STILL OR MOVING I TOLD THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS NOT STOPPED AS OF 6/7/2017"complaint #1383267
  27. #27

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "IN DECEMBER, 2015 I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH A DRIVER DIDN'T SEE THAT TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIT ME FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH SPEED (APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH). I WAS IN THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE COLLISION FORCED ME AGAINS…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1283489
  28. #28

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE TIMING BELT FAILED PREMATURELY. IT HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 70K MILES AND FAILED AT 140K MILES ON THE SECOND BELT WHICH ONLY HAD 70K MILES ON IT VERSUS THE MANUFACTURE RECOMMENDED 100K MILES REPLACEMENT INTERVAL. THIS HAPPENED DURING HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND THE VEH…"~145,000 mi, complaint #1660607
  29. #29

    torque converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Due to a known manufacturing defect in the automatic transmission acknowledged in TSB 16-74-09 the driveability of my vehicle has been severely hampered and the shuddering/vibration is steadily worsening. I wasn't aware of this torque converter defect or an av…"complaint #2060066
  30. #30

    tpms

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TPMS VALVE STEM BROKE OFF WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. *TR"complaint #851512
  31. #31

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE REAR TRIM THAT RETAINS THE CENTER LIGHT WILL BREAK OFF IF THERE IS ICE BUILT UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE HINGE AREA. ALL ICE AND SNOW CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR, HOWEVER THERE IS NO SEAL BETWEEN THE REAR HATCH AND THE BODY TO PREVENT ICE FROM BUIL…"complaint #650433
  32. #32

    wheel or rim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE SNOW BECAME PACKED INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE WHEEL TO TURN NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FA…"~11,300 mi, complaint #834880

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for SUBARU OUTBACK directly.