2008 Subaru Outback vs 2009 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2008 Subaru Outback | 2009 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 226 | 105 |
| Recall campaigns | 8 | 13 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 198 | 186 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–22 | 20–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 80,000 mi | 73,645 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Outback | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 104 | 30 |
| Electrical System | 34 | 23 |
| Service Brakes | 30 | 5 |
| Engine | 14 | 15 |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 | 9 |
| Power Train | 12 | 8 |
| Suspension | 12 | 5 |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 8 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 50 | 8 |
| Rust / corrosion | 20 | 0 |
| Stalling | 11 | 7 |
| Check engine light | 9 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 8 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 8 | 5 |
2008 Subaru Outback
2009 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Outback vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.