2009 Subaru Forester vs 2009 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2009 Subaru Forester | 2009 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 178 | 106 |
| Recall campaigns | 17 | 13 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 223 | 190 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 19 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 7 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–22 | 20–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 57,500 mi | 72,290 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 40 | 30 |
| Electrical System | 22 | 23 |
| Engine | 27 | 15 |
| Power Train | 17 | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 | 2 |
| Seats | 16 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 5 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 14 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 0 |
| Stalling | 6 | 7 |
| Clunking / rattling | 5 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 8 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 5 |
2009 Subaru Forester
2009 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Forester 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.