2008 Subaru Outback
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 226
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2008
None on file
46% of complaints
Complaints per year
2008: 226 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 46 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 127 |
| 1999 | 111 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 171 |
| 2002 | 143 |
| 2003 | 93 |
| 2004 | 90 |
| 2005 | 273 |
| 2006 | 277 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 360 |
| 2011 | 652 |
| 2012 | 292 |
| 2013 | 297 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 509 |
| 2016 | 642 |
| 2017 | 918 |
| 2018 | 813 |
| 2019 | 1,034 |
| 2020 | 899 |
| 2021 | 296 |
| 2022 | 465 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2024 | 103 |
| 2025 | 81 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
46% · 104 reportsMost commonly citing front passenger and frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
I was involved in an intersection accident where my vehicle hit the other car. The impact was quite sever and the damage was about $11,000. However, the air bag did not deploy and I hit my head on the windshield.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-11-19
Electrical system
15% · 34 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Unknown why car sparked & ignited. Car was driven to grocery store 5min away then sat for approx. 2hrs before catching fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-06-24
Also filed under Engine
Service brakes
14% · 31 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH and attempting to make a turn downhill, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond, causing the vehicle to crash into a ditch.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-08-19
Tl* the contact owns 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to park, she heard a loud noise coming from the engine and noticed the vehicle moving forward while the brake was depressed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-07
Exterior lighting
7% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing headlights and brake lights.
Engine
6% · 14 reportsSafety timeline
8 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2013-05-30Service brakes, hydraulic13V110000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is…
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2014-07-23Service brakes, hydraulic14V311000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax.
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2015-06-17Air bags15V323000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015.
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2016-12-16Electrical system16V738000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
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2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Buy-smart checklist
2008 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 104 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 34 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V110000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 15V323000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V738000 · Electrical system
- Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
- Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2008 Subaru Outback reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Subaru Outback is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Outback?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Subaru Outback have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.