MYRModel Year Report

2008 Subaru Outback

● Typical for this model
2008 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-09-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Outback Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 276 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 651 complaints 2011 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 296 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2018: 807 complaints 2019: 1032 complaints 2019 2020: 896 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2022: 461 complaints 2023: 88 complaints 2023 2024: 96 complaints 2025: 75 complaints 2026: 13 complaints 2026
2008: 226 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009106
2010360
2011651
2012292
2013296
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017917
2018807
20191032
2020896
2021296
2022461
202388
202496
202575
202613

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 46%

46% of complaints: air bags — 104 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front passenger and frontal.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20091119

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 34 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show 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, 20260624

Also filed under ENGINE

SERVICE BRAKES 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
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, 20210819

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, 20120607

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and brake lights.

ENGINE 6%

6% of complaints: engine — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20130530 — service brakes, hydraulic

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, Illino

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 obse

Campaign 13V110000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140723 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 14V311000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150617 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V323000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161216 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 16V738000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190510 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (104 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V110000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V738000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.