DASH AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THIS DISABLES THE AIRBAG. DEALER STATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT CAN ONLY FIX BY TRIAL AND ERROR REPLACING (EXPENSIVE) COMPONENTS. IT HAPPENS MOST ON COLD WET WEATHER DAYS, OFTEN GOES OFF WHEN CAR WARMED UP, SO PROBABLY ELECTRICAL. HAS CONTINUED FOR YEARS NOW, STILL HAPPENING AT 105,000 MILES. MANY MANY EXAMPLES ON INTERNET BOARDS OF PEOPLE WITH T…
2008 subaru Outback electrical problems
moderate 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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
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.
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 VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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