This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Subaru Outback engine problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of this 2008 Outback describe recurring engine stalls that happen unpredictably—sometimes 10 times in a day, sometimes a few times per week. When it happens, the dash lights all come on and the steering wheel locks. One owner went to the dealership three times, had the mass air flow sensor and battery replaced, spent over $1,000, and the stalling still happens. Subaru customer service told him the dealer can't fix it unless they can make it happen themselves.
Head gasket failure is the most consistent complaint. Multiple owners report leaks and failure in the 73,000–109,000 mile range—well before you'd expect major engine work. One owner had the vehicle regularly serviced under warranty the whole time but wasn't told about gasket damage until the warranty expired. Subaru acknowledged the defect as a known issue but refused coverage on some claims.
Several owners also report catalytic converter failure early on, cylinder misfires that come back within days of repair despite spending thousands in labor, and excessive oil leaking from head cover gaskets. Dealerships have charged owners thousands for parts and labor with inconsistent results. One owner noted the dealership told him a 2008 should not have head gasket failure but still wouldn't cover the cost.
Same Subaru Outback engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Random engine stalling
Engine cuts out unexpectedly while driving, turning, idling, or stopped at lights. All dashboard lights illuminate and steering wheel locks when stall occurs. Frequency varies from multiple times per day to several times per week. Subaru dealership has replaced mass air flow sensor and battery without resolving the issue.
When: Random occurrence, happens from a few times per week to 10+ times per day
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving at various speeds; Engine stalls while stopped or idling; All dashboard lights illuminate during stall event; Steering wheel locks; No warning indicators before stall; Engine loses power temporarily then resumes
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Mass air flow sensor replaced by dealership (did not resolve); battery replaced by dealership (did not resolve); owner spent over $1,000 on parts, labor, and car rental
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru customer service stated dealer cannot fix issue unless it can be reproduced
Head gasket failure
Head gasket leaks oil and fails, causing coolant loss, overheating, and engine damage. Failure documented in multiple vehicles well before typical expected service life ends. Owners report Subaru declined warranty coverage on claims outside power train warranty period despite acknowledging the defect as a recurring issue.
When: 73,000–74,000 miles; 108,900 miles; failure occurs before warranty expiration but damage not identified until after
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle overheating; Slow coolant loss; Oil leaking; Check engine light illuminated; Engine running rough while idling
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement cost not specified; radiator flush performed; Subaru customer service agreed to pay partial repair cost on one vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru HQ declined cost assistance on one claim citing warranty expiration; Subaru customer service offered partial reimbursement on another; owner notes Subaru has previously acknowledged this defect
Catalytic converter failure and premature wear
Catalytic converter fails prematurely, triggering check engine light shortly after purchase. Subaru issued a selective recall limited to seven states and a reprogramming of the ECM, but the recall was not honored in all states. Owners paid out-of-pocket for replacement and sought reimbursement.
When: At or shortly after purchase; approximately 97,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Catalytic converter failing
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement cost $728.08; reprogramming of ECM mentioned as part of selective recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Selective recall issued, limited to seven states only; reprogramming of ECM offered in recall; owners not eligible for reimbursement in non-recall states
Cylinder misfires
Vehicle experiences persistent cylinder misfires over extended period. Check engine lights return repeatedly despite dealership repairs. Owner has been charged over $2,000 for multiple service visits to address the issue. Dealership states 'not their problem' and does not return calls or properly service the vehicle.
When: Over 1 year of occurrence; misfires recur within 1–3 days of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Cylinder misfires; Check engine light repeatedly illuminated after repair
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Over $2,000 spent by owner on multiple repair attempts; problem recurs within 1–3 days of last service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership states 'not their problem'; does not return owner calls
Valve leaks following head gasket failure
Once head gasket failed and engine was disassembled, valves were found to be leaking. Repair cost and warranty coverage status not specified by owner.
When: Discovered after head gasket failure
Symptoms owners cite: Valve leakage; Oil leaking
Repairs/costs cited: Found during engine disassembly for head gasket repair; specific cost not stated
Head cover gasket failure
Head cover gasket fails and requires replacement along with associated components. Occurs at approximately 108,900 miles.
When: 108,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking
Repairs/costs cited: Head cover gasket and associated components replaced 5/17/2017
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Transmission failed, on the road, problem shifting, I want to know if there has been a recall. I could find the place to enter that info. I am not a machanic!
Had engine trouble with your 2008 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2008 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 63,046 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 75,815. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,046; a quarter make it past 98,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Subaru/Outback.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.