Subaru Outback problems
111 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Subaru Outback? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 85,670 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 99,568 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 88,918 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 28,144 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 85,670 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Subaru Outback
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2009 Subaru Outback
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~32,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~80,100 miengine~$3,100
- ~85,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~113,000 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
After fuses blown repeatedly and replaced, rear wiper, washer pump and lock ceased to operate for perhaps a year. Recently the headlights got real funky - would not operate in normal "on" position. But then some strange behavior when shifted into reverse (ignition on without…
I recently purchased a 2009 Subaru outback 2.5 special edition. While driving on I-35 near cloquet, mn, the car exhibited dangerously unstable handling that has been described by other Subaru outback owners. The road conditions were icy and even with greatly reduced speed the…
"takata recall" 9/7/2016 voice mail svc.mgr @ local Subaru dealership ([xxx]), no reply 9/12/2016 called svc rep took VIN, will have svc adv call me. 9/13/2016 svc. Adv. [xxx] called me - back ordered airbag, will call me back. 10/28/2016 called [xxx] dealership for status,…
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while attempting to come to a complete stop, the contact stated that the brake pedal depressed fully to the floor without applying the brakes. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Subaru Outback reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Subaru Outback is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Subaru Outback?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Subaru Outback does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Subaru Outback?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 29 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,670 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Subaru Outback a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 111 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 85,670 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Subaru Outback?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 29 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,670 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 85,670 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Outback has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Subaru Outback?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 111 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.