Subaru Outback problems
0 safety recalls. 110 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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…
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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 110 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.
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. 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. 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 110 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 aren't always better value.