Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on certain 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2009- 2013 Subaru Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Subaru Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles, and 2012-2014 Subaru WRX and STI vehicles currently or formerly registered in at least one of the “salt-belt” states listed below or in the District of Columbia. Part numbers in the bulletin has been updated.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Subaru Outback suspension problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 3 suspension complaints filed for the 2009 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 13 model years of Subaru Outback we track for suspension problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 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 suspension 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 bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 car would slide/drift sideways on straightaways. This was very unnerving as I could do nothing save reducing my speed…
Driving on slick road conditions ice/snow on freeway with lightly loaded Subaru outback (4 passengers, which included 2 females in back seat and light luggage for four). The rear of car began "ghostwalking" oscillating side to side about 3-4" at approximately 30 miles/hour on straight road. Passed by numerous 2 wheel drive trucks and cars traveling at much faster rates. Needed to pull to shoulder…
Had suspension trouble with your 2009 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 suspension problem on the 2009 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 17,367 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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/2009/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.