2007 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2007 Subaru Outback has 129 NHTSA complaints and 8 recall campaigns, mostly tied to airbags and electrical issues. Its complaint index is 0, but 8 recalls cap its verdict at Caution, ranking it 21st out of 21 model years on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 129
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2007 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags46 (36%)
- Engine32 (25%)
- Electrical System23 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (12%)
- Brakes13 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (7%)
- Structure & Body8 (6%)
- Fuel System6 (5%)
- Other6 (5%)
- Steering6 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including side impacts and rear-end collisions.
- Some owners report airbag non-deployment even in serious crashes involving guardrails or rollovers, with injuries resulting.
- Rear parking light housings have been reported to overheat and melt the light fixtures and reflectors.
- Owners describe sudden loss of steering control at highway speeds, with the vehicle weaving or pulling unexpectedly.
- A CV joint positioned near the exhaust has been reported to overheat and ignite grease, causing an engine bay fire.
- Some owners report unexpected vehicle drift to one side while using cruise control on dry roads.
2007 Subaru Outback recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
2007 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2007 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Subaru Outback reliable?
- NHTSA lists 129 complaints and 8 recall campaigns for the 2007 Outback. Its complaint index is 0, but the recall count caps the verdict at Caution rather than Good.
- What is the top problem area for the 2007 Subaru Outback?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 46 complaints, or 36% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 106,500 miles.
- Does the 2007 Subaru Outback have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall campaigns 20V001000, 20V003000, and 20V002000 cover passenger air bag inflator replacement for the 2007 Outback, among other Subaru models.
- How does the 2007 Outback compare to other Outback years?
- It ranks 21st out of 21 years on file. Its 129 complaints are lower than many later years, but 8 recall campaigns push its verdict to Caution.
- What fuel economy does the 2007 Subaru Outback get?
- EPA rates it at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.