2008 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Subaru Outback carries a Caution verdict, capped from a lower complaint index because of 8 recall campaigns needing a dealer visit. It ranks 17 out of 21 model years, with 226 complaints and a complaint index of 20, led by Airbags issues (46% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 226
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2008 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags104 (46%)
- Electrical System44 (19%)
- Brakes34 (15%)
- Engine25 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (5%)
- Other9 (4%)
- Structure & Body8 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)
- Steering5 (2%)
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 failed to deploy during moderate-to-severe crashes, leaving occupants to strike the windshield or steering wheel.
- Seat belts allegedly failed to restrain occupants properly in rear-end collisions, resulting in chest, back, and arm injuries.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or turning, sometimes causing minor collisions.
- Some drivers report a side-to-side motion or instability when driving on wet or slippery roads.
- Transmission fluid leaks and stalling at low speeds were reported, in one case linked to a fractured transmission hose and smoke.
- Engine cylinder misfires and check-engine lights recurred repeatedly despite dealer service attempts.
2008 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.
2008 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 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.
2008 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Subaru Outback reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Outback gets a Caution verdict. It has a complaint index of 20 and ranks 17th out of 21 model years, and its verdict was capped to Caution because it has 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2008 Subaru Outback?
- Airbags account for the largest share of complaints at 46%, with a median mileage at failure of 78,700 miles. Electrical System issues follow at 19% of complaints.
- Does the 2008 Subaru Outback have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 Outback, covering airbags, the electrical system, and brakes.
- How does the 2008 Outback compare to other model years?
- Its complaint index of 20 is lower than the worst years like 2019 (95) and 2017 (90), but still results in a Caution verdict due to recall count. Years like 2006, 2023, and 2024 earn a Good verdict, unlike 2008.
- What is the median mileage for airbag complaints on the 2008 Outback?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 78,700 miles at the time airbag-related complaints were filed.