YearToAvoid

2009 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Subaru Outback, 19% of all 106 complaints for this model year. That is #18 highest engine complaint count among 21 Outback model years. These complaints report 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 105,000 miles.

Engine complaints
20
19% of 106
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
105,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Subaru Outback engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 20, 2010, latest Nov 20, 2025.

2009 Subaru Outback engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2010Apr 2012Dec 2014Nov 2016Mar 2018Aug 2021
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2010 to Nov 2025; peak Mar 2018 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200562 (23%)
  2. 2006133 (48%)
  3. 200732 (25%)
  4. 200825 (11%)
  5. 200920 (19%)
  6. 201077 (21%)
  7. 2011113 (17%)
  8. 201259 (20%)
  9. 201388 (30%)
  10. 201449 (24%)
  11. 201574 (15%)
  12. 201674 (12%)
  13. 201769 (8%)
  14. 201857 (7%)
  15. 201964 (6%)
  16. 202061 (7%)
  17. 202137 (13%)
  18. 202226 (6%)
  19. 20233 (3%)
  20. 202410 (10%)
  21. 20258 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Subaru Outback have engine problems?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Subaru Outback, 19% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 105,000 miles.
Which Subaru Outback year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Subaru Outback has the most engine complaints (133), compared with 20 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Subaru Outback?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Subaru Outback is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.