Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 226 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Subaru Outback. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 226 · page 1 of 10
When depressing brakes in driveway pedal went to the floor and brake fluid went all over driveway and car struggled to stop. Upon inspection the junction in picture was heavily corroded and when brake line failed. Supposedly this vehicle was repaired in a former recall that obviously was not a fix.
Unknown why car sparked & ignited. Car was driven to grocery store 5min away then sat for approx. 2hrs before catching fire.
Lost use of my brakes. Could have been killed. Recall WQK-47 was improperly addressed by using rust inhibitor as band-aid. My opinion and that of a 25+ year ASE certified mechanic. I originally wanted the lines replaced and subaru refused, cheaped out and used the inhibitor. It obviously was an ineffective solution since the whole reason for the recall is now an issue with my car. The lines should have been replaced and really sealed, not cheaply coated with an aerosol spray. The car might be older but is far from rusted out. The other brake lines are just fine. I was expecting something from subaru, cover the parts or labor at least but nothing.. Their fix was only "preventative" not actually fixing the problem.
The dash pad in the 2005 to 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback models have a very common problem of deteriorating to where they become sticky and then sections start cracking and falling off. My concern is that this is happening in the area of the passenger air bag. There is a portion of the dash bad which says SRS AIRBAG imprinted in the pad material and mines actually about to fall off. If the air bag should deploy from a serious enough collision, these loose pieces will be one projectiles and could easily cause injury esp to someone eye. I reached out to SOA but they offered no help. The claim number was 250530-0001813. Subaru did extend the warranty on this a few years back but they have since expired. The missing piece in the image is towards the bottom but the area directly over the airbag is severely cracked.
Brakes failed suddenly while on the highway. Virtually no braking available. This could have easily resulted in death or serious injury. Took car to Subaru dealership in Appleton WI. Found split brake line. This is a know issue and recall. Subaru had performed recall by putting anticorrosion on brake lines. All this did was possibly delay the inevitable. The recall stated they could have replaced them at the time of recall. Essentially there are a lot of Subarus driving around now that are ticking time bombs. If they would have replaced the brake
Due to a known manufacturing defect in the automatic transmission acknowledged in TSB 16-74-09 the driveability of my vehicle has been severely hampered and the shuddering/vibration is steadily worsening. I wasn't aware of this torque converter defect or an available remedy until well after the warranty expired as I didn't have access to the TSB. This is apparently a widespread problem affecting many vehicles of the era based on online forums and other complaints to NHTSA. I took the vehicle to dealerships over the years for related transmission issues but they "couldn't replicate" my concern. Recently, a local dealership has confirmed our transmission is affected but it does not throw any trouble codes or illuminate warning lamp as these underlying mechanical defects are not monitored by the OBD system. Having a gradually failing, defective transmission is a safety issue as we can grow complacent and it could give out any time without warning while driving. The vehicle is certainly available for inspection. It has been impeccably maintained, and none of these issues are due to mechanical wear and tear or neglect. It's unbelievable that a known manufacturing defect in the transmission would not affect every vehicle with that unit and be subject of a broad recall.
Subaru Outback 2008 -- This model's frequent brakes problems are an outrage. Subaru has known for years, with several Subaru recalls already, that the Subaru 2008 Outback has a defective brakes design and/or manufacture. I have experienced brakes problems on several occasions throughout my ownership and reported them to Subaru -- beginning the first weeks of ownership. This began within weeks of purchase. Subaru stated for the entirety of my new-owner warranty period that they couldn't replicate the problem. But once that warranty's ended, weeks later Subaru told me I needed "a full set of brakes" and sought nearly $2K for it ---on a car bought new just about two years earlier and well under 18K miles. My car again displays the "Err SS" code as it did as an early precursor to the Subaru defective brakes recalls in past years. For approximately 5 weeks -- mu Subaru Outback was in Subaru's service centers under the required diagnostic evaluation service at two Subaru service centers. Both -- you guessed it -- stated they were unable to replicate the problem. (These Subaru mechanics also were unable to replicate and/or diagnose the problem of erratic-/non-start, pulsing lights, random alarm and radio function that arose following Subaru's replacement of my alternator following the manufacturer's regularly scheduled timing belt maintenance.) Subaru has dragged out the process of required diagnosis for literal years. Per its pattern or practice, Subaru opened, stalled for months at a time to return a call and/or email, then closed cases regarding the on the very same reported brakes issues (and alternator repair). Subaru, for the past 18 months or so, has resorted to the excuse of "an older car" -- after Subaru have ignored for years at a time and then failed to properly repair the known brakes defect that needs regular repair -- not related to regular wear and tear.
Four Subaru dealership licensed service centers in Maine and New Hampshire have had for some 8 weeks my Outback to evaluate, diagnose, and -upon my approval- service. Every one of the four Subaru locations was been unable to resolve a single one of these chronic problems of the Outback's erratic 1) start/no-start, 2) triggered security light and activated alarm, 3) dashboard battery and brake icons lighting/pulsing, 4) error code 55 (or SS) and 5) car headlights pulsing. The above problems compound with the issues Subaru's service teams have failed to resolve since early days of new car ownership (despite repeated repair) for 1) brakes regularly making noise, 2) radio randomly changing volume or shutting off, and 3) back tail light not working. Note: During the first two years of ownership, Subaru's service stated it "could not replicate" the problem with the brakes I'd reported within weeks of purchasing the new car. But a few weeks out of warranty, the same Subaru service location stated "I need whole new brakes" and quoted some $1,800 in repairs. A few months later, Subaru issued its first admission to the defective brake system. These four Subaru dealership licensed service centers in part or full 1) held my car at least 2x - 4x longer than quoted, while upselling me on the loaner model, then missing several by which they'd a written diagnostic report , 2) refused diagnostic report and when sought provided scant or impractical information, 3) demanded under threat of rental fees if loaner was not retuned within a couple of hours .... during a business day (including at distant locations too far to reach by deadline), and 5) sought many hundreds of dollars in payment for undisclosed and unapproved work without ever diagnosing issue, which they demanded in conjunction with the rental fees ginned up by dragging out and then failing to do the diagnostic work. Subaru USA added years of delay and refuses to honor manufacturer's or licensee-issued warranties.
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to function. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the failure and replaced the brakes. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and the battery was replaced. Soon after the battery replacement, the front headlights began strobing and the taillight wiring caused the lights to fail. Additionally, there was moisture behind the A-pillar applique trim. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. Additionally, the wiring and bulbs in the taillights needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to reach out to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Car caught on fire I was driving heard a weird gurgle came home got out and it burst in to flames almost caught my house on fire
When I braked downhill the main brake line, from front to rear, ruptured underneath in the middle of the Subaru. This car came from Wisconsin and apparently had a lot of rust, caused by salt, affecting the steel brake lines. Subaru calls Wisconsin the Salt Belt. I could avoid an accident, using the parking brake. I looked up recalls recently and learned that 2 recalls have been offered by Subaru. Only the first one was carried out: In 2014, after "6 years of rusting", they applied wax on the already rusted brake lines, to no avail. The second recall (there is a 40 pages document issued by Subaru) would require replacement of all 4 main brake lines, "in any cases of rupture". I contacted Subaru of Gwinnett (Georgia) and then SOA Subaru of America, case number 2210041700431 in order to get the second recall carried out, which was denied. I was told "Subaru has no further obligation, because the first recall was successfully (!) done" - in spite of the rupture! Now the vehicle, which has gotten a makeshift repair in the meantime, must be considered unsafe and a danger in public traffic. There is a reason why Subaru requires replacement of all 4 main brake lines in case of rupture: It can happen again; all 4 are equally affected by rust. I want to keep this car, it's our daily driver, and I want the second recall performed. (Repair invoice of makeshift repair available, can be sent separately, $550.)
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag sensor light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was also flashing. The failure became constant. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's husband had inspected the air bag sensor under the front passenger’s seat and determined that the sensor was functioning. The contact stated that her husband replaced the air bag sensor in the front passenger’s seat sun visor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Brake pedal became less firm, and less effective, and Brake warning light came on. I was able to park my Outback, and saw evidence of brake fluid leaking from under the right rear passenger seat. After pulling the lower rear seat cushion off, and pulling the brake line grommet out of the body, I saw, through the hole the brake lines go through, a fitting that had bare rusty brake lines attached to it, covered in brake fluid, with plastic sheathing that started about an inch from the fitting. After I discovered that there have been a lot of outbacks with the same problem, I found out that there was a recall years ago, so I called a local dealership. The person I spoke with said that the previous owner of my vehicle had neglected to have the brake lines serviced during the recall and that the recall expired years ago, so I would have to pay for replacing the defective line myself.
Airbag dashboard warning light stayed on while driving on 1/31/2022 and 2/1/2022. Dealer (Autofair Subaru in Haverhill Massachusetts) confirmed there was a problem in the overhead console. Researching the problem, I came across https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/2006-obw-airbag-light-on-my-fix.42574/ which identified a loose component on the printed circuit board caused by a crack in the solder. Cold weather seems to exacerbate the crack and cause the component to fail intermittently. Many have reported this problem with their Subaru and have made repairs by touching up the solder. Subaru states that the collision system may not function when this condition causes the Airbag Warning Light to remain on.
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH and attempting to make a turn downhill, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond, causing the vehicle to crash into a ditch. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he did not sustain any injuries. The contact was unsure whether a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then it was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated he repaired the vehicle himself. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Brake line ruptured suddenly. Thankfully it happened at slow speed. Had just enough braking power to make it to the shop. If it would have happened on the highway, it could have been catastrophic. There is a known recall on brake lines. Unfortunately Subaru merely sprayed brake lines with wax-like substance. This only delays problem, it does not fix it. Confounding factor is the brake line is hidden under the undercarriage substructure, so it can not be inspected. I did have it fixed and it was pricey, as expected as they had to remove substructure.
The Rear Gate Harness wires that are in the grommet wear and break from the rear gate going up and down. This issue has many issues. Rear lighting and break light, rear wiper, also rear locking mechanism and other unknown issues.
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown repairs to be completed. The vehicle was repaired however, after the repairs she started to hear an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown repairs to be performed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the front passenger’s side ball joint and power steering rack needed to be replaced. Additionally, the rear differential fill plug and the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the transmission was not replaced. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure of the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated recently the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer and independent mechanic were made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES SCHEDULING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
VEHICLE HAD RECALL IN 2014 DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THEY COULD EITHER SPRAY IT WITH ANTI CORROSIVE SPRAY OR REPLACE THE LINES. THEY OPTED TO JUST SPRAY THEM. TWO WEEKS AGO CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND LOST BRAKE PRESSURE. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. CONTACTED SUBARUS RECALL NUMBER. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A WEAR ITEM SIMILAR TO TIRES. THIS IS NOT A VALID ARGUMENT. THE LINES ARE UNDERNEATH AND ARE PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED BY GAS TANK. NO WAY THESE CAN BE INSPECTED BY AVERAGE DRIVER. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IS REFERENCED IN RECALL WQK-47. THEY SIMPLY PUT A BANDAID ON A SERIOUS ISSUE. BRAKE LINES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MADE WITH METALLURGY THAT DOES NOT FALL APART IN SALTY CONDITIONS. THE FIX IS ABOUT 3,000 DOLLARS AS THEY NEED TO DROP GAS TANK AND SUBSTRUCTURE ON REAR OF CAR TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES. AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS BOTH RISK TO DRIVERS AND THEIR WALLETS. ALL THIS BECAUSE THEY ENGINEERED SOME BAD BRAKE LINES WITH POOR METALLURGY AND/OR POOR PLACEMENT IN THE CAR. IF WHAT I AM SAYING IS NOT TRUE, THEN THE FRONT BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE SAME ISSUE. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED
I EASED INTO A PARKING SPOT, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND PUT THE GEARSHIFT INTO PARK. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, PICKED UP SPEED, AND DROVE INTO THE BUILDING. I NEVER TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND HAD TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT DOWN TO REVERSE (NOT UP) TO GET OUT OF THE BUILDING, WHICH VERIFIES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHEN IT ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE NOT CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME TO ACCIDENTALLY HAVE MY FOOT ON BOTH.
[2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 82,000 MILES, TAKADA AIRBAG REPLACEMENT JULY 2020]. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (RED) ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL AS SOON AS THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND REMAINS ON AS LONG AS THE ENGINE IS RUNNING WHETHER MOVING OR STATIONARY. THIS IS NOTIFYING THE DRIVER THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE AS STATED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS, SUBARU MECHANICS AND SUBARU SERVICE MANAGERS OVER DOZENS OF BLOGS AND EVEN THE SUBARU WEBSITE. OVERHEAD CONSOLE (IN MAP LIGHT GROUP) SHOWS PROPER NOTIFICATION OF SEATBELT NEED AND AIRBAG ACTIVATION WHEN WEIGHT IS EXERTED ON PASSENGER SEAT SURFACE, BUT WITH THE AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT LIT ON THE DASHBOARD, THE PASSENGER, AND POSSIBLY DRIVER AIRBAG, IS TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEGLECT BY SUBARU IN ADDRESSING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM IS OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN. HUNDREDS OF SUBARU OWNERS, MANY NOT DIRECTLY REPORTING TO NHTSA, HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
MY 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK IS ON ITS SECOND AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT/CD PLAYER (IT IS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM). A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE SECOND FACTORY REPLACEMENT UNIT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING (SEE ATTACHED IMAGES). WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BUTTONS (INCLUDING THE FRONT AND REAR DEFROSTER BUTTONS) ARE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE UNIT FLASHES WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY. I DO HAVE A SHORT VIDEO SHOWING THE PROBLEM, BUT AM UNABLE TO ATTACH IT TO THIS WEB FORM. HAPPY TO SHARE IF THERE IS A WAY TO DO SO.
FUEL PUMP OVER HEAT.
DASHBOARD IS MELTING
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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