RoadVitals

2009 Subaru Outback Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
105
Latest Jun 17, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Subaru Outback, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

30
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The airbag light stays on all the time.

NHTSA ID 11720674 · filed Feb 26, 2026

airbag light is on.

NHTSA ID 11717564 · filed Feb 12, 2026
All 30 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The rear hatch on this Outback won't lock. As a woman on her own, my safety is at risk. I have read of other people who have this issue and has been able to fix this on their own. This is a safety issue if your vehicle won't lock completely because the wires in the hatch are compromised.

NHTSA ID 11579804 · filed Mar 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after being parked. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery was charged to start the vehicle. The contact was informed by a tow truck mechanic, who assisted with jumping starting the vehicle, that the end switch needed to be replaced. The information was confirmed by another certified mechanic. The contact stated that a certified mechanic was contacted to schedule a repair however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ID 11518333 · filed Apr 21, 2023
All 23 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle had failed to accelerate above 60 MPH without warning. The contact soon began to notice heavy white smoke in her rear-view mirror as the smoke quickly spread to the front end of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over, grabbed vital items, and exited the vehicle. The contact called 911 as flames quickly engulfed the vehicle, and a deputy who witnessed the fire pulled over to assist the contact. The fire department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact sustained emotional distress as a result of the accident but did not seek medical attention. The contact was not given a police or fire report. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard before the contact's insurance had the vehicle towed to another location. The insurance company later deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID 11700571 · filed Nov 20, 2025

Both the head gasket and valve cover gasket are leaking oil. The head gasket started leaking at 52k miles and the valve cover at 65k miles. Both need to be replaced. Subaru has had issues with these gaskets for decades. There should be a recall for these issues.

NHTSA ID 11428300 · filed Aug 9, 2021
All 18 reports naming engine

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The dashboard becomes sticky and shiny and therefore makes it difficult to see. Subaru offered a limited recall but too many vehicles such as mine were overlooked. Also apparently the repair they offered only replaced the dashboard with one of the same caliber. So eventually more cars will be affected by the sticky and shiny dash as time goes on.

NHTSA ID 11551083 · filed Oct 20, 2023

THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED FAULTY DESIGN ISSUE THAT LEADS TO FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS (REAR GATE CORD) TO THE REAR WAGON DOOR/GATE OF THIS MODEL SUBARU OUBACK WAGONS. FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS HAS AFFECTED ME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. AS THIS ISSUE HAS PROGRESSED, MORE AND MORE WIRES BREAK, COMPLETELY SEVERED, AND LEAD TO THE REAR LOCK NOT WORKING, THEN BACKUP LIGHTS NOT WORKING, REAR DEFROSTER NOT WORKING, WIPER NOT WORKING, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHT NOT WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY THE BACKUP LIGHTS, REAR DEFROSTER, REAR WIPER, AND LOCKING MECHANISM NOT WORKING AT ALL! THESE COMPROMISE VISIBILITY AND CAR SAFETY. THIS FAULTY DESIGN, OR FAULTY MATERIAL CHOICE IS CLEARLY SUBARU'S FAULT: SEVERED ELECTRICAL WIRES, AS A RESULT OF NORMAL USE, SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY COMPROMISE SAFETY BY DISABLING BACKUP LIGHTS AND THE REAR LOCK. WHILE THE REPLACEMENT CABLE ITSELF IS ONLY $63, THE SUBARU DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE OVER $500 IN LABOR. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, OR SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA. I CANNOT FIND ANY OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM SUBARU ON THIS ISSUE. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE LOYAL CUSTOMERS LIKE MYSELF, PAY EXCESSIVE LABOR CHARGES TO FIX A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IS A DESIGN FLAW FROM SUBARU.

NHTSA ID 11156814 · filed Dec 7, 2018
All 9 reports naming visibility

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED FAULTY DESIGN ISSUE THAT LEADS TO FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS (REAR GATE CORD) TO THE REAR WAGON DOOR/GATE OF THIS MODEL SUBARU OUBACK WAGONS. FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS HAS AFFECTED ME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. AS THIS ISSUE HAS PROGRESSED, MORE AND MORE WIRES BREAK, COMPLETELY SEVERED, AND LEAD TO THE REAR LOCK NOT WORKING, THEN BACKUP LIGHTS NOT WORKING, REAR DEFROSTER NOT WORKING, WIPER NOT WORKING, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHT NOT WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY THE BACKUP LIGHTS, REAR DEFROSTER, REAR WIPER, AND LOCKING MECHANISM NOT WORKING AT ALL! THESE COMPROMISE VISIBILITY AND CAR SAFETY. THIS FAULTY DESIGN, OR FAULTY MATERIAL CHOICE IS CLEARLY SUBARU'S FAULT: SEVERED ELECTRICAL WIRES, AS A RESULT OF NORMAL USE, SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY COMPROMISE SAFETY BY DISABLING BACKUP LIGHTS AND THE REAR LOCK. WHILE THE REPLACEMENT CABLE ITSELF IS ONLY $63, THE SUBARU DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE OVER $500 IN LABOR. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, OR SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA. I CANNOT FIND ANY OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM SUBARU ON THIS ISSUE. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE LOYAL CUSTOMERS LIKE MYSELF, PAY EXCESSIVE LABOR CHARGES TO FIX A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IS A DESIGN FLAW FROM SUBARU.

NHTSA ID 11156814 · filed Dec 7, 2018

INDIVIDUAL WIRES IN THE HARNESS POWERING AND CONTROLLING THE BRAKE, TURN, BACKUP, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AND THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AND WASHER PUMP, MAY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN AN REAR END COLLISION OR IMPAIRING VISION OUT THE REAR WINDOW IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE POINT OF FAILURE IS INSIDE THE FLEXIBLE RUBBER BOOT PROTECTING THE HARNESS WHERE IT PASSES FROM THE REAR FRAME OF THE MAIN BODY TO THE TOP OF THE REAR LIFT GATE. IT APPEARS THAT REPEATED FLEXING OF THE WIRES INSIDE THE PROTECTIVE BOOT, AS THE REAR LIFT GATE IS OPENED AND CLOSED, WORK HARDENS THE INSULATION AND COPPER WIRES CAUSING THEM TO EVENTUALLY BREAK. SYMPTOMS MAY APPEAR AS STATIC ON THE RADIO, FAILING REAR LIGHTS, AND/OR FAILING REAR WIPER/WASHER MOTORS. IN MY CASE, I EXPERIENCED RADIO STATIC AND A FAILURE OF THE REAR WIPER/WASHER MOTORS. TROUBLE SHOOTING LED ME TO CUT OPEN THE PROTECTIVE BOOT REVEALING THE BROKEN WIRES. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE WIRE INSULATION WAS BRITTLE IN THE AREA OF THE BREAKS. A SEARCH ONLINE REVEALED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 11011485 · filed Jul 29, 2017
All 9 reports naming exterior lighting

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the brake pedal was extremely soft. The contact stated that the vehicle required an extended distance to slow down or come to a complete stop, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the braking system due to brake fluid leaks. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 188,000.

NHTSA ID 11697677 · filed Nov 5, 2025

The contact owned a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact swerved to avoid a crash and moved over to the median. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around, and the contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated weeks before a crash. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags failed to deploy. A Police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The Insurance company was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that there was a gasoline odor coming from the engine weeks prior to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ID 11655443 · filed Apr 18, 2025
All 8 reports naming brakes

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased fuel injectors from Ebay on 5/25/2026 who guaranteed direct replacement fit for my specific vehicle. The injectors failed within a few days of use causing a catastrophic fire and total loss of vehicle on 6/3/2026

NHTSA ID 11744868 · filed Jun 17, 2026

Car stalling at stops. Received a report on all work done on this car stating issues with catalytic converter and that Subaru repaired before I bought the car. I also had loss of all brakes when the lines leaked out November 2022 . I had brakes repaired cost of $1000.so far since buying this car I have not been able to drive the car because of the stalling issues.

NHTSA ID 11501460 · filed Jan 12, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING ON STRAIGHT, SEMI-ICY ROADS BETWEEN NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN AT SPEEDS FROM 40MPH TO 50MPH THE 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK LOADED WITH APPROX 500LBS OF CARGO AND PASSENGERS (DRIVER INCLUDED) WOULD SUDDENLY SWERVE BACK AND FORTH ( REFERRED TO AS GHOST WALKING ). WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE SPEED AND PULL OVER TO SHOULDER NUMEROUS TIMES AND ALLOW ALL TRAFFIC BEHIND VEHICLE TO PASS SINCE NO ONE ELSE WAS HAVING ANY HANDLING PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WOULD REGAIN STABILITY AND WOULD HANDLE FINE FOR SOME TIME AND THEN WOULD REPEAT THE GHOST WALKING SITUATION ONCE AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED APPROX 6 SIX TIMES FOR A TOTAL DRIVE TIME OF 35 MINUTES. CALLED 4 DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS AND SPOKE WITH THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ALL TECHNICIANS TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. RESEARCHED THE ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS SUBARU WEBSITE FORUMS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10558152 · filed Jan 2, 2014

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 BECAUSE THE CARE FELT TOO UNSTABLE/UNSAFE. THIS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO DRIVER ERROR, SLICK ROAD SURFACE OR TIRES. THIS WAS A FIRST EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND FIRST TIME ON SLICK SURFACE WITH VEHICLE LOADED. MANY OTHER PEOPLE REPORT SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PHENOMENON. SPOOKY AND VERY SCARY IS BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE. THIS IS NOT SAFE! *TR

NHTSA ID 10440592 · filed Dec 20, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY AS THOUGH MELTING. NOTICED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ID 11364902 · filed Oct 18, 2020

I RECENTLY FILLED OUT THIS FORM (COMPLAINT # 10837114) CONCERNING MY HOOD LATCH BECOMING UNLATCHED ON ITS OWN. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER AN APPROXIMATE 16 MILE ROUND TRIP DRIVE I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND NOTED THAT THE HOOD OF THE CAR HAD BECOME UNLATCHED ON ITS OWN. SHOULD I REPORT THIS EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS?

NHTSA ID 10837944 · filed Feb 24, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

When I parked my vehicle in the garage, I smelled an odor coming from the engine compartment. I found that the front right inner axle boot had leaked grease. I then saw that the grease covered the catalytic converter. I am not sure when this started to be a problem, but my main concern was it could have started a fire.

NHTSA ID 11678013 · filed Aug 2, 2025

AT 37450 MILES, BOTH CV JOINT BOOTS ADJACENT TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING GREASE TO COAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS CREATES A FIRE HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN FEBRUARY 2009 FROM GILES SUBARU. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD AND WAS PURCHASED FOR ITS SUPPOSED SAFETY FEATURES.

NHTSA ID 10895391 · filed Aug 12, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY AND THEN IN REVERSE BEFORE CRASHING INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND A BRICK WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 10/31/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE PULLED INTO A VACANT SPOT, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A ROAR AND SURGED OVER A CURB UPWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A TREE, WITH HER FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS AND HIT AN SUV PARKED ILLEGALLY BEHIND HER CAR. THE VEHICLE THEN CONTINUED BACKWARDS, HIT ANOTHER CAR AND FINALLY CRASHED INTO THE OUTSIDE WALL OF A LIBRARY AND STOPPED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. UPDATED 10/31/12

NHTSA ID 10476862 · filed Sep 24, 2012

ROAD CONDITIONS: POOR, ICY. VEHICLE: 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON LOADED WITH 4 PASSENGERS (2 ADULT, 2 TEEN, PLUS "LIGHT" LUGGAGE). WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSED OVER AN ICY PATCH, THE CAR SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE VIOLENTLY. ON SUBARU FORUM WEBSITES, THIS TYPE OF LOSS OF CONTROL IS TERMED "GHOST WALKING" WHICH IS AN ODD BUT ACCURATE TERM FOR THE FEEL OF THE SITUATION. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE ENTRIES ON THE OWNERS' FORUM WEBSITES DESCRIBING THIS PHENOMENA, AND IT APPARENTLY AFFECTS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. MY DEALER OFFERS TO RE-ALIGN THE BACK TIRES WHICH MAY FIX THE INSTABILITY PROBLEM (WHICH IS ATTRIBUTED TO "LOAD") BUT WHICH WILL CAUSE ANOTHER PROBLEM: EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS SUBARU MARKETS THE CAR FOR THE WINTER DRIVING MARKET, IT NEEDS TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OVER COMPENSATING FOR THE SYSTEM-DRIVEN FISHTAILING. PLEASE NOTE: ALTHOUGH SUBARU ATTRIBUTES THIS TO "LOADING" OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR WAS NOT LOADED BEYOND STRICTLY NORMAL USE FOR A STATION WAGON. THIS IS AS DANGEROUS AS "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" IN TOYOTA.

NHTSA ID 10384950 · filed Feb 22, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OUR 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK IS RADICALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON COMPACTED SNOW OR ICE. THE CAR BECOMES ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE WITH REAR OVERSTEER ON MODERATELY SLIPPERY ROADS; EVEN AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS WITHOUT APPLYING ANY ACCELERATION. OUR VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS DISPLAYED THESE "QUIRKS" BUT IT IS NOW OUTRIGHT DANGEROUS. THE CAR IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED. I CERTAINLY HOPE NHTSA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS THERE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT LIVING IN THE MIDWEST DRIVING THIS CAR IT FEELS LIKE IT ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. THE HANDLING IS SO BAD THAT IT BECOMES A DANGER TO OVERCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID 10562501 · filed Feb 1, 2014

DRIVING ON STRAIGHT, SEMI-ICY ROADS BETWEEN NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN AT SPEEDS FROM 40MPH TO 50MPH THE 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK LOADED WITH APPROX 500LBS OF CARGO AND PASSENGERS (DRIVER INCLUDED) WOULD SUDDENLY SWERVE BACK AND FORTH ( REFERRED TO AS GHOST WALKING ). WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE SPEED AND PULL OVER TO SHOULDER NUMEROUS TIMES AND ALLOW ALL TRAFFIC BEHIND VEHICLE TO PASS SINCE NO ONE ELSE WAS HAVING ANY HANDLING PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WOULD REGAIN STABILITY AND WOULD HANDLE FINE FOR SOME TIME AND THEN WOULD REPEAT THE GHOST WALKING SITUATION ONCE AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED APPROX 6 SIX TIMES FOR A TOTAL DRIVE TIME OF 35 MINUTES. CALLED 4 DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS AND SPOKE WITH THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ALL TECHNICIANS TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. RESEARCHED THE ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS SUBARU WEBSITE FORUMS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10558152 · filed Jan 2, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2009 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE TO THE COLD PRESSURE OF 32 PSI FRONT AND 30 PSI REAR WHICH WAS LISTED ON THE STICKER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS ADJUSTED TO 30 PSI WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT TO GO OUT. THE SERVICE TECH RECOMMENDED ALL FOUR TIRES BE ADJUSTED TO 30 PSI FOR A PERIOD OF TIME TO DETERMINE IF THE TPMS WOULD ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TPMS WAS NOT WORKING AS DESIGNED, DUE TO THE FACT, THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE TIRES WERE PROPERLY ADJUSTED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10404790 · filed Jun 1, 2011

THE TIRE PRESSUURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON MY 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 XT LTD HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE CENTER (WACKERLI OF IDAHO FALLS), THE REGIONAL SERVIC EMANAGER AND SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10398264 · filed Apr 29, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BROUGHT IT TO HONDA DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT USED. 18 MONTHS LATER, I'M HAVING THE CURRENT ISSUE. THOUGHT IT WAS AS SIMPLE AS USING WHITE LITHIUM GREASE TO DEAL WITH THE SQUEAK IN THE CLUTCH. THEY SAID IT WAS A RUBBER GASKET THAT IS PART OF THE FOOT PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND THAT THE FOOT PEDAL ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED REPLACING, THE SUBARU DEALER SHIP ALSO CLAIMS THE NOISE TRANSFERS THROUGH THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FROM THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE NOISE OCCURS WHEN PUSHING AND RELEASING THE CLUTCH AND IS DRIVING ME MAD. MUSCATELL SUBARU INFORMED ME IT WILL MAKE THIS NOISE AND EVENTUALLY BREAK AND MY CLUTCH WILL THEN BE DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUSH. I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THIS TO OCCUR AND ITS AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR SOMETHING THATS JUST ANNOYING AT THE MOMENT. BUT APPARENTLY THEY'LL HAVE TO LIFT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE AREA WHERE THE REPAIR WOULD OCCUR. I'VE SEEN EARLIER YEARS OF THIS MODEL HAVE ISSUES LIKE THIS AND SUPPOSEDLY 2009 MODELS HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED, BUT IT SEEMS THAT MY 2009 IS HAVING THIS ISSUE... *TR

NHTSA ID 10916681 · filed Oct 17, 2016

ABOUT A MONTH AGO (APRIL 2011) WHILE MOVING FORWARD AT AROUND 5 TO 10 MPH I REACHED FOR THE GLOVE BOX AND MY SHIRT CUFF CAUGHT THE SHIFT HANDLE AND THRU THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. WHILE I WAS LUCKY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA. THERE ARE NO BUILT IN SAFETY LOCKS OR MECHANISMS TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING MOVED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO MANUAL SHIFT OPTION. ACTUALLY YOU CAN SHIFT ANYWHERE FROM REVERSE TO MANUAL AUTO BY BUMPING OR PULLING THE SHIFT HANDLE WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. IS THERE A RECALL AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. EVERY AMERICAN MADE CAR I'VE OWNED HAD A BUILT IN MECHANISM THAT REQUIRED THAT YOU PUSH DOWN / PULL UP AND PUSH FORWARD OR PULL BACKWARDS AT THE SAME TIME THRU SOME TYPE OF MANUAL LOCKING MECHANISM...... THANKS I'M STILL DRIVING THE CAR BUT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION IS UNKNOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10400700 · filed May 12, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that both the driver’s and passenger’s side seat belts failed to retract upon release. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where the parts to repair both seat belts were ordered. When the vehicle was returned to the contact, both the driver’s side seat belt and the passenger’s side seat belt were replaced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be serviced. The failure mileage was 70,198.

NHTSA ID 11446042 · filed Jan 3, 2022

MY SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY BUT USUALLY WENT OFF IF I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. BUT NOW IT'S ON CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER SAYS IT'S A MALFUNCTION INVOLVING THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT APPARATUS AND IT'S NOT COVER UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS ESTIMATE TO BE OVER $350. I SEE ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2005-2009 OUTBACKS. THE MECHANISM IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10593547 · filed May 22, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HOOD POPPED UP. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RE-FASTEN THE HOOD. AFTER TRAVELING 100 MILES, THE HOOD POPPED UP AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,811.

NHTSA ID 10839288 · filed Mar 1, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .