2008 Subaru Outback reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2008 Subaru Outback — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 277
- 20 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- AIR BAGS
- 102 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 8
- see below
- Reported harm
- 12 reported crashes · 6 injuries · 2 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#1,933
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Subaru median
+95
median 182 across 97 Subaru records
Vs 2006-2010
+5
median 272 complaints in 785 records
Top component share
37%
Air Bags: 102 complaints
What owners report fails — 2008 Subaru Outback
- AIR BAGS 102
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33
- SERVICE BRAKES 29
- ENGINE 13
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11
8 recalls on record for the 2008 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 20V001000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 20V003000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 20V002000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 19V297000 · 2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air ba
- NHTSA 16V738000 · 2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2008 Subaru Outback
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2008 Subaru Outback units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Subaru Outback reliable?
NHTSA has 277 consumer complaints on record for the 2008 Subaru Outback and 8 recalls. The most-reported problem area is air bags (102 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2008 Subaru Outback units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Outback?
Owners most often report problems with: air bags (102), electrical system (33), service brakes (29), engine (13). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2008 Subaru Outback?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.