2008 Subaru Outback problems
The 2008 Subaru Outback has 281 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (37%) concerns air bags. Next are electrical system (12%) and brakes (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 281 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 37% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 12 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 202 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 20 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 15 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 35 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 30 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 37 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 24 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 22 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 202 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 80,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 79,000 miles (63 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 12 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 23rd most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Subaru Outback with enough data (85 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
In december, 2015 I was involved in a collision in which a driver didn't see that traffic had come to a complete stop on the highway and hit me from behind at a high speed (approximately 60 MPH). I was in the front driver seat. The collision forced me against the seat back, which caused the entire back of my seat to break at the hinge area where the seat back and seat bottom meet. Because the seat didn't withstand the impact, it broke completely off and it was laying completely flat into the back seat.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that her vehicle was rear-ended and the seat belt did not provide adequate restraint. She struck her chest on the steering wheel, which caused injuries to her chest and back. A police report was filed. She will have surgery on may 15, 2009 on her back. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that a representative will inspect the seat belts. Two weeks later, the contact still has not heard back from the manufacturer.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. While stopped at a stop sign, the contact's vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver's side seat belt failed to work properly and the contact struck the steering column and windshield. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back and arm injuries. She feels that the seat belts do not retract and secure an occupant in place when a crash occurs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the seat belts were functioning as designed.
Recently replaced headlights did not illuminate on a return trip home. They turned off without warning while driving. According to the dealer, the wiring harness failed.
"takata recall" I understand that I may be driving a car with these airbags and that they may cause serious damage or death in case of an accident. Nothing has yet happened, but in the case of an accident there could be something serious.