10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,864 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Subaru Outback engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Subaru Outback Owner Comments

problem #12

Apr 202020

Outback

  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The timing belt failed prematurely. It had been replaced at 70K miles and failed at 140K miles on the second belt which only had 70K miles on it versus the manufacture recommended 100K miles replacement interval. This happened during highway travel and the vehicle immediately lost all power and only had 5 seconds to find a safe place to pull off the highway. Additionally, the vehicle has an airbag recall for the second time, citing death due to metal projectile and I am having a very hard time having that replaced as the car is now being driven in Canada and Subaru dealers in Canada won't honor the required recall.

- Truckee, CA, USA

problem #11

Jul 272018

Outback

  • 108,900 miles
Car check engine light on, along with traction light on, cruise light on. Can't shut any off. Car actually gets very hot to the touch drivers side near fender headlight. Could start on fire! dangerous! think there is a recall on front oxygen sensor, only if turbo? rediculous! should be all not just turbo model! also had to replace head cover gasket and everything that goes with that 5/17/2017 108,900 miles. That should be a recall also.

- Gray, ME, USA

problem #10

Nov 132017

Outback

  • miles
Transmission failed, on the road, problem shifting, I want to know if there has been a recall. I could find the place to enter that info. I am not a machanic!

- Durham, ME, USA

problem #9

Mar 102013

Outback

  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has had severe oil leaking for 4 years. Dealership informed me of head gasket problems, but only offered repair at full shop rate prices. I see this a potential fire hazard.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #8

Aug 112017

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall-- Subaru "repair" of defective airbags dangerous. Warning light illuminates regularly. Subaru refuses to fix. ----note Subaru also refused to repair long reported issues with brakes, air bag, windshield. They sought $$thousands of dollars in repair billings. All three of these later subject of recalls. Subaru reported oil consumption due to gasket leakage, concern for cat converter as potential repair billing. This appears to be a fourth potential subject of recall now. ----- what more has to be defective on one car before entire car recalled?!

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #7

Mar 192017

Outback

  • 173,200 miles
I was driving and without notice the cruise control shut off, because of a minor problem with the catalytic converter efficiency. Had the vehicle behind me been any closer I could have been rear ended. It turns out that Subaru has programed their vehicles to do this. Why would anyone program a car to have a sudden loss of power over such a minor issue.recalls for "keys turning off" have happened, and the manufacturers knew about it. Subaru knows this happens and I hope there will be a recall to fix this very dangerous situation. I hope this is bought to the highest officials at NHTSA and is address properly. I hope no one gets killed before this is addressed.

- Smithville, TN, USA

problem #6

Dec 032015

Outback

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car has had cylinder misfires for over a year. Subaru has told me it is "not their problem" and they have charged me over $2,000 for the various times I have brought it in to fix the problem. They just "fixed" it last week and within 1 day, all my check engine lights came back on, and within 3 days it is misfiring again. They do not return my calls or properly service my car. I believe this is an engine recall problem they are avoiding for the costs associated with the recall. I do not want this dangerous car.

- Thornwood, NY, USA

problem #5

Aug 312016

Outback

  • miles
All of below: Since early original ownership, for years Subaru dismissed repeated reporting of (moving, stationary, all roads): Takata recall airbag warning light illumination. Only after national airbag recall did Subaru recognize concern and address. Subaru recently has serviced airbag twice. Both times, shortly after service dash warning lights illuminated: Airbag, cruise, check engine. Also, erratic cruise function and engine clicking noise (moving, all roads) resulted. For numerous weeks, Subaru has been refusing to fix lethal airbag/S and remedy damage/concerns resulting from airbag service. Subaru seeks payment for diagnosis (and presumably, subsequent service) of airbag and related damage/concerns and a written waiver for this service and any future service needs as condition of service. Brakes rusting, squealing, sponginess. Weeks before warranty expired Subaru dismissed issues. Weeks after warranty, (at some 25K miles) Subaru sought to sell some $1900 in new brakes or new car. Subaru relented months later, addressing concern. Thereafter, following the national brakes recall, Subaru reported no service needed on second full set of brakes. This month replaced 4 rotors (and pads)'this is the third time 4 rotors installed on original-ownership car with some 65K miles. Engine's loud rattling, gurgling. Subaru eventually admitted and serviced heatshield defect. Subaru has stated repeatedly heatshield issue can't be resolved. After three services, Subaru reported related engine damage: Oil leak and catalytic. Chronic heatshield and related damage/concerns ongoing. Windshield interior pooling water and icing (needing scraping off despite winter-package windshield heating), as well as exterior windshield seal sliding freely. Only after shield spontaneously cracked did Subaru recognize issues and address.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #4

Aug 192016

Outback

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the ABS, traction control, engine, and other unknown warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

- Washington, OH, USA

problem #3

May 012015

Outback

  • 74,000 miles
Engine head gasket is leaking oil. Warranty is expired, but 74K miles is too early for this major problem to occur. Subaru customer service has agreed to pay for a portion of the repair cost.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #2

Jan 212015

Outback 4-cyl

  • 100,450 miles
Head gaskets failed and, once disassembled, valves were found to be leaking.

- Davis, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 172014

Outback 4-cyl

  • 75,815 miles
Blown head gasket, damage occurred over many years while car was under warranty and was being serviced regularly by the Subaru dealer. No notification of this damage was given to me until the car was just outside of its warranty. Previously Subaru has acknowledged this defect which could cause an engine to seize while driving causing a safety issue if that occurred on a highway.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

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