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Model Year Problem Record

Subaru Outback 2008 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2008 Subaru Outback: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

226Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
8Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
17Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags104 complaints

104 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V323000, 20V001000, 20V002000, 20V003000.

Electrical System34 complaints

34 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 16V738000, 19V297000.

Brakes31 complaints

31 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 13V110000, 14V311000.

Engine20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

13V110000Reported March 27, 2013 - 274,402 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 27, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 274,402 vehicles across all affected models.

14V311000Reported June 10, 2014 - 461,338 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on June 10, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 461,338 vehicles across all affected models.

15V323000Reported May 28, 2015 - 432,016 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 28, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 432,016 vehicles across all affected models.

16V738000Reported October 13, 2016 - 100,127 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 100,127 vehicles across all affected models.

19V297000Reported April 11, 2019 - 511 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on April 11, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 511 vehicles across all affected models.

20V001000Reported January 2, 2020 - 258,813 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 258,813 vehicles across all affected models.

20V002000Reported January 2, 2020 - 127,547 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 127,547 vehicles across all affected models.

20V003000Reported January 2, 2020 - 111,562 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 111,562 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20072
20088
20098
20107
20118
201210
201314
201418
201534
201642
201718
201814
201911
20209
20219
20224
20244
20254
20262
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.