The Lemon Index2007 Subaru Outback.
The 2007 Subaru Outback is better than average by owner complaints: 27 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 54, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 129 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Outback year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 123K miles on the car (93 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 83K–137K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 69K–174K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 55K–158K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
Show all 8 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- electrical 2016
The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, c.
- brakes 2014
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- brakes 2013
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Hesitation on acceleration,between 1500 and 2800 rpms .while accelerating quickly at an intersection or rolling stop.
2007 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10218573
More owner reports
2007 Subaru Outback airbags failed to deploy. Consumer states that the vehicle went through a guardrail rolled down an embankment and ended up on its tires and the driver was severely injured and airbags did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10214987
Quick answers
Is the 2007 Subaru Outback reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2007 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (19%), speed control (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Subaru Outback have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Subaru Outback get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,500 and 123,500 miles. The middle report was at 81,100 miles, from 93 complaints.
Does the 2007 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Subaru Outback have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works