The Lemon Index2009 Subaru Outback.
The 2009 Subaru Outback has too few complaints to score: 18 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 13 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 106 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Outback year. 2009 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 36K to 113K miles on the car (78 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 39K–113K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 60K–118K miles
Recalls 13
- 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 recall us.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
Show all 13 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- airbags 2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- airbags 2017
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as ori.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2016
The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 195 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
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
Vehicle has a shimmy when driving at highway speeds: 70-75 mph. Shimmy has been present since vehicle delivery. 5 trips to the service department over 10 months did not resolve this issue.
2009 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10335802
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Subaru Outback reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (28%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and tires (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Outback have?
13 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 2009 Subaru Outback get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 36,900 and 113,200 miles. The middle report was at 70,400 miles, from 78 complaints.
Does the 2009 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Subaru Outback have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2009?
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