2008 Subaru Outback
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Subaru Outback is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 83 on record.
2008 Subaru Outback at a glance
Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.
2008 Subaru Outback recalls 8
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, O…
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assist…
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South…
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assist…
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saip…
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact…
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight…
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactu…
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Own…
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia…
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be …
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. S…
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These ser…
Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.
2008 Subaru Outback common problems
The most-reported problem areas from 228 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2008 Subaru Outback MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.
What's a 2008 Subaru Outback worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2008 Subaru Outback costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,411) with the same model 5 model-years older ($3,102), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
2008 Subaru Outback trims & engines on record
2008 Subaru Outback vehicles on record
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I4S4BP61C287300959
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I4S4BP61CX87303592
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited4S4BP62CX87328667
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited4S4BP62C987316669
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited4S4BP63C886349280
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I4S4BP61C387332819
2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition4S4BP86C884327928
2008 Subaru Outback Base4S4BP60C887313684
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited4S4BP62C787350481
2008 Subaru Outback Base4S4BP60C587311973
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited4S4BP62C687330769
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I4S4BP61C887358347
2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition4S4BP86C684306687
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I4S4BP61C287366881
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I4S4BP61C787361742
2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition4S4BP86CX84304991
2008 Subaru Outback Base4S4BP60C687323176
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I4S4BP61C287349238
2008 Subaru Outback Base4S4BP60C487305713
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited4S4BP63C884338176
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited4S4BP62C187307402
2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition4S4BP86C784300008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited4S4BP62C587303370
Other Subaru Outback model years
2008 Subaru Outback — frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Subaru Outback have any safety recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2008 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Outback?
Based on 228 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, air bags, electrical system.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Subaru Outback get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Subaru Outback at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).
How much is a 2008 Subaru Outback worth?
Comparable 2008 Subaru Outback listings run roughly $4,000–$9,995, typically around $7,411 (from 83 vehicles).
Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.