2009 Subaru Outback: common problems and reliability

The 2009 Subaru Outback has 111 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 13 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. Owners most often flag infotainment system failures (6th gen: 2020-2025) — buggy, laggy, unresponsive touchscreen, frequent crashes, screen delamination, connectivity problems with carplay/android auto. requires dealership updates or unit replacement. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2009 model year

111
Owner complaints
13
Recalls
1
Crash reports
5
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Subaru Outback vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

air bags
31
electrical system
23
engine
16
power train
10
exterior lighting
10

Recalls affecting the 2009 Outback

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 20V001000

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, o…

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 20V003000

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, …

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 20V002000

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 ev…

electrical system:ignition:switch

Campaign 19V297000

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 …

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term reliability is a core positive, with many owners reporting vehicles reaching 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance, particularly for non-turbo models. The Outback is consistently praised for its pra

  • Infotainment system failures (6th gen: 2020-2025) — Buggy, laggy, unresponsive touchscreen, frequent crashes, screen delamination, connectivity problems with CarPlay/Android Auto. Requires dealership updates or unit replacement. Frequency: very frequent.
  • CVT transmission concerns — Long-term reliability doubts, specific reports of torque converter and clutch pack failures requiring replacement under warranty, fluid migration issues in turbo models (TR690 transmission). "Lifetime fluid" claim is disputed. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Driver's side window regulator failure — Window sticks open, especially in cold/wet weather, fails to close. Known service bulletin for warped channels/regulators. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Battery premature failure — Batteries dying around the 3-year mark, potentially linked to start/stop system and parasitic drain. Known service bulletin (07-213-22R) for 2020-2023 models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Oil consumption — Engines, particularly older 4-cylinder models (e.g., 2010-2012), noted for consuming oil. Requires regular level checks. Newer FB engines have cam carrier and oil pan leaks. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Outback.

Typical used price

Used Outback listings typically run $18,424–$29,686 across 2013 to 2026 model years.

Other Outback model years

2025 Outback2022 Outback2021 Outback2019 Outback2018 Outback2014 Outback2013 Outback2010 Outback2007 Outback2003 Outback1999 Outback
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