2009 Subaru Outback Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 37,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and engine (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 105 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags1 17%
- Engine1 17%
- Exterior lighting1 17%
- Interior lighting1 17%
- Tires1 17%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “A retaining ring in the center differential assembly failed, causing gear damage and requiring the replacement of the center differential assembly an all of the bearings in the transmission. This was covered by warranty repair but was a concerning failure at this low mileage. I have heard other reports of Subaru owners having similar problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10314169, filed 2010-02, 10,841 milesAir bags: “The contact owns a 2009 Subaru outback. The contact stated that the dome light was burned and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10617965, filed 2014-07, 54,000 milesEngine: “Subaru outback sports 2009 model, with no prior history problem except that Subaru recalled an electronic board and it was replaced by Subaru dealer. Just got off the highway, coming from the airport, smelled something burning like wood. Opened the window to make sure it is not our car. Smell was still there. Pulled off the road. Check engine light went on, lots of smoke from hood after one second the fire started engulfing the hood. My husband and I jumped out of the car of fear of an explosion and called 911 right away. Within 7 minutes about the car was completely burnt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565996, filed 2014-02, 35,000 milesExterior lighting: “This is the 4th headlamp we have replaced within 12 months. We have tried piaa's, silver star's...all have the same life span of approx. 3-4 months...this has become expensive, a safety hazard, and a nuisance.”
NHTSA complaint #10561492, filed 2014-01, 40,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,841 and 54,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 105 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026Electrical system. This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- 11034249Jun 12, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
Other model years of the Subaru Outback Sport
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 6 | 37,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Subaru Outback Sport model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.
Has the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Subaru Outback Sport reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,500 miles and the middle half falls between 10,841 and 54,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.