2007 Subaru Outback Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Subaru Outback most frequently report an airbag warning light that disables the airbag system, along with a throttle/accelerator that suddenly becomes unresponsive while driving. Head gasket leaks on the 2.5L four-cylinder engine and brake line failures due to corrosion are also prominent themes across the complaint sample.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on, airbag system disabled

   • 19 complaints (15%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2021

   Owners describe the airbag warning light illuminating intermittently or staying on continuously after starting the vehicle, with dealers confirming that the airbag system will not deploy while the light is on. Several complaints trace the fault to cracked solder joints on the overhead console circuit board, which controls the passenger airbag indicator. Owners report being quoted several hundred dollars for a full console replacement, though some found the underlying issue was a resolderable joint. Reports span a wide mileage range, from around 50,000 to over 300,000 miles, with many occurring between 97,000 and 185,000 miles.

   Recall 20V001000Recall 20V003000Recall 20V002000Recall 15V323000

   What to check: Ask whether any open Takata airbag recall (campno 20V001000, 20V002000, or 20V003000) has been completed. Check the overhead console for a steady or intermittent airbag warning light, and ask whether the overhead circuit board has been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver side airbag system sometimes is not active upon starting vehicle. This is indicated by the airbag warning light which is illuminated. The light continues to stay illuminated when the vehicle is driven. The dealer tells me that in this situation (airbag warning light illuminated) the airbag will not deploy in an accident. Numerous posts on the internet confirm this. I consider this a very dangerous and common situation that should be remedied by Subaru through a recall. Updated 09/24/14 updated 02/20/2015”

   NHTSA complaint #10608522, filed 2014-07, 50,000 miles

   “I bought the 2007 Subaru Outback ll bean new. This is the second time that the airbag light goes on and off intermittently. The first time I replaced the overhead circuit board. This time I am having trouble finding one. The solder joints in the circuit board are faulty, causing loose connections. This is a dangerous situation that has been reported to NHTSA many times by other owners. When the air bag light is on, the air bags will not deploy. Some people have been seriously injured because of this. There should be a recall on this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306494, filed 2020-02, 308,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Throttle unresponsive, limp mode with P2138 code

   • 12 complaints (9%)
   • median 111,750 mi at 8.9 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2020

   Complaints describe the accelerator pedal becoming completely unresponsive while driving at highway speeds, accompanied by illumination of the check engine, cruise control, and traction control lights. Owners report the vehicle enters a reduced-power limp mode and can be difficult to restart. A scan typically returns code P2138, pointing to disagreement between the two throttle position sensors. The problem recurs after being temporarily cleared by restarting the engine or cleaning the connector. Complaints range widely from around 55,000 to over 249,000 miles, with several occurring at or above 100,000 miles; incidents are described as happening at random rather than at a specific mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether a P2138 throttle position sensor code has ever been recorded, and whether the throttle body connector has been cleaned or the sensor replaced. A test drive at highway speed can help check for any hesitation or sudden power loss.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is my second complaint to be filed. This has been an ongoing problem since 2013. My 2007 Subaru Outback loses vehicle power as the accelerator stops responding. The cruise control, traction, and check engine lights all become illuminated or flashing. This is especially common upon restarting the car after a short drive, coming to a stop, or after 5-10 minutes from a cold start. Restarting the vehicle until the vehicle will not restart and then restarting once more resets the issue for approximately 24 hours. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10883582, filed 2016-07, 79,000 miles

   “As I'm driving my airbag light comes on and all the lights on the dash starts flashing and cruise control gets disconnected one day it will happen next day it won't”

   NHTSA complaint #11348382, filed 2020-08, 158,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Rear suspension and wheel bearing wear

   • 10 complaints (8%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2023

   Complaints describe wheel bearings requiring replacement multiple times on the same vehicle, often at relatively low mileage. Other owners report rear shock mounts fracturing and separating, and rear-end instability or fishtailing on icy or snow-covered roads that owners describe as out of proportion to conditions. Some complaints attribute the handling behavior to a tuning issue with the rear suspension geometry. Wheel bearing failures are reported from around 65,000 to 85,000 miles; shock mount and handling complaints appear from about 46,000 to 190,000 miles.

   What to check: Listen for humming or rumbling noises at highway speed that change with steering input, which can indicate worn wheel bearings. Ask for records of any bearing replacements, and inspect the rear shock mounts for cracks or separation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had two wheel bearings replaced. Front passenger at 65,000 and rear passenger at 73,000. This vehicle has not been in any accidents or treated badly. Subaru's in the past have had recalls on this part. I think there is an ongoing issue with this that should be investigated.”

   NHTSA complaint #10430659, filed 2011-10, 65,000 miles

   “My 2007 Outback with less than 85,000 miles on it has required 2 wheel bearings previously. Today the dealership told me that it needed two more, replacing one that had less than 6 months on it. Subaru extended their warranty coverage for the 2006 models because of the same issue. From reviewing the forums it seems this part is prone to early failure. I think it should be recalled at warrantied to at least 100,000 miles as they did with the 2006 model year.”

   NHTSA complaint #10475584, filed 2012-09, 85,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Head gasket leak (oil and coolant)

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 79,506 mi at 8.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2019

   Owners report external oil leaks from the head gasket onto the exhaust manifold, coolant leaking into the oil, or both, on the 2.5L four-cylinder engine. Complaints note the repair is costly, with estimates typically in the range of $1,800 to $2,600. Several owners describe contacting the manufacturer and being declined for coverage, and multiple complaints cite widespread online documentation of the same issue across several model years. Reports appear across a broad range, from roughly 43,800 to 138,000 miles, with several occurring between 68,000 and 90,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the oil dipstick for a milky or frothy appearance and inspect the underside of the engine for oil staining near the head gasket area. Ask for service records showing whether the head gaskets have ever been replaced or inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Oil leaking from passenger side head gasket onto exhaust manifold. Read web and see this is a very common failure item for Subaru engines 2000 thru 2009. My concern is potential fire. Repair costs $1800-3000. Widespread issue and fire hazard thus I hope Subaru will address this design issue more proactively.”

   NHTSA complaint #10564588, filed 2014-02, 75,000 miles

   “My Subaru has a 2.5l engine. A Subaru service center has verified the head gaskets have a severe oil leak. My car is also leaking antifreeze, my mechanic believes it is leaking from the head gaskets. I contacted Subaru of america about the issue, they will not fix the problem even though they have previously had a recall on this same issue with this same size engine back in 2002. I am stuck with a $2600 repair. I found many other people with the same issue with the same engine on different year makes of subarus on this site. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10971780, filed 2017-04, 138,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake line failure due to corrosion

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 177,700 mi at 12.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2024

   Owners describe sudden and complete brake pedal loss while driving, with the pedal going to the floor and brake fluid found puddling near the rear wheels. Inspection reveals corroded or perforated metal brake lines, particularly at connectors near the rear of the vehicle. Several complaints note that this occurred even on vehicles that had previously received recall service, raising questions about whether all affected sections were addressed. Failures are reported at higher mileage, with complaints citing approximately 176,000 to 185,000 miles, though one earlier failure occurred around 64,000 miles after a brake service.

   Recall 14V311000Recall 13V110000

   What to check: Ask whether the brake line recalls (campno 13V110000 and 14V311000) were performed, and have a mechanic inspect the rear brake lines for corrosion or signs of prior repair, particularly if the vehicle was ever registered in a northern or rust-belt state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brakes failed completely when I was driving down the road about to enter the highway. The pedal went all the way to the floor. No braking action whatsoever. I was able to swerve to avoid the car in front of me and eventually stop by using the emergency brake. The car had just been serviced (60k interval) by the dealer including flushing the brake lines and installing new rear brake pads. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10448206, filed 2012-02, 64,000 miles

   “Brake line broke on the passenger side under the rear door . I could see the fluid coming out through a cover of some kind that I think is to protect the fuel tank. I was driving and needed to stop and the pedal went suddenly to the floor and I went past where I tried to stop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11157245, filed 2018-12, 185,500 miles

Buying note. Prospective buyers should confirm that all open Takata airbag recalls have been completed and that the brake line recalls were performed, particularly on vehicles with northern or rust-belt registration history. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the head gaskets, brake lines, throttle body connector, and rear suspension components is advisable given the frequency of these issues in the complaint record.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.