2008 Subaru Outback Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,807miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2008 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,807 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving and without notice the cruise control shut off, because of a minor problem with the catalytic converter efficiency. Had the vehicle behind me been any closer I could have been rear ended. It turns out that Subaru has programed their vehicles to do this. Why would anyone program a car to have a sudden loss of power over such a minor issue.recalls for keys turning off have happened, and the manufacturers knew about it. Subaru knows this happens and I hope there will be a recall to fix this very dangerous situation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10967192, filed 2017-03, 173,200 miles“Vehicle will loose acceleration without warning. This has happened six (6) times. When this occurs pressing the gas pedal does nothing. The vehicle's speed immediately drops to about 5 MPH. The engine and cruise lights illuminate. The tachometer continually fluctuates between 2500and 3000 RPM during this time, . One must pull over and turn off the engine, let it set for a few minutes then restart the engine in order to reset the acceleration system. We have had several near accidents as drivers behind our vehicle needed to swerve away from our vehicle as it lost acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10515795, filed 2013-06, 22,807 miles“My wife had an uncontrolled acceleration event in her 2008 Subaru Outback when she was trying to park behind another car. She didn't think the floor mat was involved. She had winter boots on and thought she was only pressing on the brake. Her front license plate was torn and she did about $700 of damage to the other car's rear bumper.”
NHTSA complaint #10295462, filed 2009-12, 19,000 miles“Sudden unexpected acceleration while driving. Even pulling into the driveway with foot on the brake the engine revs up or same problem while sitting at a stoplight. It's as though the car does not want to stop. At times if you shift down and let off on the gas the car goes for a short stretch without slowing down.”
NHTSA complaint #10222714, filed 2008-03, 10,000 miles“S10 appropriate handling-letter regarding suburu problems the consumer stated the accelerator pedal became stuck when he attempted to make a left turn and was unable to control the speed of the vehicle and subsequently he scraped a guardrail, which resulted in over $5,000 in body damage to his vehicle. He stated every time he applied the brakes, the vehicle accelerated. The consumer has since traded the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10328527, filed 2010-04Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 6% |
| 2020 | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 29 | 3% |
| 2016 | 22 | 3% |
| 2015 | 26 | 5% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 26 | 9% |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 17 | 13% |
| 2006 | 98 | 35% |
| 2005 | 40 | 15% |
| 2004 | 20 | 22% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 10% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 13 | 10% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Outback
104 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Subaru Outback
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology