2009 Subaru Outback Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2009 Subaru Outback, 6% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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 recently purchased a 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5 special edition. While driving on I-35 near cloquet, mn, the car exhibited dangerously unstable handling that has been described by other Subaru Outback owners. The road conditions were icy and even with greatly reduced speed the car would slide/drift sideways on straightaways. This was very unnerving as I could do nothing save reducing my speed to a crawl to avoid this drifting effect. At this point I was being passed by all other traffic on the highway (semis, fwd and rwd cars, etc.), which did not seem to have the handling issues I was having. …”
NHTSA complaint #10253102, filed 2008-12, 3,700 miles“The hood latch has failed repeatedly causing the hood to become unlatched while driving, presumably risking the hood flying up and impairing visibility. A different Subaru model was recalled for this failure but not the Outback model (2009 or other). This keeps happening.”
NHTSA complaint #11048347, filed 2017-11, 5 miles“When it rained dash lights come on would not go out when turned car on for a few days next rain went to check car when started lights came on then all went out and a loud noise and fire under hood”
NHTSA complaint #10747264, filed 2015-08, 38,000 miles“Road conditions: poor, icy. Vehicle: 2009 Subaru Outback wagon loaded with 4 passengers (2 adult, 2 teen, plus light luggage). When the vehicle passed over an icy patch, the car swayed from side to side violently. On Subaru forum websites, this type of loss of control is termed ghost walking which is an odd but accurate term for the feel of the situation. I have seen multiple entries on the owners' forum websites describing this phenomena, and it apparently affects several model years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10384950, filed 2011-02, 26,000 miles“Takata recall - the letter from NHTSA via Subaru re. The recall was misleading. 1. It said the repair would take approx. 1 hour 48 minutes. It took all day. I unexpectedly had to leave the car overnight at great inconvenience to me. 2. The directive not to let anyone ride in the front passenger seat was impossible because we have four people and only one car! Also, this obviously means I have been driving a dangerous car for 8 years! 3. When I complained to Subaru of america they said the wording of the recall letter was entirely NHTSA's. …”
NHTSA complaint #10969757, filed 2017-03Related service bulletins
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Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 33% |
| 2025 | 18 | 22% |
| 2024 | 29 | 28% |
| 2023 | 16 | 18% |
| 2022 | 87 | 19% |
| 2021 | 66 | 22% |
| 2020 | 153 | 17% |
| 2019 | 205 | 20% |
| 2018 | 163 | 20% |
| 2017 | 178 | 19% |
| 2016 | 124 | 19% |
| 2015 | 109 | 21% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 25 | 8% |
| 2012 | 24 | 8% |
| 2011 | 39 | 6% |
| 2010 | 19 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 10 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 13 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Subaru Outback
30 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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