2009 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Subaru Outback, 5% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,400 miles.
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“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“Driving on straight, semi-icy roads between northern michigan and northern wisconsin at speeds from 40mph to 50mph the 2009 Subaru Outback loaded with approx 500lbs of cargo and passengers (driver included) would suddenly swerve back and forth ( referred to as ghost walking ). Would have to reduce speed and pull over to shoulder numerous times and allow all traffic behind vehicle to pass since no one else was having any handling problems. Vehicle would regain stability and would handle fine for some time and then would repeat the ghost walking situation once again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10558152, filed 2014-01, 62,500 miles“Vehicle has a shimmy when driving at highway speeds: 70-75 MPH. Shimmy has been present since vehicle delivery. 5 trips to the service department over 10 months did not resolve this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10335802, filed 2010-06, 800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11016213Mar 24, 2025Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on certain 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles…
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 21 | 3% |
| 2010 | 26 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 14 | 11% |
| 2006 | 37 | 13% |
| 2005 | 56 | 21% |
| 2004 | 4 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 19 | 11% |
| 2000 | 24 | 12% |
| 1999 | 13 | 12% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
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 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBody and structure
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