Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Four Subaru dealership licensed service centers in Maine and New Hampshire have had for some 8 weeks my Outback to evaluate, diagnose, and -upon my approval- service. Every one of the four Subaru locations was been unable to resolve a single one of these chronic problems of the Outback's erratic 1) start/no-start, 2) triggered security light and activated alarm, 3) dashboard battery and brake icons lighting/pulsing, 4) error code 55 (or SS) and 5) car headlights pulsing. The above problems compound with the issues Subaru's service teams have failed to resolve since early days of new car ownership (despite repeated repair) for 1) brakes regularly making noise, 2) radio randomly changing volume or shutting off, and 3) back tail light not working. …
My car has had cylinder misfires for over a year. Subaru has told me it is "not their problem" and they have charged me over $2,000 for the various times I have brought it in to fix the problem. They just "fixed" it last week and within 1 day, all my check engine lights came back on, and within 3 days it is misfiring again. They do not return my calls or properly service my car. I believe this is an engine recall problem they are avoiding for the costs associated with the recall. I do not want this dangerous car.
Unknown why car sparked & ignited. Car was driven to grocery store 5min away then sat for approx. 2hrs before catching fire.
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. I hope this is bought to the highest officials at NHTSA and is address properly. I hope no one gets killed before this is addressed.
The timing belt failed prematurely. It had been replaced at 70K miles and failed at 140K miles on the second belt which only had 70K miles on it versus the manufacture recommended 100K miles replacement interval. This happened during highway travel and the vehicle immediately lost all power and only had 5 seconds to find a safe place to pull off the highway. Additionally, the vehicle has an airbag recall for the second time, citing death due to metal projectile and I am having a very hard time having that replaced as the car is now being driven in Canada and Subaru dealers in Canada won't honor the required recall.
Car check engine light on, along with traction light on, cruise light on. Can't shut any off. Car actually gets very hot to the touch drivers side near fender headlight. Could start on fire! Dangerous! Think there is a recall on front oxygen sensor, only if turbo? Rediculous! Should be all not just turbo model! Also had to replace head cover gasket and everything that goes with that 5/17/2017 108,900 miles. That should be a recall also.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the ABS, traction control, engine, and other unknown warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
In July following the replacement of our catalytic converter I wrote to Subaru to inquire about reimbursement. There was no response. The replacement cost was $728.08. Apparently only seven states issued a mandatory recall. Virginia isn't one of them. The vehicle was religiously maintained, all supported by documentation. At 97,600 miles the catalytic converter wearing out had something to do with the part itself. Reimbursement for this catalytic converter would go a long way in our future decision of which brand car to buy. It's known in marketing it costs a lot less to keep a customer than to gain a new one.
2008 Subaru Outback. Consumer seeks reimbursement from manufacturers catalytic converter defect recall repairs. The consumer stated a few days after purchasing the vehicle, the check engine light illuminated. A local repair shop read the codes and explained to the consumer, the catalytic converter was failing. The consumer learned Subaru had issued a selective recall, only honored in certain states, on the catalytic converter with a reprogramming of the ECM. The consumer paid for the replacement of the catalytic converter. However, she is requesting reimbursement.
Takata recall-- Subaru "repair" of defective airbags dangerous. Warning light illuminates regularly. Subaru refuses to fix. ----note Subaru also refused to repair long reported issues with brakes, air bag, windshield. They sought $$thousands of dollars in repair billings. All three of these later subject of recalls. Subaru reported oil consumption due to gasket leakage, concern for cat converter as potential repair billing. This appears to be a fourth potential subject of recall now. ----- what more has to be defective on one car before entire car recalled?!
Engine complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Subaru Outback, 9% of the model year's 226 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Subaru Outback engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Subaru Outback, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Subaru Outback engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.