Subaru Outback 2005–2009
3rd generation (BP)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,363 complaints, 1,066 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 52,340 and 122,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 26 complaints (2.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 20,000
- 25%
- 52,340
- Median
- 85,000
- 75%
- 122,000
- 90%
- 162,400
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 62 | 5.8% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 41 | 3.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 53 | 5.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 38 | 3.6% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 57 | 5.3% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 64 | 6.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 87 | 8.2% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 70 | 6.6% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 86 | 8.1% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 77 | 7.2% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 62 | 5.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 77 | 7.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 53 | 5.0% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 45 | 4.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 33 | 3.1% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 37 | 3.5% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 25 | 2.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 28 | 2.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 26 | 2.4% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 19 | 1.8% |
| 200,000+ | 26 | 2.4% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,363 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2009 Subaru Outback, and 1,066 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 52,340 and 122,000 miles. The median is 85,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (18.9% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles), throttle and speed control (12.0% of complaints, typically around 96,000 miles), the electrical system (10.8% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles).
15 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Airbag system84,000median 84,000 miles, middle half 56,000 to 119,000
- Throttle and speed control96,000median 96,000 miles, middle half 64,000 to 131,000
- Electrical system99,000median 99,250 miles, middle half 72,000 to 120,000
- Suspension59,000median 58,550 miles, middle half 26,000 to 92,000
- Engine105,000median 105,000 miles, middle half 75,000 to 130,000
- Brakes159,000median 159,000 miles, middle half 111,000 to 190,000
- Transmission and driveline57,000median 57,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 95,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 258 | 18.9% | 84,000 | 56,000–119,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 164 | 12.0% | 96,000 | 64,000–131,000 |
| Electrical system | 147 | 10.8% | 99,000 | 72,000–120,000 |
| Suspension | 125 | 9.2% | 59,000 | 26,000–92,000 |
| Engine | 97 | 7.1% | 105,000 | 75,000–130,000 |
| Brakes | 79 | 5.8% | 159,000 | 111,000–190,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 64 | 4.7% | 57,000 | 26,000–95,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 64 | 4.7% | 63,000 | 20,000–102,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 56 | 4.1% | 112,000 | 95,000–157,000 |
| Steering | 39 | 2.9% | 69,000 | 44,000–107,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 85,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 18.9% of complaints (258 reports, 135 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 84,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 56,209 and 119,237 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 12.0% of complaints (164 reports, 151 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 63,700 and 131,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.8% of complaints (147 reports, 124 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 99,250 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 72,290 and 120,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 9.2% of complaints (125 reports, 111 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 58,550 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,500 and 91,500 miles.
The engine accounts for 7.1% of complaints (97 reports, 88 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 105,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 75,000 and 130,000 miles.
The brakes account for 5.8% of complaints (79 reports, 50 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 159,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 110,812 and 190,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2006 model year drew the most — 404 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 142. The median year sits at 281.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (11), the electrical system (2), the hydraulic brake circuit (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,363 complaints filed against this generation, 63 reported a crash; 21 reported a fire; 42 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 4.6% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 52,340 and 122,000 miles, with a median of 85,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and throttle and speed control are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 84,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 2005–2009
EJ253 external head gasket seepage continues; Subaru's TSB coverage on this failure extends through the 2008 model year.
Turbocharger 2005–2009 (2.5 XT)
EJ255 turbo failure from oil starvation - the banjo bolt oil supply filter clogs and oil cokes in the turbo center section, destroying the bearings and often sending debris into the engine.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 354 | 280 |
| 2006 | 404 | 338 |
| 2007 | 182 | 138 |
| 2008 | 281 | 202 |
| 2009 | 142 | 108 |
Recalls (15)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V003000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 20V002000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 20V001000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V297000 | 2019-05-10 | Electrical System:ignition:switch |
| 18V014000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V013000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V012000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V026000 | 2017-03-06 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V014000 | 2017-03-06 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V738000 | 2016-12-16 | Electrical System |
| 16V358000 | 2016-07-22 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 15V323000 | 2015-06-17 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 14V763000 | 2015-01-15 | Air Bags |
| 14V311000 | 2014-07-23 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 13V110000 | 2013-05-30 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
What owners reported
Dt: consumer had this vehicle 3 months and the dealer had to jump start the motor three times. Also, remote won't open the door when the battery was dead. Changed the compass in the mirror. The vehicle was at the dealer. They could not find anything wrong with vehicle. This happened while test driving vehicle.…
2005 · 37 miles · Electrical system
Dt: 2005 Subaru Outback - the problem was with the headlights. They did not provide enough light to drive safely at night. While driving at night, the consumer could not see. There was very limited road way vision, with only a couple hundred feet in front of the car that was lit up properly, from that point on it…
2005 · 125 miles · Exterior lighting
This complaint concerns the intermittent refusal of the cruise control on my 2005 Subaru legacy Outback to give up control of the engine when the cruise control handle is pulled down to the coast position and to cause an unexpected, dramatic increase in car speed when the intent is to disengage the cruise control and…
2005 · 500 miles · Throttle and speed control
Consumer feel that the headlight are pointed too low to the ground. This causes poor visibility while driving at night. Dealer was contacted, and informed the consumer that the headlights could not be adjusted and that it met the specs.*Ak the consumer stated that visibility was cut in half. Only half of the…
2005 · 1,000 miles · Exterior lighting
Built from 1,066 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page