2008 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2008

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2008 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (26%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (14%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (3%)

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Chart based on 377 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Subaru Outback.

2008 Subaru Outback suspension repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (22%)

$500 - $999 (29%)

$100 - $499 (30%)

< $100 (17%)

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Chart based on 87 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

104160 mi

C $500
Replaced all four struts with new KYB models. Used 2004 model for rear suspension to counter possible ghost walking as recommended on Subaru Outback forums. Squeaking noise when going over speed bumps, replaced stabilizer end links front and rear, also due to wear 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

77500 mi

C $760
changes trailer arms+control arms bushings 
118300 mi

C $2
right front wheel bearing replaced 
151280 mi

C $500
rear left wheel bearing replaced 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 148hp 2.0L H4 Diesel 5-speed manual AWD

132000 mi

£500
Drop links replaced. There was knocking and play in them, so they needed replacing, but not an actual failure. 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

82000 mi

US $1419
Leak from steering rack and pinion boot. Replaced with new rack and pinion. 
122000 mi

US $2500
Front struts replaced 
99000 mi

US $600
Right front wheel bearing was making a noise. Wheel bearing was worn out. Installed a new hub assembly. 
128000 mi

US $100
Both front wheel bearings making noise. Both wheel bearings replaced. 
109500 mi

US $900
Replaced all of the wheel hub/bearing assemblies. 
43000 mi

US $100
wheel bearing and front CV boot 
99700 mi

US $340
Humming noise at 55mph, gone over 65mph. No change with road surface, no change with coasting. Suspect rear wheel bearing. Took to dealer, road test and put on lift confirm RR wheel bearing. Replaced, road test noise gone 
105000 mi

US $282
Left rear wheel bearing was replaced. The right was done a few months ago. Kind of figured this would happen. OEM parts are expensive. $149 for the OEM bearing about $90 for a Timken. Going to start doing my own repairs and maintenance. 
112000 mi

US $245
replace sway bar bushings 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

81220 mi

C $450
Sixth wheel bearing failure on this car. Replaced part non Subaru product. $450 for this repair which seems high but after six replacement, this appears to be the going rate. 
121700 mi

US $800
Both rear wheel bearings replaced 
191000 mi

US $550
Replaced wheel bearing 
91460 mi

A $400
Replacement of front LH wheel bearing. 
125000 mi

US $775
Sway bar replaced. 
120000 mi Front wheel bearings needed to be replaced 
135000 mi

US $200
Replace rusted ball joint 
141000 mi

US $301
Replacing wheel bearing assembly 
110000 mi

US $450
Front right wheel bearing failure (second bearing in this corner). Replaced at an independent shop using a USA-made bearing with 1-year warranty for less than dealer quote on OEM bearing. 
122000 mi

US $1023
Simultaneous wheel bearing failure (front left and right rear). 
122800 mi

US $525
Ordered Moog sway bar end links with grease fittings online to replace failed OEM links, $45 Replaced all four worn-out struts and strut mounts, $480. 
107000 mi

US $1200
I heard noise that sounded like a wheel bearing that got louder as time progressed. Upon closer checking it was found that both a front and rear bearing were damaged. 
119000 mi

US $2100
Left front wheel bearing failing. Replaced. Also, had the front struts replaced. 
129200 mi

US $1600
Control arm bushings, right front lower ball joint, brake pads and rotors all around 
105000 mi

US $650
replaced wheel bearings - AGAIN! 
71000 mi Loud noise on tight turns, esp when starting up. Dealer tightened my after market belts, told me they were not the correct size and tried to sell me new ones but much less expensive adjustment worked fine. $60 (survey won't let me add $) 
78000 mi

US $2200
new control arm bushings needed 
84000 mi

US $650
Power steering fluid pump leaking. Installed new pump. 
4000 mi Rattle, something loose in the rear suspension. 
34400 mi

C $1500
Rods, stabilisers. 
40300 mi

C $800
front driver-side wheel bearing replaced for safety certification 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

89060 mi Right front balljoint with free play movement. 
90200 mi Both control arm bushings were badly torn. stabilizer bar bushings broke apart when removed. Replaced both. 
91760 mi Both sides rear Trailing arm bushings 
102920 mi

C $180
Rear driver side wheel bearing humming noise. Replaced wheel bearing assembly. 
107260 mi Replaced both front strut assembly 
109740 mi Replaced front left wheel bearing hub assembly Humming noise coming from left side 
97000 mi

US $1000
Front right wheel bearing needed to be replaced. 
112000 mi

US $600
Front ball joint replaced. 
125020 mi

US $491
Left front wheel bearing replacement 
136723 mi

US $1021
Left front inner tie rod Left front/rear sway bar links Alignment with all other parts replaced 
99000 mi

US $450
power steering hose leaking 
97420 mi

C $520
Wheel alignment and all new rubbers on sway bars. 
63000 mi

US $315
Had to replace the rear bushings on the front control arms and the swaybar end links. (Drove over massive speed bumps for 3 years...) 
79000 mi FR & FL Axle Assembly Shafts, possibly caused by other dealer(which also suggested $3,500 in unnecessary repairs). Control Arm Bushing Front Rearward, worn but done now because axle being done. 
100117 mi

US $407
Body creaking noises. Replaced front sway bar end links; lubed front & rear sway bar bushings LF wheel bearings noisy. Replaced LF wheel bearing/hub assembly. 
106614 mi

US $270
Replaced RR Shock & upper mount 
115897 mi

US $253
Replaced RR wheel bearing/hub & axle nut 
125462 mi

US $1405
Rear hub replacement. 
163000 mi

US $300
[wheel bearing] Worn part replaced 
155000 mi

US $300
[wheel bearing] Parts worn, required replacement 
167000 mi

US $300
[wheel bearing] Worn part replaced 
172000 mi

US $450
Shocks worn, replaced 
104000 mi

US $700
replaced both rear wheel bearings 
128000 mi rear stabilizer bars replaced 
105000 mi

US $610
and a wheel bearing 
148000 mi

US $1100
Rack replacement 
30380 mi Left rear wheel bearing shot. 
86000 mi

US $600
replaced 1st of 2 wheel bearings 
86300 mi

US $600
replaced 2nd of 2 wheel bearings 
122000 mi

US $2190
Replaced all 4 struts, stabilizer linke, etc. Had alignment done also. Factory original parts had finally worn out. $1,275. 
51300 mi

US $600
Power steering pump leaking and changed out. 
96000 mi

US $1100
back left wheelbearing replacd 
93000 mi

US $1776
Replace rear wheel bearings. 
30000 mi

US $22
Passenger side rear strut is weeping oil around seal. Dealer has ordered two rear struts and will replace under warranty.  Discovered front struts were leaking, had them on hand, and replaced them. 
30000 mi Replaced rear struts. 
62000 mi

US $750
Replaced rear struts and springs 
93000 mi

US $600
Replaced rear passenger side bearing 
102000 mi Replaced driver side rear bearing. Loud hum from rear 
127000 mi

US $600
Front Struts. Front Lower Control Arms. Rear Shocks. Very worn / leaking. Replaced. Rear bearing making lots of noise. Fine after repair. 
127000 mi

US $600
Broken rear strut 
72700 mi Replaced left & right front lower control arm rear bushings. Replaced sway bar link. 
76000 mi

US $1000
Replace rear struts with only 76k miles on the car. 
95000 mi

US $1059
REAR SWAY BAR links replaced 
72200 mi

US $2000
Drive belt and power steering pump Bushing 
63500 mi

US $300
Front and rear wheel bearings 
108000 mi

US $1500
105k maintenance, worn ball joints, end links. 
55180 mi

C $370
Replaced struts and springs but original strut top was bad. The bearings were worn. I am now waiting for parts because the other side needs replacing also. 
55800 mi

C $100
Other strut tower replaced. An after market transmission cooler was also installed. We live in a mountainous region and travel with big loads. 
70740 mi

C $1100
Rear wheel bearing replaced 
83980 mi

C $300
Rear wheel bearing failure 
100620 mi

C $475
Replace front left and right wheel bearings for the second time. 
112220 mi

C $1200
Struts and hats replaced. Rear hats rusted tbrough. 
142600 mi

C $570
wheel bearing replaced, 4-wheel alignment Front pads replaced because they fell apart 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4-door

4-cylinder manual AWD

58000 mi

US $350
Wheel bearing replaced passenger side front. Also replaced sway bar links and busings. 

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2008 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Subaru Outback problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.