2009 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2009

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2009 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area

Engine (21%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (17%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (11%)

Other (5%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Subaru Outback problem?

Chart based on 280 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2009 Subaru Outback.

2009 Subaru Outback transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (15%)

$100 - $499 (46%)

< $100 (29%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 41 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2009 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

49000 mi

US $100
both inboard CV joints ripped and were replaced under warentee 
50300 mi

US $100
Dealer re-repaired CV. joint, bad repair, axle slipped out, new axle needed. New axle installed. 
148000 mi

US $1100
replace two front axles due to torn CV boots and replaced drive shaft to eliminate vibration form bad u-joint 

Return to top

2009 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

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

120800 mi

£275
Cv boot split 

Return to top

2009 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

38000 mi Deterioration major transmission part. Dealer repaired. But afterwards still felt iffy, sold car. 
56000 mi Noise from engine compartment area under low torque, not knocking noise but more like rumbling noise, worse with time. Dealer has not been able to locate the source. Drivetrain? 
109000 mi

US $1193
Replaced left front axle, new CV shaft Clutch hose leaking, repaired Replaced timing belt, cam belt/pulleys and tensioners Right front inner axle and boot replaced, 
124900 mi Replaced right front axle and boot, warranty repair 
139700 mi

US $2000
Viscous coupler had failed, damaged the transfer gears and bearings 
144300 mi

US $200
Left front axle and CV 
63300 mi

US $500
Both front CV boots had split. Notice burning smell that turned out to be grease from the joint dripping on the cat. It was cheaper to replace the whole axle rather than just the boots. 
97000 mi

US $1500
The clutch went out. This might be considered a wear item, however normally I get ~150k out of a clutch easy. It turned out that the throw out bearing went out, and that is what trashed the clutch, so it was not really a maintenance trip. Clutch cost $500 just for parts. I took it to a hot-rod shop rather than a dealer but that may have been a mistake. They ended up draining the transmission oil, which is not supposed to be necessary, and they had to remove the front drive shafts, which I am not sure is necessary either. 
2000 mi A "humming" noise was detected at 40-45 mph during new car test drive. Driveshaft, bearings, and finally the (manual) transmission replaced under warranty. Noise was eliminated. 
45000 mi

US $225
CV joint covers replaced due to rips in them. 
50202 mi

US $894
Replaced passenger side drive axle due to torn boot on upper end. 

Return to top

2009 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

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

67000 mi

US $330
axle boot cracked, replaced 
67000 mi other axle boot may be in danger of cracking - not sure. 
85801 mi

US $743
Car ceased to shift in gears and froze/died. Shop car was towed to said front axle repaired one side and upon pick up their was a noticeable vibration in front end. Return=hard acceleration&vibrations safe to drive left side axle rear Vibration on front end estimate and finding was spark plug issue say fixed same issue front axle replacement forward -estimate 
86000 mi this shop took out drive axle and replaced found no difference in vibration on acecleration, took out replaced drivetrain , put old one back in and was at loss as to cause 
110000 mi

US $2300
AT at temperature indicator light flashing. subsequent diagnosis revealed transmission failing per mechanic. recommendation is to replace transmission with a used transmission. 
103000 mi

US $500
I went in for an oil change, found the CV shaft boots were torn, had both shafts replaced with remanufactured Subaru half shafts. 
142000 mi

US $250
Left inner CV joint had a tear in it, replaced the boot and new grease in it. 
53000 mi

US $140
Both CV front boots (inner and outer) were leaking and needed to be replaced. These were not covered under extended warranty. Dealer quoted $720 for repairs. I didn't have $720 at that moment, but dealer indicated I had time, but not much. I ended up doing it myself for all-in about $260 and pretty much all of a Sunday. It would not have been that bad on the time but one of the axles REFUSED to come out without a lot of effort and swearing. 
107000 mi oil leaking from passenger side front boot. Not brought for repair yet. This car continues to have repair issues. Undecided as to what to do - car is a lemon. 
50900 mi

US $800
Boots on both axles ripped near engine. This is a design flaw: heat gets them. Both axles were relaced 
48140 mi

C $250
Clunky shift when cold. Flushed tranny. 
62000 mi clunk on first shift when engine cold 
17000 mi Leak from left axle side O-ring and axle seal. Replaced left axle retainer O-ring and axle seal under warranty. 
91000 mi I had to change an axle due to a torn inner CV boot. I replaced it with a non-Subaru axle. It was from A1 Cardone. Feburary 2012: I am going to replace it again because of vibrations from the axle from time to time. 
63500 mi Right Inner CV Boot torn. Replaced. Left Inner CV Boot Torn. Replaced. 
31620 mi

C $1711
front R boot torn; front L boot weeping. Replaced both axles complete. Also did rotors and pads on all 4 corners (included in cost) 
33480 mi

C $350
CV joints causing severe vibrations. Replaced both front axles with aftermarket HD axles, and I paid an upcharge for the price difference ($300) 
87700 mi

US $350
cv boot 
152500 mi

US $600
Left front CV axle was replaced. 
104000 mi

US $350
Found inner drivers front CV split at end of 1300 mile trip. Had dealer replace CV boot and service joint. Had only been split for short time no additional damage noted. 
109800 mi

US $300
Front passenger side inner CV boot failed 
127000 mi

US $470
Brakes, tires, and rear cv boot 
163700 mi

US $300
Replace Drivers side front axle, boot torn, sand ingress. 
74300 mi

US $248
Took vehicle to dealer for left front doj boot replacement, oil change, and rear window wiper replacement. 
76000 mi

US $248
Right front doj boot separated on the way to the dealer. Grease was slung onto the exhaust system causing smoke to pour from under right side of car at red lights. Dealer had it fixed within 2 hours. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.

2009 Subaru Outback Transmission 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 2009 Subaru Outback problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.