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 electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (9%)

$500 - $999 (4%)

$100 - $499 (30%)

< $100 (57%)

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Chart based on 47 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Subaru Outback

Engine not specified

62000 mi

US $279
Faulty electric seat adjustment. Replaced switch. 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

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

111000 mi Audio would make switch randomly and by itself. We took it apart and found that the circuit board dirty. After cleaning the contacts with isopropyl alcohol the problems were fixed. 
82000 mi Power seat switch failing 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

71980 mi

C $100
trunk was not locking - electrical failure. 
86800 mi had a short in my position lights circuit. they fixed it and replaced the fuse. 
120900 mi rear defrost fixed - rewelded 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

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

132302 mi

£350
Head lamp levelling sensor 
135000 mi

£512
Condenser and pipe replaced together with recharge 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

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

100000 mi

US $100
Fuel gauge dropped to E suddenly.Then check engine, S Drive ABS lights came on. Dealer got CEL P0463 fuel level sensor. Diagnose as per service manual, system has returned to normal, could reproduce condition. Fingers crossed expensive job. 
62000 mi

¤1500
There were leaks in the system. So parts had to be replaced. 
53000 mi

US $375
Radio amplifier went out. 
83000 mi

US $1599
A/C compressor was making a loud noise. Bearings going out. Replaced A/C compressor and recharged the system. 
91300 mi

US $465
Radio amplifier went out. Installed new OEM radio from Panasonic. 
151000 mi Rear wiper would not park properly 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

15000 mi Airbag warning light came on.  
123300 mi

US $350
Airbag dash light stayed dash. Faulty sensor and bulb but had to take a lot apart in order to repair. 
100000 mi

US $20
Map light console electrical failure, indicating an airbag error for passenger side. Bought a soldering iron for $20 and fixed the cracked solder joint at the root of the problem. Dealer had wanted $350 for an entire new console. 
64700 mi

US $50
both tail lights were out, replaced bulbs, not sure if they went out one at a time because I didn't know about it until I got a ticket for both being out 
53000 mi

US $150
I killed the 4-yr old battery by leaving key in and accessory on for 3 hours. It would jump start but then drain overnight. 
71000 mi

US $150
Water on passenger side floor mat when A/C was operating. Subaru dealer charged $150 for inspection and applied it all to clearing out clogged A/C drain tube. Airbag light flashing intermittently on main panel codes 26 & S8 overhead pass airbag ctrl mod shorting out dlr replaced. I paid for it & complained to Subaru Corp, they promised to reimburse me. Filed complaint w/NHTSA bc common problem. Water on passenger side floor mat when A/C was operating. Subaru dealer charged $150 for inspection and applied it all to clearing out clogged A/C drain tube. 

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2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

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

63500 mi

US $120
Replaced battery 
80000 mi

US $244
Air bag light on. Replaced Upper Air Bag Module & Lamp Assy Map 
106148 mi

US $130
R&R Radio/Heater Control Panel - checked power, ground circuits (OK) Tightened power wire connector 
126000 mi

US $320
2 Fixes: 1-Replaced radio/audio/climate control center unit with a refurbished one bought by car owner ($235 of the total), after extended intermittent cutting in and out.  
127720 mi

C $82
Took me about 30 minutes to replace high/low beam headlights. Dielectric grease on all electric contacts. 
68200 mi Reversing lights not working, also due for 6 month service 
72200 mi

US $2000
Blower motor and regulator 
80100 mi

US $201
Dealer replaced airbag sensor for drivers seat. 
5000 mi Rearview mirror was not dimming in dark. Came to have rearview mirror changed out b/c it was not dimming in the dark like it was supposed to. 
49100 mi Diagnosed front passenger airbag is not sensing. Light is on continually. I do not think they diagnosed accurately. We have had a continuous problem with electrical on passenger side of car. Rear passenger side door does not auto lock too. 
51300 mi

US $600
Changed out blown headlight Radio shows it is on but won't work at all, no sound comes out. If I hit a bump sometimes the radio BLARES OUT sound and then comes off again. Must be a loose wire? 
78000 mi Radio/CD player does not turn on nor off except by itself when I hit a bump sometimes randomly. They took out the radio. checked it, says it works and gave me back car but there is still no sound coming out of it, but it does turn on/off. Rear bulb keeps blowing out. Replaced AGAIN, when it was replaced in December. 
30000 mi GPS Nav screen developed lines - has to be replaced - ordered but not yet installed 
40700 mi Body wiring harness to window controls was crimped. 
46500 mi

C $450
Alternator failed- taking out the battery with it. 
59520 mi FWD mode not engaging with spare tire fuse installed-always AWD. Wiring discrepancy undetermined. 
6800 mi Warranty - homeLink mirror failed 
30000 mi New stop light switch. 
77700 mi

US $50
If car was started with someone in passenger seat, the Airbag light on the dash would illuminate. Turning the car off and restarting would clear the problem. 
6000 mi AC Condenser began dumping water into front passenger footwell. AC drain cleared. 
21000 mi TPMS light indicates error in system on long trips (has done so since car was new). Dealer unable to identify problem or any stored codes. 
32000 mi Continuing unresolved problem with blanking audio/climate screens resolved with replacement of center stack screens. 
58000 mi The TPMS system still had a (very) intermittent problem. On occasion, it would indicate a problem on long trips even though none existed. The dealer never replicated the problem, and it was not enough of an issue for me to continue pressing them on it. 
12000 mi Water from a.c. was leaking into passenger floor area. The vent was plugged, so the repair just involved blowing out the plugged line to clear out accumulated debris. 
15000 mi Console clock skews one minute fast every one week. Problem went away after the clock was replaced. 
76000 mi

US $45
remote starter wouldn't hold programing remote starter failed to work again 

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2008 Subaru Outback Electrical 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.