2006 Subaru Outback vs 2008 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2006 Subaru Outback | 2008 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 276 | 226 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 8 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 200 | 198 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 12 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–22 | 20–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 95,740 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Outback | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 39 | 104 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 98 | 6 |
| Electrical System | 42 | 34 |
| Engine | 43 | 14 |
| Suspension | 37 | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 16 | 30 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 29 | 3 |
| Power Train | 17 | 12 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 94 | 9 |
| Loss of power | 27 | 0 |
| Stalling | 11 | 11 |
| Rust / corrosion | 10 | 20 |
| Airbag warning light | 7 | 50 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 8 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 8 |
2006 Subaru Outback
2008 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Outback vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.