2008 Subaru Forester 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 | 2008 Subaru Forester | 2008 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 50 | 226 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 8 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 149 | 198 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 12 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–22 | 20–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 89,450 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 6 | 104 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 34 |
| Service Brakes | 0 | 30 |
| Suspension | 11 | 12 |
| Engine | 7 | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 15 |
| Power Train | 2 | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 6 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 20 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 9 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 50 |
| Stalling | 0 | 11 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 8 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 8 |
2008 Subaru Forester
2008 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Forester 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.