CarRecallWatchThe 2009 Subaru Outback has 13 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash, 3 fires, 2 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (30 reports).
2009 Subaru Outback recalls
Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Some vehicles had their passenger frontal airbag inflators replaced under an earlier recall, but the replacement inflators use the same design.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags
The ignition switch on these vehicles may have a ball spring inside that can break, weakening the switch.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a crash
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain vehicles may explode when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Certain 2009 Subaru vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that may rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture and spray metal fragments
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain Subaru vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments at occupants
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Relay can fail, causing pump overheating and fire risk
A relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, spraying metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Most common 2009 Subaru Outback problems
Problem areas named in the 106 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 30 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
What owners report
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front headlights became inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the daytime running light module needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the part needed to do the repair was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
I purchased fuel injectors from Ebay on 5/25/2026 who guaranteed direct replacement fit for my specific vehicle. The injectors failed within a few days of use causing a catastrophic fire and total loss of vehicle on 6/3/2026
The airbag light stays on all the time.
airbag light is on.
The contact owned a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle had failed to accelerate above 60 MPH without warning. The contact soon began to notice heavy white smoke in her rear-view mirror as the smoke quickly spread to the front end of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over, grabbed vital items, and exited the vehicle. The contact called 911 as flames quickly engulfed the vehicle, and a deputy who witnessed the fire pulled over to assist the contact. The fire department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact sustained emotional distress as a result of the accident but did not seek medical attention. The contact was no
2009 Subaru Outback questions
Does the 2009 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls for the 2009 Subaru Outback: Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel; Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Outback?
Based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (30), Electrical System (23), Engine (15).
How do I check if a recall on my 2009 Subaru Outback has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.