2008 Subaru Outback MPG
Across its 5 EPA-rated versions, the 2008 Subaru Outback returns 17–20 mpg city, 24–26 highway and 20–22 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and all-wheel drive, at 22 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and all-wheel drive manages 20 mpg combined, 2 mpg less.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium · 444 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium · 444 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Premium · 444 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on premium gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $5.36 a gallon, the 2008 Subaru Outback costs about $4,020 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (20 mpg combined), or roughly 27 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Subaru Outback specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2008 Subaru Outback: 2.5 L 4-cyl, 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0 L 6-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, with all-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Manual 5-spd; Automatic (S4) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 2.5 L turbo | 4 | Manual 5-spd; Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.0 L | 6 | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2008 Subaru Outback problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 226 owner complaints about the 2008 Subaru Outback.
Air bags are the most-reported area (37% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (12%) and service brakes (11%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 12 complaints a year: more than the 2009 (5.9 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 226, 12 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 5 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 104 | 37% |
| Electrical system | 34 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 30 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 5% |
| Engine | 14 | 5% |
| Power train | 12 | 4% |
| Suspension | 12 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 2% |
| Structure | 6 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 2% |
| Steering | 5 | 2% |
| Wheels | 5 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Seats | 1 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The dash pad in the 2005 to 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback models have a very common problem of deteriorating to where they become sticky and then sections start cracking and falling off. …
Unknown why car sparked & ignited. Car was driven to grocery store 5min away then sat for approx. 2hrs before catching fire.
When depressing brakes in driveway pedal went to the floor and brake fluid went all over driveway and car struggled to stop. Upon inspection the junction in picture was heavily corroded and when brake line failed. …
2008 Subaru Outback recalls
The 2008 Subaru Outback has been the subject of 8 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 20V001000 from January 2020, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 4 of the 8 campaigns, more than any other area.
15V323000 · May 28, 2015 · Air bags
Problem: The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V001000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V002000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V003000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 19V297000 | April 11, 2019 | Electrical system | 2008–2014 |
| 16V738000 | October 13, 2016 | Electrical system | 2008–2009 |
| 14V311000 | June 10, 2014 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2008–2009 |
| 13V110000 | March 27, 2013 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2008–2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2008 Subaru Outback, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door Wagon with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2008 Subaru Forester (22 mpg), 2008 Honda CR-V (23 mpg) and 2008 Ford Escape (24 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 22 | 226 | 12 | 8 |
| 2009 | 22 | 106 | 5.9 | 13 |
| 2010 | 24 | 360 | 21 | 18 |
| 2011 | 24 | 653 | 41 | 16 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Subaru Outback has 12 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th most of 17 model years), 8 recall campaigns and up to 22 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (104), electrical system (34) and service brakes (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 20–22 mpg combined (17–20 city, 24–26 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Outback per year?
About $4,020 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average premium gasoline price of $5.36 a gallon (EIA).