2009 Subaru Outback MPG
EPA ratings for the 2009 Subaru Outback run from 17–20 mpg in town to 24–27 on the highway, or 20–22 combined, depending on which of its 5 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and all-wheel drive, at 22 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 20 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2008 model.
| 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 | 20 | 27 | 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 |
2009 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 2009 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.
2009 Subaru Outback specs
2009 Subaru Outback buyers could choose between 3 engines, according to EPA records: 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. The EPA classes it as a sport utility vehicle.
| 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 |
2009 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 2009 Subaru Outback with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Air bags are the most-reported area (21% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (16%) and engine (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 5.9 complaints a year: fewer than the 2008 (12 a year) and the 2010 (21 a year).
It has the fewest complaints per year on sale of any Subaru Outback model year from 2008 to 2024.
Of the 106, 1 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 2 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 30 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 16% |
| Engine | 15 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 7% |
| Power train | 8 | 6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 5% |
| Suspension | 6 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Structure | 5 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 3 | 2% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Tires | 3 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Visibility | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Car stalling at stops. Received a report on all work done on this car stating issues with catalytic converter and that Subaru repaired before I bought the car. …
The rear hatch on this Outback won't lock. As a woman on her own, my safety is at risk. I have read of other people who have this issue and has been able to fix this on their own. …
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. …
2009 Subaru Outback recalls
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2009 Subaru Outback.
The most recent, campaign 20V001000 from January 2020, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 9 of the 13 campaigns, more than any other area.
18V014000 · January 9, 2018 · Air bags
Problem: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge.
17V026000 · January 11, 2017 · Air bags
Problem: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge.
| 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 |
| 18V012000 | January 9, 2018 | Air bags | 2009–2013 |
| 18V013000 | January 9, 2018 | Air bags | 2009–2010 |
| 17V014000 | January 10, 2017 | Air bags | 2009–2012 |
| 16V738000 | October 13, 2016 | Electrical system | 2008–2009 |
| 16V358000 | May 25, 2016 | Air bags | 2009–2011 |
| 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 2009 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 2009 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2009 Subaru Forester (22 mpg), 2009 Toyota Highlander (22 mpg) and 2009 Honda CR-V (23 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 |
| 2012 | 24 | 294 | 20 | 16 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2009 models
FAQ
Is the 2009 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2009 Subaru Outback has 5.9 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (the fewest of its 17 model years), 13 recall campaigns and up to 22 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2009 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (30), electrical system (23) and engine (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 13 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 2009 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 20–22 mpg combined (17–20 city, 24–27 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 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).