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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2007 Subaru OutbackRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 130 owner complaints for the 2007 Subaru Outback. Most complaints involve air bags (47) and electrical system (20). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
130
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V003000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

130 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2006 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags47
  2. Electrical system20
  3. Vehicle speed control17
  4. Engine15
  5. Suspension14
  6. Power train9
  7. Service brakes6
  8. Steering6
  9. Exterior lighting6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Outback model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005273
2006281
2007130
2008230
2009112
2010360
2011653
2012295
2013297
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017921
2018816
20191,036
2020905
2021299
2022465
202389
20242
202583
202621
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

47 reports5 crashes
“I purchased this 2007 Subaru Outback for my daughter after checking Subaru's official recalls website. That site listed Takata recall WQR-53 as completed [XXX]. My independent Subaru-certified mechanic diagnosed code 72 on the passenger airbag circuit and referred me to Don K Subaru in Whitefish, noting that the master technician there had trained him on the recall procedure. Don K installed Subaru test harness P on that circuit. Code 72 cleared, and the technician's written conclusion was that the inflator needs replaced. I opened case [XXX] with Subaru Customer Advocacy. Across two emails, their representative Tyler gave two different completion dates: [XXX], then [XXX]. He later admitted the first date was only the recall's effective date. Subaru's public website still displays [XXX]. I have asked twice, in writing, for the part number of the inflator that was installed and whether it was an interim Takata unit or the final non-Takata remedy. Subaru has not answered. A safety-critical airbag inflator throwing a failure code after a recall repair is not something I can accept as closed. I'm filing this complaint because Subaru's own records cannot agree on…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Air bagsODI 11773015

Electrical system

20 reports
“All rear lights, rear hatch lock, brake lights all failed due to wiring going from the body to the hatch getting cut from the action of opening and closing the hatch door. This seems to be a pretty common thing with at least the 2005-2007 models years.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2021Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11442367

Vehicle speed control

17 reports
“AS I'M DRIVING MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND CRUISE CONTROL GETS DISCONNECTED ONE DAY IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT DAY IT WON'T”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2020Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 11348382
All 2007 Outback problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S4) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outback AWD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Outback Wagon AWD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Outback Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Outback Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182421$3,800423
Outback AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172320$4,000444
Outback Wagon AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172320$4,000444
Outback Wagon AWD
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172420$4,000444
  • Outback AWD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Outback AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Subaru Outback as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 2126Vehicle 2111
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Outback questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Subaru Outback have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Subaru Outback problems?

Owners filed 130 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (47), electrical system (20), vehicle speed control (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Subaru Outback get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Subaru Outback at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026