Suspension
Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.
What Owners Say
"Ball joints and axles replaced when car became dangerous to drive"
Anthony A., RI (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Frustrated that all ball joints have had to be replaced. Not an issue with the 4 prior Subaru we've had in past, all similar aged."
Anonymous, IA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Lower control arm bushings wore out at 80,000 miles, as well as stabilizer bar end links and bushings"
Anonymous, NJ (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"All bushings on undercarriage were worn and replaced. Vehicle handles very well now."
John M., MA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Needed replacement"
Anonymous, ME (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Our power steering screeched and sounded strained in cold and warm weather (though worse in winter)"
Anonymous, RI (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Dealer claimed leak in steering gear assembly. $1200 to replace. Skeptical"
Thomas L., CA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Leak in ps unit caused severe shuddering especially when in reverse near end of steering arc"
Arthur F., VA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Leaking hosr"
Bill M., MD (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The auxiliary belt started to whine, so I took it in and they said that there was a leak in my steering system, They replaced the whole system, and then said that the system would have air in it. I filled the power steering fluid about 12 times befor"
Anonymous, VA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Pump failed. Had to replace."
Anonymous, NC (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Same issue as described before. Issue was actually the pump"
Arthur F., VA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I had to replace the power sterring pump"
Anonymous, NV (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The last time we took the car in for the routine oil change I asked them to look for other issues which I told them about. They found said that our transmissions and power steering were leaking into our oil. They had to replace the power steering pump and did about 2,000.00 worth of work to the car"
Anonymous, UT (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Poor drive with odd noise"
Anonymous, NY (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Same comment as I made for the wheel bearings. My previous Subarus have gone way past 200K miles before needing strut replacements. I can only guess that Subaru, in this 2009 model, used parts suppliers with inadequate quality standards. My 2001 Outack now has 230,000+ miles, and I've not had to replace a single strut."
Richard B., MD (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Erratic unusual noise from front end of car...mechanic said it was a typical damage done by hitting too many pot holes.."
Anonymous, MA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"replaced struts/problem resolved"
Anonymous, NY (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Struts were worn out, normal wear, ride of car was bumpy"
Robert I., OH (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"leaking rear shocks - struts replaced"
Anonymous, NS (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"replace both left and right due to aage"
Anonymous, NY (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"left front axle and related components needed replacing because of worn/torn axle boot - at about 168,000 miles cost about $1,000.00"
Anonymous, PA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"CV joint boots split. Track arm linkage and bushings replaced. Trailing arm bushings replaced."
John M., MA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I've had to replace the steering mechanism in this vehicle twice. The first was shortly after the ridiculously short warranty period of 30k miles and again around 130k. When discussing with the dealer, they dismissed my concern and indicated that all parts have issues."
Anonymous, VA (2009 Subaru Outback 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"Problem caught by Subaru mechanic before it became serious."
Anonymous, NY (2009 Subaru Outback 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"inner boot on both right and left front axles leaked grease profusely. Mechanic recommended replacing axles as well as both inner and outer boots since additional cost was minimal and likelihood of outer boot failure was high using old axles"
James P., CA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Steering was stiff, inconsistent effort..improved with more use. Electric assist."
Anonymous, AB (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Steering wheel vibration caused by worn out bushings and end links"
Anonymous, NJ (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"We had vibrations and shimmying multiple times during the year. Only on the 3rd balancing, with the power steering fluid leak repaired did we have long-lasting relief"
Anonymous, RI (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Once I was told that there was leakage of the fluid and other time that it was because of the brakes"
Anonymous, MO (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"At higher speeds above 60 MPH slight vibration"
Anonymous, PA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Worn belt and misaligned pulleys"
Charles N., CA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I suspect this steering wheel vibration was due to CV joints that we needed to have replaced."
Andrew L., WA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"loosened up with clunking sound. Fixed at Subaru dealer at my cost"
Anonymous, WI (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Was making a grinding noise, and was potentially dangerous, however the total cost of repair was covered by the warrantee"
Anonymous, ME (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Rear passenger side wheel bearing was worn and had to be replaced"
Anonymous, MI (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Both Front Wheel Bearings had to be replaced at 76,000 km.There was too much play and when driving they created a rough knocking sound"
Anonymous, ON (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Both front wheel bearings have been changed in this car. One about 12 months after I got the car and the second summer 2014. Also bushings had to be changed on the front"
Anonymous, QC (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The previous Subarus I have own (as well as my 2008 Ford Focus) have gone well over 200K miles without having any wheel bearing problems. This 2009 Outback has now had all 4 wheel bearings replaced in the last year. To me this indicates that Subaru has backed off on quality management."
Richard B., MD (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"2 wheel bearings needed replacing. But considering I have over 200k miles on the car that isn't so bad."
Anonymous, PA (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Loud noise when driving, had to have all of the wheel bearings replaced"
Anonymous, TX (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Two wheel bearings have failed. One replaced by the dealer for about $400. I replaced the other for about $75."
Anonymous, OH (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Rust penetration of left rear wheel bearing"
Anonymous, NC (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"With previous Toyotas and Hondas not a single bearing had to be replaced. It's been five times with the Subaru"
James B., QC (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Increasing wheel bearing noise - two wheels required replacement"
Anonymous, NS (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
"Our alignment went out but it is readily fixable. However the cost is more than most alignment jobs due to the all wheel suspension...or so they tell us. Love the car overall"
Anonymous, ID (2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)