{"id":512531,"date":"2022-02-28T19:17:45","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T00:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T22:50:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T02:50:44","slug":"2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/","title":{"rendered":"2009 Subaru Outback Problems &#038; Reliability"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[258,605],"tags":[264,923,606],"class_list":["post-512531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-car","category-subaru","tag-264","tag-outback","tag-subaru"],"acf":{"sku":"","year":"","make":"","model":"","post_title":"","featured_image":null,"introduction":"","what_is_pcm_programming":"","signs_your_year_make_model_needs_pcm_programming":"","product_title":"","product_view_link":"","how_pcm_programming_works_for_year_make_model":"","engine_size":"","engine_size_1_url":"","engine_size_2":"","engine_size_2_url":"","description":"When it comes to versatile and reliable vehicles, the 2009 Subaru Outback often finds its way into the conversation. Known for its rugged design and all-wheel-drive capability, this model has been a popular choice for those who enjoy both city driving and off-road adventures. However, like any vehicle, the 2009 Outback is not without its quirks and issues. In this blog post, we'll delve into some of the common problems reported by owners and assess the overall reliability of this well-loved crossover.\n\nFor many 30-year-olds, the 2009 Subaru Outback represents a practical choice, offering a blend of performance, comfort, and utility. Whether you're considering purchasing a used model or are simply curious about its long-term dependability, understanding the potential pitfalls can help you make an informed decision. From engine concerns to transmission issues, we'll explore the key areas where this vehicle shines and where it might fall short, providing you with a comprehensive overview of what to expect from this iconic Subaru model.","body_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","body_analysis":"<p>No major Body Components problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","brake_system_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","brake_system_analysis":"<p>No major Brake System problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","heating_&_cooling_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","heating_&_cooling_analysis":"<p>No major Heating & Cooling problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","drivetrain_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","drivetrain_reported_analysis":"<p>No major Drivetrain problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","interior_electronics_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","interior_electronics_analysis":"<p>No major Interior Electronics problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","cooling_system_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","cooling_system_analysis":"<p>No major Cooling System problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","ignition_&_wiring_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","ignition_&_wiring_analysis":"<p>No major Ignition & Wiring problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","engine_repairs_reported_problems":"<ul><li>cooling system problems cause head gasket failure<\/li><\/ul>","engine_repairs_analysis":"<p>The 2009 Subaru Outback has had some issues with its cooling system, which can lead to head gasket failure. This problem can be a significant concern for owners, as it may result in costly repairs if not addressed promptly. Overall, while the Outback is generally reliable, it's important to keep an eye on the cooling system to avoid potential headaches.<\/p>","exhaust_system_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","exhaust_system_analysis":"<p>No major Exhaust System problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","fuel_&_emissions_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","fuel_&_emissions_analysis":"<p>No major Fuel & Emissions problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","onboard_electronics_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","onboard_electronics_analysis":"<p>No major Onboard & Powertrain Control Electronics problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","strange_sounds_&_leaks_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","strange_sounds_&_leaks_analysis":"<p>No major Strange Sounds & Leaks problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","exterior_finish_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","exterior_finish_analysis":"<p>No major Exterior Finish problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","suspension_&_steering_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","suspension_&_steering_analysis":"<p>No major Suspension & Steering problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","transmission_repairs_reported_problems":"<p>N\/A<\/p>","transmission_repairs_analysis":"<p>No major Transmission Repairs problems have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback.<\/p>","conclusion":"","image":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>2009 Subaru Outback Problems &amp; Reliability<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"2009 Subaru Outback reliability overview and engine computer (PCM\/ECM) warning signs to watch for.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2009 Subaru Outback Problems &amp; Reliability\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"2009 Subaru Outback reliability overview and engine computer (PCM\/ECM) warning signs to watch for.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Flagship One Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/flagshipone\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/flagshipone\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-03-01T00:17:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-25T02:50:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"FlagshipOne\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@theflagshipone\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@theflagshipone\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"FlagshipOne\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"FlagshipOne\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a3cf463514bd03eb7656953ef8f75700\"},\"headline\":\"2009 Subaru Outback Problems &#038; Reliability\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-03-01T00:17:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-25T02:50:44+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/\"},\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"2009\",\"outback\",\"Subaru\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Car\",\"Subaru\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/\",\"name\":\"2009 Subaru Outback Problems & Reliability\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-03-01T00:17:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-25T02:50:44+00:00\",\"description\":\"2009 Subaru Outback reliability overview and engine computer (PCM\\\/ECM) warning signs to watch for.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"2009 Subaru Outback Problems &#038; Reliability\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Flagship One Blog\",\"description\":\"Flagship One Inc. OEM Engine Computers  Control Modules\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Flagship One, Inc.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/06\\\/web-lg-fs1-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/06\\\/web-lg-fs1-logo.png\",\"width\":1341,\"height\":1098,\"caption\":\"Flagship One, Inc.\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/flagshipone\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/theflagshipone\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/flagship_one\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UC0oyKphffBM2qkJ-gKPmMXw\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a3cf463514bd03eb7656953ef8f75700\",\"name\":\"FlagshipOne\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/351b81e51993825aea73280c48061a7205fdd2189730ebbdee5d63894c5cebb4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/351b81e51993825aea73280c48061a7205fdd2189730ebbdee5d63894c5cebb4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/351b81e51993825aea73280c48061a7205fdd2189730ebbdee5d63894c5cebb4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"FlagshipOne\"},\"description\":\"The world's top supplier of programmed OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Powertrain Control Modules (PCM), Engine Control Modules (ECM), Injection Control Modules (IDM), Body Control Modules (BCM), Transmission Control Modules (TCM), Engine Control Units and all other car control units. With over a decade in the business, we are the most reliable source when it comes to programming services for replacement engine control modules.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/flagshipone\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/flagship_one\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/fs1inc\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.fs1inc.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/flagship1inc\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"2009 Subaru Outback Problems & Reliability","description":"2009 Subaru Outback reliability overview and engine computer (PCM\/ECM) warning signs to watch for.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"2009 Subaru Outback Problems & Reliability","og_description":"2009 Subaru Outback reliability overview and engine computer (PCM\/ECM) warning signs to watch for.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/","og_site_name":"Flagship One Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/flagshipone","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/flagshipone\/","article_published_time":"2022-03-01T00:17:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-25T02:50:44+00:00","author":"FlagshipOne","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@theflagshipone","twitter_site":"@theflagshipone","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"FlagshipOne"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/"},"author":{"name":"FlagshipOne","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a3cf463514bd03eb7656953ef8f75700"},"headline":"2009 Subaru Outback Problems &#038; Reliability","datePublished":"2022-03-01T00:17:45+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-25T02:50:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/"},"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#organization"},"keywords":["2009","outback","Subaru"],"articleSection":["Car","Subaru"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/","url":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/","name":"2009 Subaru Outback Problems & Reliability","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2022-03-01T00:17:45+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-25T02:50:44+00:00","description":"2009 Subaru Outback reliability overview and engine computer (PCM\/ECM) warning signs to watch for.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/2009-subaru-outback-problems-reliability\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"2009 Subaru Outback Problems &#038; Reliability"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/","name":"Flagship One Blog","description":"Flagship One Inc. OEM Engine Computers  Control Modules","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Flagship One, Inc.","url":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/web-lg-fs1-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/web-lg-fs1-logo.png","width":1341,"height":1098,"caption":"Flagship One, Inc."},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/flagshipone","https:\/\/x.com\/theflagshipone","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/flagship_one","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC0oyKphffBM2qkJ-gKPmMXw"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a3cf463514bd03eb7656953ef8f75700","name":"FlagshipOne","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/351b81e51993825aea73280c48061a7205fdd2189730ebbdee5d63894c5cebb4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/351b81e51993825aea73280c48061a7205fdd2189730ebbdee5d63894c5cebb4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/351b81e51993825aea73280c48061a7205fdd2189730ebbdee5d63894c5cebb4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"FlagshipOne"},"description":"The world's top supplier of programmed OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Powertrain Control Modules (PCM), Engine Control Modules (ECM), Injection Control Modules (IDM), Body Control Modules (BCM), Transmission Control Modules (TCM), Engine Control Units and all other car control units. With over a decade in the business, we are the most reliable source when it comes to programming services for replacement engine control modules.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/flagshipone\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/flagship_one\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/fs1inc"],"url":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/author\/flagship1inc\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/512531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=512531"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/512531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":515506,"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/512531\/revisions\/515506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=512531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=512531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fs1inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=512531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}