2008 Subaru Outback Service and Repair Manual

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Factory-Grade Data

2008 Subaru Outback service and repair manual — a detailed, factory-style reference for maintenance, diagnostics, and repair. Use it to confirm correct procedures, specifications, and system coverage before you start work.

Designed for technicians and DIY owners, this manual helps you diagnose issues correctly, follow proven repair steps, and use wiring diagrams and system sections to track faults faster.

What’s included

  • Step-by-step repair procedures and service information
  • Specifications and reference data (where provided)
  • Electrical diagnostics with wiring diagrams
  • Coverage across major systems: engine, transmission/driveline, brakes, steering, suspension, HVAC, and more

Trims covered

  • Touring Wagon 4-Door
  • Premier Wagon 4-Door
  • 3.0 R Wagon 4-Door
  • R L.L. Bean Edition Wagon 4-Door
  • Limited Wagon 4-Door
  • 2.5i Limited L.L. Bean Edition Wagon 4-Door
  • 2.5i Limited Wagon 4-Door
  • XT Limited Wagon 4-Door
  • Base Wagon 4-Door
  • 2.5i Wagon 4-Door
  • XT Wagon 4-Door
  • 2.5 XT Wagon 4-Door
  • 2.5i L.L. Bean Edition Wagon 4-Door

Engines covered

  • 2.5L 2458CC H4 GAS SOHC Naturally Aspirated
  • 3.0L 3000CC H6 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated
  • 2.5L 2458CC H4 GAS DOHC Turbocharged

Index / Table of contents

  • Body
  • Brakes
  • Chassis Electrical
  • Driveline
  • Engine Cooling
  • Engine Electrical
  • Engine Mechanical
  • Engine Performance & Emission Controls
  • Fuel System
  • General Information & Identification
  • Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning
  • Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Systems
  • Steering
  • Suspension
  • Transmission, Clutch, & Transfer Case
  • Wiring Diagrams

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Vehicle Safety Data

2008 Subaru Outback Recalls & Complaints

NHTSA #13V11000027/03/2013Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, A

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illino

Consequence

Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distance

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is obse

NHTSA #16V73800013/10/2016Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-c

Consequence

If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of

NHTSA #19V29700011/04/2019Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-20

Consequence

The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition swit

NHTSA #20V00200002/01/2020Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 or

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants res

Remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the

NHTSA #20V00100002/01/2020Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 vehicle

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants res

Remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the

NHTSA #20V00300002/01/2020Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 vehicl

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants res

Remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the

TSB #11032040

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

TSB #11032039

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

TSB #11032035

This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.

TSB #11032034

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

TSB #11030567

This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully

TSB #11030561

This announcement provides information on the use of aftermarket services or tools for programming immobilizer keys/fobs.

TSB #11030560

This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.

TSB #11030557

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Showing the 8 most recent of 195 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.

20160518Component: SEATSCrash reported2 injured

IN DECEMBER, 2015 I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH A DRIVER DIDN'T SEE THAT TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIT ME FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH SPEED (APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH). I W

20091119Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTALCrash reported1 injured

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INTERSECTION ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER CAR. THE IMPACT WAS QUITE SEVER AND THE DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $11,000. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE

20090604Component: SEAT BELTSCrash reported1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE CONTACT

20090515Component: SEAT BELTSCrash reported1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESTRAINT. SHE STRUCK HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH

20210819Component: SERVICE BRAKESCrash reported

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH and attempting to make a turn downhill, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond, causing the vehicle to c

Showing the 5 most serious of 277 complaints filed with NHTSA.

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