Subaru

Impreza/Outback SPT

Small Station Wagons · model years 2003 to 2009

See all 30 Impreza/Outback SPT trims All Subaru cars

The verdict

Best year: 2006. complaints: 56, below this model's typical 75; recalls: 10, above this model's typical 9.

Worst year: 2008. complaints: 176, about 1.9x this model's typical 94; recalls: 14, about 1.6x this model's typical 9.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Subaru Impreza/Outback SPT
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
2003	4Gas	20.5	$3,400	6	62	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 20%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 20%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19%
complaints: 62, below this model's typical 75 recalls: 6, below this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	4Gas	20.5	$3,400	8	96	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22%, SUSPENSION 16%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 96, above this model's typical 75 recalls: 8, below this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 52 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	4Gas	21	$3,350	6	75	SUSPENSION 18%, AIR BAGS 13%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 75, in line with this model's typical 75 recalls: 6, below this model's typical 9 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	4Gas	21	$3,350	10	56	AIR BAGS 29%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%, POWER TRAIN 10%
complaints: 56, below this model's typical 75 recalls: 10, above this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	4Gas	21.5	$3,250	9	68	AIR BAGS 33%, ENGINE 10%, POWER TRAIN 10%
complaints: 68, below this model's typical 75 recalls: 9, in line with this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	5Gas	22	$3,500	14	176	POWER TRAIN 25%, AIR BAGS 15%, STRUCTURE 10%
complaints: 176, about 1.9x this model's typical 94 recalls: 14, about 1.6x this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 19 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	5Gas	21	$3,650	14	104	POWER TRAIN 20%, STRUCTURE 15%, SERVICE BRAKES 9%
complaints: 104, above this model's typical 94 recalls: 14, about 1.6x this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 49 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2003: 20.5 to 2009: 21

Owner complaints2003: 62 to 2009: 104

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Subaru Impreza/Outback SPT to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.