8 Most Common Subaru Outback Problems (Explained) - Engine Patrol (2023)

FAQs

Do Subaru Outbacks have engine problems? ›

According to CarComplaints.com, the Outback's worst problems are excessive oil consumption, transmission failure, and a fragile windshield. CarComplaints claims that the 2013 model year is the worst model because of engine issues. After 2018 the number of Subaru Outback complaints consistently decreased.

Transmission issues are the most common problem in Subarus, but defective airbags, faulty fuel pumps, weak windshield, and electrical issues are also known to happen. Subaru has long had a reputation for manufacturing extremely reliable vehicles—and that reputation is certainly well earned.

If I decide on an Outback, which one should I buy? The standard 2.5-liter engine is adequate for daily use, but if you're looking to have a bit of fun in the Outback, the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine is the best choice. It's a closer match to the standard V6 options offered among rivals.

2019 is one of the best used Subaru Outback SUV years

The reliability and owner satisfaction scores were both above-average. Areas that are reliability trouble spots for some vehicles, such as the engine, transmission, and drive system, all received high marks as well.

The Subaru Outback is a reliable, durable vehicle that can last between 250,000 to 300,000 miles when properly maintained and driven conservatively. Based on an annual mileage of 15,000 miles a year, this equates to 16 – 20 years of service before requiring expensive repairs or breaking down.

Subaru Head Gasket Problem Years – First Round

The first group is specific to the 1st gen EJ25D 2.5 liter engine found mainly in the Legacy, Legacy Outback, Forester and the Impreza from 1996 to 1999. These engines suffered from internal head gasket leaks.

Subaru timing belts need to be replaced after seven years or 105,000 miles; whichever comes first.

Engine Oil Leaks Due to Faulty Head Gasket

One of the most common engine issues Subaru owners have dealt with has to do with faulty head gaskets. The issues spanned across a few models for a period of about five years. There were two rounds of head gasket problems.

With major redesigns leading to extensive safety recalls for multiple models, 2009 and 2013 are the top two Subaru years to avoid. The Subaru name is synonymous with reliability, robust performance, and the love that goes into each car.

Why Subaru Engines FAIL - YouTube

What is the most reliable Subaru model? ›

The Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester rank highly for long-term reliability, and the brand scores above average for value retention."

A modern Subaru 2.5L engine should have no problem lasting over 200,000 miles as long as you take care of it. There are plenty of 2.5L engines that have lasted over 300,000 miles as well when owners have done the regular maintenance on them such as oil changes, spark plug changes, and coolant changes.

"The Outback's standard 2.5-liter flat-4, with 182 horsepower, provides satisfactory acceleration, even when there's a pair of passengers in back." "Our test vehicle, an Outback Limited with the base four-cylinder engine, accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds.

The Outback's base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that puts out 175 horsepower. It has ample power for day-to-day driving but feels weak if you have a lot of people or cargo with you. The available 3.6-liter six-cylinder puts out 256 horsepower and feels stronger than the base engine.

Subaru Outback Reliability Rating Breakdown. The Subaru Outback Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 10th out of 26 for midsize SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $607 which means it has average ownership costs.

The Subaru Outback - The famous Subaru Outback offers up to 26 MPG city and up to 33 MPG highway with its all-wheel-drive powertrain.

Subarus are moderately easy to work on. Repairs such as alternators, radiators, and batteries are very easy and straightforward. However, repairs such as spark plugs, head gaskets, and any sort of internal engine work would prove to be difficult and more challenging.

According to Subaru, 97% of vehicles sold in the last decade are still on the road today. The Subaru has maintained its reputation as a long-lasting vehicle.

Overall, Toyotas are more reliable than Subarus. They have consistently won more distinctions and awards across all models and have higher scores with both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power.

Many Subaru consumers have experienced issues with their CVT transmission and would not give it a thumbs up for reliability, but the issues associated with Subaru's CVT seem to be isolated to a span of about five years.

What year did Subaru stop having head gasket problems? ›

After 2009, newer models using the EL25 2.5-liter engine should have far fewer head gasket problems because Subaru started using a multi-layered steel cylinder-head gasket. Starting in 2012, reports say the Japanese automaker redesigned the 2.5-liter engine in the Forester and Outback and has fixed the problem.

A head gasket repair cost averages roughly between $1,600 and $2,000. This amount breaks down to: Parts costing around $700 – $800.

A number of Subaru models are affected, however the most common failures include the 2.5 Liter SOHC engine used in the late 1999-2004, Forester, Impreza, Outback and Legacy. Signs and symptoms of engine head gasket failure include: Engine overheating.

Belts themselves aren't that expensive. The real cost is in the labor, because a lot of parts need to be disassembled to get to the belt. Shopping around to get a few quotes is your best bet to get the best deal, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $409 to $919 (including parts and labor).

Subaru engines in particular are interference engines meaning that if the timing belt breaks, the valves and pistons may collide and cause serious damage to these components. When this happens the repair can cost thousand dollars and in a worst case scenario, a new engine may be required.

Most Subaru engines can be expected to last through 200,000 miles before needing significant maintenance or repairs. Forbes recently listed the Subaru Forester as one of the ten most likely models to run over 250,000 miles.

Are Subaru models oil guzzlers? Mechanics Direct recognizes a few reasons a car might consume more oil than normal. There can be a problem with gaskets and seals that lead to leaks or worn piston rings that allow excess oil to seep into the chamber.

Subaru Fuel Pump Recall

(Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The worst model years of the Outback are 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2011, 2006, and 2005. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.

Which Subaru is best in snow? ›

In a recent iSeeCars report, Subaru was among the best brands for driving in snow, with the 2022 Outback ranked number one, and 2022 Forester number three in the SUV category. The 2022 Impreza and 2022 Legacy were the highest-ranked in the non-luxury category.

1 – Subaru Outback

Outback also outsold Forester for the second-consecutive year to be the Subaru brand's best-selling model, and having received a refresh for 2018 model year, the Outback's trajectory seems likely to continue upward over the next 12 months.

A scheduled overhaul is almost always less expensive than a new engine. Rebuilding to repair is usually cheaper than buying a new engine, too. You may save up to half of the cost of a new engine by rebuilding. However, sometimes rebuilding is not a good option.

The horizontally-opposed piston displacement allows for a balanced performance that delivers a smooth and shudder-free feel. The length of each piston firing is shorter than traditional vertical or v-shaped engines, producing greater fuel economy and better response time.

The Outback is built at Subaru's Lafayette, Ind., manufacturing facility.

Toyota Motor Corp.

owns Lexus and Toyota. And it has a stake in Subaru and Suzuki.

Subaru is more reliable than most car brands out there right off the bat. According to RepairPal, the Subaru brand has an overall reliability rating of 3. ⁄₅ and ranks 14th out of 32 car brands. The average annual repair cost is $617, which is slightly better than $652 across all models.

We expect the 2022 Outback will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2020, 2021 and 2022 models. Select the used car model year to see reported issues with those similar past models.

What years did Subaru have transmission problems? Most of Subaru's transmission problems were between 2012 and 2017.

Do Subaru Outbacks have transmission problems? ›

Subaru is known for making high-quality SUVs and cars that are safe, reliable, and practical. But even beloved brands like Subaru face safety recalls. Recently, the automaker issued a recall for over 200,000 Outback, Ascent, and Legacy models for potential transmission problems.

Subaru Recalls 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback

(Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Subaru timing belts need to be replaced after seven years or 105,000 miles; whichever comes first.

According to Subaru, 97% of vehicles sold in the last decade are still on the road today. The Subaru has maintained its reputation as a long-lasting vehicle.

Generally speaking, a Subaru 2.5 engine has the ability to run between 250,000 and 300,000 miles before needing any kind of significant auto maintenance or repair. Since most drivers average around 14,000 miles per year, this would mean that a Subaru 2.5 engine could conceivably run for over two decades.

There is a fair chance your Subaru CVT will last well beyond 60,000 miles as long as you stick to the factory-recommended maintenance schedule and take care not to overfill your transmission fluid.

Sounds That Indicate Your Subaru Transmission Is Failing

You'll hear a distinct humming noise coming from under the hood of your Subaru vehicle. These sounds could also resemble a clunking or whining. When you hear these sounds, the best thing you can do is pull over and contact your authorized Subaru dealer.

A Subaru Outback transmission replacement can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000. Grinding noises when switching gears is definitely a sign that something is going on with your transmission, so you'll want to take it to a mechanic soon.

Lawsuit alleges Subaru Forester, Legacy and Outback vehicles in California have defects that cause sudden unintended acceleration problems. Included in the California class action lawsuit are the 2015-2019 Subaru Legacy, 2012-2018 Subaru Forester and 2015-2019 Subaru Outback which allegedly have software problems.

How often should Subaru CVT transmission fluid be changed? ›

As mentioned earlier, according to the owner's manual, a Subaru should have its CVT fluid inspected every 30,000 miles. Eventually, the CVT fluid will need to be flushed and replaced, but it can last up to 100,000 miles before it goes bad.

Subaru Recalls More Than 165,000 Cars and SUVs to Fix Stalling Engines. Ascent, Forester, Impreza, Outback, other vehicles are included. A faulty fuel pump is the cause.

By law, all vehicle owners and lessees are entitled to have their recall repaired at no cost to you. The price to fix the vehicle will always be 100% covered by Subaru and will cost you nothing but the time it takes for the repair.

Other Subaru recalls

In January 2022, the company issued a recall for 198,255 Ascent and Outback SUVs due to a malfunctioning transmission. In May 2021, Subaru recalled 446,205 Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles over a problem with the engine control module or ECM.