8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,440
- Average Mileage:
- 110,550 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 5 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace head gasket (4 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
I got my Outback as an inheritance. Passed inspection, went for maintenance check right before I got it. 4 days after I got the car, I drove about 200 miles to visit a friend. Just as I was getting ready to leave that night, oil was leaking from the front of my car. At 43,000 miles, the head gasket and water pump blew as I turned the car on. This problem was known for Outbacks, and it is recommended you get the head gasket and timing belt replaced at around 100k miles. But at 43,000? HELL NO. I had to pay nearly 5 GRAND to get the head gasket, timing belt and water pump replaced. If it wasn't for the inheritance aspect as well as the low mileage, I would have just thrown in the towel.
- Jacqueline K., W Hartford, CT, US
We bought this 2006 Outback from a dealership. They told us that the previous owner was meticulous and really took car of his car. Well, it looks like he dumped his car because he knew what was coming.
Shortly after we owned the car it started to slowly drip oil on the driveway. Just a few drops each day. Then, over time, it got worse. Wouldn't you know, we needed to have the head gasket replaced.
- Sal B., Grand Rapids, US
Consuming lots of oil. After a trip to the mechanic: replace head gasket. Issue stopped after that.
- Jahnnis P., Prescott, ON, Canada
Well, where do I begin to mention my problem's that everyone has or had and the DEALER knew about it all when they sold me my 2006 Subaru Outback Lemmon POS. I recently went in for the second recall on a brake line and when they brought me back my car it all of a sudden needs $5000.00 dollars worth of work and I only had it for about 1.5 years and drove it for 22 K miles and bought it @ 95k miles in 2012 and my wife drove it most of the time. WOW! What a POS.
I had bought from Subaru of Manchester, NH, I was told how great of a service record this vehicle had and was never told of all the recalls like the wheel bearings in which I had to replace all 4 and the head gaskets that it really needed when I bought it in the first place let alone the known suspension problems and bushings that have to be replaced as well along with the struts leaking. Who knows what else they will come up with. There should be a class action law suit against Subaru because the general public cannot afford their known defects on a POS like this one.
All in all I got screwed royally and I am cured on how great these Subaru's are supposed to be. In my opinion they are a big waste of money and should have to pay for all my known problems that I have been forced to have the repairs done so I can stay on the road and get to work. I will never buy another one.
- Thomas K., Nashua, NH, US
A really bad engine. Subaru Outbacks in the 2000's had horrible gaskets. Entire engine basically has to be replaced. Mechanic says that the heads and block are not built together well. Save your money, buy something else.
- Mark M., Winkler, MB, Canada