Subaru Outback Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 282 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Subaru Outback across 26 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (40). The words owners use most often: “head gasket” (37% of reports).
- 282engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Head gasket: mentioned in 103 of 282 complaints (37%)
- Timing belt: mentioned in 17 of 282 complaints (6%)
- Water pump: mentioned in 15 of 282 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Subaru Outback at $2,800, and half of them between $2,100 and $4,050.
Based on 35 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 210 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 282 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury.
Subaru Outback engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Outback | 1 | 0% | 53,400 |
| 2021 Outback | 2 | 1% | 12,570 |
| 2020 Outback | 3 | 0% | 49,923 |
| 2019 Outback | 1 | 0% | 82,000 |
| 2016 Outback | 3 | 0% | 171,000 |
| 2015 Outback | 3 | 1% | 135,000 |
| 2014 Outback | 1 | 0% | 201,206 |
| 2013 Outback | 1 | 0% | 12,000 |
| 2012 Outback | 2 | 1% | 48,926 |
| 2011 Outback | 8 | 1% | 4,726 |
| 2010 Outback | 23 | 6% | 3,800 |
| 2009 Outback | 3 | 3% | 31,000 |
| 2008 Outback | 6 | 3% | 68,023 |
| 2007 Outback | 3 | 2% | 49,000 |
| 2006 Outback | 7 | 3% | 90,674 |
| 2005 Outback | 16 | 6% | 35,600 |
| 2004 Outback | 13 | 14% | 52,500 |
| 2003 Outback | 14 | 15% | 38,500 |
| 2002 Outback | 17 | 12% | 74,048 |
| 2001 Outback | 22 | 13% | 87,600 |
| 2000 Outback | 35 | 17% | 73,000 |
| 1999 Outback | 23 | 21% | 95,100 |
| 1998 Outback | 40 | 31% | 93,850 |
| 1997 Outback | 24 | 30% | 103,895 |
| 1996 Outback | 10 | 22% | 115,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm); electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2022
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Risk: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Model years: 2010
Problem: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from july 31 through december 1, 2009. A crack or split can occur in the cvt cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak.
Risk: If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on june 8, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-subaru3 (1-800-782-2783).
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines, the water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined.
Risk: In some instances, the interference fit between the inner wall of the pulley center hole and the water pump drive shaft was not as tight as specified in the drawing specification. This could result in the water pump pulley dislodging from the water pump shaft, which can cause severe engine damage/seizure during vehicle usage.
Fix: Dealers will replace the water pump. Owner notification began september 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust manifold detached from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer…
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, there was an abnormal oil-burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that there was an oil leak coming from the lower oil pan…
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated and almost stalled. The failure was intermittent but caused the vehicle to stall on several occasions. The check engine warning light…
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while at a stop light, there was an abnormal exhaust fumes odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Outbacks have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 282 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Subaru Outback. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Outback engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Subaru Outback?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,800 (half paid between $2,100 and $4,050), from 35 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “head gasket”, in 103 of 282 complaints, followed by “timing belt” (17).
Other Subaru Outback problems
- Electrical System problems (2,285)
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,760)
- Power Train problems (988)
- Engine problems (718)
- Air Bags problems (693)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (530)
- Service Brakes problems (431)
- Steering problems (366)
See all Subaru Outback problems.