Subaru Outback Engine Problems
Owners have filed 718 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Subaru Outback across 25 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (85). The words owners use most often: “head gasket” (7% of reports).
- 718engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 23mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 39%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 51 of 718 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Subaru Outback at $2,950, and half of them between $2,550 and $5,200.
Based on 31 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2026), 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 problems happen?
Based on 435 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 718 complaints, 23 mention a crash, 29 a fire, 10 an injury.
Subaru Outback engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 5 | 6% | 13,000 |
| 2024 Outback | 7 | 7% | 7,000 |
| 2023 Outback | 1 | 1% | 12,800 |
| 2022 Outback | 23 | 5% | 20,000 |
| 2021 Outback | 21 | 7% | 18,250 |
| 2020 Outback | 49 | 5% | 7,250 |
| 2019 Outback | 39 | 4% | 9,300 |
| 2018 Outback | 37 | 5% | 6,000 |
| 2017 Outback | 43 | 5% | 31,952 |
| 2016 Outback | 53 | 8% | 40,000 |
| 2015 Outback | 47 | 9% | 44,000 |
| 2014 Outback | 35 | 17% | 31,733 |
| 2013 Outback | 67 | 23% | 48,000 |
| 2012 Outback | 50 | 17% | 114,500 |
| 2011 Outback | 85 | 13% | 104,000 |
| 2010 Outback | 44 | 12% | 112,000 |
| 2009 Outback | 15 | 14% | 112,500 |
| 2008 Outback | 14 | 6% | 100,450 |
| 2007 Outback | 15 | 12% | 90,000 |
| 2006 Outback | 43 | 16% | 104,000 |
| 2005 Outback | 10 | 4% | 117,000 |
| 2004 Outback | 2 | 2% | 137,000 |
| 2003 Outback | 5 | 5% | 123,400 |
| 2002 Outback | 5 | 3% | 135,000 |
| 2000 Outback | 3 | 1% | 120,000 |
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.
I have a 2020 Subaru Outback with just over 70,000 miles on it. Well before hitting 70,000 miles, there were two occasions where a loud, unusual noise occurred while reversing out of my garage. Additionally, I occasionally hear a strange noise when shifting into Reverse from Park. I also sometimes…
My Subaru often stalls when the start-stop function is happening such as when I stop at a traffic light. When I lift my foot off the break, the engine tries to restart, but stalls out. It happens at almost every stop. I had my battery tested and it is fine. This week, the car actually completely…
Catastrophic motor failure at highway speed. I had just come of the Interstate 10 and stopped at the end of the off ramp. I made a right turn on to a 2 lane county highway and accelerated back up to 65MPH. As I attained speed, the vehicle lost power. The accelerator pedal was dead and the vehicle…
The car started to make very loud engine noises and then the engine completely failed. The car was no longer able to accelerate and lost the ability to go in both forward and reverse. Luckily, my son had just arrived home when the car completely lost power, but it began to have acceleration issues…
Good Day! I bought my 2021 Subaru Outback XT Onyx in Jan 2021. I had waiting 6 yrs for Subaru to use the Turbo Motor in the Outback again. I've had this car for 5 years with my warranty running out Jan 2026, but I only drive 5000-7000 miles per/yr. Current odometer is 29,901 miles. At my most…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Outbacks have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 718 owner complaints about engine 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?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Subaru Outback?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,950 (half paid between $2,550 and $5,200), from 31 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “head gasket”, in 51 of 718 complaints.
Other Subaru Outback problems
- Electrical System problems (2,285)
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,760)
- Power Train problems (988)
- Air Bags problems (693)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (530)
- Service Brakes problems (431)
- Steering problems (366)
- Exterior Lighting problems (335)
See all Subaru Outback problems.