Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 05/23/2008 | 1 | ||
| Overheating, blown head gasket. *tr | |||
| 06/14/2007 | 85000 | 5 | |
| '97 subaru outback wagon impeccably maintained 85,000 mi is overheating. began as intermittent problem approx 5 months ago. flushed radiator, repl cap, pressure tested radiator. driving down hill on mountain road in morning cold, overheats after about 6 miles. repl thermostat, water pump, timing belt. subaru dealer repair mechanic says head gasket. googled problem online before replacing thermostat. blogs from outback owners with same symptoms say head gasket. an incredible number of blogs describing the same problem and statements that subaru has never taken responsibility for this flaw which has affected so many outback owners. this is a crime. *tr | |||
| 03/16/2006 | 74624 | 1 | 10/07/1997 |
| Blown head gasket 1997 subaru outback legacy. *jb | |||
| 02/21/2006 | 111000 | 1 | 10/10/1999 |
| 1997 subaru outback 2.5 dohc engine 1) car was suddenly leaking anti-freeze, brought it in to shop asap 2) head gasket busted, ruined the engine 3) needed to replace most of engine, including block checked other sites, this seems to be a hugely common problem with subaru 2.5 dohc engines and they aren't doing anything about it. *jb | |||
| 60000 | 1 | ||
| The engine seals of the main cam shaft failed and caused the engine to leak oil. the dealer replaced the seals and the timing belt. please provide further details. *nm | |||
| 03/12/2001 | 68526 | 6 | 03/10/1997 |
| 2.5 liter engine block cracked, causing repeated instances of overheating requiring stopping in dangerous traffic situations and eventual replacement of block at owner expense. ts | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 12/09/2008 | 188000 | 1 | |
| I bought a 97 subaru legacy outback wgn and found out the block was cracked in cyl3 after tear down for gasket replacement,now put together and now won't start. *tr | |||
| 01/21/2006 | 107990 | 2 | 02/15/2000 |
| Outback 1997: 108,000. car overheated suddenly on a short trip. replaced thermostat and flushed/filled radiator at local firestone. two days later, car overheats. in both cases, radiator fluid ejected onto engine. took car to dealer who identified the now very common blown head gasket. repairs made at a cost to me of $1400! this is a defect in these automobiles that needs to be taken care of by subaru. what does it take for this problem to be addressed? i was fortunate to not have burned my engine, others have not been. time to take action!! *nm | |||
| 02/26/2005 | 89500 | 1 | 02/01/1997 |
| Head gasket failure. purchased in 2/07 (est. date) began to fail at least in 1/05 (1x). then weekly in 7/05. but may have been signs of problem as early as 1997/1998. result of problem is unexpected and rapid bubbling over and overheating placing occupants in potentially dangerous situation. for example, almost stranded in blizzard in 1/05. had to pull over on high speed highways in summer 05 due to rapid red lining and risk of engine fire. subaru picked up 1/2 cost although not in warranty for us and has done 1/2 to full for others who complained. one of the 2.5l engines has been subject to recall. the 2.5l engine in our car has not been recalled but we believe that the problems are as frequent (and worse) and the car should be recalled. this is not an isolated incident. local mechanic said he sees frequently on subaru outback. found internet weblog started 18 months ago which has 275 complaints and growing monthly - on both the 2.5l engines (including the one in our car). bad enough we had to incur $800 of the $1600 cost but people are driving around with an engine that repeatedly has failed (head gasket) and created a hazardous condition. i can provide you with copies of correspondence with subaru if you would like. see link below to weblog page where you can see other people's experience discussed (275 and growing monthly): http://scott.mcgerik.com/2004/02/18/subaru-outback-head-gasket-leak/. *jb | |||
| 12/10/2004 | 157000 | 1 | |
| While driving vehicle started to overheat. the thermostat was replaced, and the vehicle continued to overheat. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the engine has to be replaced.*ak | |||
| 03/12/2001 | 68526 | 6 | 03/10/1997 |
| 2.5 liter engine block cracked, causing repeated instances of overheating requiring stopping in dangerous traffic situations and eventual replacement of block at owner expense. ts | |||
| 07/22/2002 | |||
| While traveling 35 mph water pump failed ,allowing timing chain to slip off, and bending valves to engine. please describe details. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 06/21/2008 | 126000 | 1 | |
| Loss of coolant, overheated engine, diagnosis of blown head gasket car: 1997 subarau legacy outback with 2.5 liter engine. *tr | |||
| 04/12/2004 | 50000 | 1 | 07/18/1997 |
| Noticed oil leaking from engine. had to have front crank seal replaced. also needed to get timing belt replaced as oil leaked into timing belt cover. cost $368 to get fixed. leakage began when car was just a few years old. that should not have happened as car had not been in accident or abused. *nm | |||
| 02/04/2005 | 120232 | 6 | 02/04/2005 |
| This is the standard subaru 2.5l head gasket failure problem. i add this to the database to increase the pressure on subaru of america to address this problem properly. for more information see: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze730qe/guestlog.html the symptoms are as follows. car engine began overheating -- large temperature spikes and then would return to normal. engine oil appeared in coolant reservoir. coolant spews onto engine. loss of power in some gears.*jb | |||
| 04/10/2004 | 99800 | 1 | 07/17/2003 |
| The now infamous blown head gasket in phase i 2.5l engines is the focus of my complaint. subaru of america has at least recognized the phaseii 2.5l engines in 1998 models and newer, but only because of a different metal was the problem. the overwhelming number of cases in the phase i 2.5l (1998 and prior) engine is an obvious indicator of design flaw in the actual shape of the product itself. a recall investigation is a definite must. just another unhappy subaru customer. *ak | |||
| 02/26/2004 | 137000 | 1 | 09/08/1997 |
| Spark plug popped out of head while driving, engine died. spark plug unable to be reinserted resulting in a head replacement. very expensive! only 135000 miles regular mechanic said that he has seen 4 of these cases in this model in the last 3 months. no acknowledgement form dealer about mechanical defect. *jb | |||
| 05/15/2002 | 1 | 05/01/2002 | |
| Crank/cam/oil pan silicone seals faileds early in vehicle life. also, alternator belt fell off, main pulley broke, center of pulley badly worn, and valves bent on cylinder #2. $635 to replace seals, $415 to replace main pulley, and $1107 to replace valves. | |||
| 07/22/2002 | |||
| While traveling 35 mph water pump failed ,allowing timing chain to slip off, and bending valves to engine. please describe details. *ak | |||
| 11/15/2001 | 1 | 08/29/1996 | |
| Consumer states that engine block and head are cracked with no signs of overheating, subaru mechanic could not find no mechanical reason why this occurred. manufacturer was contacted. *tt | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 1 | 03/01/2000 | |
| Local subaru dealer has sold these parts several times recently. it appears to be a known problem. when this fails the pully system of the engine falls apart, literally, resulting in the loss of electrical power, power steering, brake warning... this would have been dangerous had we not been on a back road with no traffic. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 03/10/2001 | 1 | 03/01/2097 | |
| Overheating caused by defective block which cracked required repeated immediate pullovers on interstate highway to prevent severe overheating. mr | |||
| 05/15/2002 | 1 | 05/01/2002 | |
| Crank/cam/oil pan silicone seals faileds early in vehicle life. also, alternator belt fell off, main pulley broke, center of pulley badly worn, and valves bent on cylinder #2. $635 to replace seals, $415 to replace main pulley, and $1107 to replace valves. | |||
| 10/12/2001 | 6 | ||
| Engine will stall intermittently during normal operation of vehicle while traveling at any speed. dealership has examined vehicle and replaced sensor valve two times and computer. please provide any additional information / documentation.*ak | |||
| Driving at approximately 30 mph in freezing weather or 32 degrees below vehicle will stall out ,consumer must wait at least 10 minutes before restarting vehicle , dealer cannot find problem ,has changed speed sensor but defect is still occurring. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 05/15/2002 | 1 | 05/01/2002 | |
| Crank/cam/oil pan silicone seals faileds early in vehicle life. also, alternator belt fell off, main pulley broke, center of pulley badly worn, and valves bent on cylinder #2. $635 to replace seals, $415 to replace main pulley, and $1107 to replace valves. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 03/01/1997 | |||
| When driving the vehicle there are various electrical malfunctions, resulting in the windshield wiper becoming inoperative, also heater. consumer also noticed a fume odor in the vehicle. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the problem. please provide any other details. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | |||
| 12/23/2004 | 1 | ||
| 1997 subaru outback blown head gasket. *bf the vehicle lost internal heat and the engine temperature read hot. the consumer pulled over and checked under the hood and did not notice any loss of steam, however, the reservoir bottle was empty and fluid had spilled all over the engine. the consumer was aware of six other vehicle that had experienced the same problem. *sc | |||