Top complaints from used Subaru Outback owners

Since its debut in 1994, the Subaru Outback has evolved from a popular station wagon to a full-fledged crossover in its seventh generation, maintaining a reputation for reliability and practicality with all-wheel drive. But despite its overall reliability, owners of the model sometimes encounter certain problems, including electrical and transmission malfunctions, increased oil consumption, and windshield damage.

Slash Gear wrote about it.

Blown head gaskets

Older Subaru Outback models from the early 2010s, equipped with naturally aspirated EJ-series engines, often had problems with single-layer cylinder head gaskets that were incompatible with standard coolant.

This led to leaks and overheating of the engine, as in the case of the owner of a 2013 Subaru Outback, who had problems after 100,000 km and 230,000 km. Although such failures usually occur at about 240,000 km.

Turbocharged models did not have such a nuisance, as they used multi-layer steel gaskets that are more resistant to high temperatures and pressures.

Excessive oil consumption

A common problem with Subaru Outback engines, especially the 2011-2015 models, is sudden, excessive oil consumption. For example, one owner of a 2015 Outback reported that the low oil light came on about 2,000 miles after a service, even though it had only 55,000 miles on the clock. Many drivers reported burning a quart or more of oil every 1,000 miles.

The phenomenon was so widespread that Subaru was even sued for a class action lawsuit over defective piston rings that caused excessive oil consumption in Outback, Legacy, Crosstrek, and Impreza models.

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Transmission failure

With the release of the fourth-generation Subaru Outback in 2010, a new Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) was introduced. While it promised improved fuel economy and handling, it also brought with it several common problems that persisted through 2014.

For example, owners of the 2010 models reported problems with the torque converter locking up during braking. This resulted in a sudden loss of power and the vehicle stalling, especially at low speeds. This malfunction required shifting into park and restarting the engine, significantly increasing the risk of an accident, especially if there were cars behind.

Parasitic battery drain

Owners of the 2015-2020 Subaru Outback often experience a battery drain issue, even when the vehicle is parked. The cause is a faulty fuse in the Data Communication Module (DCM), which powers the Subaru Starlink system and draws power from the battery.

Alternative options include installing a larger battery, replacing the faulty DCM fuse entirely, or updating the alternator firmware. Some users have reported that the alternator is programmed not to fully charge the battery to save fuel, and a firmware update may resolve this issue.

Cracked windshields

Owners of 2015-2022 Subaru Outbacks are often faced with the problem of cracked windshields. Hundreds of complaints on Car Complaints indicate that even after replacement, the problem recurs, as Subaru uses the same defective parts.

For example, one owner of a 2015 Outback had to replace her windshield three times in four years. Many drivers report that minor chips quickly turn into large cracks in just a matter of days.

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