2000 SUBARU OUTBACK Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

SMELLED COOLANT AND BURNT OIL UPON RETURNING TO GARAGE AFTER NORMAL OPERATION. DIAGNOSIS: FAILED HEAD GASKET & LEAKING REAR OIL SEAL. REPAIR INCLUDED BOTH HEAD GASKETS, COMPLETE VALVE JOB, AND NEW SEAL. ALSO REPLACED TIMING BELT AFTER ONLY 11,000 MILES OF SERVICE, AND CLUTCH AS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ITEMS. COST, $2,954.50. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED, INCLUDING USING SUBARU'S "COOLING SYSTEM TREATMENT" ADDITIVE TO PROTECT THE HEAD GASKETS. OBVIOUSLY IT DOESN'T DO THE JOB OF OVERCOMING A ROTTEN DESIGN. CLEARLY THE HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS CONFIRM A DESIGN DEFECT IN THIS 2.5L ENGINE. THIS 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE WITH EXTRA GROUND-CLEARANCE, IS ADVERTISED--AND MINE IS USED--FOR TRAVEL IN DESERT SAND AND HIGH MOUNTAIN SNOW. A HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN SUCH CONDITIONS CAN LEAD TO DEATH. *TR

Mileage: 105,423

I HAD RECURRENT LEAKS IN MY 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK AND TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP STARTING IN 2007. 4/01/08 HAD ALL ANTIFREEZE CAME OUT OF CAR DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN 2007. HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP,OIL PUMP AND HEAD GASKET IN 2008. THEN BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAK HAD TO REPLACE TIMING BELT. NOW THEY ARE SAYING I NEED NEW HEAD GASKETS, WATER PUMP AND TIME BELT AGAIN AND IT HAS BEEN ONLY 2 YEARS SINCE THIS WAS DONE. *TR

Mileage: 114,064

MY 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON, WITH 120,000 MILES HAS AN OCCASIONAL STRONG GASOLINE SMELL THAT ENTERS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AFTER A TRIP. IT OCCURS MOST OFTEN ON COLD WINTER DAYS. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 2 WINTERS. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LEAKING GASOLINE AT THE CLAMPS ON THE HOSES THAT LEAD TO THE FUEL INJECTORS. THESE ARE HARD TO GET TO, AND WOULD COST ME $200 IN LABOR FOR HIM TO FIX. MIGHT THIS START AN ENGINE FIRE? I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON AUTO DISCUSSION BOARDS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES, SO I KNOW THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT, AND SHOULD REQUIRE AT LEAST A TECHNICAL BULLETIN, IF NOT A FULL RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON IN THE WINTER HERE IN BOSTON, WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR ON A COLD DAY. SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN DEFECT TO ME IN SOME GAS LINE HOSE. *TR

2000 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5L (91,235MI)- AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE 1YR AND DRIVING ONLY 11K MI, IN WHICH DURING THE YEAR MAINTENANCE INCLUDED OIL CHANGES AND BRAKES, SYMPTOMS BEGAN TO OCCUR SUCH AS: CONSTANT SMELL OF COOLANT DRIFTING INTO THE CAR, OCCASIONAL TEMPERATURE SPIKES (EVEN WITH COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR) AND RARE SIGNS OF SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. AFTER THE 2ND RANDOM SPIKE IN TEMP, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NORTH COUNTY SUBARU. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THERE ARE 2 LEAKING HEAD GASKETS AND CLAIMED THERE IS A "CAMPAIGN FOR RECALL" ON HEAD GASKETS BETWEEN YEARS OF 99-2002, AS WELL AS A PREVIOUS RECALL TO REMEDY THE COOLANT ODOR. SUBARU ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER BUT SUBARU HAS NOT OFFERED TO HONOR THE CAMPAIGN NOR HAS PHONE CONVERSATIONS PRODUCED ANY RESULTS THUS FAR. PLEASE HELP AS THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO FIX THE HEAD GASKETS WHEN THEY KNOW THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECT. MANY, MANY WEBSITES AND COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME SITUATION. IMPORTANT NOTE: I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH PREVIOUS OWNER WHO TOLD ME WHICH DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME AND ADVISED SUBARU OF THIS. *TR

Mileage: 91,235

THE HEAD GASKETS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT ON MY 2000 SUBARU IN FEBRUARY AND APRIL 2004 RESPECTIVELY. SUBARU PAID FOR THE HEAD GASKETS UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HAD IT HAPPENED 3 MONTHS LATER, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. I EVEN MENTIONED THAT I THOUGHT THAT THE TWO WERE RELATED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER "KELLY SUBARU" THAT THE INCIDENTS WERE NOT RELATED; HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THE TWO EVENTS WERE RELATED. HERE IT IS FEBRUARY 2008 AND THE HEAD GASKETS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE BOTH IN NEED OF REPLACING. WHEN I TALKED TO SUBARU AT 800-782-2783 THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA, THEY SAID WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A CAR THAT HAS 190K MILES ON IT. I THEN TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT IN 8 YEARS AND IT'S ALWAYS INVOLVES BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I EXPLAINED TO SUBARU THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THAT I HAVE NEVER IN MY 45 YEARS OF OWNING CARS HAVE I EVER HAD TO REPLACE A HEAD GASKET; MUCH LESS TWICE. YES, I DID REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ONCE ON ANOTHER CAR AFTER 15 YEARS OF USE. THIS IS WHY I THINK THAT SUBARU IS WILLFUL AND NEGLIGENT IN THIS MANNER. *TR

Mileage: 94,685

THE HEAD GASKETS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT ON MY 2000 SUBARU IN FEBRUARY AND APRIL 2004 RESPECTIVELY. SUBARU PAID FOR THE HEAD GASKETS UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HAD IT HAPPENED 3 MONTHS LATER, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. I EVEN MENTIONED THAT I THOUGHT THAT THE TWO WERE RELATED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER "KELLY SUBARU" THAT THE INCIDENTS WERE NOT RELATED; HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THE TWO EVENTS WERE RELATED. HERE IT IS FEBRUARY 2008 AND THE HEAD GASKETS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE BOTH IN NEED OF REPLACING. WHEN I TALKED TO SUBARU AT 800-782-2783 THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA, THEY SAID WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A CAR THAT HAS 190K MILES ON IT. I THEN TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT IN 8 YEARS AND IT'S ALWAYS INVOLVES BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I EXPLAINED TO SUBARU THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THAT I HAVE NEVER IN MY 45 YEARS OF OWNING CARS HAVE I EVER HAD TO REPLACE A HEAD GASKET; MUCH LESS TWICE. YES, I DID REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ONCE ON ANOTHER CAR AFTER 15 YEARS OF USE. THIS IS WHY I THINK THAT SUBARU IS WILLFUL AND NEGLIGENT IN THIS MANNER. *TR

Mileage: 94,685

THE HEAD GASKET OF MY 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK FAILED AND WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT 48,000 MILES, BUT AT 101,000 MILES THE REPLACEMENT HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN. WITH SO MANY OF THE HEAD GASKETS IN THIS ENGINE MODEL FAILING, SUBARU'S FIX OF A COOLANT CONDITIONER OR HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT IS NOT SUFFICIENT. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND HEAD. THE GASKET IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE DESIGN WHERE THE HEAD GASKET FAILS PREMATURELY. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN IDLING. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS A DELAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JOLT FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PARTS FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 64,000 MILES, THE CONTACT SMELLED ROTTEN EGGS WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25- 60 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 55,000 AND 80,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Mileage: 55,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN IDLING. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS A DELAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JOLT FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PARTS FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 64,000 MILES, THE CONTACT SMELLED ROTTEN EGGS WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25- 60 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 55,000 AND 80,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Mileage: 55,000

REPEAT HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *JB

Mileage: 125,000

HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK AT 84443 MILES. THEN A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 97,000. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS CAUSED BY THIS, HOWEVER, LET ME APPEAL TO YOU TO REVIEW SUBARU'S 2.5L ENGINE. WE BOUGHT THIS AS A RELIABLE CAR FOR OUR CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNRELIABLE WHEN IT BEGAN OVERHEATING WITH OUR CHILDREN AT THE WHEEL, NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS IN THE DAYLIGHT HOURS AND WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE IT RIGHT INTO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND INSTANCE WAS THE CAR OVERHEATED WITH MY CHILD AT THE WHEEL ON A DARK ROAD IN RURAL SE WASHINGTON AT NIGHT. THANK GOODNESS SHE DID HAVE A CELL PHONE AND COULD CALL US FOR HELP. TWO DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS, LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW AFTER REPLACING THE HEAD GASKETS AT A LOCAL VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP AND THEN THE ENGINE, YEP, THE ENGINE DUE TO OIL AND WATER LEAKAGE, BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE DEALERSHIPS THAT MISDIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM. NOW AS I SEARCH FOR WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY, I FIND WEBSITES THAT DOCUMENT HUNDREDS OF SUBARU OWNERS WITH THE IDENTICAL STORY AS MINE. OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, DEALERSHIP NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM PROPERLY AND THEN ENDING UP WITH HEAD GASKET AND FOR SOME OF US ENGINE REPLACEMENT. PLEASE, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THE WEBSITES ARE ALMOST ENDLESS ON THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT LIKE BEING ANGRY OVER THIS ISSUE. I JUST WANT SUBARU TO FIX WHAT IS WRONG, AND TO HELP ALL OF THEIR CUSTOMERS GET SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WHAT WE HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET, NOTHING ELSE. SUBARU OF AMERICA NEEDS TO FIX WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEIR 2.5L ENGINES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *NM

Mileage: 84,443

COOLANT LOSS, OVER HEATING, COOLANT ODOR, HEAD GASKET. *NM

Mileage: 88,000

2000 SUBARU OUTBACK 1) CAR OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE TOWED 2) TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP - HOLE IN RADIATOR, BLOWN HEAD GASKET (BOTH REPLACED) 3) DROVE LESS THAN 20 MILES AND COOLANT STARTED LEAKING FROM RADIATOR HOSE 4) TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, RADIATOR HOSE FIXED AND REPLACED OTHER HEAD GASKET 5) DROVE ANOTHER 10 MILES - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. APPARENTLY THE OXYGEN SENSOR IS NOW BAD. THERE ARE TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 2000 SUBARUS - READ THE FOLLOWING BLOG TO SEE THE 100+ OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SUBARU SHOULD FIX THE COOLANT SYSTEMS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. HTTP://SCOTT.MCGERIK.COM/2004/02/18/SUBARU-OUTBACK-HEAD-GASKET-LEAK/. *NM

Mileage: 90,000

I OWN A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED. THE CAR HAS APPROX 45,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE KEPT THE CAR UP TO DATE WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I USED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT BUT THEY NEVER COMPLETED THE WORK I REQUESTED AND PAID FOR (I.E. LITTLE THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE THERE WAS ENOUGH COOLANT IN THE CAR, ETC). WAS HAVING A STRONG BURNING ODOR FROM MY CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO. GOT THE CAR INTO A MECHANIC TODAY WHO SPECIALIZES IN SUBARU AUTOMOBILES. I FOUND THAT I HAD A CRACKED HEAD GASKET THAT WAS LEAKING OIL EXTERNALLY. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT SUBARU SEEMS TO HAVE, WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE, A DEFECTIVE GASKET IN THEIR AUTOMOBILES WITH THE 2.5L ENGINES. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY WILL HELP REIMBURSE MY COST OF REPAIR. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT!! IN MY OPINION, I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU IS CLAIMING THAT THEY CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM BY RECALLING THE CARS AND RUNNING A SEALANT THROUGH THE COOLANT SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A BAD COVER-UP. COULD YOU IMAGINE IF SUBARU HAD TO RECALL THOUSANDS OF CARS TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART LIKE A GASKET? THEIR INCOMPETENT DEALERSHIPS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT! PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. I REALLY HOPE I'M NOT WASTING YOUR TIME. AS I MENTIONED, I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND SUBARU IS NOT ADDRESSING IT. THANKS.*JB

ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS. NOW 90,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN LEAKING SINCE NEW OR SHORTLY AFTER CAUSING A HOT ANTIFREEZE SMELL LIKE IT IS DRIPPNG ON THE EXHAUST. DEALER NEVER COULD FIND THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE RECALL. THEY ADDED THE STOP LEAK SOLUTION BUT IT CONTINUES TO SMELL AND USE SOME FLUID. DEALER SAYS THAT SUBARU HAS AN OPTION TO REPLACE HEAD GASKETS, BUT DEALER IS RELUCTANT TO DO IT. I AM HAVING TO NOW GET TOUGH ABOUT IT. I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE IN MY WIFES 1998 OUTBACK DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. UPSET BECAUSE IT WAS JUST IN FOR FULL SERVICE CHECK PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRING. SUBARU HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I AM NEARLY PAST THAT NOW. I DON'T WANT THEM TO PUT IT OFF UNTIL AFTER WARRANTY. I HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINT ABOUT SENSORS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEMS.*AK

Mileage: 1,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ SENSOR FAILURES. HAD ANALYSIS DONE ON MY CAR WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED OUT TO BE KNOCK SENSOR. PREVIOUSLY CHANGED OXYGEN SENSOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, DEALER SAID THAT CATYLITIC CONVERTER WAS BAD POSSIBLY DUE TO ENGINE RUNNING RICH. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY BAD SENSORS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. IS IT RELATED TO THE HEAD GASKET LEAK?*AK

Mileage: 89,000

CONSUMER WASN'T PLEASED WITH UNDATED CORRESPONDENCE SERVICE PROGRAM WWP-99. (NAR) *PH THE SERVICE PROGRAM WAS ABOUT PUTTING A SPECIAL CONDITIONER IN THE VEHICLE'S COOLING SYSTEM TO PREVENT HEAD GASKET LEAKS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS THE ONLY SATISFACTORY SOLUTION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT EH WIPERS NEED TO BE REDESIGNED TO PREVENT THE RIGHT HAND WIPER FROM DUMPING DEBRIS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT. THE RADIO CONTAINS AUDIBLE WINDSHIELD MOTOR NOISE WHEN THE RADIO STATION SIGNAL IS WEAK. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. *NM

PURCHASED CAR WITH 78K ON IT. PRIOR IT DRIVING FROM COLORADO TO WISCONSIN, HAD IT LOOKED OVER. REPLACED LEAKING WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, AND LEAKING FWD DRIVE SHAFT SEAL. WITHIN A WEEK OF GETTING TO WISCONSIN, RADIATOR AND DRIVER SIDE HEAD GASKET FOUND TO BE LEAKING. HEAD GASKETS ARE BIG ON SUBARU WEB SIGHTS. SOA RECOMMENDS A "CONDITIONER" TO PUT IN THE RADIATOR, BUT IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE YET. PARTS GUY SAID PROBLEM WAS THAT OWNERS ARE NOT ALLOWING CAR TO WARM UP IN COLD ENVIRONMENTS. *JB

Mileage: 78,000

DRIVER SIDE HEAD GASKET LEAKS, ONLY 70 000 MILES ON CAR. *JB

INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WHICH SUBARU SAYS MAY LEAK, IT HAS RECALLED MY VEHICLE TO INSTALL "STOP LEAK" WHICH THEY DESCRIBE AS "COOLING SYSTEM CONDITIONER." I REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS PRACTICE. *JB

Mileage: 41,208

2000 OUTBACK WAGON, 5 SPD, WITH 48,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN GETTING A "HOT" COOLANT SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD (DRIVER'S SIDE) FOR ABOUT THE LAST 1,000 MILES. WHEN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR RAN EMPTY I KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER'S SHOP. SURE ENOUGH, LEAKING HEAD GASKET ON DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN THEY DID THE REPAIRS, THE WATER PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AS WELL. THE GASKET AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STILL FALLS UNDER THE 60K MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. MY WIFE JUST BOUGHT A 2004 OUTBACK SPORT, WITH THE SAME 5 SPD 2.5 ENGINE. I'M HOPING SUBARU HAS FIXED THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM IN THE NEW ENGINES, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN RECOMMENDING THESE VEHICLES TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND NOW I'M STARTING TO WONDER. I LIVE IN MADISON; MORE SUBURU'S WERE SOLD HERE LAST YEAR THAN ANY OTHER CITY. I WOULD THINK THAT THE LAST THING SUBURU OF AMERICA WANTS IS A CITY FULL OF DISGRUNTLED SUBURU OWNERS, BUT THAT'S WHATS BOUND TO HAPPEN IF SOA DOESN'T LOOK INTO THESE REPORTED HEAD-GASKET, CLUTCH, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 46,000

FAILURE OF HEADGASKET ON 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON WITH 64,000 MILES. *AK

Mileage: 63,500

MY LEFT HEAD GASKET BLEW IN DECEMBER 2002. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT 30,000 AND COVERED. THE SAME HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN LAST WEEK AT 43,000 MILES. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND COVERED. THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER SUBARU VEHICLES. MY DEALER ASSURES ME IT SHOULD BE OKAY NOW. I AM NOT SO SURE...IF IT BLOWS AGAIN AFTER 60,000 IT IS NOT COVERED. THE DEALER SAID WITH THE VEHICLE'S HISTORY, THEY WOULD PROBABLY COVER IT.

Mileage: 43,000

2000 SUBARU OUTBACK, 50,000 MILES, HEAD GASKET LEAKING, HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT HERE AND ON THE WEB. OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW, DEALERSHIP NOT HELPFUL, OF COURSE IT'S JUST OUT OF WARANTY,HAD RECCOMENDED THESE TO MANY PEOPLE AND FRIENDS BOUGHT THEM, NOW NOT SO SURE. *AK

Mileage: 50,000

THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR 3-5 DAYS BEFORE GOING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE FAILURE CODE FOUND WAS FOR THE OXYGEN SENSOR OR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. THERE'S A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE WXW-80 FOR OTHER 2000 MODEL SUBARUS, BUT IT'S FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION BUT HAS THE SAME DESIGN, PER CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

FAILURE OF RADIATOR AT 48000 MILES. THE PLASTIC BODY SEPARATED FROM THE METAL PORTION, CAUSING AN OCCASIONAL LEAK OF COOLANT.*JB

Mileage: 48,000

CAR WAS OVERHEATING. TOOK TO DEALER TO CHANGE THE TIMING BELT AND TO INVESTIGATE THE OVERHEATING. CHANGED TIMING BELT AND BLEW SAND OUT OF RADIATOR FINS. INVESTIGATED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THAT THE SYMPTOMS WERE VERY SIMILAR TO A HEAD GASKET BEING BLOWN OUT IN VERY MANY CASES. THE NEXT WEEK THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS BEING PUSHED OUT OF THE OVERFLOW RESERVOIR AS DESCRIBED IN PROBLEMS FOUND ON THE WEB. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BAD.*AK

Mileage: 56,500

I OWN A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK LTD, WHITE VIN [XXX]. IT HAS APPROX. 63,000 MILES AND HAS HAD FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, AN ANTI-FREEZE SMELL AFTER THE CAR HAS INITIALLY WARMED UP. AS IT TURNS OUT, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEAREST SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR IT'S 60,000 MILE SERVICE AND WAS DISMAYED TO RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMING ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS GONE AND NEEDED REPLACING. IN THIS DAY AN AGE OF MODERN VEHICLES, A HEAD GASKET RARELY BECOMES DEFECTIVE AT 63,000 MILES; CHECK STATISTICS!!! I BELIEVE THAT THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WHEN SUBARU WENT TO THE 2.5L ENGINE SIZE AS MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE NOW EXPERIENCING THIS UNWARRANTED REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY TIME FRAME. AS THESE IRRITATED SUBARU OWNERS APPROACH THE 60,000 TO 80,000 MILE MARK AND START EXPERIENCING THESE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENTS, YOU SHOULD BECOME INUNDATED WITH COMPLAINTS. BEFORE THIS OCCURRED, I RECOMMENDED SUBARU'S TO MAY PEOPLE, BUT WITH THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR, WHICH SHOULD BE PARTLY OR WHOLLY COVERED BY SUBARU, I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND A SUBARU TO ANYONE EVER. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 63,000

I PURCHASED NEW A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING ALREADY. TWO SEPARATE SUBARU DEALERS AND TWO PRIVATE GARAGES TELL ME THE HEAD GASKETS ARE GOING IN THESE CARS LEFT AND RIGHT. THERE ARE LOTS OF ANGRY OWNERS ON THE WEB. THE HEAD GASKETS, VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE ENGINE MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR, ARE GOING WAY TOO SOON!. *JB

Mileage: 68,000

2000 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON DEVELOPED ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 61, 800 MILES REQUIRING EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. DEALER CLAIMED THE REASON TO BE NO COOLANT FLUSH AT THE 30,000 MILE MARK ON THE VEHICLE

Mileage: 61,800

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST GEAR OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT REPEATEDLY CAME OUT OF GEAR WHEN GOING DOWN STEEP INCLINES, SUCH AS IN A PARKING GARAGE. AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, THE CAR EMITTED A VERY STRONG SMELL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE DEALER SAID THE SEALS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE LEAKING AND REPLACED. IT IS APPARENT THAT A PETROLEUM PRODUCT IS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND BURNING AND THE SMELL ENTERS THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO KEEP A/C ON AND THE RECYCLE AIR BUTTON PUSHED. ISSUES UNRESOLVED.*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON AND INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK *MJ

THERE IS SLIPPAGE IN TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING, IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, AND WILL HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON TOGETHER AND THEN THE POWER GOES OUT, THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN STOPPING AND MOVING , THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER SHOWS THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT THEY CAN?T IDENTIFY THE CAUSE UNLESS IT HAPPENS IN THEIR PRESENCE. *YD

PROBLEM STARTED WHEN DRIVING TO MINNESOTA FROM CALIFORNIA. LOWER THERMOSTAT WENT OUT AND CAR OVER HEATED, REPLACED. LOWER THERMOSTAT WENT OUT AGAIN. CAR STILL HEATING UP FUNNY, DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. TURNS OUT HEAD GASKET GONE. NEXT THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK, THEY PUT IN NEW BLOCK AND GAVE US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW LESS THEN A YEAR LATER CAR OVERHEATS AGAIN. SUBARU SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING TO HELP.*AK

PROBLEM STARTED WHEN DRIVING TO MINNESOTA FROM CALIFORNIA. LOWER THERMOSTAT WENT OUT AND CAR OVER HEATED, REPLACED. LOWER THERMOSTAT WENT OUT AGAIN. CAR STILL HEATING UP FUNNY, DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. TURNS OUT HEAD GASKET GONE. NEXT THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK, THEY PUT IN NEW BLOCK AND GAVE US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW LESS THEN A YEAR LATER CAR OVERHEATS AGAIN. SUBARU SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING TO HELP.*AK

4TH TIME FOR THIS RADIATOR OVERHEATING; SUBARU IS REPLACING ENGINE. *AK

FIRST RADIATOR FAILED AT APPROX. 21,000 MILES AND OEM REPLACEMENT RADIATOR FAILED AT APPROX. 44,000 MILES. BOTH RADIATORS 10 MOS. OLD.*AK