2000 Subaru Outback engine problems

Filed Jan 22, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 120,000 miles · AK

In cold weather (usually 25 f and below) there is a strong fuel smell. Worse the colder it gets. I am worried for my baby's health and also worried I was inhaling this leaking fuel throughout my pregnancy. It is obviously not something that should be happening and is unhealthy. I reported this to a mechanic shop and they rebuilt the engine because of other issues. They said this rebuilding would fix the fuel leak/smell also. It lessened it, but it is still there every time it is cold out. It dissipates after driving it for a while. I have come to understand this is a widespread issue and there really should be a recall.

Filed Oct 4, 2014 · Engine · 81,098 miles · NV

Cylinder head gaskets replaced at 81,098 miles. Due to the low mileage, the vehicle was not under warranty because 8 years had passed (8 years or 100,000), whichever comes first. August 2014 vehicle would take several seconds to engage into drive from reverse. Eventually, the problem became worse and I was afraid that it could cause an accident because it was taking too long to engage into drive. I took the car to aamco who installed a rebuilt transmission at 83,695 miles. These problem have been reported by subaru owners, but I have yet to see a recall. So, in the last two years, I have spent $5,055 in car repairs. I'm retired so I can't afford to buy a newer vehicle. Although this car handles well in snow and rain, due to the expensive repairs I have had to make and subaru corporation's lack of acknowledgement of these issues, I doubt that I will ever purchase a subaru again.

Filed May 7, 2013 · Engine · 200,000 miles · MD · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, he heard an abnormally loud noise from the engine as the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder and upon further inspection, the contact discovered a fire under the hood. The flames spread to the two front tires, which then exploded. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was awaiting diagnosis. The failure and current mileage was 200,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Engine · 105,423 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 4, 2010 · Engine · 114,064 miles · MN

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2009 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jan 14, 2009 · Engine · MA

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.

Filed Apr 22, 2008 · Engine · 91,235 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Engine · 94,685 miles · TN

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.

Filed Feb 24, 2008 · Engine · 101,000 miles · NY

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.