2000 Subaru Outback: engine overheating

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 Feb 9, 2007 · Engine · 84,443 miles · WA

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2006 · Engine · 88,000 miles · PA

Coolant loss, over heating, coolant odor, head gasket.

Filed Feb 22, 2006 · Engine · 90,000 miles · VT

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/.

Filed Dec 21, 2004 · Engine · 1,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Jul 7, 2003 · Engine · 56,500 miles · CT

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.

Filed Jan 23, 2002 · Engine · MN

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.

Filed Jan 2, 2002 · Engine · CA

4th time for this radiator overheating; subaru is replacing engine.