2003 Subaru Outback engine problems

Filed Oct 9, 2017 · Airbags, Engine · 131,000 miles · OR

My 2003 subaru outback had a bad airbag inflator and has also blown the head gasket several times, requiring it to be rebuilt three times. While I love my outback, I wonder if I will want to buy another one. Being stranded by my car and having to take the bus in the winter time was very difficult as was hauling groceries on the bus in a rolling suitcase while awaiting repairs.

Filed Jun 19, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 123,400 miles · WA

After previous repairs to transmission fluid leak and head gasket repair, the car's transmission failed and had to be rebuilt. The transmission failed as I was driving. I could not shift from first to second. I was able to get the car to the dealer by driving in first and living with a sharp clunk into second. I was close to the dealer or else this would have been a tow. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been catastrophic.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Body, Engine · 90,000 miles · NY

While driving home, the car just "shut down" on the highway,and we had to glide off to the side. Had to have it towed. Our mechanic had to replace the entire engine. He did not know why it failed. Now, after researching this site, I see that there was a recall due to faulty water pump in 2003. I am wondering if this costly incident was a result of this not being repaired? How can I find this out please? I purchased the vehicle certified used from a local dealership. I would also like to mention the unusually large amount of rusting underneath the car, as well as in the wheel areas. Thank you.

Filed Nov 29, 2014 · Engine · 126,800 miles · TN

I purchased this vehicle used from a dealer. A few months later I started noticing a burning smell after driving even a short distance. Took it back to the place of purchase to have their service check it. They said head gaskets were leaking and quoted a repair price of $1800 ! I contacted subaru of america after I did a research on the internet and found that many people had the same problems but there had been no recalls! Some customers were lucky and did get some kind of compensation. I took it to my personal mechanic who told me he has seen a lot of these same cars with the same problem due to the way they were manufactured! I contacted subaru of america again but they only offered a $500 discount on a new vehicle! The manufacturer should honor this complaint and pay for the gaskets replacement as it is happening in too many of these models!

Filed Jul 20, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · PA

Head gasket failure***** 2003 outback **** this is not a new problem as four of the subaru's we've owned had hg issues. Although in the past subaru acknowledged the failures and repaired them under the wwp99 campaign (1998-2002 model years). While this failure continues to be widespread (just google subaru head gasket problems and you'll get pages of complaints of hg failures) subaru has stopped repairing them or even acknowledging there is a problem. This appears to be solely a cost saving strategy. When the gaskets fail, oil leaks outside the engine which contacts the exhaust system. The burning oil puts smoke and fumes inside the car. I would think this is also a fire concern. Inside the engine, oil and coolant mix and can cause catastrophic damage/failure. Is there anything I can do to get this repaired by subaru? They seem to be getting away with a huge consumer injustice just by acting like it doesn't exist. Can they be required extent the champagne (wwp99) with the 03 and later models? Subaru clearly acknowledges a head gasket problem in previous years and later model years have the same failure.

Filed Nov 14, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · AZ

After smelling leaking oil for many months, my mechanic confirmed that the head gasket is leaking. Oil is leaking down onto the exhaust creating a constant burning smell. I contacted subaru and they are unwilling to address this in any way, despite the fact that the engine has been meticulously maintained and serviced.

Filed Oct 28, 2011 · Engine · 90,000 miles · PA

Subaru has been selling cars knowing of premature head gasket failures. 1998 to 2002 head gaskets failed with internal and external coolant leaks. Subaru has issued the wwp99 campaign (upto 8 yr 100,000 mile). This campaign introduces an additive into the coolant to "plug" the leak. They also will repair the gaskets in rare cases. The 2003 head gaskets are also failing prematurely even with proper maintenance. These fail with an external oil leak that directly hits the exhaust causing fire hazard and noxious fumes in and around the car. The repair is $2000 at dealer. Subaru is not addressing this.

Filed Feb 26, 2011 · Engine · 40,000 miles · NJ

The car would die usually while coming to stops. And on most occasions will start back up. At first it seemed to only die in very hot weather and on one occasion it didn't start back up for 15 min. But it has since died on days without extreme temperatures. Most of the times it dies while stopping, twice it died when braking on highways which was very dangerous. This has occurred about 15 times in 4 years. I have brought it in to two different subaru dealers multiple times. They have never been able to diagnose the problem and have been completely useless. They have reset the computer a few times. One mechanic replaced the fuel pump, the battery has been changed and this still occurs. The oil and filter are changed regularly, I even use 93 instead of the 91 recommended fuel and it has still occurred.

Filed Aug 11, 2010 · Engine · 76,600 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 subaru outback. The head gasket failed. He noticed that the air conditioner wasn't cooling and the reservoir was empty, but it didn't have a leak. He took the vehicle to a mechanic and the diagnostic test located the failure as the head gasket. The vehicle will be repaired. The VIN information wasn't available. The failure and current mileage were 76,600.

Filed Apr 12, 2010 · Engine · 82,546 miles · CT

2003 subaru outback with leaking head gaskets. Consumer would like to be reimbursed for repair cost. *kb at around 80,000 the consumer began to smell burning oil. The consumer stated subaru recalled other models because of a possible external leak at the cylinder head gaskets. The consumer stated her model has the same engine as the other models. The consumer stated subaru was only will to cover 50% of the cost.