2004 Subaru Outback engine problems

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Engine · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would overheat and stall. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on three different occasions. The technician replaced the thermostat, water pump and coolant however, the failure persisted. The certified mechanic diagnosed that the head gaskets had blown. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Sep 5, 2013 · Engine · 174,000 miles · NH

Multiple head gasket failure at 60,000 mile intervals since the car was new. It seems like the manufacturer is covering up a very bad engine design after looking online of very same reports. I am surprised with all of the complaints it is not been recalled or corrected. Unfortunately, due to costs of repair I am forced to scrap the car and find a different car company.

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · VA · fire

The car burst into flames at 2:30 in the morning in my driveway. We last drove the car home at 10:30 the night before, so the car had been sitting for four hours in cold weather (around 20 degrees). The dogs started barking and I woke up to find my car burning in the driveway. Firetruck came around 5 minutes later and put out fire. Fire was burning around entire vehicle. Fireman said that fire appeared to be internal to the car and not caused by human intervention. Police put the fire down as a "routine" engine fire. I am very concerned about the safety of older subaru vehicles.

Filed Sep 16, 2011 · Engine · 32,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal tapping noise when first started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the pistons. The noise recurred and the vehicle was taken to another dealer who advised that they would need to replace the engine block with new pistons. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current mileage was 50,100.

Filed Mar 2, 2011 · Engine · 65,000 miles · PA

During early december 2010 my wife was driving the car and heard a huge rattling noise. She pulled over and we got the car towed to the dealership. We were told that the valve on the engine cylinder got damaged and as a result the valve stem has fallen into the cylinder. As the piston was moving, it got damaged. So we needed to replace two pistons. Which we did. This is a design problem as differential material expansion has caused the stem to fall and damage the piston. If this has happened on a busy highway could have been fatal. This problem has caused by bad design and using two different materials for engine valve and block. Subaru needs to recall the vehicles and fix this problem. The customers should not be paying. The car is very well maintained and had only 65,000 miles. Got it repaired. Subaru was of no help.

Filed Mar 30, 2010 · Engine · 67,380 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact moved the vehicle off of the road and added coolant to the radiator. The coolant continued to leak out of the radiator; therefore, the vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the head gasket, water pump and timing belt would need to be replaced. One year later, the failure recurred. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer but stated that the head gasket was blown. The contact also stated that the warranty on the repair was only good for a year. The contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 67,380.

Filed Mar 24, 2010 · Engine · 85,035 miles · NH

Diagnostic code p0420 (catalyst sys). Vehicle would not pass emissions test due to code. 85000 miles on vehicle. Was told there was a computer upgrade for this complaint put out by subaru. Dealer performed upgrade then informed me headgasket was leaking. Dealer replaced head gasket "goodwill". Dat after repair code 0420 came back and now need converters replaced to the tune of $1800.00 to $2200.00 due to contaminated converters. Fuel, oil leaking into exhaust from failed head gasket.

Filed Apr 5, 2009 · Engine · 68,006 miles · CO

2004 subaru outback.

Filed Mar 10, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 40,000 miles · NY

Blown headgasket at only 40k. Car has been maintained on a regular schedule with extra care car when needed. Took to dealer and complained of smell of coolant in the interior of car when driving and after shutting vehicle down or at a traffic light stop. Took to dealer complaining of a noise coming from the bottom of engine. After the dealer examined vehicle nothing was found as per report. I took the car for brake repair and the mechanic noted a coolant leak from the left bank of the engine block. He stated that he car has a blown headgasket on the left bank of the cylinder block. The warranty on the powertrain is about to run out and he advised to return the vehicle to the dealer for the repair. He did state that the dealer will only repair the bank that is leaking and the other would not be covered and should be done at the same time to prevent the other bank from blowing out due to a change in the balance of pressure on the block resulting from the replacement of only one headgasket.

Filed Apr 28, 2008 · Engine, Suspension · 94,000 miles · WV

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. While driving uphill at 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the RPM's increased to 6,000. The RPM's then decreased and the tires churped. The contact heard a bumping sound, which was the sound of the front axles failing. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 94,000.