| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2008 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area
Engine (32%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (26%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (14%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)
Other (3%)
Chart based on 377 repairs.
2008 Subaru Outback engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (7%)
$1000 - $2499 (20%)
$500 - $999 (10%)
$100 - $499 (30%)
< $100 (33%)
Chart based on 117 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| 35200 mi | car in shop 3 times, replaced dashboard gauges and then ECM still did not fix problem |
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 99000 mi US $8400 |
Broken turbo and ruined engine |
| 99300 mi US $5400 |
Received a rebuilt engine |
| 102000 mi US $2800 |
The turbo failed again. Fixed it and sold the car. |
| 110360 mi C $130 |
Misfires in cylinder 4 with cold engine. Replaced plugs, swapped coils, replaced intake gaskets (lower and upper), injector service, fuel pressure, all ok. Still chasing issue, suspecting O2 sensor or exhaust valve. |
| 110360 mi C $125 |
Chasing misfire on cylinder 4: replaced A/F ratio sensor, misfires still present. |
| 110360 mi | Misfire on cylinder 4 never fixed. Possibly caused by a leaking head gasket. |
| 69000 mi | Turbo failure |
| 75800 mi | Turbo issues |
| 81000 mi | Turbo Failure. |
| 16000 mi | Following rain, computer prevents car from starting. Check engine light and flashing dash lights (i-drive/cruise). Dealer (and mfg) cannot track down problem. Numerous sensors replaced. Issue has occurred more than 8 times. Buyback in progress. |
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 79000 mi US $2300 |
at 79,000 miles exhaust valves, short block failed. and a new clutch since the engine was out of the car. required a new short block, valve job new clutch. Subaru paid 75% of the engine costs, I paid for the remainder and the clutch parts |
| 56300 mi US $330 |
Engine light was on, apparently due to bad lubrication of the valves. They flushed the old lubricant replaced it with a lubricant / cleaner, then ran the engine at normal temperature, then put normal oil back in. |
| 70680 mi C $1800 |
misfire cyl 4, replaced rusted ignition coil |
| 81840 mi C $100 |
check engine light came on - looks like everything is ok after all. |
| 86760 mi C $880 |
up pipe replaced. still having the P420 code. bringing it to the stealership - hoping that the cat converter will be the issue and that it will be covered by the warranty. |
| 87800 mi C $2000 |
cat converter replaced |
| 105400 mi | pcv valve replaced |
| 111600 mi C $500 |
misfire caused by worn out coil - replaced two rusted coils |
| 134540 mi C $180 |
Engine light P0456 - change the gas plug |
| 136380 mi C $1400 |
gas tank replacement |
| 150040 mi C $1800 |
Replaced head gasket based on advice from a private mechanic. Did not solve the problem, but a further repair at a second garage, some kind of oil relay in the engine (replaced) fixed it. |
| 155000 mi C $550 |
radiator blew up - replaced rad |
| 158100 mi C $400 |
changed a coil; spark plugs, cleaned engine, measured piston pressure |
| 159960 mi | short block replacement |
| 119100 mi US $5700 |
Cracked a piston ringland. Engine Bearings worn. |
| 141000 mi | Air pump recall |
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 106000 mi US $135 |
Accessory drive belt needed to be replaced. |
| 37000 mi US $550 |
Belt tensioner making noise and dealer suggested replacing it. Transmission hum noise was reason for visit and noise is still there. |
| 106640 mi C $1500 |
I got a CEL. They said the exhaust is rusty so they would need to change the whole exhaust system at $7500. I paid $11000 for the car. I said no. I will fix it somewhere else. |
| 123000 mi US $375 |
Sensor for advancing timing |
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 127700 mi | Exhaust leak developed right after the third clutch release bearing failure. |
| 131000 mi US $156 |
Failed exhaust mid-pipe gasket. Shop replaced (1.5 hr), but failed to completely remove all bits of the previous gasket. This lead to a poor fit and no change in exhaust note. Another shop fixed this 'repair' in a third of the time. |
| 79660 mi C $350 |
exhaust leak, custom pipes made to fix problem. Dealer estimate was $1200 |
| 78100 mi US $300 |
Engine light kept coming on.Placed on computer, no problems but light still on. |
| 110300 mi US $400 |
Valve cover spark plug gaskets began leaking. |
| 117200 mi US $1200 |
Primary catalyst cracked at exhaust manifold. |
| 11460 mi C $300 |
Cracked ignition coil, affected by damp. |
| 27900 mi C $350 |
exhaust |
| 29440 mi C $1800 |
ignition wires replaced |
| 40300 mi C $120 |
exhaust shield loose |
| 40300 mi | Gaskets were leaking. Repair was not required for certification. |
| 35000 mi | Replaced catalytic converter under warranty |
| 36000 mi US $1600 |
Replace clutch |
| 113500 mi US $1400 |
Clutch failed - replaced. It shredded. It had been squealing like a belt slipping for about 10,000 miles, but that was clutch material getting spun around. I thought it was a belt slipping. |
| 146900 mi US $600 |
Service engine light came on. O2 sensor bad. |
| 185000 mi US $2100 |
Head gasket. Also did preventive on timing belt and water pump before needed. |
| 185000 mi US $3300 |
Head gasket leak caused problem with catalytic converter. Replaced catalytic converter. |
| 68200 mi C $30 |
changed vvt valve sensor |
| 71600 mi US $210 |
Loud noise on tight turns, esp when starting up. Dealer tightened my after market belts, told me they were not the correct size and tried to sell me new ones but much less expensive adjustment worked fine. $60. |
| 78000 mi US $2200 |
new radiator hoses, old were soft |
| 4340 mi C $60 |
Poor idle, particularly when coasting to a stop. Revs between 800 and 3000 rpm repeatedly until placed in gear and accelerator pressed. Fixed by reflash of ECU. |
| 122000 mi | Passenger heat did not work. Heater core plugged. Opted to do coolant flush with success. Engine oil leaking from sensor. |
| 128000 mi | Took to Subaru certified mechanic to diagnose CEL. Compression, leakdown test, and visual inspection indicates a bad exhaust valve. Quoted $3200-3600 for repairs. Traded car in for 2014 Crosstrek. |
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 137000 mi | CEL would go on after it rained. |
| 205000 mi US $1000 |
Bad spark plug wires, poor ignition, resulting in bad cat converter. Replaced all. |
| 205000 mi | Massive oil leak out of nowhere! Main seals gone, head gasket suspect. No overheating yet, just a matter of time. Upon research, it's a common problem. I'm lucky to get 207,000 miles out of it! I think this is the end..... |
| 205000 mi | The Subaru is done. She gave her last on Route128, left to be unceremoniously towed by the Mass State Police. Because of the main seal leak, weird ignition problems, and 211k miles, I had to give her away... She will be missed! |
| 77500 mi US $221 |
Engine running rough. Replaced ignition wires. Check engine light on. Replaced dirty oil (these early May/June repairs all related to pre-sale of car when it sat at the dealership for many, many months over the winter and early post-sale issues needing resolution. Partial success: 75K-mi. service not done after sitting for many months before sale: Replaced PCV valve; Trans. & Diff. Service; Brake fluid; Oil change, Coolant Low; Radiator Outlet cap dry cracked & leaking. Dealer towed to fix. |
| 80000 mi US $292 |
Added muffler cement to Y section of center exhaust. |
| 85976 mi US $89 |
Car towed to shop after owner noticed smoke/vapors from under hood. Replaced Driver's side VVT sensor (leaking) and degreased area. Found center exhaust leaking at "y" section - should be replaced. |
| 86516 mi US $400 |
Replaced Center exhaust pipe, gasket, bolts, etc. - was leaking at rear "y" section (previously noticed by mechanic) |
| 95285 mi US $65 |
Check engine codes: found Evap system leak and Right oil stiching valve solenois malfunction. Possible issue with VVT solenoid valve. Gas cap coming off hard. Replaced previous replacement gas cap. Threads in filler neck work. Sanded threads so opening works better. |
| 100117 mi | Car does not start at times; no click. Possible ignition switch failing. |
| 100813 mi US $143 |
Replaced ignition switch after car not starting at times. |
| 104470 mi | Replaced broken gas cap and strap. For squeaking noise sprayed driver's side axle at the transmission w/grease. R side oil pressure switch - VVT Pressure Switch (replacing one already replaced on 9/6/16) |
| 106148 mi US $98 |
Front catalytic converter leak - crack between 1st & 2nd rib in flex pipe previously installed on 12/20/16. Replaced pipe under factory parts warranty, part cost covered by Subaru. Swapped Oxygen sensors |
| 117304 mi US $56 |
VVT circuit pressure switch |
| 122902 mi US $33 |
Checked hesitation driving at times. Found light engine ping at times, ignition timing drops from app. 30 degrees to app. 15 degrees on accel. Condition possibly fuel related? |
| 113000 mi US $50 |
One of the oil sensors has failed and had to be replaced. |
| 142000 mi US $700 |
cruise control flashing, check engine light, low tire pressure flashing, flashing radio/heating panel - cruise control and check engine light temporarily fixed (went off) but later came back on |
| 86800 mi C $2334 |
Left drivers side head gasket leaking engine oil. Left drivers side head gasket leaking engine oil at oil pressure line. Replaced both head gaskets, water pump, timing belt set. Replaced coil pack due to engine stall and P0301 P0302 codes. Repaired exhaust leak near cat. converter. |
| 87100 mi C $220 |
Check engine light on. P0420 received from ecu. Problem found at Oxygen sensor near catalytic converter. Wrong part found for engine type. Installed new o2 sensor for SOHC engine. |
| 100440 mi C $600 |
exhaust leaking at gasket. replaced exhaust pipe |
| 103602 mi C $150 |
Replaced Ignition Coil Pack again after it was replaced in 2015. Engine cyl. #1, 3, 4 misfire and check engine light was on, including cruise light and tract. ctrl light Scan Codes P0303...etc |
| 105400 mi C $150 |
Check engine light on. Scan came up with P0420 and EGR valve. Car running ok, but gas mileage is badly affected. EGR valve to be replaced |
| 107880 mi | Replaced 1 worn alternator belt (serpentine) and as a preventative 1 ac belt |
| 95000 mi | Exhaust header broke and had to be replaced |
| 108000 mi US $2200 |
Head gasket replacement and timing belt/water pump replacement |
| 112000 mi US $600 |
Oil pressure switch leaking and replaced. |
| 115000 mi US $191 |
Severe leak from right side cam seal. Replaced seal plug. |
| 118000 mi US $415 |
Hole in Y pipe. Replacement of length from resonator to ends of Y pipes and gaskets. |
| 136723 mi US $1021 |
Lower radiator hose replaced |
| 74000 mi US $106 |
Check engine light came on, found O2 sensor had failed (replaced) and found VVT solenoid was leaking (removed and resealed). oil pressure switch was leaking and was replaced: coolant cross over was leaking so gaskets were replaced: replaced piston pin seal |
| 74500 mi | replaced a leaking head gasket and several leaking transmission fluid lines that could have been part of the earlier repairs |
| 59000 mi | Had pictures of the weeping area around the head gaskets. They acknowledged it looked like oil, claimed to have added some additive to the oil to stop HG leaks (first I heard of Subaru sanctioning snake oil additive, so I'm skeptical they did anything). |
| 77700 mi US $50 |
Replaced both Head Gaskets. |
| 99000 mi US $2100 |
Head gasket replacement |
| 23000 mi | Rough ride from engine and transmission extremely hard gear changing |
| 26000 mi | Repair to engine computer board. Transmission not shifting properly and about 2miles per gallon OFF of my expected gas mileage. March 2011 update: Fix worked for a while but now 8 MPG lower, need to go back in. |
| 45500 mi US $600 |
They changed out 2 worn belts. |
| 48000 mi US $100 |
Very rough idle the day after or when it had rained heavily. No CEL though. Was like running on half cylinders. PCM showed nothing. Dealer couldn't duplicate problem. I suspected a vacuum leak or bad MAF. The dealer didn't bother to look. |
| 58000 mi US $100 |
Replace worn drive belts |
| 95480 mi C $330 |
rattling at start-up thought to be a loose heat shield but it was the cat. |
| 99700 mi US $1087 |
Both OSV diagnostic switches were leaking oil so I had them replaced. $201. |
| 122000 mi US $2190 |
My mechanic discovered a crack in my exhaust system. So I had him replace the middle resonator pipe + both mufflers. $425. |
| 126500 mi US $3100 |
Head gasket replacement + valve job, necessitating the engine being removed from the car. Symptoms: oil seepage to exterior of engine + blowing back onto exhaust. New timing belt and spark plugs installed when the engine was re-assembled. |
| 149000 mi US $200 |
Had mechanic replace one of the O2 sensors which was causing a persistent "check engine" light. |
| 32000 mi | Fuel smell in interior at idle, mentioned at 30k checkup, indie shop examined and tightened all fuel connections, several were loose. No more smell! |
| 76000 mi | head gasket leaking |
| 85000 mi US $300 |
Replaced leaking oil pan gasket |
| 106700 mi US $2400 |
Replaced head gaskets, spark plug seals, timing belt and water pump, spark plugs, misc seals etc |
| 196000 mi US $546 |
Replace exhaust mid-pipe |
| 211367 mi | Replace Timing Belt / Water Pump / Thermostat / Radiator / Belts |
| 91000 mi US $340 |
rocker covers and spark plug tube seals were leaking oil. |
| 102300 mi C $2100 |
Timing belt,idler pulleys, water pump,thermostat,heads resurfaced,pcv valve, plugs. All necessary gaskets replaced. |
| 121520 mi C $4700 |
After market tensioner failed, timing belt broke, bent valves. New heads with cams and valves, timing belt kit, gasket kit, thermostat, new coolant and oil. |
| 142600 mi C $1600 |
Fuel tank rusted and replaced. EVAP canister replaced by shop mistake |
| 61700 mi US $1500 |
Head gasket oil leak |
| 65000 mi | 0457 code appeared again after reset; replaced gas cap. Also, new code P0420 appeared for first time. Replaced gas cap. Codes continued, replaced catalytic converters under warranty. |
| 79500 mi US $391 |
engine mount (torque rod) bolts - one missing and one falling out Heat shield rattle, adjusted best as possible, replacement in the future will be needed |
| 90000 mi US $550 |
Replaced four rusted and noisy heat shields. The mechanic said this heat shield issue has been a Subaru issue for years with no design fixes from the company. |
| 90000 mi US $500 |
Oil sensor |
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