| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2011 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area
Engine (22%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (16%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (10%)
Other (6%)
Chart based on 397 repairs.
2011 Subaru Outback engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (9%)
$500 - $999 (11%)
$100 - $499 (26%)
< $100 (50%)
Chart based on 76 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| CEL kept coming on. After a good bit of investigating, the Subaru people were able to determine that it was a very rare issue with the PZEV and manual transmission and the software glitch appears to be unfixable. Replaced with another Outback. |
2011 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 148hp 2.0L H4 Diesel 6-speed manual AWD
| 26660 mi | Car intermittently refused to start. Finally brought in, but dealer found no fault. Replaced "starter module", will see if problem is fixed. |
| 45260 mi | Glow plugs shorted. Fuses blown. Dealer reset error code and changed fuse. Warning light from last repair returned the following day. Took it in again, and they looked at it further. Found that they needed to replace glow plugs and scheduled a repair at a later date. Had to leave the car at the dealer for a full day to change glow plugs. |
2011 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 11000 mi | Engine was consuming oil at a rate of 1 quart every 3,000 miles. |
| 23000 mi | Check engine light on, diagnostic indicated cam sensor issue. Dealer replaced intake cam sensor, issue stopped for 24 hrs and returned. Dealer then replaced intake and exhaust cam sensors. Dealer says problem is fixed. |
| 40000 mi | Temperature gauge on 3.6 engine going off. Dealer indicated difference in one head to the other was causing problem, Known issue with Subaru per bulletin Check oil light coming on after beginning to use synthetic oil due to high mileage driving. When checking dipstick, oil level is OK but light comes on intermittently. |
| 26500 mi | Check engine light and all dash lights came on while driving. Dealer reports deterioration on gas cap flange caused system to detect fuel leak. Dealer immed replaced gas cp. problem seems to have resolved. |
| 34720 mi | Heat shields on exhaust vibrate loudly in gear until pipes expand to engine heat |
| 59520 mi | Regular 96k maintenance |
| 102000 mi US $450 |
Corroded Idler Pulley and broken Drivebelt |
| 1000 mi | Discovered oil leaking from engine. Quantity was about 2 tablespoons per day. Dealer determined it was a faulty seal on the oil pan so they simply replaced the seal. All good now. |
| 42160 mi C $125 |
Gas tank cap had tear in seal - pressure leak - check engine light on. |
| 980 mi | Misfires on cyc 1 3 and 5. Dealer cleared codes only. |
| 8000 mi | Oil sensor went on. Dealer said this was the third one they had to replace on other owner's cars. |
| 52040 mi | Leaking Oil pan (slight) fixed with Silicone |
| 103940 mi C $78 |
Replacement of serpentine/V-belt and noisy idler pulley - normal maintenance items. |
| 156860 mi C $1064 |
Misfiring on cylinder #6, bad coil pack and fouled spark plugs. Coil pack and spark plugs replaced. |
| 122760 mi C $200 |
Camshaft position sensors replaced. |
| 171120 mi C $100 |
Oil pan rusted through |
2011 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
| 70060 mi C $700 |
heat shields underneath came loose |
| 70680 mi | Leaking oil, replaced gasket |
| 52000 mi US $520 |
Coolant leak. I paid for diagnostics NOT REPAIR. This is a potentially catastrophic failure and I will never buy another Subaru because of it and how the company and its dealers handle situations like these. |
| 54000 mi US $1370 |
Cooling leak in the block. They are trying to deny it is a warranty issue. Coolant levels are going down again. |
| 96000 mi US $11 |
On vacation, suddenly 3 lights came on: Check Engine, Vehicle Dynamics Control, and BRAKE. Called nearest Subaru, no opening for 3 days, drove to AdvanceAuto for free code reading. Solution: Only needed to replace the gas cap! |
| 83000 mi US $250 |
Both Oxygen sensors. Took 10 minutes, that includes locating them. Front one was hard to get out, otherwise it would have taken less. |
| 113000 mi US $700 |
Been having intermittent issues with car failing to start and errors with warning lights. Dealer has been unable to diagnosis issue thus far. |
| 151000 mi US $1000 |
Leaking cap |
| 209000 mi US $1100 |
Camshaft seals were leaking - to repair, the timing belt needed to be removed. Replaced the following items: Camshaft seals Timing belt Water pump and tensioner Passenger headlamp |
| 122000 mi US $600 |
exhaust flanges and bolts replaced |
| 84320 mi | Heat shield rattle caused by heat shield making contact with exhaust. Problem seems to have been caused by accumulation of snow underneath car while highway driving during severe winter storm. |
| 102300 mi C $76 |
replaced cracked serpentine belt |
| 117800 mi C $500 |
Muffler and rear pipe |
| 125000 mi US $3400 |
head gasket replacement, radiator repair |
| 126000 mi US $135 |
Faulty gas cap. Cap was replaced |
| 85000 mi US $4500 |
cylinder #4 zero compression. Replaced engine, all gaskets including head gasket, timing belt, water pump,etc. |
| 93000 mi | Blew head gaskets and warped head beyond repair; required head replacement. Fortunately, still barely within the extended 7 yr/100k warranty period and Subaru honored the warranty without any fuss. |
| 201500 mi US $400 |
Replaced leaky valve cover gaskets and seals. |
| 87000 mi US $250 |
Check engine light on. Subaru mechanic said nothing could be found that was critical. Outbacks have chronic CEL issues, sometimes a catalytic converter, sometimes faulty gas cap, these both checked fine. He said lots of time a ghost like problem with Outbacks. He is a Subaru only mechanic. |
| 104300 mi US $236 |
During routine timing belt replacement Valve Cover Gasket was found to be leaking oil. Cost to repair was significantly lower due to engine already having been disassembled During routine timing belt replacement Valve Cover Gasket was found to be leaking oil. Cost to repair was significantly lower due to engine already having been disassembled |
| 55800 mi C $300 |
The oil pressure sensor failed in some sort of explosive way, and oil spilled all over the engine. They had to give it a shampoo (their expression), change the sensor and the oil. |
| 35000 mi | Repaired bad weld in exhaust after catalytic converter. |
| 177000 mi US $200 |
Replaced thermostat |
| 5000 mi | Car lurches and idle ramps up and down. Almost hit another car while pulling into a parking space when idle increased and car lurched forward. When stopped at light, engine idle decreased so much that the engine stalled. |
| 5500 mi | new software was installed Dealer reprogrammed the computer with new software from Subaru |
| 5500 mi | Subaru bought the car back and gave me a new 2011 Outback with a minor cash difference. Subaru stepped up to the plate! |
| 19800 mi | Fuel tank cover replaced. |
| 13000 mi | Clicking/rattle sound at idle. Nothing broken, but distracting. |
| 14140 mi | Started oil consumption test. Dealer states within normal parameters |
| 31620 mi | Stayed oil consumption test. Dealer states within normal parameters. |
| 33340 mi C $120 |
Replaced leaking oil sending unit |
| 1000 mi | Noted smoke after extended drive and oil leak in driveway day after taking ownership. Damaged seal between engine block and - ? oil regulator? - caused severe leak. Towed to dealer and repaired. |
| 26700 mi | Got Error code P050A. Look up came back as "Raw Selected Monitor Diag Code P050A, Cold Idle Air Control" - Reflashed ECM. |
| 66800 mi | Engine RPM would dip down to 400-500 from the normal idle around 700 rpm. The engine would shudder when this happened. Dealer updated the ECM and the issue is mitigated. RPM still goes down a bit but not as low as 400-500. Reflashed ECM and issue mostly went away. |
| 8000 mi | ticking noise at 1200-1400rpm. compared with other 2011 Outbacks - normal noise. |
| 48500 mi US $20 |
Replaced rusted bolt on exhaust heat shield to stop annoying rattle |
| 67000 mi US $25 |
Loose rattling heat shield |
| 79840 mi C $900 |
Electric Parking brake / hill holder started making grinding noise when applied. Was told I have to get a new parking brake motor ($900 + labour). Update: was replaced. |
| 104160 mi C $650 |
Oil return valve was sticking. Replacement of it and associated sensor required. |
| 108500 mi C $3200 |
Leaking oil pressure valve |
| 90000 mi | E-Brake partially engaged, determined rear O2 sensor is faulty and replaced, problem solved. |
| 108000 mi | Replaced EGR valve. |
| 131000 mi | Overheated, replaced thermostat. |
| 132000 mi US $2400 |
Head gasket replacement. Started leaking after the engine overheated. |
| 56800 mi | Head gasket leaking internally. Dealer pulled engine, removed heads, sent to machine shop for resurfacing, replaced head gasket, replaced leaking TB tensioner, thermostat. |
| 16700 mi US $120 |
Vehicle was hesitating during startup. Throttle plate replaced due to carbon buildup. |
| 2000 mi | I smell coolant when running the heater. They say there is no leak. |
| 79000 mi US $300 |
Both VVL pressure switches leaking oil. Both replaced. |
| 89300 mi US $450 |
small muffler removed because it had a hole. Alternative was to install a whole new exhaust pipe |
| 78000 mi US $30 |
Chrck |
| 200000 mi US $480 |
Replaced radiator for over heating. Didn't fix the problem. Replaced thermostat. Fixed problem. Was only partially opening. I recommend changing every 100k |
2011 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD
| 62000 mi US $200 |
Timing Belt worn, replaced |
| 93000 mi | unknown cause, water sloshing sound coming from dashboard for ~ a week so i made an early oil change appt so they could check sound out as well. they did not hear it & sent me on way. made another appt for this week. (april) in shop now. |
| 94200 mi US $63 |
left cooling fan failed, engine supposedly overheated but no lights ever indicated so and does not have a temp guage to know if ever ran hot. warped cylinder heads redone, fan replaced, head gaskets and all other gaskets replaced. warrenty |
| 156000 mi | changed spark plugs and the catalytic converter code has been gone for over 2000 miles and has not returned. read in a forum the p0420 catalytic code is sometimes thrown when spark plugs are getting worn. |
| 164000 mi US $300 |
car throwing catalytic converter code again after 6000 miles, but rear oxygen sensor reading erratic, so opted to try to fix that first. code lights out for 600 miles, on a day and back out for 1200, |
| 183210 mi US $953 |
Cracking drive belt replaced Catalytic converter code. Converter replaced. Backordered so a couple weeks after the other repairs. |
| 37000 mi | Serpentine belt replacement that was causing a chirping sound in the engine bay upon start up of engine. |
| 76000 mi US $2000 |
Check engine light came on. Obdurate said that misfire on cylinder 3. Replaced coil pack and all of the spark plugs |
| 145000 mi US $100 |
Intake was cleaned due to session light plus engine was misfiring |
| 149000 mi US $2300 |
Valve job..#3 cylinder valve was burnt |
2011 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
| 50220 mi C $200 |
Loose heat shields all the time. My dealership won't cut them off so they keep re-clamping them. Did it for free first couple of times, but charged me $100 last time. Will bring to local shop next time to get cut off. |
| 137112 mi C $356 |
-New muffler installed. -Exhaust gasket replaced. |
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