2003 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2003

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2003 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area

Engine (38%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (12%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (20%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (4%)

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Chart based on 242 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Subaru Outback.

2003 Subaru Outback suspension repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (11%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (50%)

< $100 (26%)

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Chart based on 46 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Subaru Outback

Engine not specified

194000 mi Mechanic also found a major suspension issue. But at over 190,000, I really can't complain. This car has been, still is, great. 

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2003 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD

189000 mi

US $330
New struts 
115400 mi

C $1400
Rear sway bar was audibly broken. 
116000 mi

US $144
Both rear struts were replaced. One of the rear struts was leaking. 
177000 mi Intermittent shaking when driving at a constant highway speed for awhile. (such as when using cruise control) 
123000 mi

US $250
Boot was torn 
150000 mi

US $600
failed state inspection. Needed cracked windshield replaced and both lower ball joints.  
158000 mi

US $50
Lower ball joint failed state inspection 
170000 mi

US $400
Left rear wheel bearing and right tie rod worn out, replaced. Both rear sway bar links broken, replaced. Front rotors and pads worn out, replaced. 
172900 mi

US $200
Both front wheel bearings replaced. Loose/noisy. 
103000 mi

US $600
Replaced rear shock springs 
71920 mi

C $30
Clunk in front of car, found front swaybar bushings wore out. 
176700 mi

C $400
The car was starting to act very bizarre in bumps and the rear wheels were not standing straight... all the rear-end bushing were changed and everything is back to normal! 
59600 mi

C $100
rear sway bar replaced 
150000 mi

US $200
fixed axle tie rod 

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2003 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

89025 mi

US $1341
Dealer recommended center differential needed replacing due to binding when turning at slow speeds. I called and complained to Subaru (2nd major repair on 90K car - they sent me a $750 discount on new Subaru if purchased by 12/31/11. 
69000 mi Sold car. A pre-purchase inspection by SuperRupair in Boulder, CO found the right front ball joint needed replacement. 
168000 mi

US $70
driver side control arm rear bushing leaking fluid. Replaced with oem part. 
168700 mi

US $106
inner and outer tie roads replaced 
85000 mi

US $275
Rear stabilizer bar 

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2003 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

121000 mi

US $38
Driver's side front / lower ball joint replaced, due to original being worn. 
123000 mi

US $100
replaced old factory rear shocks / struts 
14500 mi

US $115
worn out bushing in both rear upper control arms, which were causing excessive wear on outer portion of rear tires 
74400 mi

C $1000
Front left wheel bearing replaced 2 front lower ball joints oil pan front right cv boot alignment 
86124 mi

US $1153
Replace front and rear struts 
127000 mi

US $1445
Remove and replace rear suspension struts due to squeaking. mechanic recommended replacing them, but after being better, it's now squeaking even worse. 
155894 mi

US $310
Replace right front inner and outer tie rod ends 4 wheel alignment 
190000 mi Rear drivers side sway bar end link replaced. 
143000 mi

US $2500
Replaced steering box 
311200 mi

US $288
Found Upper Rear Control Arm Bushings Worn -- Replaced both rear ones Right front wheel bearings worn 
351300 mi

US $317
Power Steering making noise - replaced Power Steering Pump 
395900 mi

US $325
RF sway bar end link broken; LF coil spring broken at top -- Both replaced 
408800 mi

US $389
RR shock broken - Replaced Upper Shock Mount, $304.05. 
113000 mi

US $355
Right front wheel bearing was bad and needed to be replaced. 
126100 mi

US $300
1 ball joint replaced and alignment done. 
132000 mi

US $235
Sway bar links replaced 
128990 mi

US $2570
replace left front axle assembly 
138000 mi driver's side front ball bearings needed replacement. 
150000 mi

US $150
Added clips to sway bar. 
152000 mi

US $410
Ball bearings replaced on rear tire. 
150214 mi

US $310
2 sway bar links and 2 bushings 
135200 mi

US $600
New rear tie rods. 
162000 mi

US $1500
New wheel bearing 
138000 mi

US $500
Replaced struts  

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2003 Subaru Outback 4dr Sedan

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

125000 mi

US $120
Hub needed replaced. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.

2003 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Subaru Outback problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.