| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2001 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area
Engine (44%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (16%)
Brakes and Traction Control (2%)
Suspension and Steering (17%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (13%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 241 repairs.
2001 Subaru Outback engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (6%)
$1000 - $2499 (16%)
$500 - $999 (17%)
$100 - $499 (35%)
< $100 (27%)
Chart based on 89 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2001 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| 138000 mi | I had a loose body in the catalytic converter that rattled at times. The 'check engine' light was on. However, my mechanic was able to make it pass emissions. |
| 154380 mi A $400 |
Radiator replaced. |
| 155900 mi US $900 |
Cooling hoses were cracked and coming apart. |
| 168000 mi US $295 |
right bank CAT below threshold, was replaced. |
| 75020 mi C $1472 |
check engine light was on. During repair trips in Oct Nov and Dec technicians informed gaskets, rocker covers needed replaced. |
| 104200 mi C $594 |
leaking oil |
| 192000 mi US $1100 |
Catalytic converter replacement as well as 3 other sensors. My car would not pass emissions testing. It failed again as another catalytic converter is bad. Apparently I have 3!! |
| 296000 mi US $100 |
Persistant oil and coolant leak. Replaced oil filter gasket. Clamps for coolant fell off. Replaced clamps, replaced oil and coolant. |
| 322000 mi US $500 |
Catalytic converter had being going out this past year, check engine light on giving codes for air sensor, insufficient air flow. Finally blew apart on highway. Bypass CC, new exhaust system. Runs great now. |
| 322000 mi US $800 |
Update on bypass of cc. Failed. Too much pressure. Cheaper to replace ALL cat. Converter(3). Selling car. |
| 117300 mi US $100 |
Idler and tensioner pulley bearings failed replaced both pulleys and belt |
| 152000 mi US $2000 |
Engine died stalling, started knocking. Engine failure mechanic found it to be rod bearings quoted 3,000 to replace with used engine declined to repair will sell for parts. Engine lost power started ticking then knocking metal found in oil appears one or several connecting rod bearings may have let go. Junking the car most likely |
| 93600 mi US $200 |
Idler pulley on serpentine belt seized and unscrewed itself, causing belt to lose tension and power steering, power brakes, alternator, etc to lose power. |
| 112000 mi US $1350 |
Exhaust leak, patch welded into place oil leaks, estimate given |
| 124000 mi | oil leaks |
| 97960 mi | Replaced radiator and main cooling fan. Now looks like head gaskets need replacement. Possibly piston rings and bearings as well. |
| 175000 mi US $100 |
replaced serpentine belt and idler pulleys |
| 116000 mi US $492 |
Replaced idler bearing. |
| 120000 mi US $269 |
Belt broke. Fixed overheating problem by replacing a fan behind the radiator. |
| 180000 mi US $10 |
Car overheats when under extreme load: going uphill, hot weather. AC makes it worse but happens even without AC. I tried to fix this by replacing the coolant and using the Subaru coolant conditioner, but it still overheats. Possibly head gasket on its way out? The problem is rare enough that I have chosen to live with it. |
2001 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 101200 mi US $120 |
The engine code identified the idle air control valve as the problem. My mechanic cleaned the idle air control valve rather than replacing it. This problem crops up every 3 years in the winter time. |
| 100500 mi US $260 |
Difficult to read the mechanics notes, but it looks like "replaced Anful Ratro Sensor." |
| 108000 mi US $561 |
When the car refused to start, it had to be towed to the mechanic, who diagnosed a bad fuel pump. He replaced the fuel pump with sending unit. Labor was only $110, but the parts were $414 before tax. |
| 111000 mi US $146 |
Car failed to start, on more than one occasion. Finally drove it to my mechanic, who replaced a bad crank position sensor. |
| 113000 mi | More than once, car failed to start once hot, and had to be push-started. Later, check engine light also went on. Mechanic kept it a week, but since the problem never recurred for him, he fixed nothing, but also charged nothing. |
| 113000 mi US $522 |
Replaced knock sensor. Cleaned EGM tunnel high resistance. Replaced idle air control valve assembly. Checked codes and tested. |
| 99000 mi US $160 |
Fuel rail line is metal, hooked to a rubber fuel line using worm connector. When cold weather sets in, metal line shrinks, allowing fuel leak, which permeates smell in cabin. |
| 99600 mi US $200 |
Leaking metal fuel rail line fixed. Valve clatter....told Subarus need valve adjustment every 100K. Will have to take to dealer. Does not prevent driving. Smell of anti-freeze comes from car after shutting engine off. Manifestation of Subaru "Fix" for leaking head gasket/sludge issue with flat-4 engines. Persistent problem that Subaru warranties until 100K. Will take into dealer to fix. |
| 107300 mi US $2000 |
repaired head gaskets - oil leak |
| 115000 mi US $500 |
exhaust replaced from catalytic converter back, not including c.c. |
| 218000 mi | Motor blew timing belt, interferance engine bit the dust. |
| 119000 mi US $160 |
Knock sensor was not working correctly; car frequently lit CEL. Code "P0325" came up. |
| 124000 mi US $450 |
Radiator was leaking. Noticed it one day while parking car after a snowstorm. Green dots covered the driveway. Mechanic found radiator leaked during high-pressure testing. Dropped car off 8 AM, had loaner for the day. |
| 167500 mi US $15 |
Belt slipping. Was tightened right then and there with no appointment needed. Junction Auto (New Haven, VT) is an excellent repair shop. |
| 140000 mi US $1200 |
Oxygen sensor replaced 2 days later. Quoted $180. Expressed disappointment, and because I'm a frequent/loyal customer, they waived the labor and half of the cost of the sensor. Paid $60 instead. Very happy with repair shop. |
| 160300 mi US $122 |
Replaced two spark plug wires and cleaned all spark plugs due to poor work done at another business. Car had misfired under load. Repair successful. |
| 169000 mi US $250 |
Replaced oil pan for rust spots. |
| 174100 mi US $4000 |
Replaced flange. Replaced radiator Oil leak |
| 164000 mi US $1800 |
Deferred maint: New radiator, catalytic convertors, knock sensor. |
| 89280 mi C $400 |
I had to replace the exhaust system |
| 97340 mi C $60 |
coolant fluid leaking |
| 85000 mi US $1500 |
Head gasket was leaking. I researched online and discovered my VIN was part of (lapsed)warranty extension due to defective head gasket. I complained to Subaru of America, they agreed to pay 50% of $1500 repair bill. Head gasket was leaking. I researched online and discovered my VIN was part of warranty extension due to defective head gasket. I complained to Subaru of America, they agreed to pay 50% of $1500 repair bill. |
| 116000 mi | Check engine light on= code for oxygen sensor. |
| 201000 mi | would not pass emission test... po420 code was flashing... replaced both o2 sensors and reset the computer... was able to pass inspection.. |
| 210400 mi | skipped a tooth in timing belt... |
| 138000 mi US $1300 |
heads machined and head gaskets replaced |
| 120000 mi US $120 |
Pre-cat o2 sensor defective. Replaced o2 sensor. |
2001 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 118659 mi C $448 |
Minor tune-up |
| 103000 mi US $150 |
changed thermostat, water pump, radiator cap, anti-freeze and flushed radiator |
| 170000 mi US $1500 |
Blown Head Gasket...second time replaced first was at 75,000mi by original owner |
| second head gasket failure during 15 ywar ownership |
| 230500 mi US $162 |
The check engine light was on. Diagnotics sent back a knock sensor code. The knock sensor had failed and the wires were melted. Replaced sensor and wires. |
| 232300 mi US $715 |
catalytic converter, replaced |
| 241000 mi US $205 |
Replace radiator. |
| 250000 mi US $3000 |
The engine needed to be replaced. |
| 254000 mi | Fuel system O-ring was leaking and the car smelled like gas. |
| 111000 mi US $250 |
replaced timing belt at 110k miles |
| 163200 mi US $550 |
Headgasket failed - I took the time to replace the headgaskets, timing belt and idlers, 4 sparkplugs. I disassembled the heads and had them milled flat. |
| 180000 mi | Cell P0420 |
| 72000 mi US $2100 |
Found oil leak around headgasket. |
| 76000 mi | replaced 02 sensor. |
| 81000 mi US $305 |
Dealer claimed needed new head gaskets-about $2200. |
| 90000 mi US $2094 |
In September dealer claimed needed new head gaskets-about $2200. Today, Jan 24, 2013, a different trusted mechanic confirmed seeing antifreeze between the block and head. So, Jan 30 I dropped off at dealer for repairs; runs quieter now. |
| 105000 mi US $425 |
Check engine light, code p0420, cat converter |
| 194400 mi US $200 |
O2 Sensor and a hole in the tail pipe |
| 108000 mi US $1700 |
replace head gasket |
| 116000 mi | gas smell in car. Mechanic replaced torn fuel hose under warranty from the head gasket replacement CEL came on. Code read catalytic converter malfunction. Repair shop told us not to replace it, they just reset warning light. |
| 121000 mi | fuel line leak |
| 123000 mi US $713 |
catalytic converter set off check engine light and oil leaking |
| 138880 mi C $100 |
Rusted out joint. |
| 142600 mi C $850 |
Oil leak replaced oil pressure sensor |
| 213300 mi US $75 |
Replaced original knock sensor and original spark plug wires |
| 217200 mi US $1525 |
Headgasket failure at no. 3 cylinder - replaced both headgaskets (with complete engine removal) with new MLS Felpro gaskets since they have a very good reliability history Replaced knock sensor (had code). |
| 230000 mi US $510 |
EXHAUST SYSTEM CRACKED - REPLACE CAT-BACK WITH NEW AS THERE WAS TOO MUCH CORROSION TO SALVAGE ANY OF THE OLD |
| 234000 mi US $130 |
Air pressure/temperature sensor quit working. I used a scan tool to find this problem. It was running very rough with the check engine light flashing so we quit using it until it was fixed. |
| 121000 mi US $30 |
Ck engine light coming on and going off every week or so. |
| 119112 mi | New Alternator and serpentine belt |
| 120000 mi | Leak in water pump. Replaced water pump, thermostat & gasket replaced timing belt Leak in water pump. Replaced water pump, thermostat & gasket replaced timing belt Alternator replaced |
| 121000 mi US $1200 |
Replaced Head Gasket and Valve Cover Gaskets. Valvoline overfilled engine with motor oil. Check Engine light came on b/c Piston 4 misfire due to oil pressure. Replaced Head Gasket and Valve Cover Gaskets. Valvoline overfilled engine with motor oil. Check Engine light came on b/c Piston 4 misfire due to oil pressure. |
| 124000 mi | Needed a new catalytic converter. |
| 91000 mi US $300 |
replaced knock sensor |
| 103000 mi US $2500 |
Replaced Timing belt, water pump. Replaced engine sensor. |
2001 Subaru Outback 4dr Sedan
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 110000 mi US $840 |
Head gaskets and timing belt. Subaru of America paid 75% of the head gaskets, since they were under recall, and BARELY out of warranty. Also knock sensor. |
| 118000 mi US $15 |
"Arcing" of #3 spark plug. Local mechanic replaced #3 plug wire with a used one from their shop, and replaced the #3 plug. The electrical charge was flowing down the OUTSIDE of the plug, making a long black streak & burning the plug wire. |
| 119000 mi US $440 |
Replaced bad knock sensor causing "Check Engine" light. Mechanic said that it was not a "necessary" fix, but I might lose some power AND having the "Check Engine" light stuck ON all the time might mask any other problems tha |
| 124000 mi US $750 |
#1 cyl misfire. Full valve adjustment. All valves were out of spec. Repair was fully successful, and the car drives like new. fuel injectors replaced. |
| 130000 mi US $2500 |
Both head gaskets replaced, heads machined. This is the third time head gaskets were replaced. First repair @45K under warranty, one side replaced, no machining. Second repair at 95k, both gaskets repaired, no machining. This repair at 130k. |
2001 Subaru Outback 4-door
4-cylinder manual AWD
| 99820 mi | Headgasket failure. Was leaking badly on one side(driver), and the pass side was just starting to leak. |
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