| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area
Engine (38%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (18%)
Brakes and Traction Control (1%)
Suspension and Steering (24%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (14%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)
Other (0%)
Chart based on 97 repairs.
2004 Subaru Outback repair cost distribution
$2500+ (5%)
$1000 - $2499 (14%)
$500 - $999 (19%)
$100 - $499 (46%)
< $100 (17%)
Chart based on 81 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States Oct 2012 - Nov 2012 | |||
| Nov 2012111000 miUS $330 | Wheel bearing failed; replaced bearing | ||
2004 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in British Columbia, Canada May 2013 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Jul 201383700 miC $3000 | Head gaskets need replacing, gasket warped,water pump cracked | ||
| Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States Feb 2013 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jul 2013115500 miUS $390 | torn CV boots | ||
| Sep 2013121000 miUS $180 | Replaced "crunchy" radiator hoses | ||
| Apr 2014135000 miUS $157 | Vibrating noise when idling and when first started. Replaced belt and idler bearing (power steering pump shaft bearing). | ||
| Jul 2014140800 miUS $655 | Replaced worn steering rack boot Replace AC hose and recharged Freon | ||
| Jul 2015158483 miUS $500 | Replace left front rear control arm bushing 4 wheel alignment after replacement of arm bushing | ||
| Aug 2015160170 miUS $2000 | Replace RH and LH catalytic converter | ||
| Feb 2016171530 miUS $678 | Replace oxygen sensor Replace right front wheel bearing and seals | ||
| Jul 2016180265 miUS $400 | Replace steering rack boots and alignment after replacement | ||
| Subaru Outback in Illinois, United States Mar 2011 - May 2015 | |||
| May 201141000 miUS $660 | AC was not blowing cold. Replaced high and low hoses, recharged system. Left front door power lock actuator was not working. Replaced part. Rear sway bar linkages (both) were worn. Replaced. | ||
| Jan 201554800 miUS $50 | Oil leak. Filter gasket leaked. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Colorado, United States Jul 2012 - Oct 2012 | |||
| Oct 201275000 miUS $500 | Front boots on axle were bad. Axle was replaced. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Minnesota, United States Dec 2012 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Apr 2013116800 miUS $200 | Throttle body censer, belt, pulley. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Connecticut, United States Sep 2013 - Jul 2015 | |||
| Dec 2013171000 mi | Rear sway bar, connector rods needed to because of cracked grommets. I had replaced the connectors in March 2013 and they were still under warranty. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Florida, United States Sep 2010 - Nov 2013 | |||
| Jun 201174000 mi | Leaky sunroof was dripping water into the trunk. The dealership thought it was fixed with their water testing, but on another heavy rain it reappeared. Dealer noticed something (I can't think of what it was) broken dealing with the suspension/steering going to the front right tire. | ||
| Jul 201174200 mi | On previous trip reconnected drain tube. This time unclogged it. Fixed leak. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada Aug 2010 - Aug 2016 | |||
| Dec 201091760 mi | Replaced the right rear wheel bearing. | ||
| Aug 201197540 miC $260 | Scraping noise on the front left side when the brakes were heated. Investigated and noticed scrape marks on the top brake pad retaining clip. Brought it to my mechanic and replaced the Front left wheel bearing & hub. | ||
| Apr 201299500 miC $100 | Exhaust flange (between muffler & midpipe) had a leak. Took it to an exhaust shop to have the old flanges cut off and patched together with a piece of pipe. | ||
| Nov 2012103420 mi | Replaced alternator due to low voltage output. | ||
| Jul 2014111800 mi | Turn signal stalk was randomly clicking (triggering the relay, but not signal lights) Opened up the steering column and took the stalk out, and cleaned the grease on the contacts as outlined on subaruoutback.org | ||
| Aug 2015118100 miC $600 | Replaced a/c condenser due to hole. Replaced front right ball joint. Replaced the oil pressure sender due to oil leak | ||
2004 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| Subaru Outback in Alabama, United States Nov 2014 - Sep 2016 | |||
| Jun 2015232000 miUS $597 | The A/C compressor, idler pulley and belt were replaced. | ||
| Jul 2016242500 miUS $425 | Replaced rear struts | ||
| Subaru Outback in Colorado, United States Jun 2014 - Sep 2020 | |||
| Nov 2014136600 miUS $350 | Replaced leaking valve cover gaskets | ||
| Sep 2015143000 miUS $140 | Alternator stopped putting out. Easy replacement except for the fan shroud adjustment. | ||
| Mar 2016146000 miUS $230 | Passenger front axle was making noise. Replaced axle Valve cover leaking, grommets and gasket replaced. Valves adjusted. | ||
| Aug 2016149000 mi | Front passenger side axle failed again. Strong clicking noise when turning right while accelerating, then as it got worse, louder noise while accelerating straight as well. Covered under warranty from prior visit. | ||
| Oct 2016149000 miUS $1200 | Steering was pulling to the left. Mechanic found blown strut. Replaced all four as ride was degrading anyhow. | ||
| Apr 2017152000 miUS $575 | Leak in high side pressure line from compressor to condenser. Replace line, recharge system | ||
| Dec 2017153641 miUS $5252 | Replaced the head gasket. Known/common problem on this engine and model year. Water pump leaking, replaced. Replaced shift shaft oil seal. The dealership noticed it while they were diagnosing the bad head gasket. Given how weak this vehicle is it wouldn't surprise me to find that it had also sprung a leak in the blinker fluid gasket. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States May 2011 - May 2015 | |||
| Jun 201192000 miUS $2300 | clutch replacement and pulleys replaced | ||
| Jul 2014137000 miUS $700 | CV joint replaced. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Wisconsin, United States Jan 2011 - Apr 2011 | |||
| Feb 2011101000 miUS $800 | New water pump, timing belt and thermostat. replaced clutch assembly. replaced front and rear differential fluid replaced seal in rear differential oil change | ||
2004 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Idaho, United States - Jun 2008 | |||
| Sep 200630000 miUS $5000 | Full repaint of the car covered under manufacturer's warranty. | ||
| Jun 200858000 miUS $450 | Rear Shock replacement. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States Nov 2012 - Apr 2013 | |||
| Jan 2013US $1800 | Replaced head gasket, etc. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Connecticut, United States Dec 2012 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Mar 2013108000 miUS $1000 | Head gasket leaking was causing temp gauge to peg on "H" after a few miles of driving. Last time was just 24 months ago. This is the THIRD time the head gasket has had to be machined and replaced, in the 8 years since purchased new. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Wisconsin, United States Dec 2015 - Mar 2017 | |||
| May 2016184900 miUS $200 | Overheating so they did pressure test, and other stuff. New radiator cap and thermostat. | ||
| Jan 2017183000 miUS $1300 | Heads warped. Repairing as funds permit. | ||
| Subaru Outback in California, United States Jan 2012 - Mar 2021 | |||
| Apr 2012101200 miUS $241 | Valve cover leak and spark plug tubes leaking | ||
| Mar 2014127000 miUS $2000 | Head gaskets leaking oil. | ||
| Apr 2014127300 miUS $322 | replaced CV joints causing vibration at idle. | ||
| Mar 2017154000 miUS $242 | Suction line leaking. R&R both hoses. 1st AC service in 13 years. | ||
| Apr 2019163000 miUS $385 | Replace radiator, parts and services | ||
| Subaru Outback in New Hampshire, United States Aug 2011 - May 2015 | |||
| Aug 2012165000 miUS $250 | new cv joints and axle | ||
| Jun 2013170000 miUS $275 | cv joint failed | ||
| Jul 2013170800 miUS $1600 | repair front transfer case. carrier bearings shot | ||
| Mar 2014176000 miUS $550 | replace MAF sensor | ||
| Jan 2015171200 miUS $300 | replace power steering pump | ||
| Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada Aug 2010 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Jul 201189280 miC $120 | missing link on a rear wheel | ||
| Jun 2012105400 miC $80 | Replaced left front boot | ||
| Jun 2013111600 miC $100 | heater sensor | ||
| Nov 2013117580 miC $120 | replaced cv joint | ||
| Subaru Outback in Maryland, United States Nov 2010 - Jan 2022 | |||
| Dec 201096000 miUS $350 | Gas Tank Sending unit sending erratic readings causing check engine light. Gas gauge seemed to be working correctly, however CEL said otherwise. | ||
| Jun 2011102000 miUS $3100 | Car Overheating. Head Gasket Failure. Subaru Dealer removed engine from car did a complete engine re-seal replaced the intake, exhaust, spark plug, rear main, and oil pan seals/gaskets. Also replaced Water Pump, Thermostat, Power steering pump. | ||
| Dec 2011110000 mi | Power Steering Belt squeal when cold. | ||
| Nov 2013138300 miUS $160 | End links worn. | ||
| Apr 2015157200 miUS $100 | Exhaust bracket broken. Welded bracket back together | ||
| May 2015158000 miUS $220 | Cracked CV Boot. Replaced entire half shaft to be safe. | ||
| Jul 2016161000 miUS $200 | Replaced all four sway bar end links. | ||
| May 2017166000 miUS $250 | Braking was poor. Found the front left brake caliper was seized. Disassembled the caliper, rebuilt and lubricated. Replaced rotors and pads both sides. | ||
| Jul 2017167000 miUS $300 | Exhaust leak at cat converter and down pipe joint. Replaced gasket. CV boot failure. Replaced entire half shaft. | ||
| Feb 2018168000 miUS $250 | Left front sway bar end link fractured in half. Had all replaced and oil/filter change. | ||
| Jun 2018170000 miUS $5 | Removed the shims in the AC compressor clutch | ||
| Aug 2021185000 miUS $1200 | Replaced Ball Joint and rusty steering knuckle... Had trouble finding a replacement steering knuckle due to supply chain issues. Ended up using a used part. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Utah, United States Jul 2010 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Jul 201177000 miUS $1450 | Head Gaskets replaced. Discovered during routine maintenance that oil and coolant were mixing and that the head gaskets were in poor condition. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States Jul 2010 - Feb 2013 | |||
| Sep 2010157000 miUS $140 | Overheating, cleaned radiator, flushed, new thermostat and fluids | ||
| Mar 2012181000 miUS $336 | Leaking struts | ||
| Apr 2012181700 miUS $500 | rusted and leaking transmission oil lines | ||
| Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States Sep 2011 - Apr 2014 | |||
| Oct 201189000 miUS $950 | Moderate sized area of rust through on driver's side rear wheel well and rust area in center of hood. | ||
| Jan 201494500 miUS $38 | Fix leak in exhaust system. Fuel(gasoline) dripped on hot engine while driving in very cold weather. Fumes entered car by heater. Problem traced to leak in fuel line at hose connection and confirmed by dealer. | ||
| Subaru Outback in New Jersey, United States Feb 2012 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Dec 2012155000 miUS $600 | Replaced passenger side catalytic converter. | ||
| Feb 2013158400 miUS $3100 | Replaced catalytic converters. | ||
| Jul 2014190800 mi | AC hose replaced | ||
| Oct 2014196000 miUS $621 | Replaced left front wheel bearing, alternator belt, battery terminal, & license plate light. | ||
| Subaru Outback in New York, United States Sep 2011 - Apr 2015 | |||
| Nov 2011148300 mi | Blown head gasket caused overheating. | ||
| Dec 2012172000 miUS $32 | Exhaust flange rusted out just ahead of the muffler. Pipes were cut and a piece of tubing welded in. | ||
| Jun 2013185000 miUS $339 | inner cv joint seized. | ||
| Mar 2015206000 miUS $1300 | Blown head gaskets. Also had running hot issue. Fix with new radiator. Gaskets replaced on each head. | ||
2004 Subaru Outback 4-door
6-cylinder automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in California, United States May 2011 - Sep 2011 | |||
| Sep 201170000 miUS $350 | 6 CDs stuck in cd changer. Removed cd/radio unit and sent to Subaru for removal of CDs and a refurbished/replacement unit. Took over 3 months to complete work (get replacement unit and get CDs returned)! | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.
