Radiator Problems of Subaru Outback

Our 2011 Subaru Outback had a radiator leak with no warning signal. The car overheated, the radiator cracked, and we blew the headgasket. Only after the damage was done did a warning light come on. The car only has 100k miles and has been carefully maintained.

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On October 16th, 2020 while driving our 2012 Subaru Outback on the highway, the check engine light came on. My husband and I pulled over, lifted the hood and saw steam coming from the engine near the radiator. We took the car to the Subaru dealership and the tech stated both head gaskets were failing. The vehicle had 156,000 miles on it and we ended up paying over $2500 in repair costs. Because of the age and mileage on the car, I did not plan to submit a repot to the NHTSA. However, I was notified by a relative today that her 2009 Subaru impreza with only 68,000 miles just experienced head gasket failure and the dealership quoted her $4500 in repair. I have encouraged her to submit the issue through NHTSA for further trending purposes as I believe this may be a safety concern with Subarus.

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We've attempted to resolve the issue with Subaru America, but they don't respond. 2011 purchased new Subaru Outback. All required scheduled maintenance & services performed on time at authorized provider. 2019 the timing belt, water pump and thermostat replaced per mfg stds. Dealer added coolant & bled the system. 3 months later the radiator blew. A chemical block was done & all was fine per dealer. 3 months later engine overheated. Another dealership discovered the head gasket & cat were cracked which should have been discovered by the previous dealer. Subarus are notorious for head gasket & coolant system issues from 100,000 � 120,000 miles. Subaru slightly redesigned the head gaskets, but the industry as a whole is aware the problem still exists. The problems with the head gasket, cat and radiator are well documented on the internet for 1990 to 2011 models. Issue stems from management decision to utilize a composite for the construction of the head gasket to save money; however, the long term effects of heat on composite metal products would surmise this would lead to warping, cracking or other related product failures. The design & construction of the Subaru head gasket was inept at best. The device features a multi-layer steel shim coated with a graphite layer. It was not up-to-the-mark & allowed coolant to leak into the exhaust pressure &/or combustion chamber. There was no Subaru head gasket recall but the company redesigned the cylinder heads & configurations of the camshaft. However, it only led to the coolant a&nd oil leak at the external head gasket. This system defect adds to the coolant system failure noted. We request Subaru America reimburse us for the total cost of the radiator, thermostat & head gasket replacement at $4,013. 80. Plus other cost associated with the breakdowns at $1,236. 20 for a total of $5,250. 00.

While on a 200 mile trip on rural interstate the thermostat failed causing head gasket to blow and engine to overheat. No check engine warning light was displayed. Suddenly all control panel warning lights began to flash. All coolant was expelled from radiator. Vehicle has less than 100k miles. By shear luck I was at an exit with a Subaru dealer near by. Have attached repair report from Subaru dealer.

Engine overheating/low coolant light began on highway at 86,000 miles. Repairs needed stated it was a cracked radiator. After repair of radiator at 800 miles later, same low coolant light appeared while driving in city on sidestreets and engine began making 'sloshing' sound. Repairs needed stated it was a damaged water pump. After repair of damaged water pump, engine still made 'sloshing' sound. Final repair recommendation was a blown head gasket with possible engine re-work required as engine had probably overheated.

I was taking it for an oil change and lube. After driving on the freeway at 60-70 mph, I came off the freeway, went 2 blocks to a stoplight. As soon as I stopped, many warning lights started flashing, and became alarmed, went 3 blocks to the lube service center and some steam started coming from under the hood. The service men immediately took it in to check it out. They replaced some coolant, completed the service and told me to have it checked by a mechanic. I drove it about a mile to the nearest auto shop, a place I've taken my last 2 cars, and left it. The next day they said it was fixed, and that they had to replace the radiator and it was ready to pick up. From there I picked up the car and drove it to a friend's in a city about 100 miles away. I drove it the entire way on the freeway, came off the freeway, drove it about 4 blocks to my friend's house. I wen up her driveway, and as I pulled into a parking place, the warning lights again started flashing. I pulled into a parking slot and stopped it. My friend's son later went out to look under the hood with me. There was evidence of some spray under the hood, but not much. I called the dealer where I'd bought the car a month before, and he told me to have the car towed to their shop, where I'd left it with them for about 2-3 weeks. When I called about the progress, they said they didn't want to release it back to me until to was repaired. In the meantime, my friend where I was staying when I had it towed, told me she had an identical problem with her 2011 Subaru Outback and after replacing hoses, thermostat, water pump, tjey finally replaced her head gasket. My daughter then reminded me the same happened to her 1999 Subaru Outback, so I started researching the internet for similar issues. Many sites, some well known said this is common with the 2. 5l engine. This is a defect Subaru should recall.

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle's temperature gauge was abnormally high and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the temperature gauge needed to be replaced and more coolant needed to be added. The vehicle was repaired however the vehicle overheated while driving. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the both head gaskets had blown, the radiator was cracked, and the water pump had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

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Found coolant black and possible overheating from head gasket failure in result radiator was exposed to high heat and cracked. Combustion pressure had entered cooling system and caused over pressure of cooling system. Recommend leak down and compression check of engine to determine if internal damage has occurred. Customer has two options, replacement of head gaskets if no other findings internal are found or replacement of engine complete. Turbo may also be damaged and needs inspection also. Replace rear brake rotors and pads, lube back of pads and hardware pins with anti squeak paste. Adjust emergency brake system to factory spec. Road test for noise and seat new pads to rotors.

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The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback wagon. The contact stated during routine maintenance with a private mechanic, the mechanic advised that radiator fluid was leaking into the exhaust. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 120,000.

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The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact moved the vehicle off of the road and added coolant to the radiator. The coolant continued to leak out of the radiator; therefore, the vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the head gasket, water pump and timing belt would need to be replaced. One year later, the failure recurred. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer but stated that the head gasket was blown. The contact also stated that the warranty on the repair was only good for a year. The contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 67,380.

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I took a cross-country trip this summer from la to kansas city, mo. I had the car serviced and everything checked out before I left both going and coming back. I left kc to head back to la. 3 hours outside of kc I saw my check engine light come on and the temperature gauge up to red. I pulled over immediately. Smoke poured out of my car. I put coolant and water in it 3 times. It seemed fine when I started the engine, then the needle would go up to red. I didn't dare drive it, so I called aaa. They towed me to a Subaru dealership in KS. I was told my head gaskets had blown. They fixed them. I had to stay there overnight. They called me the next morning and told me before I was to pick up the car that they had taken it out for a test drive and it broke down on them. This time it was the tensioner to the timing belt had slipped time and the belt had shattered into. Okay, that was another week and a half stranded to get that fixed. I finally left to drive back to la. The car overheated all the way back to la. It was the worse trip in my life. I stopped in CO. They told me it was my radiator cap not holding pressure as long as I kept the rpm's up the car would stay cool. I have to say with all that going on, the car got me home. Whew! it was a nail biter. When I got back to la the dealer there told me I had to have new head gaskets. What?! I said, I just had new ones done. They found out that the heads were warped. No one checked. Now, here is the craziest thing. My car had only 19,000 miles on the car when it broke down. 19,000! it was practically still a new car! it was still under warranty for the power train. I had the heads planed and new gaskets put in. The dealership in KS and la started pointing fingers at whose fault it was and meanwhile my car is sitting at the dealership, with them doing nothing to it. I finally found someone at Subaru corporate who helped me out. Then a couple months go by and my car starts stalling intermittently. Lemon!.

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Bought Outback from nate wade Subaru in salt lake city in Nov. Of 2006. I was told that nate wade performed a complete inspection of the vehicle, and was told by the salesman, bryce, that the vehicle was in good condition. After purchasing the car(along with powertrain warranty), I noticed that in cold weather, the belt squealed. Talked to dealer, and dealer fixed the problem, but now I'm very insecure about the actual condition of the car. I'm not so sure that the salesman or the dealer was being honest about the condition of the car. Once the weather began heating up, the car would overheat. I took it into nate wade service. They said all that needed to be done was a new radiator cap and flushed the lines. Paid for that. The problem persisted, so I took the car back in. Service told me then that I needed a new radiator. Apparently, this was not a problem that could have been discovered when I visited nate wade service a week prior. I took the car to another mechanic for a second opinion, and he told me that it was not overheating due to the radiator because the radiator leak was minimal. Nate wade refused to do anything further to figure out what was wrong with the vehicle besides replacing the radiator. Recently the car has been losing power and a severe decrease in fuel mileage. Took the car to nate wade. Nate wade said that there was nothing wrong with the car at all, but that I could get a tune up for 150. But, there is nothing wrong with the sparkplugs or the timing. I know there is a problem with the car, but all the dealership wants me to do is throw money at the problem, and stall until the warranty expires this November. They refuse to identify the problem, but want me to just keep spending money to eliminate the possibilities for them. I'm concerned that the car was not in good condition when I bought it, as was promised by bryce, the salesman.

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'97 Subaru Outback wagon impeccably maintained 85,000 mi is overheating. Began as intermittent problem approx 5 months ago. Flushed radiator, repl cap, pressure tested radiator. Driving down hill on mountain road in morning cold, overheats after about 6 miles. Repl thermostat, water pump, timing belt. Subaru dealer repair mechanic says head gasket. Googled problem online before replacing thermostat. Blogs from Outback owners with same symptoms say head gasket. An incredible number of blogs describing the same problem and statements that Subaru has never taken responsibility for this flaw which has affected so many Outback owners. This is a crime.

See all problems of the 1997 Subaru Outback 🔎.

We bought a 1998 Subaru Outback in 2004. At approximately 110,000 miles, we experienced a catastrophic overheating of the engine due to a faulty head gasket. The overheating caused approximately $3,000 worth of damage to the car. The head gasket, radiator, thermostat, water pump, oxygen sensors and (2) catalytic converters all had to be replaced. We have since learned that this is a common problem for Subarus of this vintage. There are hundreds of anecdotal reports of people having this exact problem on the internet, and our mechanic tells us he fixes at least one of these problems per week at his shop. Clearly, this is a defective product.

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2000 Subaru Outback 1) car overheated and had to be towed 2) took it to the dealership - hole in radiator, blown head gasket (both replaced) 3) drove less than 20 miles and coolant started leaking from radiator hose 4) took it back to the dealer, radiator hose fixed and replaced other head gasket 5) drove another 10 miles - check engine light is on. Apparently the oxygen sensor is now bad. There are tremendous problems with the 2000 Subarus - read the following blog to see the 100+ other people with similar problems. Subaru should fix the coolant systems before an accident happens. . Read more...

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Car seemed to be running fine but radiator temp was high. Took car into repair shop, cracked head gasket. Called Subaru, they offered no help or advice. Cost to repair is at a total loss to me, a college student. Subaru dealer said cracked head gasket is a problem in Subarus. I would have not bought this car if I knew it would have these kind of problems. Part to be replaced is head gasket.

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Head gasket failed on 1999 Subaru at 38,000. Car was maintained religiously. Subaru recall was never sent to me. I was told my car was the 'wrong phase engine' to be covered under warranty. Car had overheated 3 months earlier. Subaru flushed the system and added 'special coolant lubricant'. This was worthless. I was told it would cost $2000+, even though my family has purchased 4 Subaru's from the same dealer. After a lot of screaming and yelling, they replaced both gaskets, radiator, thermostat and water pump. I ended up paying $250. Dealer, (wakefield surbaru, wakefield MA. ) helped convinced Subaru corporate to foot most of the expense. Later when Subaru oil filters failed (leaks) and after more screaming and yelling with this dealer ship, (after they said I was making up the leak problem) I've changed dealerships who has a more professional service center.

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Legacy Outback with 2. 5 l engine began to overheat with coolant boiling over into resevoir. The car was taken to repair shop. They replaced thermostat, tested for hydrocarbons in system, pressured tested cap and system and flushed radiator. Car still overheated and was returned to repair shop and tested for hydrocarbons in the antifreeze with negative results. No problem was identified. Engine continued to overheat and was taken into repair shop while the pointer was off the top of the temperature gauge. This time hydrocarbons were identified in the coolant and problem was identified as a blown gasket. Manager reported that the week before another Subaru owner had the same problem with same difficulty in identifying the cause. Repairs cost $1,400. Had a similiar report for another Subaru owner but work was done with pressure on dealer after initial refusal.

The vehicle overheated and was towed. The radiator was replaced. Vehicle broke down a second time. The vehicle was serviced again and the head gasket was found to be defective.

I have gone through one head gasket on Jan 2003. The head gasket went out in Dec of 2003 and the whole engine had to be replaced. In January of 2004 I had the overhead camgaskets go out on the car as well as the the oxygen sensor. I have had more issues but it would be a small book. Subaru has been relativly unresponsive even after many phone calls and letters to my concerns. Every part was replaced however there seems to be a poroblem with my new engine since there is now an investigation within Subaru. They refuse to pay the dealership for the new engine replacement which raises the question of was this a new engine or what is wrong with the new engine.

1998 Subaru Outback showed signs of overheating as temperature gauge rose up past the usual midline and cold air inside car from air conditioner suddenly got warmer. I pulled over and coolant was over flowing from overflow reservoir through the cap. I drove with the heater on full power and made it to a repair facility and remove the thermostat which had seized. Replaced the thermostat and radiator cap ($30) and everything was fine until four months later (March 2004) when car showed signs of over heating again (rise in inside air conditioned air temperature from cold to warm). Took car to rallysport engineering in costa mesa, CA and mechanic could not find symptoms of head gasket failure although this is what he thought it was. He added stop leak, new thermostat, and new coolant ($150 parts/labor) and the problem was resolved although the temperature gauge reading was a little higher than it was when using original equipment (prior to November). Now, July 2004, car has almost overheated again. I took the car to south coast Subaru in costa mesa, CA and they stated that it was a head gasket failure and that they could smell the exhaust fumes through the overflow reservoir. The estimate to fix the repair will be $1500 parts and labor.

Engine overheated after a 30-minute trip. Temp gauge read normal. Thermostat, water pump, radiator, head gasket all ok, but exhaust valves and cylinder walls damaged beyond repair.

Purchased car with 78k on it. Prior it driving from colorado to wisconsin, had it looked over. Replaced leaking water pump, timing belt, and leaking fwd drive shaft seal. Within a week of getting to wisconsin, radiator and driver side head gasket found to be leaking. Head gaskets are big on Subaru web sights. Soa recommends a "conditioner" to put in the radiator, but it was not available yet. Parts guy said problem was that owners are not allowing car to warm up in cold environments.

Failure of radiator at 48000 miles. The plastic body separated from the metal portion, causing an occasional leak of coolant.

Car was overheating. Took to dealer to change the timing belt and to investigate the overheating. Changed timing belt and blew sand out of radiator fins. Investigated on the web and found that the symptoms were very similar to a head gasket being blown out in very many cases. The next week the radiator fluid was being pushed out of the overflow reservoir as described in problems found on the web. Took the car back to the dealer who said that the head gasket was bad.

4th time for this radiator overheating; Subaru is replacing engine.

Problem started when driving to minnesota from California. Lower thermostat went out and car over heated, replaced. Lower thermostat went out again. Car still heating up funny, dealer says nothing wrong. Turns out head gasket gone. Next the engine was found to have a crack, they put in new block and gave us an extended warranty. Now less then a year later car overheats again. Subaru seems to be doing nothing to help.

First radiator failed at approx. 21,000 miles and oem replacement radiator failed at approx. 44,000 miles. Both radiators 10 mos. Old.