Head gasket failure (EJ25)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
engine codes: EJ25, EJ251, EJ253, EJ255, EJ257
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating, oil / coolant weeps
Fix: Replace head gaskets (MLS type)
€1,200–2,500
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25)
Petrol · 1,994 / 2,457 cm³ · 92–221 kW
7
model generations
3
known faults
19,000
new cars in the EU (2010–2025)
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
Fuel: Petrol. Timing drive: belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo.
In our database this engine is fitted to 7 model generations, among them: Subaru Legacy V, Subaru Forester III (SH), Subaru Impreza (GE/GH), Subaru Outback IV (BR), Subaru Forester II (SG), Subaru Legacy IV and 1 more.
The most expensive known risk is oil consumption / ringland (turbo): it usually appears at 120,000–220,000 km and costs €1,500–4,000 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,994 / 2,457 cm³ |
| Power | 92–221 kW |
| Years | 1989–2014 |
| Timing drive | Belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo |
| Oil | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · API SL/SN · ~4.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| Engine codes | EJ20, EJ201, EJ204, EJ205, EJ207, EJ25, EJ251, EJ253, EJ255, EJ257 |
Known engine faults
Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.
Oil consumption / ringland (turbo)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
engine codes: EJ205, EJ207, EJ255, EJ257
Signs: Smoke, oil use
Fix: Monitor; rebuild
€1,500–4,000
Timing belt idlers
usually 90,000–120,000 km · High risk
Signs: Idler bearing failure destroys the engine
Fix: Replace all idlers with the belt
€400–900
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the Subaru Forester II (SG) as an example. The app gives the exact plan for your car.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 100,000 km or every 84 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
Subaru Forester II (SG) 2002–2008Subaru Forester III (SH) 2008–2012Subaru Impreza (GE/GH) 2007–2011Subaru Legacy IV 2003–2009Subaru Legacy V 2009–2014Subaru Outback III (BP) 2003–2009Subaru Outback IV (BR) 2009–2014
Common questions
Does the 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo.
What oil does the 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25) engine take?
5W-30 / 5W-40 · API SL/SN · ~4.2 L · every 15,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: head gasket failure (EJ25) (100,000–200,000 km, €1,200–2,500); timing belt idlers (90,000–120,000 km, €400–900); oil consumption / ringland (turbo) (120,000–220,000 km, €1,500–4,000).
Which cars have the 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25) engine?
Subaru Legacy V, Subaru Forester III (SH), Subaru Impreza (GE/GH), Subaru Outback IV (BR), Subaru Forester II (SG), Subaru Legacy IV and 1 more.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026