Rust (rear arches, sills)
usually 100,000–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Bubbling paint
Fix: Rust repair
€200–900
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Subaru Outback III (BP)
2003–2009 · Subaru Outback 3 (BP)
1
engines covered
7
known faults
1,737
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Subaru Outback III (BP) was built from 2003 to 2009.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 7 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
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.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (24.4 %), suspension (19.5 %), brakes (10.9 %). It fails less often than average on: steering, tyres and wheels.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25) | Petrol | Belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · API SL/SN · ~4.2 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Wheel bearings
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Hum rising with speed
Fix: Replace bearing
€150–350
Faults by engine
2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25)
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
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
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic 4-speed (older)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 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 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 1,737 tests.
| thousand km | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 10.9 % | 13.5 % |
| Suspension | 19.5 % | 22.9 % |
| Steering | 0.8 % | 2.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.3 % | 5.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 24.4 % | 24.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 9.9 % | 9.9 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 6.2 % | 11.5 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 1,115 complaints.
Common questions
Does the Subaru Outback III (BP) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25): belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo.
What are the known problems with the Subaru Outback III (BP)?
The faults with the highest risk: head gasket failure (EJ25) (100,000–200,000 km, €1,200–2,500); solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); timing belt idlers (90,000–120,000 km, €400–900); oil consumption / ringland (turbo) (120,000–220,000 km, €1,500–4,000). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Subaru Outback III (BP) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (24.4 %), suspension (19.5 %), brakes (10.9 %). It fails less often than average on: steering, tyres and wheels.
What should you check when buying a used Subaru Outback III (BP)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: coolant loss, overheating, oil / coolant weeps; harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Subaru Outback IV (BR) 2009–2014Subaru Outback V (BS) 2014–2020Subaru Outback VI (BT) 2021–
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Subaru Forester II (SG) 2002–2008Subaru Legacy V 2009–2014Subaru Forester III (SH) 2008–2012Subaru Legacy IV 2003–2009Subaru Impreza (GE/GH) 2007–2011
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