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
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Subaru Outback IV (BR)
2009–2014 · Subaru Outback 4 (BR)
2
engines covered
8
known faults
2,000
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
12
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Subaru Outback IV (BR) was built from 2009 to 2014.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 8 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Crankshaft failure (2008–2010): it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €4,000–8,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (22.2 %), suspension (11.6 %), brakes (9.3 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, 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 |
| 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · ACEA C3 · ~5.9 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25)
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
2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20)
Crankshaft failure (2008–2010)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2010 only
Signs: Knocking, oil light
Fix: Engine replacement
€4,000–8,000
DPF blockage (Euro 5 / 6)
usually 60,000–160,000 km · High risk
model years 2013–2019 only
Signs: DPF light, limp mode — short trips
Fix: Forced regeneration, clean or replace
€300–2,000
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Lineartronic CVT
Lineartronic judder / torque converter
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Judder at low speed, whine
Fix: Fluid change; valve body / converter
€300–3,000
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
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: 2,000 tests.
| thousand km | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.9 % | 9.3 % | 9.8 % |
| Suspension | 8.8 % | 11.6 % | 17.2 % |
| Steering | 0.4 % | 0.6 % | 0.6 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.7 % | 3.4 % | 5.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 18.0 % | 22.2 % | 23.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 2.4 % | 5.1 % | 6.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.9 % | 5.4 % | 6.6 % |
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: 1,534 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (12). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The electronic park brake connector may disconnect01/09/2022 · R/2022/260
- Suspension / axles The load may exceed the valve spring's fatigue strength and the spring may fracture01/03/2019 · R/2019/025
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Electronic parking brake capacitor on inner circuit board and magnet ring of the sensor may fracture01/01/2019 · R/2018/346
- Fuel system Mis connection of the fuel pump connector01/12/2018 · R/2018/326
- Fire risk Obstruction in cowl area may force wipers to park out of position and overheat20/09/2018 · R/2018/229
- Airbag Front passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a deployment event23/07/2018 · R/2018/141
- Airbag Front passenger airbag inflator may fail30/04/2018 · R/2018/122
- Steering Engine may stall01/08/2016 · R/2016/147
The other recalls (4) are listed in the app.
Common questions
Does the Subaru Outback IV (BR) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25): belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo; 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20): chain.
What are the known problems with the Subaru Outback IV (BR)?
The faults with the highest risk: crankshaft failure (2008–2010) (80,000–200,000 km, €4,000–8,000); head gasket failure (EJ25) (100,000–200,000 km, €1,200–2,500); DPF blockage (Euro 5 / 6) (60,000–160,000 km, €300–2,000); timing belt idlers (90,000–120,000 km, €400–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Subaru Outback IV (BR) 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 (22.2 %), suspension (11.6 %), brakes (9.3 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, steering, tyres and wheels.
What should you check when buying a used Subaru Outback IV (BR)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (12 have been published for this model). 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: knocking, oil light; coolant loss, overheating, oil / coolant weeps. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Subaru Outback V (BS) 2014–2020Subaru Outback VI (BT) 2021–Subaru Outback III (BP) 2003–2009
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Subaru Forester IV (SJ) 2012–2019Subaru Legacy V 2009–2014Subaru Forester III (SH) 2008–2012Subaru Legacy IV 2003–2009Subaru XV I (GP) 2012–2017Subaru Impreza (GE/GH) 2007–2011
Other Subaru models
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). 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