Oil consumption (2011–2014)
usually 40,000–150,000 km · High risk
model years 2011–2015 only
Signs: Topping up 1 L per 2,000 km
Fix: Dealer consumption test; short block
€0–5,000
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Subaru Outback V (BS)
2014–2020 · Subaru Outback 5 (BS)
2
engines covered
4
known faults
3,708
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
10
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Subaru Outback V (BS) was built from 2014 to 2020.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 4 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Oil consumption (2011–2014): it usually appears at 40,000–150,000 km and costs €0–5,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (4.6 %), tyres and wheels (4.1 %), brakes (3.1 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 / 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru FB) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-20 · API SN · ~4.8 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
1.6 / 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru FB)
2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20)
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
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.6 / 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru FB) 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 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| 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: 3,708 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.7 % | 3.1 % | 3.8 % | 5.0 % |
| Suspension | 0.4 % | 1.4 % | 5.7 % | 8.8 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.6 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 1.7 % | 4.1 % | 4.8 % | 5.0 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.3 % | 4.6 % | 6.4 % | 8.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.2 % | 0.2 % | 0.5 % | 1.6 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.4 % | 0.2 % | 0.8 % | 1.2 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 19,862, of which 17 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 / 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru FB)2.5 (2,498 cm³) · 129 kW (175 hp) · Petrol | 82.7 % | 2015–2020 | 190 g/km | — |
| 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20)2.0 (1,998 cm³) · 110 kW (150 hp) · Diesel | 11.6 % | 2015–2019 | 158 g/km | — |
| 1.6 / 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru FB)2.5 (2,498 cm³) · Petrol | 2.8 % | 2016–2017 | 161 g/km | — |
| 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20)2.0 (1,998 cm³) · Diesel | 1.7 % | 2015–2018 | 158 g/km | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
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: 2,413 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (10). 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
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The eyesight logic may cause an un-necessary activation of the pre-collision braking01/03/2022 · R/2022/053
- Fuel system A driving range indicator in the multi information display has a program error20/03/2019 · R/2019/052
- 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
- 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
- Steering Engine may stall01/08/2016 · R/2016/147
The other recalls (2) are listed in the app.
Common questions
Does the Subaru Outback V (BS) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.6 / 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru FB): chain; 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20): chain.
What are the known problems with the Subaru Outback V (BS)?
The faults with the highest risk: oil consumption (2011–2014) (40,000–150,000 km, €0–5,000); DPF blockage (Euro 5 / 6) (60,000–160,000 km, €300–2,000); lineartronic judder / torque converter (80,000–180,000 km, €300–3,000); clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Subaru Outback V (BS) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (4.6 %), tyres and wheels (4.1 %), brakes (3.1 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility.
What should you check when buying a used Subaru Outback V (BS)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (10 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: topping up 1 L per 2,000 km; DPF light, limp mode — short trips. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Subaru Outback IV (BR) 2009–2014Subaru 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 XV I (GP) 2012–2017Subaru Legacy VI 2014–2019Subaru XV II (GT) 2017–2023Subaru Forester V (SK) 2018–
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