Faults:

Driver's window sticking when new. Fixed at the dealer the first time.

Replaced rear sway bar links at 160,000 km.

Regular expected repairs = belt, headlamps, tires, brakes.

That's all folks!

General Comments:

Excellent all weather vehicle. I bought it new and would still be driving it today, except I now need something to pull a boat.

The Anniversary Edition is a basic Outback, but with the 6 cylinder engine, solid Titanium paint, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter. Only 300 in this trim package, Canada only (30 years).

Very safe, reliable and comfortable. Good on all roads and all conditions.

Needs premium fuel.

Faults:

Replaced the left far trailing arm bushing at 78,869 miles ($296.00).

Replace right axle, boot torn at 84,160 miles ($407.95).

All dealer serviced.

General Comments:

I bought it used, trading in a 2002 Impreza Outback Sport. Since, I have bought and traded other cars, but kept this one. It has cost me very little to maintain over the years.

I live in the Boston area and drive 60 miles round trip to work. I have a 2009 Impreza Premium sedan that I use for a daily driver. I don't like it as much as the wagon.

The '03 Outback has been a reliable car, and is still on the original battery at 9 years old. I've owned a Dodge, numerous Toyotas, a Ford Contour (not good), a Hyundai Sonata V6, a Saturn SL1 (really not good) and 5 Subarus.

I know the 1997 model year suffered from head gasket issues, but my '03 continues to be a great car.

Other than listed, it has been oil changes and rear brakes at 87k. I can't complain.

Faults:

The transmission had to be rebuilt when I bought it.

AC did not work, had to be repaired.

Front windows had constant wind noise. Dealer said this is a design flaw that cannot be fixed. I figured out a way with house window seal foam.

Gas mileage decreased in winter 2-3 mpg, dealer said that was normal.

Speedometer is off 4-5 mph, cannot be reset, dealer said Subaru builds them + or - 4 mph

Transmission blew fluid out after driving with cruise on at 80 mph for a 100 miles. Don't know what caused this.

Cruise control quit working. Fixed this by replacing all parts. Subaru dealers only have a meter to test this.

Front differential burned out at 135,000.

I have spent almost $5,000 in repairs in less than 2 years.

General Comments:

I have spent almost $5,000 in repairs in less than 2 years. So would highly recommend not purchasing an H6.

The HVAC controls are quirky. When you turn the defrost on, the AC turns on - the dealer said that was normal, you have to turn the AC off or it will blow out cold air. Took me a while to figure out how to get defrost and heat on at the same time.

The outside temperature does not always stay on after you push that button, it will reset to inside temp.

Performance is not great, very slow to respond.