Faults:

Had wet weather problems with a sensor 2 years ago. Once it dried out the problem went away.

General Comments:

Without either Yokohama Ice Guard or Bridgestone Blizzak Winterbiter, my 1999 Subaru Outback did poorly in snow and ice here in the Colorado Rockies. But once I installed the Blizzak or Yokohama clones of Blizzak tires, the car did fantastic in snow and ice. In fact unless the snow is 8 inches or more deep my Blizzak equipped Outback is better in snow than my 4WD Jeep Cherokee.

Faults:

All 4 tires (Firestone) have been slowly leaking air for 2 years. After several complaints to dealer, they diagnosed the tires as having "dry rot" cracks and should be replaced. Cost over $400, since tires are now out of warranty.

Car has had small oil leaks for past year. Dealer just diagnosed as 3 separate oil leaks, 2 on engine block seals and one on valve cover gasket. Cost was over $800 to repair by replacing gaskets. Dealer noted no distortion at gasket seating surface on this aluminum block engine.

When I pursued dealer on whether these issues were unusual, they first said no, but refused to research any company database. Two salesmen hung on me. Finally the service manager agreed to research and I am currently awaiting her explanation.

General Comments:

Excellent driving control in snow, important for Northeast US.

Sunroof opens over rear seat only, somewhat useless for the driver.

Fixed non-opening sunroof over front seat merely adds heat to interior.

Cup holder is in front of stereo, and must be stowed when changing a CD, requiring placing the cup elsewhere temporarily. This can make changing the CD somewhat dangerous while driving.

Dealer offered rental car when we had to leave car overnight for service (oil leak repair), but we had to go to Enterprise for the car.

Faults:

Transmission died at 68K Miles.

Blown head gasket/complete engine rebuild at 99K miles.

General Comments:

Good looking car.

One of the few that provides all wheel drive for winter, yet handles like a car, not a truck.

Ergonomically a disaster. Terrible layout of controls, no lighting of window/door locks, etc.

Subaru quality seems to be a myth. Head gasket problems are inherent with this engine. Spent $5k for engine rebuild at 99K miles.

Faults:

Oxygen sensor (s) replaced 3 times, once under recall, twice when engine idled rough and subsequently (weeks later) "check engine" light came on. Dealer could not identify problem until this light came on.

Brake rotors needing replacement every 30,000 miles.

Transmission had to be replaced at 50,000 miles for slipping.

General Comments:

High maintenance/high cost-of-maintenance car.

Great in snow.

Handles well, but slow acceleration.

Very poor, "mushy", brakes that require strong effort.

Dealer (s) generally not helpful in getting chronic maintenance problems resolved.