1998 Subaru Outback from North America - Comments

Great web site. Essentially the mass of evidence indicates that there is a common problem impacting the Subaru 2.5L engines from '99-02. I'm one of the owners of an '01 Outback who just had his blown head gaskets replaced at 93,000 miles. I bought my Outback used with 79,000 in December 05, and have driven less than 7,000 miles a year, in Anchorage.

Subaru of America acknowledges the problem when you call, but they are less than quick to compensate you in part of full, if the official dealer (only one in Alaska) cannot verify your problem meets the narrow criteria for warranty work. As my blown head gasket failure was what the mechanic called an "interior" coolant leak, not an "exterior" leak, I'm supposedly not covered. I'm still negotiating with Subaru's corporate office in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Subaru owners should not assume all certified dealers will give straight information, particularly regarding this systemtic problem. The official dealer in Alaska did not volunteer the service bulletin information until after I said I had found a mass of evidence on line and had spoken with the corporate office. I met two Subaru owners today in a parking lot, just two, and both had had head gasket failures for their '98 Legacy and '00 Outback, respectively, costing each at least $1,300. My job costs $1,330.

This is certainly not an isolated problem, and in Alaska, apparently Subaru ownwers are not being given the straight dope by the only certified dealer. One of the two Subaru owners I spoke to today said he had to go back into the dealer's manager to negotiate a $500 discount, only with the wealth of evidence that appears to point to systemic problems with these engines. Good luck everyone, and be persistent with corporate and the local office. As for me, with my next car, I'm sticking with a brand that will stand behind its product: Toyota.

Hi.

This is for the Subaru owner contemplating a 2.2 L engine in the '98 chassis.

1. Go to www.ultimatesubaru.org

2. Join/Search/EJ25 to EJ22 Conversion.

3. Research this, because with 98 a 95 2.2L will need a different exhaust manifold (I think); CCR engines as well. All the rest is plug and play. You may be able to use manifold from your existing '98 2.5L. Again, not sure of details.

4. Politely educate your mechanic.

5. Merry Xmas!

Have a 97 legacy OB wagon. I think I am going to be in a bit of a bind. bought it Dec 1, 2007. Two days ago it started overheating so I changed the coolant and thermostat. The coolant was dark!!! and there was a dark gritty substance stuck to the sides of the coolant reservoir, I had just chalked it up to someone putting bars stop-leak into it. But since I changed the coolant and thermostat, it has not overheated again, I hope that the head gaskets were done. This web site is great, thank you.

I'll join the overheating club, but I guess I'm a little luckier than some. I have a '98 Outback with 164k miles. I was told three years ago that the head gasket was blown.

Got a second opinion and this guy added some kind of sealant and flushed the system etc. (around 400.00) I've gotten three more years until about three weeks ago.

Replaced thermostat, fluids and radiator, but still overheats after 3-4 miles from cold start. I think I'm done, but I still love this car. There just comes a time...

2003 Legacy 89K miles. Both gaskets leaking. Maintained by the book. VIN search identified my car as NOT being in the recall yet dealer and SOA insist that the conditioner be added. Had it fixed for $1600 with SOA paying 50%. This problem has NOT been fixed! Just a matter of time until newer model years rack up the miles. Buyer beware. Will never buy a Subaru or boxer type engine again.

Just bought a 1997 subaru impreza with 75T miles in it and for the first time driving it home around 15 miles away I noticed that the temperature dial was at the highest point. I went directly to a local repair shop who diagnosed and changed a "defective thermostat". A mile and a half later, before reaching home, the dial was at it again. Went back to the repair shop and promptly "removed the air from the system by adding coolant to the radiator. Dial went back to the center and went straight towards home. Before I could even park, the dial is at the top again.It's Saturday today and I have to wait till monday.HELP! What should I do? Am so scared after reading all the comments from this site!

I also join the bad head gasket group. I have a 2002 Forester that I love. I maintained it by the book at the local Subaru dealer. I have 115,000 miles on it and my mechanic advised me that the head gaskets are leaking and need replacing to the tune of $2000. He said he will also replace water pump, thermostat, seals and hoses and other gaskets. I am not mechanically inclined and have to trust him. I think that he knew about the problem and kept an eye on my engine when I would bring it in to be serviced. I have not had any problems with overheating yet. At least I can get it fixed before it blows and causes more damage. I have owned many cars and have driven them over 200,000 without replacing head gaskets. I will not buy another Subaru-Toyota here I come!!

We have a 1998 Subaru Outback Legacy 2.5 that blew the head gasket last spring (2007). We replaced it with a 1995 2.2 Subaru engine and now the car runs well, however, we can't pass the Illinois EPA test because the Check Engine light is always on. You can't pass the test if the CE light is on (and you can't get plates renewed in IL if you don't pass the EPA test. We took the car into a Subaru dealership to have work done to pass the test, and nothing was necessary, but because of the replaced engine, the CE light is still on. So we are looking to sell the car because we plan to remain in IL. Any advice on whether we can sell it in WI? And for how much? Any takers?

Just bought a 96 outback 2.5l for $4000, really clean second owner, said never a problem, I did not have a garage look at it. 3 weeks later intermittent overheating. Estimate for head gaskets is $2300. That is unless heads or block is warped. Really bummed out, for seven grand could have gotten a much nicer car, shoot!

I've owned my 2001 Subaru Outback for less than a year. Thought it was a great car for road-tripping, carrying heavy loads, etc. Right when it got to 110K miles, the car overheated and the head gaskets blew. Car spent 10 days in the shop, the mechanics couldn't figure it out until they talked to some Subaru colleagues. They found out that this is a very common problem. After paying over $3200 and complaining to the Subaru company, they took my comments and then never got back to me. Unfortunately, when friends ask about the Outback I cannot recommend it to them. This is the last one I will buy.

I own a 1999 Legacy outback wagon. It has 161k miles on it. I just finished a 4000 mile road trip. Some days after I was home I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood while I was waiting at a light. The temp gage did not go up from its normal position. The next day I noticed that my coolant reservoir was dry. I checked the radiator for coolant level and it was visible, a little under the lip. I topped off the reservoir and continued driving. I also noticed that the hose from the top left of radiator to engine would be very hot and there was evidence of very slight leakage below this hose. I have seen no more smoke. Still when I drive the temp gage remains in its normal range. My concern after reading all these posts is this: is it inevitable that my head gaskets are going bad or have gone bad. Also need to mention that my fans come on, but stay on for maybe 20-30 seconds. Is this normal? I really like this car and have taken many long road trips. Now I am worried that I maybe shouldn't go too far from home.

Add me to the list of Subaru owner with a blown head gasket (1997 Outback Legacy Wgn with 125k miles). Same symptoms as everyone else. Over heating, coolant bubbling over the reservoir, changing thermostat did not resolve the problem, upper radiator hose was hot, and lower radiator hose cool. I had two friend who threw away their 1997 subaru over the same problem 3 years ago. I thought both had bad luck and kept my car. I too will not buy a Subaru again.

Former Subaru owner, CT.

2003 Blown Gaskets at 69k - I have a 2003 Subaru Outback Legacy Wagon. We've been very happy with it, having almost 0 problems - very reliable, comfortable, great handling, hauler, good on gas, etc. I've been meticulous with maintenance and monitoring engine fluids, sounds, you name it. I bought an extended warranty (up to 80,000) when I purchased the car, which was a very wise decision. Last week I brought in the car with 69,000 miles and the dealer said that both head gaskets were leaking coolant. The $1700 job was picked up by the extended warranty, so I've very fortunate not to be in the same boat as many others. What should I do now? I guess I should be able to go another 50k-100k? Reading all these entries really makes me lose faith in Subaru. It reminds me of the Ford Taurus transmission (produced the same way for years) which all mechanics say is luck to last over 100k. My Taurus tranny went at 101k.

Just purchased a 1998 Legacy Outback - Wish I knew about this page before I purchased, as I would have not purchased it.

I have 104,000 miles and after driving for about 3 days, the smell of oil was permeating through. The head gaskets are leaking onto the manifold. This is a problem Subaru has decided to accept rather than deal with. It amazes me that these GM guys read this blog and act with indifference. Typical. And it is the reason we have lost our lead to Japan and Germany, as they have contempt for their consumer. Well, I have contempt for them and we ought to have a class action law suit on this and other GM pieces of garbage on our streets.

I will never buy another GM, Saab, Saturn, or Subaru again. In typical American fashion, they ignore and fight the problem until there is a class action suit, and then they spend billions in defending themselves while the managers get bonuses for avoiding getting it resolved. My next car will be a Toyota, who believe in having a customer treated fairly.

Purchased used 2002 Outback for my son who was going off to college in Nashville. The car had 48,665 miles on it when purchased. At 54,601 miles, my son called to tell me that he noticed a "burning smell" when he turned off the engine after a long drive, and that the coolant level was low. I had him take it to the local Subaru dealer, and you guessed it: Blown head gasket! I have just written a nasty gram to Subaru, but am not holding my breath waiting for them to reimburse me the $1931 it cost to fix.