2000 Subaru Outback from North America - Comments

Head gasket blew at 110000.

The left head gasket blew at 110000 even after the dealer had put in the special goo to the coolant to fix the issue. I can't believe that Subaru knowing about this fault dreamed up the idea that, we'll just add some goo to the coolant and call it good. I think what they did is to have it last until 100000 miles and then say too bad. well I think its too bad on Subaru. a proper recall would do wonders for Subaru.

I feel your pain! North of the 49th reporting in. Had my head gaskets replaced under warranty at 100,000 kilometers (60,000 miles). I do a fair bit of highway driving for my work as a sales rep and lo and behold...3 years later and another 150,000 kilometers (80,000 miles) later and both head gaskets are leaking again!

My service rep at the local dealership will tell me that he can't argue with my contention that head gaskets shouldn't go on a car twice like I am experiencing, but I know as a Subaru employee, he's got to tow the "company line".

Aside from the heat shields rattling, the knock sensor going (twice), that funny heated smell in the summer, and the intense odor of raw fuel on cold winter days when starting (I mentioned the head gaskets going twice, didn't I?!), I can honestly say I have enjoyed driving my 2000 Outback (with the 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine). It's pretty decent on fuel, great in the winter for traction, and I know the car saved me from injury when I was broadsided by a guy running a red light.

I just wish (like ALL of the other people that have posted here and on other sites and blogs across North America) that Subaru would just do the right thing and admit that this engine is a problem waiting to happen.

My dealer rep has told me that he's going to go to bats for me with Subaru Canada, but I'm not holding my breath. If things turn out favorably, I will report back while dining on a crow sandwich.

North of the 49th reporting back on my head gasket woes. I don't have to worry about dining on crow, as I suspected I wouldn't.

My dealer reported back to me that Subaru Canada couldn't provide any additional support on my vehicle with respect to the blown head gaskets (for the second time). The reason was the amount of kilometers driven since the last time it occurred. How many times should one expect this problem to occur over the life of the vehicle?

The original dealer quoted my $1500.00 plus taxes to repair, but was prepared to work a deal of a minimum of 10% off the bill. I thought it might be worth getting a couple of additional quotes just to compare. Quote #2 was $1269.53 including all taxes; quote #3 was $1040.00 including all taxes and the inclusion of a new timing belt with the head gasket work. It apparently pays to shop around a bit! By the way, quote #2 is an exact price because the shop that quoted me had just done the same job on another 2000 Outback and was able to show me the paperwork.

As I suggested before, in general, I have loved driving my 2000 Outback and generally have received good service by my local dealer. It's just a shame Subaru Canada wasn't there to provide them with any support when needed.

2000 Outback Limited joins the club! Well as I read on and on about the troubles of the 2000 Outback I can say that I think I will be one of the members to be initiated into the Fraternal Order of Head Gasket Blowers. I have just purchased mine with around 88,000 miles on it, the car is a gem, as is all of my previous Subi's have been, BUT!...I do have the ever occurring "funny smell" coming through the heater vents when the car warms up and idles on cold mornings, I brought it to my authorized Subaru dealer and they said that they cannot see any leaks or reason why the strange smell is there, but I think I am getting the hint here. As most of you have written the horror stories of head gaskets and such, I believe that something "is rotten in Denmark" (no offense to peoples of Denmark), anywho... I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst... I just can't believe that Subaru, with all the hype and good things being said about them and the "Outback" being their flagship vehicle, would let this problem continue without any recourse. Really, do we have to act like the squares of the sixties and bring all our Subaru's to the dealers and burn them in a big pile like they were Beatles records or something? Will Subaru then get the hint! I have owned 3 other Subi wagons and Outbacks and none of them had any major problems, but it sounds like the 2000 re-design was nothing more than a failed attempt at trying to fix something that's not broken (no pun intended)...yours faithfully (until the head gasket blows and I DO go and burn my Subi) PJ Himmelreich if anyone wants to share any info with me that could help our common problems please contact me at pitubaby76@hotmail.com.