Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

Subaru carsCode BR

Subaru Outback IV problems (2009–2014)

The only engine of the Subaru Outback IV that we have documented, the Subaru bóxer, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «With caution» for 2.5i 167-173 hp (EJ253, 2009-2014) and 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 5 (EE20, 2010-2015); «Avoid» for 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 4 (EE20, 2008-2010).[1][2][3][4][5]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Outback IV has only preventive recalls on record: the electric parking brake, brake pipes corroded in salt areas and the wiper motor. We have found no data on faults arising in use. It is worth checking with the chassis number that they have been carried out.[6][7]

Subaru Outback IV (2009–2014)
Photo: CEFICEFI at Japanese Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.1out of 10

Subaru Outback IV rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 9 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine4.16 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension10.0No documented faults
  • Brakes6.82 faults
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system7.91 fault
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Subaru Outback IV

  1. 1Critical severity: Bearing wear and crankshaft failure on the EE20 dieselSubaru bóxer engine
  2. 2High severity: Damaged cylinder head gasket on the EJ petrol enginesSubaru bóxer engine
  3. 3High severity: Electric parking brake fault due to a control unit capacitorBrakes
  4. 4High severity: Brake pipe corrosion in salt areasBrakes
  5. 5High severity: Wiper motor at risk of overheatingElectrical system

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

3 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: DVSA R/2018/346: electric parking brake capacitor. See the campaigns for the Subaru Outback IV

10 sourcesHow we work

Subaru bóxer

Subaru bóxer (gasolina EJ and FB and diésel EE20)

In the Outback IV
2009–2014[8][9][10]
Names
2.5i · 2.0D
Faults that affect it
6 · 3 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
59
High risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 4 (EE20, 2008-2010)2008–2010 · 147–150 hp · EE20

    Avoid

    AUTO BILD records bearing and crankshaft failures in Legacy and Outback models built between autumn 2007 and February 2009 (109 free replacements out of 12,000 engines in Sweden) and Gebrauchtwagenberater speaks of numerous engine failures in 2007-2009 Impreza models; Subaru treated each claim as a goodwill gesture and no source describes a reliable check beforehand.[1][2]

  • 2.5i 167-173 hp (EJ253, 2009-2014)2009–2014 · 167–173 hp · EJ253

    With caution

    We have not found any European source that rates this particular engine; Gebrauchtwagenberater and Wikipedia cite cylinder head gaskets on the EJ engines and SlashGear says Subaru moved to multi-layer steel gaskets around 2010. Ask for the service history and check the coolant.[2][3][4]

  • 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 5 (EE20, 2010-2015)2010–2015 · 147–150 hp · EE20

    With caution

    AUTO BILD sees an improvement from 2010, but its 2019 reader survey records engine problems in 32% of owners of the diesel XV I and it only advises the diesel for "true optimists"; insist on a service history, no oil leaks and a particulate filter in good condition.[5]

Faults that affect the Outback IV

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The Subaru bóxer has 7 documented faults in total.

  1. Critical severityFrequency: CommonLubricationBearing wear and crankshaft failure on the EE20 dieselOn the first EE20 boxer diesels (Legacy and Outback built from autumn 2007 to February 2009; Impreza 2007-2009) the crankshaft bearings could fail and break the crankshaft, destroying the engine. AUTO BILD cites two causes: silicone in the sump and bearings with incorrect clearance.Appears at around 65,000 km
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockDamaged cylinder head gasket on the EJ petrol enginesDamaged cylinder head gaskets are cited on the EJ petrols (2.0 and 2.5), especially on older cars; Wikipedia records frequent failures of the single-layer gasket on the EJ251, and SlashGear places Subaru's switch to multi-layer steel gaskets around 2010.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter on the EE20 dieselThe particulate filter on the EE20 boxer diesel tends to clog, especially on those built up to the end of 2010 according to Gebrauchtwagenberater; AUTO BILD cites it on the XV I together with a rising oil level, among the diesel's problems.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionImprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 dieselThe EE20's Denso injectors can work imprecisely and produce a knocking noise, and soot in the injectors and EGR valve can lead to expensive repairs; AUTO BILD cites 500-800 euros per injector in Germany.
  5. High severityFrequency: RareCylinder head and blockValve spring breakage on models built in 2013 and 2014In 2019 the DVSA recorded a recall for possible valve spring breakage on the Forester, Impreza, XV, Outback, Legacy and BRZ built in 2013 and 2014 (812 cars in the UK); the fix is to replace all the springs.
  6. Medium severityFrequency: RareTransmissionLeaking CVT gearbox oil cooler hose on the Legacy and Outback (2010)In 2010 the DVSA recorded a recall of 404 British Legacy and Outback cars for a CVT gearbox oil cooler hose that could break, causing loss of drive and oil on the road; a modified hose is fitted.

Outback IV Subaru bóxer pageAll versions and faults of the Subaru bóxer

Faults of the Subaru Outback IV outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Subaru Outback IV

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Subaru bóxer (2009–2014)

Bearing wear and crankshaft failure on the EE20 diesel

Critical severity

Damaged cylinder head gasket on the EJ petrol engines

High severity

Clogged particulate filter on the EE20 diesel

Medium severity

Imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 diesel

Medium severity

Valve spring breakage on models built in 2013 and 2014

High severity

Leaking CVT gearbox oil cooler hose on the Legacy and Outback (2010)

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Subaru Outback IV

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. More information

Buying a Subaru Outback IV?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Subaru Outback IV? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Subaru Outback IV reliable?

The only engine of the Subaru Outback IV that we have documented, the Subaru bóxer, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «With caution» for 2.5i 167-173 hp (EJ253, 2009-2014) and 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 5 (EE20, 2010-2015); «Avoid» for 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 4 (EE20, 2008-2010). Outside the engine, the Outback IV has only preventive recalls on record: the electric parking brake, brake pipes corroded in salt areas and the wiper motor. We have found no data on faults arising in use. It is worth checking with the chassis number that they have been carried out.

What problems does the Subaru Outback IV have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Outback IV has only preventive recalls on record: the electric parking brake, brake pipes corroded in salt areas and the wiper motor. We have found no data on faults arising in use. It is worth checking with the chassis number that they have been carried out. The most important documented faults are: electric parking brake fault due to a control unit capacitor (brakes, high severity), brake pipe corrosion in salt areas (brakes, high severity) and wiper motor at risk of overheating (electrical system, high severity).[6][7]

What faults does the Subaru Outback IV have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: bearing wear and crankshaft failure on the EE20 diesel (Subaru bóxer, critical severity), damaged cylinder head gasket on the EJ petrol engines (Subaru bóxer, high severity), clogged particulate filter on the EE20 diesel (Subaru bóxer, medium severity), imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 diesel (Subaru bóxer, medium severity) and valve spring breakage on models built in 2013 and 2014 (Subaru bóxer, high severity).

What is the best year to buy a Subaru Outback IV?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2014, 2013, 2012 and 1 other years with the same rating (6.3/10); the worst rated is 2009 (5.1/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Subaru Outback IV have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Subaru Outback IV, such as DVSA R/2018/346: electric parking brake capacitor (2019). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[6]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Subaru: Motorprobleme («Probleme mit dem Dieselboxer»)AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 30 November 2012 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  2. Subaru Impreza III – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 6 September 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  3. Subaru EJ engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  4. Why Subaru's Head Gaskets Became A Running Joke (And Whether It's Still Deserved)SlashGear · General press · published 13 September 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026
  5. Subaru XV I im Gebrauchtwagen-Test: «Vorsicht vor dem Boxer-Diesel!»AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 17 December 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  6. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (RecallsFile)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
  7. Subaru Outback: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 16 February 2024 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Subaru OutbackWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  9. Subaru Outback 2009-2013, un olvidado 4x4 de segunda mano con un gran maleteroDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 March 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Con 526 l de maletero, es un olvidado 4×4 irrompible que está disponible desde 7.500 €Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 24 September 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish