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Subaru Outback V problems (2014–2021)

The only engine of the Subaru Outback V that we have documented, the Subaru bóxer, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2][3][4]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Outback V has few faults documented in open sources: a recall of the electric parking brake, a software fault in the range indicator and complaints about CVT gearbox judder, which are disputed and have no official backing. CarWiki describes it as a car with no known serious weaknesses.[5][6][7][8]

Subaru Outback V (2014–2021)
Photo: Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.3out of 10

Subaru Outback V rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 5 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine7.12 faults
  • Gearbox9.31 fault
  • Suspension8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes8.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

Ranked 1 of 64 among the Mid-size SUVs with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Subaru Outback V

  1. 1High severity: Electric parking brake fault: the connector can come looseBrakes
  2. 2Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter on the EE20 dieselSubaru bóxer engine
  3. 3Medium severity: Imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 dieselSubaru bóxer engine
  4. 4Medium severity: Judder on pull-away from the Lineartronic CVT automatic gearboxGearbox and clutch
  5. 5Low severity: Incorrect fuel range indicator on the multifunction displayElectronics and infotainment

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: Safety Gate 35/2023: electric parking brake (Subaru SRT324). See the campaigns for the Subaru Outback V

9 sourcesHow we work

Subaru bóxer

Subaru bóxer (gasolina EJ and FB and diésel EE20)

In the Outback V
2015–2021[4]
Names
2.5i · 2.0D (hasta 2018)
Faults that affect it
2
Risk index on this car
29
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 2.0 D 147-150 hp Euro 6 (EE20, 2015-2018)2015–2018 · 147–150 hp · EE20

    With caution

    AUTO BILD says the new 2015 block should bring peace of mind, but it still recommends the petrol engines and no source quantifies the failures of this version; same checks as on the Euro 5.[1][2]

  • 2.5i 175 hp (FB25, 2015-2021)2015–2021 · 175 hp · FB25

    With caution

    None of the European sources consulted rates the FB25 or documents faults specific to it, and English Wikipedia does not list specific European models; the oil consumption of the FB engines documented in the US is not confirmed in Europe, so keep an eye on the oil level.[3][4]

Faults that affect the Outback V

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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

Faults of the Subaru Outback V outside the engine

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

What the MOT inspection finds on the Subaru Outback V

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,061 inspections of 636 cars registered between 2015 and 2021, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.7%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 9.9%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.7%.

    Average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.5%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 3.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.4%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 9.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 14.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Subaru Outback V

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 (2015–2021)

Clogged particulate filter on the EE20 diesel

Medium severity

Imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 diesel

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Subaru Outback V

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. Affiliate links

Buying a Subaru Outback V?

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Own a Subaru Outback V? 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 V reliable?

The only engine of the Subaru Outback V that we have documented, the Subaru bóxer, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «With caution». Outside the engine, the Outback V has few faults documented in open sources: a recall of the electric parking brake, a software fault in the range indicator and complaints about CVT gearbox judder, which are disputed and have no official backing. CarWiki describes it as a car with no known serious weaknesses.

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

Outside the engine, the Outback V has few faults documented in open sources: a recall of the electric parking brake, a software fault in the range indicator and complaints about CVT gearbox judder, which are disputed and have no official backing. CarWiki describes it as a car with no known serious weaknesses. The most important documented faults are: electric parking brake fault: the connector can come loose (brakes, high severity), judder on pull-away from the Lineartronic CVT automatic gearbox (gearbox and clutch, medium severity) and incorrect fuel range indicator on the multifunction display (electronics and infotainment, low severity).[5][6][7][8]

What faults does the Subaru Outback V have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: clogged particulate filter on the EE20 diesel (Subaru bóxer, medium severity) and imprecise injectors and sooty EGR valve on the EE20 diesel (Subaru bóxer, medium severity).

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

According to our rating by year, the best are 2021 and 2020 (9.5/10); the worst rated is 2015 (7.3/10). 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 V have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Subaru Outback V, such as safety Gate 35/2023: electric parking brake (Subaru SRT324) (2023). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[5]

Sources

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

  1. 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
  2. Jak to działa: silnik Boxer Diesel w samochodach SubaruAutoblog (Spider's Web) · Motoring press · published 29 August 2018 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in another language
  3. Subaru FB engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  4. Subaru OutbackWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  5. Subaru Outback (2015-2018) accidente, frenos (Safety Gate 35/2023)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 4 September 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  7. Subaru Outback ProblemeCarWiki · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  8. Subaru Outback V: opiniones de propietariosautocentrum.pl · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  9. Subaru Impreza III – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 6 September 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German