Subaru bóxer (gasolina EJ and FB and diésel EE20)Head gasket
Damaged cylinder head gasket on the EJ petrol engines on the Subaru bóxer
Why this rating?
High severity: Risk of a serious engine, turbo or gearbox failure.
Frequency occasional: Gebrauchtwagenberater says it mainly affects older examples of the Impreza III (2007-2011), without figures. The detailed information comes from the US and from 2.5-litre EJ engines earlier than this page covers, so we have not been able to measure it on the European 2009-2014 EJ253.[1][3]
Symptoms
- External coolant leaks over the block, with greenish traces and a sweet smell, according to SlashGear.[3]Coolant leak: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- With internal leaks, coolant and engine oil mix inside the engine.[3]Oil in the coolant: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
English Wikipedia attributes the frequent EJ251 failures to a coated single-layer gasket, as opposed to the multi-layer steel (MLS) gasket of the later engines.[2]
SlashGear says that a 2004 Subaru notice in the US blamed the small external coolant leaks on the normal expansion and contraction of the engine, and that around 2010 the brand moved to multi-layer steel gaskets, which largely resolved the external leaks.[3]
If it is not repaired: According to SlashGear, internal and external leaks can cause premature engine failure through overheating or lack of lubrication.[3]
Affected cars and years
Gebrauchtwagenberater records it on the petrol Impreza III without stating the engine or year; Wikipedia refers to the 1990s EJ251 and SlashGear to the 2.5-litre EJ engines of the early 2000s. We have not found a European source documenting it on the 2009-2014 EJ253.[1][2][3]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0i 150 hp (EJ204, 2007-2014) | 2007–2014 | EJ204 |
| 2.5i 167-173 hp (EJ253, 2009-2014) | 2009–2014 | EJ253 |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Subaru
- Subaru Forester III2008–2013
- Subaru Outback IV2009–2014
- Subaru Impreza III2007–2011
- Subaru Legacy V2009–2014
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the cylinder head gasket, including labour.[3]
SlashGear cites between 2,000 and 4,000 dollars in the US; there is no euro price for Spain.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Check the expansion tank (foam, bubbles or an oil film), the coolant level when cold and any greenish or sweetish traces over the block, which SlashGear associates with external leaks.[3]
- Ask for the history: whether the gasket has already been replaced or whether coolant has been topped up frequently.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
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
How to prevent it
- Watch the coolant level and change the fluid according to the manufacturer's schedule (general advice; we have not found a European source with specific maintenance).
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 9 October 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru engines have head gasket problems?
The sources talk about the EJ boxers: the 1990s EJ251 (Wikipedia), the 2.5-litre EJ engines of the early 2000s (SlashGear) and older Impreza III cars (Gebrauchtwagenberater). SlashGear says the FB and FA never developed the same problem.[1][2][3]
Do the Subaru FB engines (2011 onwards) have the same head gasket problem?
SlashGear states that the FA and FB families, with revised blocks, cooling and cylinder heads, never developed the same problem; we have not found European sources that contradict this.[3]
How much does it cost to replace a Subaru head gasket?
SlashGear cites between 2,000 and 4,000 dollars in the US; we have not found euro prices for Spain.[3]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other Subaru bóxer faults
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionShort-circuiting ignition coils on the Forester, XV and Impreza (2016-2019)Two British campaigns (2020 and 2021) affect 2,338 Forester, XV and Impreza cars built from September 2016 to October 2019: one reprograms the control unit because the coil stays powered after the engine is switched off, and the other replaces all the coils, which can short-circuit and leave the car unable to start.
- 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.
- 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.
More faults with the head gasket on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0/2.2 D-4DWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4DYes: the 2.2-litre block (2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV D-CAT) has numerous documented cases of warped cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption or dilution in the Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso and Verso, with repairs that sometimes require replacing the engine.Appears at around 40,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.6 EcoBoostCracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire riskYes: Ford acknowledges that a loss of coolant circulation can overheat the engine, crack the cylinder head and let oil escape onto hot areas, with a risk of fire. It has issued recalls in South Africa (2017-2018) and in the US/Canada (2013 and 2017); we have not found an identical campaign in Spain.
- High severityFrequency: CommonRover K-SeriesHead gasket failureThe K-Series' big problem is the head gasket, which can fail even below 100,000 km because of a mix of gasket design, cooling and overheating. The usual repair uses the multi-layer steel (MLS) gasket that was developed for the Freelander.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5Head gasket damaged after overheatingThe head gasket fails mainly as a consequence of previous overheating -from a coolant leak or a faulty thermostat- and not as a factory defect: it appears in a minority of engines, almost always between 30,000 and 180,000 km, with coolant loss, emulsified oil or white smoke.Appears at around 30,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.4 and 1.6 8vHead gasket (and, in some cases, cylinder head)The head gasket appears repeatedly, in a minority of reports, in the reliability sources for several models with this engine; in the Dacia Sandero I there are also cases where the whole cylinder head was replaced under warranty. There is no oil consumption pattern associated with this engine.Appears at around 60,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 16vDamaged head gasket and coolant lossOn higher-mileage 1.2 16V engines, cases of a damaged head gasket are documented, with coolant loss and a risk of overheating; it appears on the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Sandero I, but not in the pages for the Clio III or the second generation of Logan and Sandero.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Subaru Impreza III – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 6 September 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Subaru EJ engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
- 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