Engine Major
Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
What Owners Say
"This vehicle will only fire on three cylinders, varying which three at any given time. The dealer has tried to fix it at my expense, but cannot figure it out"
Anonymous, CA (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The head gasket started to leak, however when we discovered this the recall for this fault had expired, so we ended up paying for the work to replace the head gasket. This included resurfacing the heads and was combined with a clutch replacement and timing belt replacement. There were also a host of other seals that were replaced to stop the oil leaks. The only part of this overhaul that I thought wasn't really in line with my expectations was the head gaskets. Subaru didn't offer to assist with this work even though if it happened sooner it would have been part of their recall."
Anonymous, WA (2001 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"We had 70,000 miles on this vehicle when the engine blew up. It was 8 years old at the time so our warranty had expired but we were very upset with the problem. Also, at 50,000 miles, we had already had to replace the transmission because it went bad"
Anonymous, FL (2001 Subaru Outback Base)"No problem with the replacement (salvaged) engine. the previuos engine seized due to a rod bearing failure"
Kenneth B., BC (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Blown head gasket."
Anonymous, GA (2001 Subaru Outback H6 LL Bean 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"had engine replaced at 35000 miles under warranty. Had to get a engine rebuild at 160000 miles at my cost."
E A., MO (2001 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Engine was running very hot in summer months, when under load (uphill, into wind, etc.). Mechanic did a compression test and identified a blow head gasket. $3000."
Anonymous, ID (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"3rd head gasket replacement -- 2.5l issue"
Osgo O., CA (2001 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Car has a blown head gasket, which is endemic for that model and year. It has caused overheating regularly, which I have treated through the use of Blue Devil coolant additive. When driven at highway speeds for any distance, the treatment seems to degrade, causing the leaking head gasket problem to reemerge, necessitating another application of Blue Devil"
Aaron W., VA (2001 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"2nd head gasket failure since 2014"
Anonymous, NC (2001 Subaru Outback Limited 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"There were oil leaks which required gasket replacement which required engine removal to fix. Also had to replace wheel bearings. I'm not sure what categories these problems fit"
Sandra G., WA (2001 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"oil leak, requires head removal, very costly"
Calvin A., HI (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Second replacement of the head gasket since purchase. This time, the factory head gasket lasted only about 80,000 miles"
Anonymous, CA (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"2nd headgasket to blow. This time I replaced the engine with a 2011 engine with 40,000 miles on it"
Anonymous, CO (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"2nd issue with the same problem. Replace approx 3 years earlier"
Anonymous, CA (2001 Subaru Outback H6 LL Bean 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"Typical of 2001 Outback. Head gasket failed under warranty at around 20K--fixed under warranty, and drivetrain warranty extended to 80K. Now leaking oil again at 128K"
Anonymous, MA (2001 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Faulty head gasket caused coolant leakage and subsequent overheating, resulting in warping of cylinder head. Costly repairs required removal of the engine to repair/replace defective components"
Anonymous, WA (2001 Subaru Outback H6 LL Bean 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"Had a burning smell due to oil leaking - found out it was because of leaking head gasket. I had it done, along with timing belt because of mileage, then probably due to being disturbed, the alternator and water pump went out"
Anonymous, IN (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"there was a recall on my make and model, but i received no notification about this, and subaru won't cover it, because i didn't have a problem at the time of the recall. now radiator fluid leaks and causes a awful smell"
Anonymous, PA (2001 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Coolant leak found to be head gasket failure due to faulty engine/seal design. This is 2nd time head gasket needs to be replace. First time was Subaru recall for free. Now have to decide on engine replacement -$2000-$2600"
Robert L., CT (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"serious leak"
Anonymous, AK (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I knew the head gasket was a common problem in my model year, so when I started having coolant leakage without an obvious source, that was my suspicion. Otherwise a rockstar car, so worth it to have the repairs done"
Lindsey R., MD (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Had to replace head gasket. Apparently common problem on this vintage of Outback. Expensive repair."
Anonymous, OR (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I was somewhat happy that I got 160000 mi and 18 years before the first gasket failure. Many Subaru owners had failures much earlier in the car's lifetime."
Anonymous, NM (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"leaking head gasket, typical of this 2.5 liter engine."
David R., OR (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Head gasket blew out requiring replacement. I replaced both head gaskets myself along with the timing belt because replacing the head gaskets on the Subaru boxer engine is so involved that not replacing it didn't make any sense, especially since the timing belt recommended replacement interval is 110,000 miles and I knew the belt was due. Also replaced virtually every gasket on the car, the water pump, other belts, etc. Total cost $750 with me doing all the labor. (That included $300 to have the heads machined after I removed them). Overall this car has needed a lot of work and hasn't been easy to work on, at least compared to the Toyotas and Hondas I have owned in the past."
Hanley L., KY (2001 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I believe the head gasket problem was due to improper diagnosis . The mechanic overheated the car to extreme, I believe causing the head gasket to leak."
Candela B., AZ (2001 Subaru Outback 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"Usual problem with older Subaru's. Head gasket failure due to faulty coating on gaskets. Replaced with aftermarket gasket."
David R., OR (2001 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"My mechanic said this was not uncommon."
Anonymous, GA (2001 Subaru Outback H6 LL Bean 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"Uneven shifting and sluggishness, especially when on an incline. "Slapping" sound occasionally when giving more gas"
Mark R., OR (2001 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
"failed gasket at 55,000 miles,. Cylinder head rebuild at 98,000"
Anonymous, CO (2001 Subaru Outback H6 LL Bean 3.0-L 6 Cyl)