Engine Major
Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
What Owners Say
"My daughter didn't put oil in the car when the oil light went on!"
Anonymous, CO (2004 Subaru Outback)"Engine oil weeps very slowly from the head gasket, indicating that a $3000+ repair of the head is not too far down the road. I did not learn of this Subaru head problem until I had owned the car for several years. When the ad comes on the car radio saying "Love, it's what makes a Subaru a Subaru," I want to reply, "It has to be love, because competent engineering of the head is not in evidence.""
Anonymous, OR (2004 Subaru Outback Unsure 3.0-L 6 Cyl)"Small oil leak."
Anonymous, OR (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"head gaskets failed at 65000 miles.and again at 85000 miles. currently in failed state. will not fix again. planning on replacing vehicle"
Anonymous, NY (2004 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"GASKET FAILED ALLOWING OIL TO FOWL PLUGS TIMING BELT WAS DUE TO BE REPLACED, SO I HAD BOTH FIXED AT THE SAME TIME"
Anonymous, OR (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"major leak"
Anonymous, IL (2004 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Gaskets were leaking. Had to replace"
Anonymous, MA (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"We had to have it replaced"
Anonymous, WI (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"failed. mechanic noted that it was a problem with this model year"
Anonymous, OR (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Needed to replace head gaskets on both sides of the engine"
Anonymous, PA (2004 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Smelled a sweet smell like sweet coffee when car was warming up"
Anonymous, MD (2004 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"We were surprised that we needed a head gasket at 95000 miles, we have never had that problem with a Suburu before and we have had several"
Anonymous, CT (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Developed leaking head gasket which required major overhaul, including replacement of timing belt"
Gunnar S., OR (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"leaking head gasket $800 to fix Also oil leak by oil sensor on top of engine Also oxygen senor problem leading to replace fuel tank cap 3 times"
Anonymous, AK (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Not a big problem. Found a oil leak that turned out to be the head gasket. Dealer had it fixed in a day. Had the timing belt changed at the same time"
Anonymous, CT (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Leakage from cooling system which required three or four days in the shop"
Anonymous, WA (2004 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Standard 100k to 150k Subaru head gasket failure/replacement timeline. Mine lasted longer than most as I am right at 150k miles"
Anonymous, WA (2004 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Car leaks oil after bout 80000 miles. eventually head gasket and cylinders need major repairs. Not a car for you if you want a car for 100-200k or more"
David M., NJ (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Head gasket had to be replaced on a VERY low mileage vehicle. Online search shows that this is a known problem with these engines that has gone on for many years, but Subaru would not cover the cost. No more Subaru's for me."
Anonymous, CA (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Head gasket leaking and needed to be replaced - $3000 repair bill. Mechanic said the gasket material used on this year of Subaru was to blame"
Glen M., PA (2004 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Antifreeze leak due to head gasket degradation. Had to pull heads and replace gaskets. Mechanic stated this is a typical point of failure with this Subaru engine"
Anonymous, WV (2004 Subaru Outback 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"SCHEDULED TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT, I KNEW THIS WAS COMING"
Anonymous, OR (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Mechanic suggested timing belt be changed as part of head gasket overhaul"
Gunnar S., OR (2004 Subaru Outback Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Timing belt was due replacement, but the balancer-pulley assembly needed replacement too"
Anonymous, AK (2004 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Bearing on timing gear froze, generating high heat, allowing the gear to disengage from the engine block (it’s actually attached to the water pump). The force and heat from the gear shot right through the plastic timing cover. Due to the heat the timing cover caught fire. I was able to successfully extinguish the fire with no additional damage as a result of the fire."
Steve G., NJ (2004 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
"The cylinder heads were warped and had to be machined smooth, most likely due to engine overheating. I do not know if this was related to climate control problems over the last several years which the dealership had trouble resolving. The ac would ru"
Anonymous, MI (2004 Subaru Outback H6 LL Bean 3.0-L 6 Cyl)