2005 Subaru Outback engine problems
10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2005 Subaru Outback — 4% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“This is the first subaru I've ever owned and so far it's been a nightmare. I have had to repair: an oil leak in the engine that required the whole engine to be taken apart. While replacing a seemingly simple part, the hydraulic lifts that keep the back hatch open, the threading that holds the screw…”
filed Jan 30, 2021
“Head gasket leak causing anti-freeze leaking.,. Began after 100k extended warranty expired. Told that caused due to defect in engine design. Later models with new design have not had problem. Subaru is knows about issue, but not taking any action to compensate for repair (ext. Cost around $3k).”
filed Mar 21, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other Outback years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 4 | 6% |
| 2024 Outback | 7 | 8% |
| 2023 Outback | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Outback | 20 | 4% |
| 2021 Outback | 20 | 7% |
| 2020 Outback | 47 | 5% |
| 2019 Outback | 39 | 4% |
| 2018 Outback | 36 | 4% |
| 2017 Outback | 43 | 5% |
| 2016 Outback | 53 | 8% |
| 2015 Outback | 47 | 9% |
| 2014 Outback | 35 | 17% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2005 Subaru Outback
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.