2005 Subaru Outback bad engine?
I'm looking for a used car and I found a 2005 Subaru outback with only
120,000 miles on it that I want to buy. However, I'm not the one buying it, my
dad is. we were seriously considering the car up until my uncle told him that
the 2005 Subaru outbacks have bad motors that tear up easily. I've searched
the internet and forums everywhere but I can't seem to find one thing that
verifies this claim. He says that the cams and head gaskets are known to
mess up.Is it true that the 2005 Subaru outback is not reliable?
7 Answers
The engines can easily go 200,000 miles. Head gaskets are the primary issue but this is a 14 year old car. Have a Subaru mechanic check it out before buying and make sure the timing belt has been changed.
I have never heard this or known anyone with an engine problem on any Subaru.. Its all about how you take care of them
Dawn. Apparently you have never been on the web before. Older Subies are infamous for failing head gaskets. Newer ones have a serious oil consumption problem and a lot of failing CVT's.
I guess I'm talking from a 1 in a million experience we have an 05 with 189k and still running strong. Nothing but regular matinence. Like all cars have someone who knows what they are looking at to check it out. Best of luck to you.
TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 5 years ago
Sorry I didn't see this until now.... 2005 was a "mongrel" year for the Leg/OB 2.5i iterations, as the older 2000-2004 motor was used in the newer 2005-2009 body, but requiring FIVE oxygen sensors to meet new PZEV emissions. Subaru introduced the VVT heads in 2006, simplifying the emissions system greatly. Many of us Subie wrenches have pulled our waning hairs out trying to deal with this multiple sensor Rube Goldberg setup, chasing CELs and replacing O2 sensors needlessly while chasing an errant one. For that reason I tended to skip the 2005 examples and bought only 2004 and 2006+ back then. If you've bought the 2005 just be careful when dealing with CELs. USUALLY the front air- fuel sensor goes first, but when it does it can trigger the rear side ones too, so don't replace those first unless you're sure the front ($$) one is good.
I have had timing belt issues on my 2.5 L 2005 subaru outback but it was primarily my fault as I changed the timing belt and delayed changing the tensioner, gears etc. ALWAYS change the whole timing belt system at the same time to avoid engine failure
TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 5 years ago
It's good advice, but an experienced wrench can simply feel the idler and tensioner pulleys to see if there's play from wear. Note that Subie's water pumps have legendary durability, so this part of the service can be ignored with confidence. But yes...check those pulleys!
