RPMs reading normal but sounds like revving high

90

Asked by Lydia Aug 13, 2015 at 10:37 PM about the 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2009 Subaru Outback with 172k
miles on it. For the last couple months the
engine or something sounds like it is revving
at a high rpm (as in 5000 rpms) but the
meter shows normal rpm. I don't feel like it's
driving any different. No loss of power. It
seemed to start out of the blue. Any ideas?
O2 sensor, catalytic converter, bad gauge??

16 Answers

86,035

So, what's the rpm gauge say. ? But, you hear a lot of noise, what makes you think it's around 5,000 rpms.

3 people found this helpful.
90

Gauge says around 2000-2500 depending on pressure on the gas pedal. I say 5000 but only based on what my engine sounds like when I rev it that high. It's a different

1 people found this helpful.
90

Oops sorry. Submitted before I finished typing. It's a different pitch a little bit... I can't describe it but i can say with a high level of confidence the revving is not coming from my engine.

2 people found this helpful.
86,035

Can you feel the shifts? Does it start off normally from an intersection and can it downshift normally and does the sound change on acceleration? Why are you so certain it's not coming from the engine? Does your car neutralize at any time? If it's the transmission, then the car won't seem as responsive on acceleration.

1 people found this helpful.
86,035

Lydia, did you ever figure out what's going on with your car?

2 people found this helpful.
86,035

OK, doesn't sound like a major repair, and at 172,000 miles, that's pretty good service. Your car has taken you a lot of places and you obviously drive more miles annually than average. I guess it's been very dependable for you. Have you ever had to do any major work? Transmission, head gaskets, etc. and does your car burn oil?

1 people found this helpful.
86,035

You are well on your way to the Subaru high mileage club.

2 people found this helpful.
90

Yeah it's gonna cost about $500. I replaced the short block about six months ago. That was not so cheap. :(

1 people found this helpful.
86,035

I can imagine it was not cheap, but, it's less than buying a new car. Wow, how do you rack up so many miles? You must have one long commute or take this car on long trips. Makes 73,000 miles on my 2010 look like a low mileage car, LOL. Before the engine failed, did you ever have any head gasket failures or transmission issues? I imagine you've done a least one timing belt and water pump. By the way, how did your engine fail, just driving at freeway speeds or some other failure?

1 people found this helpful.
86,035

Other than that, take a look at this web site for your car, http://www.carcomplaints.com/Subaru/Outback/2009/

86,035

Lydia, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were some of the best years for the Subaru Outback, you should be happy you have this car. Also, you didn't mention it, but, you have the FOUR, correct?

1 people found this helpful.
86,035

Yes, I see that you have the 2.5 Limited.

1 people found this helpful.
86,035

We love our 2010, it cruises very smoothly and I actually like the CVT transmission. Some people don't like it, they think it's like a motor boat, but, they just don't understand how it works.

86,035

Lydia, even if you're car is actually 7 years old assuming you got it in September 2008, that's almost 25,000 miles per year.

I have the same problem....sounds like it just doesn't want to go into the next gear. The strange thing is that the RPM's very rarely ever go above 2000. The noise seems to be getting worse. I saw that one person mentioned that on their Subaru it was a wheel hub issue. I hope it is that simple.

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 37,738 nationwide Outback listings starting at $1,750.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2009 Subaru Outback

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,210
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,310
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,300
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
1,110 Great Deals out of 29,991 listings starting at $1,250
Used Toyota RAV4
1,952 Great Deals out of 28,859 listings starting at $2,950
Used Honda CR-V
2,045 Great Deals out of 41,118 listings starting at $1,499
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,111 Great Deals out of 18,823 listings starting at $3,352
Used Subaru Legacy
338 Great Deals out of 6,871 listings starting at $499
Used Subaru Impreza
370 Great Deals out of 7,813 listings starting at $1,988
Used Toyota Highlander
1,171 Great Deals out of 17,832 listings starting at $2,500
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,791 Great Deals out of 30,153 listings starting at $1,815
Used Toyota Camry
2,110 Great Deals out of 37,893 listings starting at $700
Used Ford F-150
5,939 Great Deals out of 125,186 listings starting at $1,995
Used Honda Pilot
925 Great Deals out of 28,578 listings starting at $1,500

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Subaru Outback For Sale
159 Great Deals out of 24,482 listings starting at $25,994
2023 Subaru Outback For Sale
124 Great Deals out of 1,457 listings starting at $24,917
2022 Subaru Outback For Sale
106 Great Deals out of 1,647 listings starting at $19,985
2021 Subaru Outback For Sale
145 Great Deals out of 2,128 listings starting at $16,985
2020 Subaru Outback For Sale
135 Great Deals out of 1,364 listings starting at $15,988

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.