2003 Subaru Outback Problems and Repair Histories
2003 Subaru Outback problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
See what people are saying about 2003 Subaru Outback problems
More about the
Subaru Outback
2003 Subaru Outbacks for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2003 Subaru Outback problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2003 Subaru Outback problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2003 Subaru Outback problems and repair histories that follow it.
Subaru Outback Reliability through March 31, 2013
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2003 | Subaru Outback | 30 Outbacks, 8.3 months of data per Outback, average 136100 miles77 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
|
see reported repairs see lemon odds |
Non-members can see only ten 2003 Subaru Outback problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2003 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
212-horsepower 3.0L H6 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Nova Scotia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 68200 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 71920 | 30 | Clunk in front of car, found front swaybar bushings wore out. |
| Apr | 2010 | 82460 | 40 | Right front cv boot started to leak grease, found boots starting to crack, installed new cv boot kits on right front axle. |
| Jan | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Utah, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 127000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 129000 | 600 | Frozen pulley O2 sensor replaced |
| Oct | 2011 | 139000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 97000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 99000 | 150 | Head light covers hazed over. Refinished to like new. |
| Dec | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2008 | 102 | Replaced brake pads on all 4 wheels. Rotated tires. | |
| Mar | 2009 | 341 | A/C hose replaced, A/C system recharged | |
| Sep | 2009 | 8 | Replaced right side low beam | |
| Jan | 2010 | 57 | Car parts store replaced battery (old battery was still under warranty) | |
| Apr | 2011 | 74700 | 8 | Replaced driver side low beam bulb |
| Dec | 2011 | 78000 | 172 | Idle Air Control Valve was malfunctioning (scanner code P0508). Replaced the valve and gasket, engine idle improved and the check engine light went off. |
| Mar | 2012 | 80000 | 315 | High pressure hose replaced, system recharged. Serpentine belt replaced. |
| Sep | 2012 | 84000 | 155 | Replaced front brake pads and rotors, the right front rotor was warped. |
| Mar | 2013 | 87000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 115000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 123000 | 250 | Boot was torn |
| Subaru Outback in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2012 | 42000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2012 | 42500 | 800 | had to replace 2 cv joints. |
| Dec | 2012 | 48000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 52000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 70000 | 3000 | Power sunroof not working |
| Subaru Outback in New Hampshire, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2012 | 118000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2012 | 119000 | 63 | Leaking transmission fluid |
| Apr | 2012 | 120000 | 86 | Leaking A/C hose |
| Jun | 2012 | 122000 | 200 | CV joint failed. Was replaced |
| Jan | 2013 | 128000 | 200 | Axle and CV joint replaced. 3rd time. |
| Mar | 2013 | 129000 | 300 | Serpentine belt broke. was replaced |
| Subaru Outback in New Hampshire, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2010 | 173000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 174000 | 100 | Pipe detached from catalytic converter. Mating surfaces cleaned/ground and pipe reattached. |
| Nov | 2010 | 177000 | 270 | Intermittent shaking when driving at a constant highway speed for awhile. (such as when using cruise control) Shaking continued after last trip to shop. Noticed axle boot was torn. Took car back to shop, and they replaced right axle. |
| Subaru Outback in Kentucky, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 137000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 139000 | 350 | Rear axle differential needed replaced (replace complete axle). Oil leak over converter not repaired. Drivers window off track, repaired. Non-functioning rearview mirror replaced. |
| Sep | 2012 | 167000 | 190 | Overheated |
| Mar | 2013 | 177000 | 2000 | Threw a rod |
| Apr | 2013 | 179000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in British Columbia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 48980 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 54560 | 0 | AC leak, requires new discharge hose |
| Dec | 2009 | 56420 | 250 | Completed AC leak repair, dealer paid half. |
| Aug | 2010 | 59800 | 100 | rear sway bar replaced |
| Oct | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Vermont, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 133000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2009 | 138000 | 100 | Front pads made grinding noise, found to be down to backing plate. Pads replaced, rotors turned and re-used. Also changed engine oil and filter while car was on the lift |
| Sep | 2009 | 150000 | 600 | failed state inspection. Needed cracked windshield replaced and both lower ball joints. c/v joint boot replaced |
| Aug | 2010 | 158000 | 50 | Lower ball joint failed state inspection |
| Dec | 2010 | 162000 | 250 | Coolant pipe from thermostat housing to oil filter, and coolant pipe to heater core rusted through, leaking coolent. Pipes needed to be replaced, dealer items. Up stream oxygen sensor faulty, replaced |
| Mar | 2011 | 170000 | 400 | Left rear wheel bearing and right tie rod worn out, replaced. Both rear sway bar links broken, replaced. Front rotors and pads worn out, replaced. |
| May | 2011 | 174000 | 200 | Both front wheel bearings replaced. Loose/noisy. |
| Sep | 2012 | 197000 | 100 | Car overheated, thermostat stuck. Thermostat, radiator cap and coolest replaced |
| Mar | 2013 | 204000 | 560 | Rear brake lines rusted through, requiring replacement Rear calipers frozen, rotors rusty, parking brake shoes worn out. New pads, parking brake shoes and rotors CEL code 420. Down stream O2 sensor faulty, replaced 180,000 mile service performed (202,000). New plugs, filters |
2003 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| Subaru Outback in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2009 | 380 | Replaced bad o-ring, dryer, and recharged A/C system | |
| Jul | 2009 | 1341 | Dealer recommended center differential needed replacing due to binding when turning at slow speeds. I called and complained to Subaru (2nd major repair on 90K car - they sent me a $750 discount on new Subaru if purchased by 12/31/11. | |
| Sep | 2009 | 1541 | Leaking head gaskets replaced. Subaru agreed to pay for part of the cost even though car not under warranty. Also replaced timing belt at same time. | |
| Feb | 2011 | 106000 | 339 | Valve adjustment done (in retrospect, this should have been done when dealer replaced head gaskets/timing belt at 90K but I wasn't advised about this by dealer - jerks!). |
| Feb | 2012 | 118000 | 756 | Clutch was becoming hard to push to floor and it was recommended I replace it, so I did. |
| Jun | 2012 | 123000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Maine, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 148000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 150000 | 28 | Headlights cloudy. Polished them with a headlight repair kit and they look good as new. |
| Aug | 2011 | 152000 | 425 | replaced water pump, radiator, thermostant, timing belt, and hoses |
| Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 78000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 79000 | 90 | Head gasket beginning to leak oil. Intend to contact SOA to see if they will reimburse all/part of repair. |
| Aug | 2010 | 85000 | 555 | Rear stabilizer bar check engine light - emission valve Gas tank exhaust valve faulty, allowed back pressure to build up during fueling |
| Oct | 2010 | 86000 | 0 | Emission valve, gas tank exhaust valve needed when sold to Subaru mechanic. Head gasket starting to leak when sold. |
| Subaru Outback in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 69000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 69000 | 0 | Sold car. A pre-purchase inspection by SuperRupair in Boulder, CO found the right front ball joint needed replacement. |
2003 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Outback in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 500 | Radiator began leaking, had to replace. SHortly afterwards the AC had to be replaced (entered as a separate instance.) | |
| Jun | 2009 | 1000 | Replaced AC | |
| Jun | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Missouri, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 88000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2009 | 88000 | 0 | Car sold with A/C not working, brakes behaving badly. |
| Subaru Outback in Vermont, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2012 | 103000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2012 | 105300 | 0 | Noted an oil burning smell and saw that oil was dripping on the exhaust. The shop said it was a small head gasket leak. Will cost $1,000 to fix. Since the engine also has "piston slap", both problems can be fixed for $2,000. Can't afford now |
| Mar | 2013 | 110000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Vermont, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 126000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 127000 | 700 | Alternator replaced. Alternator was charging intermittently, so very difficult to diagnose. |
| Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2012 | 100000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 102300 | 0 | 1 Bad pad. RR. Very noisy. |
| Sep | 2012 | 118000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2007 | 450 | I brought the car in for its 60000 mile service. It was found to have 2 spark plugs had oil residue on them. It cost $400.00 to replace the oil seals on one side of the engine. I have had similiar engines that did not display this anomoly until after 100k | |
| Subaru Outback in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 143000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 143000 | 2500 | Replaced steering box front brakes timing belt, water pump. |
| Dec | 2009 | 146000 | 1600 | External head gasket leak. Head gasket replaced. |
| Jun | 2010 | 149000 | 202 | Air conditioning not working. Checked for leaks, found none. Recharged system. |
| Apr | 2013 | 170000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 101000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 114000 | 850 | Preventative maint. RR timing belt,water pump. cam and crank seals, hydraulic belt tensioner, drive belts. |
| Mar | 2012 | 144000 | 400 | blown head gaskets |
| Jun | 2012 | 151000 | 65 | Right front CV joint boot deteriorated due to heat from nearby cat converter Poor design. |
| Mar | 2013 | 171000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 98000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 98000 | 0 | head gaskets replaced. had a slow leak that started around 75k miles finally needed repairing. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in New Hampshire, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 272000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 277000 | 0 | Window (driver's and front passenger's) switches replaced this month. |
| Mar | 2012 | 300000 | 150 | Car wouldn't start. A wire in the driver's side wheel well was corroded and had to be replaced. Wheel well (behind the panel protecting it from the tire) was full of mud & dirt. Suggested that we periodically wash out all 4 to prevent rust. |
| Jul | 2012 | 310000 | 1193 | Timing Belt (servicing due, given replacement engine mileage) Spark plug tube seals leaking (in replacement engine) - Replaced seals, valve cover gastkets & oil filler tube seal Found 3 timing belt idlers worn/noisy - Replaced idlers in conjunction with timing belt service Checked pressures - A/C output low; recharged A/C system Found Upper Rear Control Arm Bushings Worn -- Replaced both rear ones |
| Subaru Outback in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 190000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 194000 | 0 | Car would not pass emissions inspection that was due. Mechanic also found a major suspension issue. But at over 190,000, I really can't complain. This car has been, still is, great. |
| Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 103000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2009 | 105000 | 600 | replaced alternator in aug. 08..battery stopped charging 3 weeks later told by mechanic to replace battery..problem occured again in in late march...battery would not hold a charge...replaced the battery again...1 week later faulty alternator replaced |
| Aug | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Outback in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 300 | AC repair | |
| Apr | 2010 | 144000 | 150 | Leak in Condenser, Freon gone, AC non-operational. Not yet replaced, parts on order. |
| Aug | 2010 | 146000 | 1700 | Head Gasket leaking oil and coolant. Head Gasket needs to be replaced. |
| Nov | 2010 | 152000 | 200 | Front CV boot leaking throwing grease up under the car causing burning grease smell. CV Boot replaced and car underbody cleaned. |
| Jan | 2013 | 186300 | 0 | Left front outer CV boot is also damaged, recommended to replace entire front axle due to play in wheels. |
| Mar | 2013 | 187000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Outback in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2012 | 87000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2012 | 88000 | 785 | Remove and replace AC condenser and condenser high pressure hose. |
Expert 2003 Subaru Outback Repair Advice
Non-members can see only ten 2003 Subaru Outback problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2003 Subaru Outback
blog comments powered by Disqus
