This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Subaru Outback engine problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 12 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5-liter engine shows a clear pattern of head gasket failure. Owners report oil leaking from the passenger-side head gasket onto the exhaust manifold starting around 43,800 miles, with some failures occurring as late as 97,000 miles. Several owners cite repair quotes of $1,800–$3,000. One owner notes this is a widespread issue across Subaru's 2000–2009 model years and expresses fire concern. Another reports coolant mixing with oil and was advised not to drive until repair. One owner mentions Subaru used a paper gasket in 2007 that failed to hold up, replaced later with a stronger design.
Less common but serious are sudden complete oil loss without warning (resulting in engine seizure requiring replacement), a loose torque converter bolt that damaged the block during normal operation, and an EVAP system that freezes in cold weather, preventing refueling.
One owner reports strong exhaust and fuel odors below 32°F that cause nausea, citing numerous online complaints. Another describes unexplained engine jerking traced to defective computer software that dealers stated was intentional design. Subaru has not issued recalls for these issues and declines warranty coverage for head gasket failures.
Same Subaru Outback engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Head gasket failure / oil and coolant leaks
Head gasket leaks allowing oil to escape onto exhaust components and coolant to mix with engine oil. Owners report this as a widespread design issue in 2.5-liter engines affecting 2000–2009 model years. Repair costs cited at $1,800–$3,000; failure mileage range 43,800–97,000 miles.
When: 43,800 to 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from head gasket; Coolant mixing with oil; Oil pooling on exhaust manifold; Potential fire hazard from oil on hot surfaces
Repairs/costs cited: $1,800–$3,000 head gasket replacement; some owners report dealer diagnosis but no repair completed; one owner had complete top-end rebuild
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru did not assist or cover repairs when notified; no recall issued
Sudden complete oil loss without warning or visible leaks
Oil completely disappeared from engine without low-oil warning light activation, visible leaks, smoking, or overheating. Occurred within weeks of verified full oil level. Engine seized and required replacement. No root cause identified by mechanics.
When: Approximately 65,000 miles; occurred within one year of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing; Engine seizure; No oil indicator warning; No smoking or overheating; No visible leaks
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required
Torque converter bolt assembly-line defect
Torque converter bolt came loose during vehicle operation, bounced inside engine, and damaged engine block. Mechanic stated bolt was not properly tightened during assembly line manufacturing. Occurred on a low-mileage vehicle (23,000 miles) after 5 years of ownership.
When: 23,000 miles; vehicle purchased in 2009 with 33 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden rattling noise progressively increasing in volume; Loud banging sound
Repairs/costs cited: Engine block damage requiring costly repair; damage to interior plate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru offered to cover 50% of repair costs; no recall issued
EVAP system vent valve and canister freeze
Fuel would spill back out during refueling. Mechanic identified frozen EVAP system preventing fuel entry and fume passage. Vent valves in dual fuel canister required replacement.
When: Approximately 49,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel spilling back out during refueling
Repairs/costs cited: EVAP vent valve replacement needed; vehicle not repaired by owner
Engine odor from fuel/exhaust fumes in cold weather
Strong odor of exhaust fumes or gasoline from engine compartment when outside temperature drops below 32°F. Owner reports numerous complaints online about this issue. Odor strong enough to cause nausea; vehicle requires window open for fresh air.
When: Cold weather condition (below 32°F)
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline or exhaust fume odor from engine; Smell decreases with cabin air recirculation; Nausea reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued
Engine jerking at various speeds
Vehicle jerked unexpectedly at various speeds and road conditions. Dealership diagnostic traced issue to defective engine computer software. Dealership could not reset or replace the computer and indicated the behavior was inherent to vehicle design.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerking at various speeds; Jerking on various road conditions; No warning lights or signals
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to reset or exchange defective engine computer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated this was the vehicle's designed behavior
Engine overheating and coolant loss
Engine temperature climbed abnormally and coolant boiled out of system one mile later. Owner has 2.5-liter engine.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine temperature climbing abnormally; Engine coolant boiling out of system
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Leaking headgasket on a 6 year old Subaru outback 2.5 with 79,000 miles. Repair job cost of $2,000. Head gasket issues are a major complaint/defect on Subaru 2.5 4cyl engines. Subaru should either offer to subsidize or cover major repair cost. *tr
No heat, engine temp. Climbed. Engine coolant boiled out a mile later. 2.5 engine. *tr
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 43,800 and 97,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,800; a quarter make it past 97,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.