This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Subaru Outback engine problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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 11 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 2009 Subaru Outback V6 engine appears in complaints spanning catastrophic failures, fires, and gasket problems. At 30,000 miles, one owner's engine failed after it raced suddenly and RPM spiked into the red zone; the dealer found metallic particles in the oil. Subaru split repair costs only after a month-long warranty dispute, claiming insufficient oil level (5 quarts versus 5.8 required), though the owner had checked the dipstick regularly with no low-pressure warning light showing. Two separate engine fires are reported—one returning from an airport with burning smells and smoke, another during failed acceleration at 200,000 miles—both total losses. One owner faced engine stalling at 31,000 miles requiring replacement; another experienced bearing failure Subaru attributed to oil leak despite no pressure warning light ever illuminating.
Head gasket failures are widespread across multiple owners at 52,000 to 80,000+ miles, with repair costs hitting $2,000-$3,200. Owners report Subaru acknowledges this as "normal over time" but refuses recalls, though prior generation Outbacks had recalls for the same defect. A valve cover gasket also leaked oil in one vehicle at 65,000 miles. One owner needed catalytic converter replacement twice, with a second replacement of both front and rear units at 105,000 miles.
Same Subaru Outback engine reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Engine failure with metallic particles in oil
Complete engine failure at low mileage when oil level was reported slightly low, though owner checked dipstick regularly and saw no warning lights. Metallic particles found in oil at dealership. Owner claims V6 engine lacks low-oil-pressure warning light that V4 models have.
When: 30,000 miles, 17 months after purchase (December 2010)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine momentarily raced while driving; RPM indicator rose unexpectedly to red zone; Engine failed without warning; No warning lights until after failure occurred
Repairs/costs cited: Engine repair cost $5,485 after warranty dispute; Subaru split cost with owner over disagreement about oil level (5 quarts vs 5.8 quarts required)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty claim disputed; Subaru claimed insufficient oil level (0.8 quarts low) voided warranty coverage, eventually split repair cost
Engine fire
Engine fire that completely consumed vehicle. Check engine light illuminated shortly before fire. Owner reports smelling burning wood smell, then heavy smoke, then flames engulfed hood within seconds. Owner claims dealership service representative mentioned prior fire complaints from airport routes.
When: Unknown mileage; vehicle just returning from airport
Symptoms owners cite: Burning wood smell; Check engine light illuminated; Smoke from hood; Complete fire engulfing vehicle within minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss; owner lost electronics and personal items inside
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru refused to investigate fire unless owner filed insurance claim; no investigation documented
Engine fire during acceleration
Engine fire while vehicle failed to accelerate normally. White smoke visible in mirrors then spread to front of vehicle. Vehicle became total loss.
When: Approximately 200,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Failed to accelerate above 60 MPH without warning; Heavy white smoke in rear-view mirror spreading to front; Flames quickly engulfed vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss; manufacturer not notified per complaint
Head gasket leaks
Widespread head gasket leaking reported across multiple owners at relatively low mileage. Owners report this is a known, frequent problem in Subaru community; prior generation Outbacks had recalls for same issue. Subaru reportedly aware but has not recalled 2009 model.
When: 52,000 to 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil seepage from head gasket; Visible leaks requiring inspection
Repairs/costs cited: $2,000 to $3,200 per owner for head gasket replacement; all repairs done at owner expense
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru reportedly told owners gasket seepage 'can be normal over time'; no recall issued despite prior recalls on earlier generations; manufacturers handle as individual warranty claim denials
Engine fluid leak
Engine fluid leaking; vehicle made abnormal noise when failure occurred. Check engine light and cruise control warning light illuminated together.
When: 149,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from engine; Check engine warning light; Cruise control warning light illuminated; Vehicle decelerated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired per complaint; taken to dealer for diagnosis only
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no repair completed or warranty information provided
Engine stall requiring replacement
Engine stalled during acceleration; stalling continued intermittently until taken to dealer. Dealer confirmed complete engine replacement needed.
When: 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalled after accelerator pedal depressed; Stalling continued until vehicle taken to dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; vehicle under factory and extended warranty at time of failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted; vehicle not repaired per complaint
Catastrophic engine bearing failure
Complete engine failure attributed to bearing failure. Owner reports this is not an uncommon problem. Subaru claimed oil leak caused failure, but oil pressure warning light never illuminated.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Catastrophic engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owner describes attempt to claim under factory and extended warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru claiming oil leak as cause to deny warranty coverage, despite no oil pressure warning light activation
Valve cover gasket leak
Valve cover gasket leaking oil at low mileage alongside head gasket failure in same vehicle. Owner reports Subaru has had gasket issues for decades.
When: 65,000 miles for valve cover; head gasket failed at 52,000 miles same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from valve cover gasket
Repairs/costs cited: Both head gasket and valve cover gasket replacement needed
Catalytic converter failure
Both front and rear catalytic converters required replacement. Owner had previous catalytic converter replaced in 2013; now replacing both converters again at 105,000 miles.
When: First replacement in 2013; second replacement (front and rear) at 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Catalytic converter failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple catalytic converter replacements required within vehicle lifespan
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru outback. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started to make an abnormal noise and the check engine warning light and cruise control warning light illuminated. The vehicle decelerated and was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine fluid was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
The contact owned a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle had failed to accelerate above 60 MPH without warning. The contact soon began to notice heavy white smoke in her rear-view mirror as the smoke quickly spread to the front end of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over, grabbed vital items, and exited the vehicle. The contact called 911…
Had engine trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 35,000 and 126,000 miles, with the median around 80,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 126,000. 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/2009/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.