2014 Subaru Outback engine problems

“The car had been recently serviced through the dealer and had 66,000 miles (9 yrs old). It was 6k miles past warranty. While driving, the radiator hose exploded—loud noise, white steam, and all the warning lights came on and the car heated up. I had the car towed and was told that the radiator hose, the radiator and the head gasket had been destroyed and the engine would need to be rebuilt. The car was essentially a total loss given the repair costs. There was no warning at all that anything was wrong with the car prior to the engine blowing. It is my understanding that many years of Subaru Outbacks have required recalls for head gasket problems.”

“Suburu Outback had been showing signs of needing more oil between routine changes and frequent top-offs. When took to a Suburu Dealer in September 2021, prior to reaching 100,000 miles, Suburu said it was normal. Now at 118,000 miles as of November 2022, the engine jerks and makes noises. Upon taking to Suburu, short engine block repair was recommended, which would cost over $6,000. The issues of needing repair align with the 2016 extended warranty bulletin put out for other Suburu Outbacks, which goes through 100,000, but we were told that the VIN is outside of the extended bulletin and we are out of warranty. Being told our oil consumption is normal but suddenly experiencing a deterioration in the engine so suddenly is concerning; the jerky engine is not safe for the passengers or others on the road.”

“The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving the oil warning light illuminated and he added more oil. The contact stated that the oil level was low. The contact noticed that several times the oil level was low prior to the normal mileage interval to change the oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the oil was low. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired, however, the independent mechanic stated that the failure could be related to a mechanical engine issue. The contact stated that he found a Technical Service Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; NHTSA ID Number: 10188219 (Power Train, Engine) which he related to the failure. The contact stated that he recently had an oil change at 88,000 and the oil warning light illuminated at 91,217. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.”

“1. REAR LIFTGATE WILL NOT OPEN WHEN USING REMOTE OR SENSOR ON VEHICLE. ONLY WAY TO OPEN IS TO CRAWL FROM INSIDE TO THE BACK, POP A LID AND THEN MANEUVER LATCH RELEASE. NO WAY TO OPEN LIFTGATE FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I'M 66 AND DISABLED. 2. EXCESSIVE OIL USE REPORTED BY TECHNICIANS DURING OIL CHANGE.”

“WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, I WAS TOLD THAT THE OIL CHANGE NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED EVERY 7,500 MILES. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE LOW ENGINE OIL LIGHT WOULD COME ON SHORT OF 7,500 MILES. SUBARU CHANGED WHEN THE OIL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED FROM 7,500 TO 6,000 MILES DUE TO THE OIL USAGE WITH THE ENGINE IN THIS OUTBACK YEAR. RECENTLY, I CANNOT DRIVE MUCH BEYOND 3,000 MILES WITHOUT THE LOW ENGINE OIL COMING ON AFTER NEW OIL CHANGES BY THE DEALERSHIP!! IT APPEARS AS THE VEHICLE AGES THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT IS COMING ON SOONER AND SOONER!! I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT IS LOW WHEN THE LIGHT DOES COME ON. I FEEL SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG AND SUBARU NEEDS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM WHICH IS BECOMING VERY SERIOUS. THIS IS MY FIRST SUBARU AND I'VE NOT EXPERIENCED THESE ISSUES WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I'VE OWNED FOR THE PAST 30+ YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.”

“THE CAR ENGINE DIES FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN OR ABOUT TO ENTER A HIGHWAY. THEN IT JUMPS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED VERY DANGEROUS I AM SCARED TO DEATH. *TR”