With its rugged styling and renowned all-wheel-drive capabilities, the Subaru Outback remains a popular choice for active Colorado lifestyles. However underneath the hood, several common issues plague certain model year generations resulting in frustrated owners. As a top-rated auto repair shop among Denver Subaru communities, our ASE-certified technicians frequently diagnose and repair five main problem areas on Outback models:
Extensive Oil Consumption
A prime complaint among owners involves oil vanishing between scheduled oil change intervals – particularly on 2.5-liter engines installed in 2010-2014 models. Oil leaks present an obvious possibility. But after thorough degreasing and inspections, the real culprit is often revealed as worn piston rings and cylinders allowing oil passage into the combustion chamber. Engine overhaul repairs provide the only permanent fix.
Electrical System Gremlins
As modern vehicles incorporate more electronics controlling critical systems, problems inevitably arise in Outbacks. Symptoms span from radio sound cutting out, blank center displays, warning chimes sounding randomly, to complete starting failure. Our electrical specialists methodically run diagnostics to pinpoint corrosion issues in wiring connectors and control modules requiring repair.
Cooling System Breakdowns
Modern engine performance requires precise operating temperatures maintained by the cooling system. Unfortunately weak water pump impellers found in certain model year Outbacks fail prematurely – a mechanical breakdown inevitably causing overheating damage if left unchecked. Observant drivers notice temperature gauge fluctuations or tiny leaks indicating issues our technicians can resolve quickly with water pump replacements before catastrophic engine repairs develop.
Transmission Woes
Transmission problems plague recent model year Outbacks from 2013-2017 evidenced by harsh shifting, hesitation accelerating, and operation completely interrupted by warning lights. Critical transmission components stressed beyond limits require extensive removals and overhauls to restore normal function. Proactive fluid checks and changes prevent accelerated wear leading to major breakdowns.
Oil Leaks from Failing Seals
While minor oil leakage falls within acceptable parameters on older engines, Outback owners still find the smoking and staining issues annoying when sudden external leaks appear. Typically the main camshaft oil seal shrinks and distorts after years of heat cycling, allowing pressurized leaks that drip onto hot exhaust components below. Our technicians confirm seal failure sources before resealing wet areas and tidying any residual slick spots.
We also frequently see Subaru Outbacks in our shop for other problems like oxygen sensor failure, head gasket leaks, turbocharger breakdowns, torque converter shudder, and degraded ABS brake system performance across multiple model years.
Oxygen sensors often develop internal cracks that impact fuel mixture readings to the engine computer – causing poor drivability, acceleration issues, and reduced fuel economy. Turbochargers are complex systems prone to failure when conditions like oil leaks starve internal bearings of lubrication. Shuddering during acceleration can point to imminent torque converter failure. And ABS control modules occasionally require replacement to maintain proper brake pressure and short stopping distances expected from the system.
Through methodical troubleshooting guided by factory-level software, our Subaru specialists derive root causes to accurately determine if oxygen sensors, turbos, torque converters, ABS modules, or any surrounding components require repair to fully resolve problems. Then we source OEM parts for reliable and lasting repairs.
Bring your ailing Outback into our our specialty shop dedicated to Subaru repairs. Our team stays current on common failure points through advanced training to quickly diagnose issues accurately. We stock or quickly source genuine Subaru parts to minimize downtime. Contact us today to protect your adventure-ready Outback!
