Faults:

All 4 tires (Firestone) have been slowly leaking air for 2 years. After several complaints to dealer, they diagnosed the tires as having "dry rot" cracks and should be replaced. Cost over $400, since tires are now out of warranty.

Car has had small oil leaks for past year. Dealer just diagnosed as 3 separate oil leaks, 2 on engine block seals and one on valve cover gasket. Cost was over $800 to repair by replacing gaskets. Dealer noted no distortion at gasket seating surface on this aluminum block engine.

When I pursued dealer on whether these issues were unusual, they first said no, but refused to research any company database. Two salesmen hung on me. Finally the service manager agreed to research and I am currently awaiting her explanation.

General Comments:

Excellent driving control in snow, important for Northeast US.

Sunroof opens over rear seat only, somewhat useless for the driver.

Fixed non-opening sunroof over front seat merely adds heat to interior.

Cup holder is in front of stereo, and must be stowed when changing a CD, requiring placing the cup elsewhere temporarily. This can make changing the CD somewhat dangerous while driving.

Dealer offered rental car when we had to leave car overnight for service (oil leak repair), but we had to go to Enterprise for the car.

Faults:

Transmission died at 68K Miles.

Blown head gasket/complete engine rebuild at 99K miles.

General Comments:

Good looking car.

One of the few that provides all wheel drive for winter, yet handles like a car, not a truck.

Ergonomically a disaster. Terrible layout of controls, no lighting of window/door locks, etc.

Subaru quality seems to be a myth. Head gasket problems are inherent with this engine. Spent $5k for engine rebuild at 99K miles.

Faults:

Oxygen sensor (s) replaced 3 times, once under recall, twice when engine idled rough and subsequently (weeks later) "check engine" light came on. Dealer could not identify problem until this light came on.

Brake rotors needing replacement every 30,000 miles.

Transmission had to be replaced at 50,000 miles for slipping.

General Comments:

High maintenance/high cost-of-maintenance car.

Great in snow.

Handles well, but slow acceleration.

Very poor, "mushy", brakes that require strong effort.

Dealer (s) generally not helpful in getting chronic maintenance problems resolved.

Faults:

The oil pump has been resealed two times under warranty. 1st at 40K then again at 60K. Finally at 80K I had to buy a new oil pump because now it was out of warranty. Maybe they should have done this in the beginning...

I've had to purchase new rotors due to wear - I wish the dealership said something while it was getting a state inspection! I probably could have saved the rotors. No noise was heard and the service techs did not inform me of the brake pads where so badly warn.

The car is only 5 years old with 114K miles.

At 100K miles, I had to replace the front left wheel bearing, hub and axle! Not a cheap repair. Plus it was very dangerous to drive, so I had to pay for a rental. (no free loners here).

Now with 114K miles on the car, again it is in the shop. This time it's been in for 3 days and they can't find out what is wrong with it. When I step on the gas after starting the car it is very sluggish and almost stalls, then it kicks in and runs fine on the highway. I'm sure this is going to cost me money again!! I'm spending over $1500 a year in extra expenses.

This is my second Outback. Both have been automatic transmissions. The '95 Outback 2.2L automatic transmission ran great. It wasn't until I bought the 99' that the sales told me that Subaru changed the design of the automatic. The new automatic shifting patters drive me crazy. I live in a very hilly terrain and the automatic downshifting as you coast down a steep, but rather short hill is annoying.

I have a feeling this is my last Subaru. Good luck to the rest of you!

General Comments:

The best features are the All Wheel Drive. I live in NH and the car takes to the snow very well. This is the reason I bought the car.

I also like the storage with hatchback and the all weather package.