Subaru head gasket issues
We have owned three outbacks. Sold the first (87) to my daughter because she needed a car in CO and the all wheel drive was great for snow. Bought a second (00) and then a third (02). The 97 had the first generation 2.5 motor with double overhead cams. The 00 and the 02 had the “improved” single overhead cam design. I had been hearing about blown head gaskets on the double overhead can versions and was assured by the dealer that gasket problems and the piston slap noise on start up was solved with the new design- a single overhead cam. Then I got a recall notice on my 02 hinting that there were gasket leak problems and asking me to bring the car in for some additive to be added to the antifreeze to solve the gasket issues. I expressed my dismay with solving head gasket leaks by an additive to Subaru USA. They said that with the addition of their magic additive, potential problems would be solved and they would extend the warranty to 100,000 miles. Since we were nearing 90,000, I wasn’t impressed with their offer and countered by requesting a 150,000 mile warranty on the head gaskets only. Knowing the extent of the problems with motor they had sold me, they refused. I didn’t want to keep it until the head gasket blew at my expense, so we traded the outback in for a CRV in 04. (Honda stands behind their product as shown by the Oddysey van with it’s transmission problems)
I loved Subaru vehicles and had owned four of them, spending over $80,000 buying four of their cars. Their unwillingness to stand behind their product and stand behind their “remedy” for head gasket problems has turned off this four time owner forever.
Last Sept, 1.5 years since I dumped my Outback for potential head gasket issues, the problem became real. I was in CO with my daughter in her Outback. We were crossing the Rockies, when at the very peak the head gasket on her 87 Outback blew. She had just under 100.000 miles on the car. We coasted 6 miles down hill on the interstate, at 70 mph, to the first town with a repair shop. They said they would not even look at the car for 5- 8 days, so we called the next town for a tow. When I started to describe the issue with the car (not mentioning Subaru or head gaskets) the mechanic said you have a blown head gasket- I’ve seen about 400 of them on Subarus. The added stress of crossing the Rockies is real, but he guessed Subaru when I was just discussing “a car” with problems and had not mentioned the brand. Subaru would do nothing for this repair job. Was $1500 at a private repair center- $2000 quoted at a dealer.
Unless you can get a written statement from Subaru USA stating exactly what they have changed in the motor design to solve the head gasket issue, don’t buy an Outback or any other Subaru with the 2.5 motor. If you must buy this car, get the longest extended Subaru factory warranty possible and sell it before the warranty expires. I know the problem existed from my daughter’s 97 car through my recalled 02 car. That’s at least 6 model years years they sold cars with this defective motor. I think the real figure is longer and the design defect could still be present. If the motor didn’t blow head gaskets or if Subaru stood behind their product, it would be a great car. Until that dream day, be warned.
Dave
What is the real world MPG of a Mazda
Frank
What sort of real world MPG does the Mazda wagon get? The road tests which I’ve found seemed to say “it’s sporty” and don’t mention the MPG.
Say at 55 mph and 70 mph, without boats on the roof.
Thanks
Paul
go to the mazda site
I think that high hp six cylinder gets 26,but Franks got the answer