Loss of coolant, overheated engine, diagnosis of blown head gasket car: 1997 subarau legacy Outback with 2.5 liter engine.

- Rockville, MD, USA

Noticed oil leaking from engine. Had to have front crank seal replaced. Also needed to get timing belt replaced as oil leaked into timing belt cover. Cost $368 to get fixed. Leakage began when car was just a few years old. That should not have happened as car had not been in accident or abused.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

This is the standard Subaru 2.5L head gasket failure problem. I add this to the database to increase the pressure on Subaru of America to address this problem properly. For more information see: mysite.verizon.net/vze730qe/guestlog.html the symptoms are as follows. Car engine began overheating -- large temperature spikes and then would return to normal. Engine oil appeared in coolant reservoir. Coolant spews onto engine. Loss of power in some gears.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

The now infamous "blown head gasket" in phase I 2.5L engines is the Focus of my complaint. Subaru of America has at least recognized the phaseii 2.5L engines in 1998 models and newer, but only because of a different metal was the "problem". the overwhelming number of cases in the phase I 2.5L (1998 and prior) engine is an obvious indicator of design flaw in the actual shape of the product itself. A recall investigation is a definite must. Just another unhappy Subaru customer.

- Saratoga, CA, USA

Spark plug popped out of head while driving, engine died. Spark plug unable to be reinserted resulting in a head replacement. Very expensive! only 135000 miles regular mechanic said that he has seen 4 of these cases in this model in the last 3 months. No acknowledgement form dealer about mechanical defect.

- Twin Peaks, CA, USA

Crank/cam/oil pan silicone seals faileds early in vehicle life. Also, alternator belt fell off, main pulley broke, center of pulley badly worn, and valves bent on cylinder #2. $635 to replace seals, $415 to replace main pulley, and $1107 to replace valves.

- Kersey, CO, USA

While traveling 35 mph water pump failed, allowing timing chain to slip off, and bending valves to engine.

- Rehobath, MA, USA

Consumer states that engine block and head are cracked with no signs of overheating, Subaru mechanic could not find no mechanical reason why this occurred. Manufacturer was contacted.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

Consumer states that engine block and head are cracked with no signs of overheating, Subaru mechanic could not find no mechanical reason why this occurred. Manufacturer was contacted.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

Local Subaru dealer has sold these parts several times recently. It appears to be a known problem. When this fails the pully system of the engine falls apart, literally, resulting in the loss of electrical power, power steering, brake warning... this would have been dangerous had we not been on a back road with no traffic.

- Cortland, NY, USA