I own a 2006 Subaru Outback with only 66,000 miles. Yes, it is a 16 year old car, but I have owned it since new and maintained it. Just went to the dealer for an oil change, tire rotation, replace head light bulb and to figure out why there's steering issues when cold? Turns out that two belts needed to be replaced, done. The other stuff was done, then $400 later they drop the bomb that my head gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced. The engine needs to be pulled to access the head bolts, the heads need to be taken to a machine shop and surfaced, then reassembled with new gaskets. This will cost me in CT $2800!!
The dealer laughed at any help, I said this is a known Subaru DEFECT that has been an issue for THIRTY YEARS!! It has 66,000 miles, not the 100000-150000 which might be expected. I called Subaru Corporate to see if they would stand by their product with a known defect and they gave me the same dance, car is 16 years old. I learned about the DEFECT after the fact and hoped to avoid it. No luck.
BEWARE!! They supposedly re-engineered the head gaskets ten years ago but if you drive a 2006, you are SOL!!! All this because of a cheaply engineered gasket!!! Car is rust free and pre all the computer crap. Just had an issue with my mother in laws 2022 that is rarely driven. Turns out you need to drive the car once a week or the battery drains and you have a DEAD CAR!! Losing faith in Subaru now and I have owned 4 of them.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I own a 2006 Subaru Outback with only 66,000 miles. Yes, it is a 16 year old car, but I have owned it since new and maintained it. Just went to the dealer for an oil change, tire rotation, replace head light bulb and to figure out why there's steering issues when cold? Turns out that two belts needed to be replaced, done. The other stuff was done, then $400 later they drop the bomb that my head gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced. The engine needs to be pulled to access the head bolts, the heads need to be taken to a machine shop and surfaced, then reassembled with new gaskets. This will cost me in CT $2800!!
The dealer laughed at any help, I said this is a known Subaru DEFECT that has been an issue for THIRTY YEARS!! It has 66,000 miles, not the 100000-150000 which might be expected. I called Subaru Corporate to see if they would stand by their product with a known defect and they gave me the same dance, car is 16 years old. I learned about the DEFECT after the fact and hoped to avoid it. No luck.
BEWARE!! They supposedly re-engineered the head gaskets ten years ago but if you drive a 2006, you are SOL!!! All this because of a cheaply engineered gasket!!! Car is rust free and pre all the computer crap. Just had an issue with my mother in laws 2022 that is rarely driven. Turns out you need to drive the car once a week or the battery drains and you have a DEAD CAR!! Losing faith in Subaru now and I have owned 4 of them.
- Michael F., Danbury, US