2007 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 12%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine of the 2007 Subaru Outback, 12% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Oil leaking from passenger side head gasket onto exhaust manifold. Read web and see this is a very common failure item for Subaru engines 2000 thru 2009. My concern is potential fire. Repair costs $1800-3000. Widespread issue and fire hazard thus I hope Subaru will address this design issue more proactively.”
NHTSA complaint #10564588, filed 2014-02, 75,000 miles“My Subaru has a 2.5l engine. A Subaru service center has verified the head gaskets have a severe oil leak. My car is also leaking antifreeze, my mechanic believes it is leaking from the head gaskets. I contacted Subaru of america about the issue, they will not fix the problem even though they have previously had a recall on this same issue with this same size engine back in 2002. I am stuck with a $2600 repair. I found many other people with the same issue with the same engine on different year makes of subarus on this site. …”
NHTSA complaint #10971780, filed 2017-04, 138,000 miles“I just bought a 2007 Subaru Outback from a certified Subaru dealer (stohlman Subaru in va), it had 65000 miles on it, I did all the maintenance and minor repairs on it. I paid $12,000 for the vehicle. On 2/5/2017, the check engine light started flashing so I pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to a service station. Apparently, the vehicle was out of oil despite that it wasn't due for another oil change in 1500 miles and we had checked the oil a week before and it was full. The engine has siezed up and required a new engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10953903, filed 2017-02, 100,000 miles“While driving our 2007 Subaru Outback sw on a 6 lane divided highway at 65 MPH, the car suddenly decelerated and lost all gas pedal response. My wife was able to move the car to the side of the road although she almost caused an accident due to surrounding traffic. The car started flashing the cruise control, traction control, and check engine dash lights. After allowing the car to sit for a few minutes, my wife was able to start the car again and get home. I checked the error codes and got a p02138. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451086, filed 2012-03, 66,270 miles“An accelerator that became unresponsive while driving 65mph on 3 lane highway. This problem is prevalent with Subaru and you can read about many people who have the problem which is an extreme safety issue. If you go online and search for Subaru Outback code p2138/throttle position sensor you will find that the sensor has intermitent failures which cause the accelerator to become unresponsive. Even when people get this reset at a mechanic and supposedly fixed it will begin recurring again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11299992, filed 2020-01, 145,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- 11027083Dec 8, 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11017452Apr 22, 2025This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
- 11016224Mar 24, 2025The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
- 11008282Sep 27, 2024This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 11008281Sep 26, 2024This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
- 11008267Sep 17, 2024This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter.
- 11006934Aug 5, 2024The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
- 11005608Jul 11, 2024This thermo control valve video contains information on the replacement of thermo control valve.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 23 | 5% |
| 2021 | 21 | 7% |
| 2020 | 49 | 5% |
| 2019 | 39 | 4% |
| 2018 | 37 | 5% |
| 2017 | 44 | 5% |
| 2016 | 53 | 8% |
| 2015 | 47 | 9% |
| 2014 | 35 | 17% |
| 2013 | 67 | 23% |
| 2012 | 50 | 17% |
| 2011 | 85 | 13% |
| 2010 | 44 | 12% |
| 2009 | 15 | 14% |
| 2008 | 14 | 6% |
| 2007 | 15 | 12% |
| 2006 | 43 | 16% |
| 2005 | 10 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2007 Subaru Outback
47 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2007 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology