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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8641 messages,  Last post on May 03, 2013 at 9:35 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 857 of 865

#8560 of 8641 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? by cincinnati_dan

Apr 28, 2012 (8:01 pm)

I'm thinking about buying a 2012 Outback Limited, with 4-cylinder, CVT. Is there still a head gasket problem? The salesman told me I would have to get them done at about 100,000 miles. I thought that Subaru had fixed this problem with their newer vehicles.
 
Also, can I expect a "jerking" problem with this CVT transmission?
Can I expect any problems with the AWD? I had a 1992 Mitsubishi AWD, and the transfer case had to be repaired every 35,000 miles (a $6500 repair).
 
Can I expect any other problems?

#8561 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [cincinnati_dan] by cincinnati_dan

Apr 28, 2012 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: cincinnati_dan (Apr 28, 2012 8:01 pm)
Also, is the CVT a good thing to have, rather than a 5-Speed Automatic?
 
The salesmand told me the Outback I was looking at was a 5-Speed Automatic with CVT. I thought a CVT had infinite speeds, not just 5. Was the salesman correct?

#8562 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [cincinnati_dan] by hammerhead

Apr 28, 2012 (9:20 pm)

Replying to: cincinnati_dan (Apr 28, 2012 8:10 pm)
CVT is indeed infinite. It has a manu-matic option with 5 ratios that lets you pretend you have a 5-speed auto.
 
Personally, i'd go for the 6-speed true manual with the short-throw shifter kit. But that's just me.

#8563 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [cincinnati_dan] by jd_24

Apr 29, 2012 (6:20 am)

Replying to: cincinnati_dan (Apr 28, 2012 8:01 pm)
Head gasket is a thing of the past as far as I know. It was most common in the 2000-2002?? models. I have a 2001 with 200K miles and zero issues with head gaskets or transmission. I just bought my second Subaru (Impreza). If I recall the only must fix issues I've had beyond normal maintenance, was a sensor and alternator.

#8564 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [jd_24] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 29, 2012 (10:26 am)

Replying to: jd_24 (Apr 29, 2012 6:20 am)
your 2001 is susceptible to head gasket failure as well but sounds like with those miles that you've dodged the bullet. Usually it shows up on the 2.5L Subaru at around 110K-130K. And if you were REALLY lucky, your driver's window switch didn't break, either.

#8565 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [Mr_Shiftright] by jd_24

Apr 29, 2012 (11:02 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 29, 2012 10:26 am)
Yes, it was a prime canidate for head gaskets. Its still a daily driver for us. The AWD is fantastic.
Power windows don't get used a whole lot up here in MN. 5 months its too cold and 3 months its too hot for putting the windows down. Most of my commuting is freeway, so the windows tend to stay up the rest of the time too!

#8566 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [jd_24] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 29, 2012 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: jd_24 (Apr 29, 2012 11:02 am)
How 'bout your catalytic converter? Did that fail or break loose?
 
The window switches just get harder and harder to push up and down---they move but they don't make contact very well after a while.
 
Did you know that Subarus get more speeding tickets than any other car? Weird, huh?

#8567 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [Mr_Shiftright] by jd_24

Apr 29, 2012 (3:25 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 29, 2012 12:10 pm)
Yes the catalytic converter did go. I sort of figured it was a wear and tear thing since it went at around 160k miles.

#8568 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [jd_24] by ateixeira

Apr 30, 2012 (7:16 am)

Replying to: jd_24 (Apr 29, 2012 3:25 pm)
If you are still concerned about head gaskets, wait for the 2013 model, which they just showed at the NY Auto Show.
 
It gets the FB engine block. The coolant lines for the head and block are completely separate now.
 
No coolant will leak from the gaskets no matter what - because the coolant no longer flows through the gasket at all.
 
Recent gasket improvements all but solved the issue, but with the FB blocks ( now used on the Forester, Impreza, Outback, and Legacy) that chapter is thankfully completely closed.
 
The FA block in the BRZ is designed similarly. The EZ36 block is not, IIRC, but it never had many problems in the first place.

#8569 of 8641 Re: 2012 Subaru Outback - Expected Problems? [ateixeira] by jd_24

Apr 30, 2012 (9:39 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 30, 2012 7:16 am)
Nope. Not real concerned about the gaskets. Slightly concerned about all the other parts I haven't replaced yet. At 200K miles just about anything can wear out and need to be replaced.
 
Our new 2012 Impreza is the replaceement, and the Outback can go to my daughter who will be learning to drive soon.

Messages Page 857 of 865

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