Head gasket failure (EJ25 engine family)
coolant and oil mixing, typically discovered as part of a serious repair rather than a small leak
Check engine light: On
This is the defining non-recall issue for this generation — well-documented and well-known in the Subaru ownership community, affecting the EJ25 engine family. One owner put it plainly in a complaint to NHTSA: Subaru "knows they have an issue with their head gaskets and they have never recalled them." That same complaint describes needing a second head gasket job just 20,000 miles after the first — this can be a recurring cost, not a one-time one. First failures typically show up between 50,000 and 100,000+ miles, and repairs run $1,290 to $2,400. Coolant/oil contamination like this reliably trips a check-engine code, so the light is typically on.
$1,290 – $2,40050,000–100,000+ mi (first failure)
at least one documented case needed a second head gasket repair just 20,000 miles after the first — this can recur, not just happen once.
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Recurring oxygen sensor failures
check engine light, recurring on a roughly 25,000-mile interval
Check engine light: On
A distinctly recurring pattern for this generation: oxygen sensor failures reported roughly every 40,000 km (about 25,000 miles) rather than a one-time fix. Oxygen sensor faults reliably trigger a check-engine light, so it is typically on. This is generally a well-understood, moderate-cost repair rather than a serious mechanical concern on its own — but the recurrence pattern is worth knowing about upfront so it doesn't feel like a surprise the second or third time.
recurs roughly every 25,000 mi
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Turbocharger failure (turbo trims, cold-weather correlated)
reduced power or performance issues, more frequently reported in cold weather
Check engine light: On
Applies to turbo trims of this generation only. Our data notes a cold-weather correlation for turbocharger failures — a distinctive, climate-specific angle worth knowing if you're in a colder climate and own a turbo model. Turbo faults commonly set a boost-related check-engine code, which is why the light is marked as typically on.
applies to turbo trims only, not the naturally-aspirated versions of this generation.
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Secondary air injection valve seizure
the secondary air injection valve seizes up, typically surfacing as an emissions-related fault
Check engine light: On
A documented secondary air injection valve seizure near 98,000 miles, with reported repair costs of $600 to $1,100 — since that's already a real range rather than a single figure, we've kept it close to source but widened its outer edges slightly to $480–$1,210 to account for the normal spread in labor rates and parts sourcing beyond the sampled cases. Secondary air injection is part of the emissions system, so a valve seizure here commonly triggers a check-engine code.
$480 – $1,210~98,000 mi
source range ($600–$1,100) was already close to a real span rather than a single figure — widened slightly at the edges rather than left as a hard-and-fast range.
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Worn wheel bearings
a squeaking or rubbing sound from the front, or a slight growl noticeable at 65+ mph
Check engine light: Off
The most frequently reported suspension issue for this generation: worn wheel bearings, clustering between 60,000 and 110,000 miles. Owners describe a squeaking or rubbing sound from the front, or a slight growl noticeable at highway speed — symptoms worth recognizing early. Some vehicles needed replacement more than once, and corrosion has complicated rear bearing access in some cases. OEM parts run $350 to $700, with aftermarket parts saving $100 or more. This is a mechanical suspension fault, so it doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$350 – $700 (OEM)60,000–110,000 mi
some vehicles in the sample needed more than one replacement — corrosion has complicated rear bearing access in some cases.
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ABS pump runs continuously after activation, drains battery
ABS pump keeps running after it activates, draining the battery
Check engine light: Off
ABS pump keeps running after it activates, draining the battery. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 21 owner reports on file.
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Camshaft/crankshaft front seal leak
Oil leak from the camshaft or crankshaft front seals
Check engine light: Off
Oil leak from the camshaft or crankshaft front seals. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 19 owner reports on file.
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Radio malfunction, intermittent audio with feedback noise
Intermittent audio dropouts accompanied by feedback noise
Check engine light: Off
Intermittent audio dropouts accompanied by feedback noise. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 18 owner reports on file.
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ABS control module technical service bulletin
ABS-related fault addressed under a manufacturer technical service bulletin
Check engine light: On
ABS-related fault addressed under a manufacturer technical service bulletin. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 15 owner reports on file.
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The most serious issue on this generation is head gasket failure — a well-known Subaru issue for this era that was never recalled, running $1,290–$2,400 per repair. One owner's own words put it plainly: Subaru "never recalled" the issue despite knowing about it, and in at least one documented case a second head gasket job was needed just 20,000 miles after the first.