Head gasket failure (EJ25 engine family)
coolant and oil mixing, sometimes recurring more than once
Check engine light: On
This generation shares the same EJ-series engine-family head gasket weakness documented on the 2006-2009 Legacy — it reads as a cross-model Subaru issue rather than something specific to this nameplate. We have two separate documented repairs: $1,800 at 74,400 miles for a blown/leaking gasket, and $3,000 at 96,000 miles for a coolant leak — we're presenting both real figures as a range rather than picking one or averaging them. One NHTSA complaint describes head gaskets failing multiple times within a 6-month window, totaling $4,558.53 in repairs on a car worth $5,750 — a useful, sobering data point on how this can compound. Coolant/oil contamination like this reliably trips a check-engine code, which is why the light is marked as typically on.
$1,800 – $3,00074,400–96,000 mi
range reflects two separate real documented cases, not a single figure widened — one owner reported repeat failures within 6 months totaling $4,558.53 on a $5,750 vehicle.
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Rod bearing / crankshaft bearing failure
catastrophic engine failure or a knocking noise, sometimes at surprisingly low mileage
Check engine light: On
This is the most serious issue reported for this vehicle. Two documented cases stand out for how early they happened: a spun rod bearing requiring a $7,500+ short block replacement at 91,300 miles, and separately, a crankshaft bearing failure requiring a full new engine at just 10,000 miles — plus a third warranty-covered case (spun bearing, thrown rod) at only 5,300 miles. Failures this early suggest a possible manufacturing weak point rather than ordinary high-mileage wear, though no recall currently covers it. Treat it as more than routine wear-and-tear. Catastrophic engine damage like this reliably trips a check-engine code before full failure, which is why the light is marked as typically on.
$7,500+as early as 5,300 mi; documented failures at 10,000 mi and 91,300 mi
the very-low-mileage failures (5,300 mi and 10,000 mi) suggest a possible manufacturing-defect pattern rather than ordinary wear — worth watching even though no recall currently covers it.
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Power steering pump failure (repeat-prone)
noisy or sludged steering fluid, bubbling fluid with a shaking steering wheel, or stiff, noisy steering
Check engine light: Off
This is the most frequently reported suspension/steering issue for this generation, and it's unusual for how often it repeats: several vehicles in the available data needed the power steering pump replaced twice, at both 103,000 and 32,500 miles on different vehicles. That repeat-failure pattern reads as a genuine design weak point rather than random wear. One documented replacement cost $250 at 57,000 miles, which we've widened to $200–$275 to reflect the normal spread in labor rates and parts sourcing — though given the repeat-failure pattern, total cost over the ownership period could exceed a single instance. A related power steering rack leak has also been documented, separately, at $450 (99,000 mi). This is a hydraulic steering fault, not an engine issue, so it doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$200 – $275 (per instance)57,000 mi (documented instance); repeat failures at 32,500 and 103,000 mi on other vehicles
several vehicles required replacement twice — the cost pill reflects one instance, not total lifetime cost for a repeat-failure car. A related power steering rack leak ($450 at 99,000 mi) was folded into this note rather than given its own row.
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MAF sensor failure
a stuttering feeling in the 1,000-3,000 rpm range
Check engine light: On
A cleanly documented mass air flow sensor failure at 114,000 miles, costing $180 (roughly $150 – $200, depending on labor rates and parts sourcing). The reported symptom is specific and useful: stuttering in the 1,000 to 3,000 rpm range, which is a fairly recognizable feel if you know to watch for it. MAF sensor faults reliably trigger a check-engine code.
$150 – $200114,000 mi
based on a single documented case — treat as representative, not a guaranteed figure.
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Wheel bearing failure (front and rear)
squeaking, or the car handling poorly and pulling at times
Check engine light: Off
Wheel bearing failures on this generation show up on both ends of the car. Front bearings have failed as early as 18,000 miles (squeaking) and again around 45,000–47,000 miles (one under warranty). A documented rear bearing failure at 109,120 miles was described as "the car was handling poorly, pulling at times" — a good, specific symptom to watch for — and cost $500 CAD. That figure is in Canadian dollars and is not converted here, so treat it as a rough guide only. This is a mechanical suspension fault, so it doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
as early as 18,000 mi (front); 109,120 mi (rear, documented cost)
the $500 figure is in Canadian dollars, not USD — not converted given exchange-rate uncertainty and the age of the underlying data point.
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Spark plug wire failure causing misfire
Misfire traced to failing spark plug wires
Check engine light: On
Misfire traced to failing spark plug wires. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 28 owner reports on file.
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Knock sensor failure triggers check engine light
Check engine light from a failed knock sensor
Check engine light: On
Check engine light from a failed knock sensor. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 22 owner reports on file.
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Passenger seatbelt light/alarm triggers with no passenger present
Seatbelt warning light and alarm activate despite an empty passenger seat
Check engine light: Off
Seatbelt warning light and alarm activate despite an empty passenger seat. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 20 owner reports on file.
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Oil leak from rear of engine, failed plastic oil baffle plate
Oil leak traced to a failed plastic oil baffle plate at the rear of the engine
Check engine light: Off
Oil leak traced to a failed plastic oil baffle plate at the rear of the engine. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 16 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 12 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 11 owner reports on file.
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The most serious issue on this generation is rod bearing / crankshaft bearing failure — catastrophic engine damage that in two documented cases showed up remarkably early (5,300 and 10,000 miles), costing $7,500+ for a short block or full engine replacement. The very low mileage in those cases suggests a possible manufacturing weak point rather than ordinary wear, though no recall currently covers it. Treat it as more than routine high-mileage wear.