Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Charles01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
A family estate with full-time all-wheel drive and a 526-litre boot, judged robust by the British press. The 2.0 flat-four diesel (EE20) calls for caution: crankshaft failures are documented on early engines, and the dual-mass flywheel and diesel particulate filter can be expensive. The Outback was not tested by Euro NCAP.
- Reliability
- 3.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €3,000 – €12,500
- Monthly cost
- €392
- Euro NCAP
- Not tested
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 2.5i 167 Lineartronic.
2.0D 150 manuelle
Diesel · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 3
2.0-litre flat-four diesel, 150 hp and 350 Nm. Keep an eye on the clutch and dual-mass flywheel.
2.0D 150 Lineartronic
Diesel · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 3
Same 2.0 diesel paired with the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, offered with this engine according to the Blog Automobile road test.
2.5i 167 Lineartronic
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 167 hp · 9.1 L/100 km · Crit'Air 2
2.5-litre flat-four petrol producing 167 hp, with Lineartronic gearbox: no diesel engine, so no EE20 crankshaft issue and no particulate filter.
Market prices
€3,000 – €12,500
Indicative range: 2010 to 2014, 85,000 to 320,000 km, online listings from private and dealer sellers aggregated by LeParking.
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
2.0 diesel (EE20) crankshaft failure
Severity 3/3 · SeriousThe EE20 2.0 flat-four diesel is known for crankshaft or bottom-end failures, especially on Euro 4 engines and some Euro 5 engines built between 2008 and 2013 (HotCars). The what-breaks.com entry for the BR Outback places these failures mainly on early engines (2008-2011) and states that Subaru later revised the design. The sources are specialist websites and the figures vary: the engine history of the car must be checked.
- Versions
- 2.0D 150 manuelle, 2.0D 150 Lineartronic
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Clutch and dual-mass flywheel (manual diesel)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyWhat Car? reports that clutches on manual versions and the dual-mass flywheel of the diesel can be expensive to replace. Honest John reports the case of a reader whose Outback diesel had its flywheel disintegrate during removal, and notes that this is not rare with dual-mass flywheels.
- Versions
- 2.0D 150 manuelle
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) on the 2.0 diesel
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe DPF mainly clogs in urban use and on short journeys (what-breaks.com). One owner of a 2010 Outback describes a car that arrived in limp mode with the flashing DPF warning light (SubaruOutback.org).
- Versions
- 2.0D 150 manuelle, 2.0D 150 Lineartronic
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Subaru Outback”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €224 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €64 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €78 |
| Total per month | €392 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€224
2.5i 167 Lineartronic version: combined consumption of 9.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
9.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €224
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€64
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€78
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Subaru Outback IV (BR) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Diesel: ask for the engine history (year of manufacture, any engine replacement) and prefer an engine built after the first production runs, which were more exposed to crankshaft failures.
- Manual diesel: listen for noises from the clutch, and feel for vibrations through the pedal and at idle, then get clutch and dual-mass flywheel replacement quoted.
- Diesel: check that no DPF warning light is on and ask how the car has been used (short or long journeys).
- Check the oil level and oil consumption history, as boxer engines can consume oil (autoevolution).
- Lineartronic: ask for the gearbox service history and check for vibrations or jerks on the test drive.
- Check the wear of the all-wheel-drive system, in particular the centre differential flagged by What Car?.
Questions to ask the seller
- Is the diesel engine original? Has it had major repairs (crankshaft, bottom end)?
- Have the clutch and flywheel been replaced? Do you have the invoices?
- How has the car been used (short or long journeys), and have any DPF problems been dealt with?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Škoda Octavia
III · 2013–2020
- Price
- €9,495 – €18,900
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Passat
B8 · 2014–2023
- Price
- €10,000 – €24,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Makizox, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ford Mondeo
IV · 2014–2022
- Price
- €8,000 – €15,200
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
IV · 2012–2018
- Price
- €9,500 – €19,600
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Subaru Outback IV (BR) (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Subaru Outback IV tested by Euro NCAP?
No. Parkers states that the 2009-2014 Outback was not crash-tested by Euro NCAP, and Auto Express notes that only the technically similar Legacy received five stars (test from 2009). That rating concerns the Legacy, not the Outback.
What is the boot capacity of the Outback IV?
526 litres, according to Parkers and Caroom (specification sheet for the 2.5i Lineartronic).
Is the Outback IV diesel reliable?
This is its weak point: crankshaft failures are documented on early EE20 engines (2008-2011 according to what-breaks.com), and the clutch, dual-mass flywheel and DPF can be expensive to repair. A complete service history is essential.
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