Used 2003 Subaru Outback Wagon Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
WHAT A MONEY PIT!! TOO BAD :(
mom0f3, 01/26/2011
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Beautiful car, roomy enough for transporting my children. Paint job is still brilliant and the car looks newer than it is. I really considered buying a newer outback, however at 70,000 miles, one thing has broken after another. First the wiper hose, then the wiper motor, head gaskets replaced, water pump and now the transmission is shot. I have put 3K into the car in the past 6 months. Thank goodness the transmission is still under warranty. I just wonder what is next to go. Too bad because I really liked driving my outback.
No Subarus in the future for me
TG, 06/27/2010
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Within 48K I have lost my AC, redone the Brakes, lost the radio, small plastic hooks and knobs break off easily and finally the Head Gasket failed. Bad Subaru! the HGs have been failing on these cars since 1976 (my 1st Subaru) after many misleading discussions with Sales/mechanics we decided to give them another chance. FAIL. don't buy a Subaru w/o looking up their reviews/complaints first.For a car with this many features you would not think that this CRITICAL part would be so consistently overlooked.
2003 Subaru Outback for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- Base WagonMSRP: $3,495452 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $2,900521 mi away
Reliable
Sorin, 07/18/2009
2003 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought it brand new and now I have 140.000 on it. Drives like the first day. Have not had ANY engine/transmission problems. Wasted money on extended warranty. Did oil change myself, fuel filter only changed a couple a times, transmission fluid drained twice, Serp belt went at 100K. Changed spark plugs (major pain, buried deep) at 100K, looked like new. VERY reliable in all kinds of weather. Cons: wind noise (only if you want to drive above 80, and then I guess it's a good thing, it keeps you alert). Not enough leg room. Those who think a 6 cylinder will accelerate faster forget about it, it doesn't, because it's heavier. It is friendly, though, once you get to know it.
A Lesson Learned The Hard Way
machineryman, 07/29/2013
updated 09/27/2013
2003 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
I bought my Outback two years ago with 115,000 miles on it. In over 200 cars that I've owned I've never owned an Outback, but everyone that I talked to that had one loved it. This car ranks as one of the 3 worst cars that I've owned. It's the only car that I've owned that would break just sitting in the driveway. It's been a real money pit. With the chronic head gasket problems I'm surprised that anyone buys these. I sure wish that I had researched it before I bought. This was definately an expensive lesson learned the hard way.
Guess I got the lemon
Jane, 10/31/2009
2003 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
14 of 19 people found this review helpful
Immediately post-purchase, I noticed the car hesitated on acceleration & had slow & clunky gear shifting. I was told that was just "the boxer engine"?! The car chews thru the brakes - been replaced & repaired every year. Wind noise has been a constant irritation & I can't read stereo settings on bright days due to glare. Today, I was told that the head gasket is blown and the brake pads are gone again. In spite of having routine maintenance, this 6 year old car has had a long history of expensive repair, gets poor mileage & requires more expensive gas. I would never buy another Subaru but from others' revus, clearly I'm in the minority?! Must have been the lemon?!