Used 2009 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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High number of Repairs
jdillon2, 04/11/2015
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
45 of 46 people found this review helpful
We have owned 4 different Subarus. We bought the 2009 Outback new. It has had three major repairs since purchase. The most recent was a rebuild of the transfer case which cost $2200. We never had these types of major repairs before. I expect better from Subaru being an owner since 1991. They just aren't as good as in the past.
'09 Outback
Hal Edmonds, 09/13/2016
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
The last of the original Outback models, before they got too big. Good handling, decent fuel economy, reasonable comfort, great reliability, good resale. Hard to beat a Subaru.
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200+K miles without a wrench put on it!
Mario, 11/29/2016
updated 12/01/2017
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
This car was our 5th Subaru, and it is being replaced by a newer model. All of our Subarus went well over 200,000 miles without ever having to take them into the dealer for a repair. The only time any of our Subarus were in the shop was for normal engine maintenance that required tools or expertise beyond the average owner's ability or tool ownership (even spark plug changes need a 'special' tool to accomplish); eg. timing belt, cam belt & cam seals, water pump at about 85,000 or more miles. I did all oil & oil filter changes at 5000 mile intervals and air filter changes, myself. You also can save a little money by buying spark plugs at an auto parts store and just pay the labor to have a dealer install them. These cars are so trouble-free, you get in it, turn the key and the engine always starts. On my first Subaru wagon a 1985, at about 125,000 miles a slight hesitation on acceleration off idle developed. I took it in to the local Subaru specialist shop to diagnose & fix it. When I picked up the car, the mechanic told me (jokingly) I should be ashamed of my self for the cause of the problem. The ORIGINAL spark plugs were still in the engine - I never changed them! He couldn't believe I hadn't yet changed the plugs. Well, that's what happens when you get in your car and it starts EVERYTIME! I should also add, the 2009 Subaru never gave us any trouble, just like all our previous Subies ('85, '87, '96, '01). So, we're buying another Outback, this will be our 6th Subaru (4th Outback). [Update: 2015 Outback 2.5 4cyl Ltd.] Fantastic vehicle! Will practically drive itself! Bought it used with all the bells and whistles available (Sat radio, GPS Navigation, Eye-sight, heated seats front & BACK!, dual range heat/cool, etc.) We absolutely love this car! Had just over 9K miles on it when we bought it, now we have 28K. Oil & filter changes are a piece of cake, since the filter is now on the top side of the engine. Also another great change Subaru made is the 6 speed Constant velocity transmission. Subaru just keeps getting better & better. We travel weekly from the mountains (Lake Tahoe) to the valley (Sacramento area) so I think the gas mileage would actually be higher for someone that lives in the valley.
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Dont walk...Run!
Scott, 11/29/2017
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Bought the XT used in 2011 with 27,000 miles from dealer. Paid $26,500. Bought the extended warranty for $2500. Regular oil changes at 3,000 miles. A couple sets of tires, a couple brake jobs. Driving home from restaurant car all of a sudden dies, dash lights flashing, brakes and steering in manual, pull over to side of road (luckily not in traffic at highway speeds). Tried to start, turns over but very slow. Towed to dealer next day. Told I need a new engine. Told metal shavings in oil, no other explanation. Car had 110,000 miles. They replaced the short block, turbo, water pump, timing belt. Dealer quoted $9,000. Subaru gave me $2,500. Out of pocket $6,500. Replaced rear bearing $1,000. Couple of brake jobs, couple sets of tires, oil changes every 3,000 miles. Car now has 208,000 miles, Driving to Waterloo, IA. Cruising at 75mph, car loses power, dash lights blinking. Pull over to side of road. Sit 1/2 hr. Try to start car. Starts but acts like it running on one cylinder. Tow to dealer on Wednesday week before Thanksgiving. Told not able to look at until next Tues. Rent car and drive home. Dealer want $100 to diagnose problem. Called back later and said the want $300 for compression test. Called on Tues and said that the car had a bad valve. Quoted valve job, timing belt, water pump for $3,600 plus misc $4,100. Decided to sell car to mechanic for $1,250. Will never buy Subaru again !
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A WRX trapped inside a Volvo's body!
withdrew, 10/09/2008
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
We have a baby now so we needed something more versatile than our previous car ('02 BMW 325i) but just as sporty and fun to drive. The Subaru Outback delivers in every way. It's a great looking wagon inside and out, the build quality is solid and in 2.5 XT form, it's more powerful than our old BMW. I couldn't ask for more. The Outback is smooth and powerful and feels like a much more expensive car. It's very quiet and low-revving, I barely go over 4,000 RPM. There's plenty of room in the rear for a baby-stroller, groceries, luggage, golf clubs, etc. In our old sedan that was a major issue. The 5 speed manual is responsive and crisp. The 2.5 XT Limited is the best Outback available, period.
Continuous costly repairs
Mark, 11/05/2015
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
26 of 30 people found this review helpful
This was my first, and last Subaru, I bought. I thought the car would be reliable after reading and researching prior models. This car is the closest thing to a lemon I could think of. After 6 months of ownership the interior of the vehicle was breaking apart. Small holes in the stitching in the doors and the center counsel lid broke. Subaru repaired the lid and it soon broke again. Very cheep. The handling and engine performance became horrible after a couple of years. As of today, the power steering unit is shot - not sure what this will cost yet to replace. I recently had the transmission leak and the thermostat sensor replaced at the dealership ($600.00 plus). Then a month later the valve cover gasket broke causing oil to run into and foul out the plugs. This repair cost over $850.00 once they figured out what was wrong with it. I'll sum it up here, this is a terrible car. Don't buy one, it's no Toyota. It gets horrible gas mileage and over time has no engine power. It just screws you over with repairs.
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7 years and counting....
satisfied owner, 06/21/2016
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Bought this car at end of model year at a good price with the exact features, trim, and color that I wanted. I have never fallen out of love with this car -- the looks, the handling, the 6 cyl engine, the comfort and seating position, the harmon-kardon sound system, the overall performance, reliability, and integrity. Semi-luxurious car-like transport that can also be your truck when you need to haul lots of stuff in back. Well, regarding reliability, although I only have 36,000 miles on it, the front CV boots failed and the CV joints were worn and needed replacing recently. Seems too early to have a problem like that, but I guess driving the gnarly and pot-holed big city streets can do that to a front end. Glad I never do any real off roading! No other problems with it so far. I thoroughly enjoy this vehicle.
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Surprised by Subaru
Bird man, 07/07/2016
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Engine quality is terrible in these 2.5 engines. Please read all the reviews before you buy one. Blown head gaskets are the norm and repairs are $2500-3000 or a new engine for $4500. even at 110K the engine is gone. maintained regular and treated the car good but the seals in the engine went out earlier causing bad oil leaks then a cam issue and finished off the fun with a blown head gasket. Would not buy another Subaru ever
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Wish We'd Learned About Head Gasket Problem
Subie Driver, 01/25/2016
updated 01/28/2019
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
23 of 27 people found this review helpful
We bought the car used with around 60K miles. At 125K, we encountered a major problem that despite all of my research prior to buying the car I somehow never heard about: head gasket problems. Apparently some head gaskets for this model are prone to fail, and ours did - on a road trip, no less. The car was failing, with major oil seepage both into and out of the motor, and we couldn't schedule an indie shop for a repair in time, so we had to have it repaired at the dealership (ouch). While we were assured after the repair it was good for 100K miles or more (a better head gasket was installed), we decided to jump ship. The car, after all we put into it, basically had no resale value for us - we could only hope to recoup what all we'd spent on it. So keep this defect in mind if you're considering an Outback of this model year. In all, we spent $25,000 total for a car that lasted us 70K miles. Not a good used car purchase at all. Before the catastrophic failure, the car was quite good. We had driven the next generation, but thought it rode too truck-like, and was kind of noisy, with an unrefined drivetrain. It was also hard to see out of and had uncomfortable front seats. This generation was more car-like and the better for it. It was incredibly versatile - drove like a sedan (and was fairly luxurious with the heated leather seats and wood trim), but had more cargo room than similarly sized/equipped SUVs of the time. The downside was the drivetrain, which, though not as noticeably as the same-level one in the next generation, was still unrefined; it was a bit noisy and had some vibration. At lower speeds the transmission would frequently pause before engaging, clunking abruptly when it finally did. Also the dual climate control didn't work well, leaving both front seat occupants unhappy. Overall, though, the car was comfortable and efficient both in town or on the highway and was like a Swiss pocket knife in terms of usability, perfect for hauling everything from furniture to dogs to groceries, while still being easy to park and decent on gas, and it was completely reliable before the head gasket failure. Build quality was excellent, too, with interior and exterior materials holding up fantastically. A big issue was finding people who knew how to work on it. If you're far from a major city, you may have a hard time finding people who understand this relatively rare car and how to properly outfit it with brakes, tires, etc., as well as service things like the differentials. Not sure what happened with this model, as Subarus are generally known for being exceptionally reliable. It was a big factor in our decision to buy it. Our experience has, understandably I think, soured us on Subarus. Rationally are not, this is the kind of thing that takes years to overcome (decades, in my case) before you're willing to plunk down that much hard-earned cash for something. We ended up buying an Acura TSX Sportwagon. While the visibility and cargo capacity aren't as good as the Outback's were, the build quality is noticeably better - and that's great peace of mind.
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Will drive forever
Zachary, 06/30/2016
updated 01/06/2017
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
This car is the most reliable car I have owned. I have not had a single problem with it yet. It plows through snow and accelerates on icy roads without a problem. I have never had a vehicle grab the road like this one. Also, it is perfect for an occasional off road excursion to find a new fishing or hiking spot and holds all of my equipment perfectly. I will never let go of this car.
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Not drinkin' the cool-aid
lm, 08/06/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Initially we loved it. Two radio replacements later along with faulty a/c controls, expensive x-mission repair, leaking sun roof (all covered by warranty) have left us questioning keeping this vehicle for 10+ years like we planned. So far $5k worth repairs on a 1.5 yr. Old vehicle does not bode well for Post warranty ownership. Will trade for a Ford fusion. We expected much more from a $30k vehicle. Will have a bad taste in my mouth for Subaru for a while. Gillman San Antonio could have done better also.
2009 Outback Constantly Rattles
SB, 07/25/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2009 Outback last year and was so happy to have another Subaru. Several months after purchase I noticed a loud rattle in the front, took it to the dealership who told me there were issues with the 2008/2009 Heat Shields - and they replaced mine. The rattle problem seemed to be resolved, however 2 months later - it is rattling again. This time the dealership showed me Memo's of consumer complaints of the rattle - and stated it would probably continue because these Heat Shields are just 'clipped' together instead of being 'bolted' together. AND - be prepared for it to be much worse in the winter time. I wish I knew this in advance - very disappointed! : (
Special Edition Indeed!
Brian, 11/11/2021
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this just 2 months ago from a Subaru dealer. It is a 2009 Outback Special Edition 2.5i. It has close to 187k miles on it. Before I bought it, I made sure the dealer replaced the head gaskets with metal ones from a Turbo as those are more durable. I also had them replace the timing belts. They then went thru the rest of the car, fixing things that needed fixing like brakes, leaks, etc. So far, up here in Northern Utah, this car has been everything I have ever wanted. I may never get rid of it. The head gaskets are good for another 120k miles, the timing belts are good for another 100k miles. I BABY my cars, making sure the maintenance is done on time. I expect to have this for over 300k miles pretty easily. Pros: The MPG has been better than advertised. I am currently getting 24 mpg combined. I think it would be higher than that but, I have had to run the car with the defroster on while I scrape the ice off the windows. I have made a few runs on the freeway and consistently get 30+ mpg at 75 mph. It has the shiftable 4A which I use in manual mode to climb the mountain grades. Shift it into 3rd gear and it is happy to climb all the way up to the top without complaints. I have even taken it off-road a bit east of Heber, UT. Big rocks and ruts were traversed with no issues. Subaru really does have the best AWD system. This car is comfortable. The seats are firm but supportive. The lumbar support is amazing. I never get tired driving this car. The cargo area is enormous. My dog can lay down in the back, fully sprawled out and not touch the walls or the hatch. Not too shabby for a 60 lb Lab. Best traction I have ever had in any car with just all-season tires. I want to get some Falken Wildpeak AT3 tires for it eventually. But, the tires I have on it now have 60k miles left on their tread. I cannot waste that. Cons: The radio will randomly set its own levels for the volume. Apparently, the wiring for the radio had some weak soldering that wears out over time. The only way to fix it is with a new head unit. I will be getting one after Christmas. Overall: Before this, I owned a 2002 Jeep Liberty. In the first 2 months of ownership, it had already been to the shop at least 3 times. I have yet to need a repair in the Outback. It's been so good, my wife prefers to travel in it rather than our 1+ year old Tiguan. It's just so nice!
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Perfect family car
wagondad, 04/07/2011
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
Fills the duties of daily transportation perfectly, fast enough not to get boring and utilitarian enough that I don't feel guilty for enjoying it so much. The only thing I HATE about this car is the danged speakers rattling the door panels. REALLY?? Seriously guys, it's a $30,000 car and you couldn't spend the time in development to make sure the map pockets don't vibrate apart when someone's listening to music? Hell, even NPR throws this car for a loop...if Lakshmi Sing messes your sound system up, you have a problem. So I will spend this weekend stuffing my map pockets full of old towels. Oh, 45,000 miles and no problems. Original tires/brakes. Yeah, much love for Subaru.
DIsappointed!
Shar, 01/31/2018
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I pretty much replaced everything at 90000 miles: head gasket, power transmission, timing belt, everything under the hood. I was guaranteed that it would be as good as new after spending close to 5000 USD. Now its back in the shop for a transmission hose leak. And incidentally, leaks and head gasket issues seem like typical problems; shouldnt they have recalled and fixed those issues?
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blown engine and transmission
johnny, 01/15/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
this is my second subaru. My last one was a 95' legacy wagon, 215,000 miles. Never even had to replace the clutch, it was as tight as it was the day I got it. 09 outback 8 months, 16000 miles, blown engine and trans. I am sure this is a rare event. I do love the car, just an extreme pain and a hassle.
Blown engine at 2600
Skoalsnuff, 08/20/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Love the car, that's why having this motor issue is so painful. Driving down the freeway and I hear tapping that gets progressively worse. With no associated lights car just shuts down. Dealer says I have blown motor, come to find out that they are having problems with turbos doing so. Funny thing is everyone at Subaru acts like it hasn't happened at all. Getting new motor, but not feeling good about car. Read up, the turbo's are lemons.
Well, that was a huge waste of money!
deminimis, 04/16/2012
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
17 of 24 people found this review helpful
Only 54,000 miles and the engine hatched. Not only is the car under the factory warranty, but also an extended warranty. Subaru is fighting us tooth and nail. Will have to sue Subaru to get the car fixed under warranty. Will stick with Toyota next time.
Clunk is what makes a Subaru, a Subaru
vaa4, 11/20/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I was very happy about our new vehicle purchase (Jul'09) until we hit a bump in the road...an uneven bump. Rack and Pinion is designed to clunk every time wheels are turned and hit an uneven pavement (fact). Happens on driveways and while turning on an imperfect road. Took 3 service trips to find out at over 75% of Outbacks suffer from this issue. Done 3 trips to get front vibrations (tires?) taken care of, still in progress. Front rotors already machined (2K miles). Driver door handle cable is loose, haven't addressed yet. If I was a Die-hard Subaru fan, I may have ignored these imperfections since no other vehicle fits my lifestyle that well, but I am having a hard time coping with it yet.
No regrets whatsoever
Matt, 03/30/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have a 5 speed MT Special Edition. I have gone from VW products to Audi and I have no regrets at all. The build is great, the AWD is extremely capable and I have never gotten it stuck (and I have tried as I take it down trails through mud and snow and over rocks to go biking), the comfort and visibility is fantastic, the power is not earth moving but good enough, the mileage is very good considering its a big 4 cylinder and just 5 speeds. The only real downside is that the leg room in the rear seat is very very tight.
Virgin2 Outback
silencedogoode, 11/05/2011
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
After over 25 faithful years to UAW built car, that was it. GM left me hang again. I first bought a 97' Corolla, too small, and bad on the northern Michigan snow. I spotted my 09' Outback, blue with silver on the bottom online, and went for a test drive. I admit,,I had pudding face. It's now late 2011, my used 09' with 24K mi drives better than my Trailblazer did new. I have owned this car all summer, and love driving it. MPG is 28-29 hwy, and I am ready for another road trip. I will buy a brand new Outback as soon as Subaru improves the look over the 2012. Thats one ugly stepchild to the 05-09. Never fear leaving the UAW behind.
If You're Deaf This Car's for You
crestfallen, 03/13/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I reluctantly traded in my beloved Audi Allroad because it was at the end of it's life. I was shopping for a manual transmission sports wagon and someone suggested the OutBack Turbo. I drove the car and was mildly impressed with the acceleration and ride so I decided to buy it. I never expected to be in the situation I'm in now. The tailgate rattles to the point that nobody wants to be in the car. I can't turn the radio up loud enough to mask it. It's been repaired 3 times and each time it rattles on the way out of the dealership. Subaru has no suggestions. Before you buy this car check out internet blogs about Outback rattles. There's literally dozens of them. This isn't uncommon!
Not your mother"s Subaru.
Brian Johnston, 01/24/2019
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
90,000 miles and major maintenance required. Gaskets leaking, power steering shot, radio doesn't work, tailgate wiring shorted out. My previous Loyale wagon went over 200 000 miles with nothing more than regular service, timing belt changes, and one clutch cable replacement. 2009 Outback is a real lemon.
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Sporty and Practical
DaneD, 03/29/2022
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had my stick shift Subaru Outback XT for 13 years and I still love my car. It handles really well and has the turbo boost so it's FUN to drive, yet it's still got a good trunk space and can go on bumpy dirt roads. It has never broken down on me and the maintenance costs have been relatively low. The back seat is a tight squeeze for 3 adults, both in terms of leg room and width, though when the kids were little it fit two car seats and a booster. Great car overall.
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Fabulous!
Sasha, 10/07/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had my SiSE for just over 2 years. Gas mileage is over what I expected - 31 hwy and 27 mixed. Had snow in South GA last winter - I was the only one not sliding all over the road! LOVE this CAR!
Will Buy Another One!
offroad001, 10/27/2014
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2K9 Outback on July 5th 2008. It was the first 2K9 on the lot. Got it at the July 4th Sale. I have 168,000+ miles on her. Great reliability and a great daily driver. I used to drive 100+ miles a day for work and it is a whole lot better than my Durango or Tahoe!! I keep my vehicles for a long time and this one is still holding up well. I did have the infamous head gasket leak and got that repaired at my mechanic around 133,000 miles. Just basic maintenance and she is good to go! This is my first Asian car. I am a truck man but this car has converted me. Still have my Tahoe but I let my wife drive it. $40.00 compared to $80.00 for a fillup between the two. Love this car!!!
Love it!
cheeseblocks, 07/19/2014
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've wanted to make the jump to a Impreza WRX hatchback for awhile, but I can't justify the insane insurance cost. I went to Carmax looking for a smaller hatchback, but this one had arrived on the lot the day before, and the price was right (the option of extended warranty through 150k miles was a nice touch). I'm loving most everything about this car, and what I don't love, I do like.
Outback 2.5i New
YWilson, 07/11/2008
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 9 people found this review helpful
Well, this is my first Subaru. I am very happy with this purchase. The only thing is I drove off the lot with a tapping in one of my tires. Turns out a screw came loose and stuck in my tire. It was from the Tire Pressure Monitor. Strange. Still waiting on a special "screw" for this part. It's been 3 days. Otherwise the car is great. The dealer replaced the tire for free. I drive 100 miles a day and it get's better gas mileage as it breaks in. This will be a long term keeper for me.
Backing up/low visability
Joy, 11/26/2015
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 8 people found this review helpful
It is hard to see out the side windows to back up. The windows are too small.
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More issues than it should have
Jeff, 06/03/2019
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Major items that have been an issue: 1. Front crankshaft seal, blew out because the oil pump backing plate screws came loose (65,000 miles) 2. Center differential went out along with bearings at 85,0000 3. Tailgate wiring harness broke in multiple places at around 95,000 4. Excessive oil consumption steadily getting worse, up to a quart every 650 miles Minor issues: 1. front axles needed replaced, boots failed 2. rattling exhaust heat shield Now at 140,000 miles the timing belt broke, I changed the belt at 65,000 but I did not replace the pulleys; I would say this was my fault. When I got into the engine the spark plug tubes were full of oil, the exhaust valves were pitted from the burning oil and the oil rings were stuck in the pistons. I would not recommend a Subaru to a friend unless they were planning not on keeping it past the warranty.
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Great Car, have owned it for 7 years
karl hoffmann, 05/20/2017
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
There is nothing bad I can say about my 2009 Outback. The car has been rock solid and would recommend a Subaru anywhere, anytime. I purchased it with 16K on the odometer and I put another 102K on it.
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Just Be Aware of This...
Roderick Belding , 04/15/2022
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
If you have the 2.5 the head gaskets can and will fail. Mine failed at only 69k miles. If youre willing to pay to fix the problem, its a good vehicle. Its absurd that Subaru let their head gasket problem go on for as long as they did.
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Not for me
The Chad, 07/07/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought the Outback after my 99' 4Runner with only 92,000 miles through a rod. This was not my first choice of car, but made sense economically at the time and now I regret buying it. The ride is very rough, especially for a car chassis. The engine is very underpowered, especially when loaded for road trips and the mileage is crap. I get 22-23 commuting and on road trips with bikes on top, I get 18. The vehicle is also very small for road trips, etc. for a camping/biking road trip, you can only take one other person and gear. I will be taking a look at a new 4Runner or Tacoma since I can get the same gas mileage and have a lot more power and room.
Worst car I have ever owned!
hatemysubaru, 10/22/2013
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 9 people found this review helpful
This was my first Subaru and it will be my last. I have owned all types of cars in my lifetime and this has been the worst. I have 94k highway miles on this car and now I have to replace the catalytic converter for $1,400, sensors, recalls, just replaced the muffler guard for $500 and the list keeps going. This car is severly underpowered and uncomfortable to drive and worse for passengers. I bought it because of the reputation but that was a mistake. To top it off the mileage is only 25 MPG on the highway. I have a family of 5 drivers and everyone hates this car. Don't waste your money on a Sabaru!
A fun car to drive
Dima, 10/20/2008
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Having recently purchased an Outback, I was pleasantly surprised with how much fun this car is - sporty handling, nice balance, very good 5-speed shifter. It has much sportier character than one would expect from a wagon. Recently, I had spent some time driving on semi-paved country roads, and was impressed with the suspension that made driving over the potholes and washed- out portions of the road bearable. Although I do not get good mileage in the city, barely 20 mpg, it probably has more to do with my driving style. On the highway, I am consistently in the 26-28 mpg range.
Great car
Pere, 07/11/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have it for 2 months and very happy. Great feeling in S-sharp mode, only using Intelligent mode in city driving. Manual transmission is great (forget about automatic if you like to drive). I love the interior design and the HK sound system. Can't wait to drive it on snow but I drove it in very heavy rain and the feeling of stability is awesome. Best performance and better mileage than the Volvo XC70 at a more affordable price.
1st time Subaru owner
1st time Subaru, 10/04/2008
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
As a first time Subaru owner I did not know what to expect. It is the first car that I have owned that does not have a frame around the door's windows. Maybe I do not drive the way the others do but my mileage has been less than expected. My last car was a Toyota Highlander and did really well in the snow and not bad on mileage, so this new car has a lot to live up to. I have owned others, Acura, Nissan, Audi and Toyota and, in my opinion, all had better initial quality. I am looking forward to the snow because I have heard great things.
Junkorama
unhappy, 02/07/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased the car in November 2008, in Colorado. Violent bucking forced us to a dealer in New Mexico who told us that we could only use one brand of gasoline. Returned to the Colorado dealer who told us New Mexico dealer didn't know what it was doing, kept the car for awhile and replaced a camshaft sensor; assured us car was OK. It wasn't, so took it to yet another dealer, who replaced the turbocharger and some other parts; assured us car was OK. Observed gas mileage appears poor. We'll see if further observations confirm poor mileage. If they do, we're on the way to the court house! If not, we may sell it anyway. Word to the wise-- think twice before buying a Subaru.
BIG Sub
SCHATS, 09/30/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Love the car, have 12,000 miles, gas mileage has been better than expected. Would like a bit more power. Just finished a vacation traveling from Pittsburgh to Maine, 2500 miles averaged 28 MPG carrying quite a bit of camping equipment. The car always looks clean, shines beautifully, even with dust on it.
Excellent car, some minor issues
bhorek, 01/24/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Traded down from an Acura MDX to save some $ and obtain better fuel economy. Our driving is mostly in suburban areas with some highway driving. The car suits our needs very well providing space for the occasional hauling of large items with much better gas mileage than the MDX so overall we are very happy with the car. Somewhat underpowered but we knew that before we bought and still find the car fun to drive with excellent handling.
Poor start
Paul, 11/17/2008
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have not seen other reviews for the 2009 3.0R, so here it is. The car is great to drive and both the stereo and nav are fun to use once you get past the complexity of the user interface. Mileage is as advertised; should not expect better with this power and AWD. Now the down side. After 5 days and 500km, the check engine light came on with flashing cruise and shift control lights. The dealer had difficulty trouble shooting, but claimed to find the root cause after 2 days in the shop, replacing a solenoid that is used for control of one of the cams. One day after I got the car back I am staring at the same failure. This is not the reliability that I expected from a Subaru!
Fast but quiet Turbo Wagon
Joe, 11/14/2008
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Very happy with the turbo compared to the 2005. Also, this car is much quieter than the 2005 and has much better acceleration. Very comfortable seats for long distances. Harmon Kardon stereo is an improvement but there are rattles from the front doors probably from things in the storage areas. Prefer the multifunction display to be under the storage area instead of under the speedometer/tach. Also like the feature to adjust the throttle response and turbo to either sport for stronger acceleration or intelligent for better gas mileage. I just leave it on intelligent unless I want to pass and it really "shoots" around when you punch the gas.
Overall performance
Perry, S. California, 09/12/2010
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I enjoyed the car and fun to drive. Waited for while before I write this review. I love stereo system and nav. Dislike: firm seat,not enough storage, engine power ok,not as quiet inside the car, the steering wheel is firm for me - so far I do not have any major issue but rattle in front driver side at higher speed. Brought attention to dealer, cannot resolve the issue.
2 Lemons
Brian, 03/21/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My first 09 Outback was delivered to me with a broken heater. The next morning it took 7 tries to get it started. The car was replaced with another one. The second car was miss firing from the time of purchase and had a check engine light 6 days after purchase. Subaru HQ claims the miss firing is part of break in and they will not repair the vehicle.
Awesome car, BUT
Lumpy, 07/15/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Not happy with fog lights - they shine directly down to the ground even after dealer adjustment. Does not improve visibility at all. Inside of windshield has a scratch near top that can be felt with a finger nail. Other than that the car is great and the gas mileage ranges from 27-31 after 7000 miles.
Excellent driving experience!
Steve J. Lachman, 08/29/2018
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I actually have a 2016 Subaru Outback. The drop down did not allow me to put the correct model year! The gas mileage has been excellent compared to other vehicles I have had. a while back, I was on road-trip on I-5 on my way back from the Bay Area, home to san Diego. At one point, I looked at my MPG gauge on the dashboard and it read 40.5...Yep 40.5 MPG!! I wrote to Subaru, and they sent me a that you gift of a BOSE 'Bluetooth' boom-box. I went to Best Buy and discovered that it was selling there for $325.00....I was shocked, but it also told me that Subaru appreciates their customers!!!
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Gearing
lucacima, 04/04/2011
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
I had Subarus in the past and loved them. I just bought a new 2009 30R automatic, a left over from Subaru Dubai Dealer. I love it but I am disappointed by the gearbox. I reckon 4th gear is too long and distant from 3rd. It means that when you need some acceleration and you're in 5th, the system will shift down to 3rd, since 4th and 5th are very close to each other. The result is a jump from 2000 rpm to somewhere around 5000, which is not necessary. I would have it geared with 3rd, 4th and 5th in a more balanced way. I think the [non-permissible content removed] engineers thought this model as a 4 gears plus 5th, as a resting gear. Result is better economy but quite annoying and tiring to go always from 5th to 3rd...
Love it!
Jack Mietus, 02/09/2016
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
We loved our Subaru Outback!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Finally bought the Outback
Dog629, 04/19/2009
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very pleased with my purchase, and happy I opted to go for the extras on the SE model. I find the engine to be quite capable and powerful for both city and highway driving. The car feels well grounded and handles well. Nicely designed inside and out, it returns quite a bang for the buck in regards to all the features, in my opinion.
Good Family Car
tm, 12/29/2008
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had this vehicle only a few weeks and already love it. I traded a Toyota RAV4 2007 for the Outback. The Outback is a lot quieter. I have an 8 year old and a 3 month old and swear the back seat is wider. I love the space in the back.