2022 SUBARU OUTBACK WILDERNESS

Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi

Symptoms: Low oil warning light between changes, consuming 1+ qt per 1,000 mi, Blue smoke on cold start or under boost, Carbon buildup on intake valves (direct injection), Rough idle and misfire codes in severe cases

Fix: Subaru has issued TSBs acknowledging ring sealing problems on early FA24 engines. Warranty may cover short block replacement (12-15 hours labor). Out of warranty, you're looking at engine rebuild with updated pistons/rings or short block swap. This is the FA24's Achilles heel—same issue that plagued EJ25s but showing up earlier.

Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: CVT overheat warning on dash, especially when towing or climbing grades, Transmission fluid leaking from cooler lines or cooler itself, Shuddering or hesitation during acceleration, Burnt transmission fluid smell

Fix: The Wilderness sees harder use (off-road, towing) and the CVT oil cooler struggles to keep temps in check. Cooler replacement is 4-5 hours including fluid flush. Some owners upgrade to aftermarket auxiliary coolers preventively. If you've overheated the CVT repeatedly, internal clutch pack damage may require full CVT replacement (8-10 hours).

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil weeping from cylinder head mating surfaces, visible externally, Coolant smell in cabin or slight coolant loss without visible leaks, Turbo whistling or oil pooling in intercooler (failed turbo oil seal), Check engine light with lean codes (if turbo leaking oil into intake)

Fix: While the FA24 doesn't have the catastrophic head gasket failures of EJ engines, early builds show seepage issues. Head gasket job on both sides is 14-16 hours (engine doesn't need to come out, but it's tight). Turbo oil feed/return line issues can cook the turbo seals—turbo replacement adds 6-8 hours.

Estimated cost: $3,500-5,200

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, especially with AC on, Drivetrain movement visible when accelerating hard, Steering wheel shake at highway speeds

Fix: The Wilderness's added weight and off-road abuse accelerate transmission mount wear. Replacing all mounts (transmission and pitch stop) is 2-3 hours. Use OEM mounts—aftermarket ones fail faster. This is a nuisance issue, not a safety critical one, but ignore it and you'll crack the CVT case or exhaust hangers.

Estimated cost: $450-750

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Hesitation or stumbling under load, especially uphill, Long crank time on startup, Check engine light with fuel trim codes (P0171/P0174), Limp mode if high-pressure pump starves

Fix: The in-tank strainer and low-pressure pump on the FA24 turbo are prone to clogging from ethanol fuel and debris. Subaru doesn't list the filter as a service item, so many shops miss it. Pump/filter replacement requires dropping the tank (3-4 hours). If you've run it low on fuel repeatedly, the high-pressure pump may also be damaged (add 2 hours and $600-800).

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Knocking sound from engine, especially on cold start, Low oil pressure warning light, Metallic debris in oil during changes, Catastrophic failure: rod through block

Fix: This is the nightmare scenario—rod bearing wear leads to spun bearings and grenaded engines. Often tied to extended oil change intervals, low oil from consumption issues, or running hard when oil is cold. If caught early (via oil analysis showing aluminum/copper), you can do an in-chassis bearing replacement (18-20 hours). If the crank is scored, you're into a full rebuild or short block.

Estimated cost: $7,500-12,000