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Buying guide

Subaru Outback BR (2009 to 2014): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Subaru Outback BR was built from 2009 to 2014 as a wagon or SUV, with a manual or automatic gearbox, all wheel drive and petrol or diesel power. Chassis codes: BR9, BRM and BRF. Redline has a curated guide to its 8 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2009 to 2014
Chassis codes
BR9, BRM, BRF
Body types
Wagon, SUV
Gearboxes
Manual, Automatic
Drive
AWD (all wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Subaru Legacy and Outback BM and BR (2009 to 2014). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. CVT reverse delay, shudder and low speed hesitation

    Reverse can take 4 seconds or more against the normal 1 to 2, and shudder under acceleration and hesitation below walking pace are warning signs. Subaru fixed it with fresh fluid and a control module reset.

    Where to look
    The Lineartronic CVT, felt from the driver seat
    How to test
    Select reverse and time it, creep at very low speed and accelerate from a stop feeling for shudder.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost CVT repair

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), marquenews.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  2. 2.5 oil consumption

    The 2.5 can use about a litre every 2,000 km without a fault, and an engine that rattles at start up may have been run low.

    Where to look
    The dipstick
    How to test
    Check the oil level and listen for a rattle on a cold start.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost engine wear if it has been run low

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), marquenews.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  3. Head gaskets

    Older 2.5 engines were known for head gasket failure, said to be cured by 2009, but it is still worth checking.

    Where to look
    The oil and coolant, and the head gasket joints on each side of the boxer engine
    How to test
    Check the oil and coolant for contamination and look underneath for weeping at the heads.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost head gaskets on both sides

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  4. Sunroof and paint

    Look for bubbling round the sunroof, and sun can blister the clear coat on horizontal panels.

    Where to look
    The metal round the sunroof, and the roof, bonnet and boot
    How to test
    Look closely round the sunroof opening and along the upper panels for bubbles and blistering.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost rust repair and paint

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  5. Headlights

    Dull headlight reflectors can make the light output dangerously poor.

    Where to look
    The headlamp reflectors
    How to test
    Look into the headlamps for dull or flaking reflectors, and drive at night if you can.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost new headlamp units

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  6. Touch screen

    Touch screens can fail to load or need repeated harder presses.

    Where to look
    The touch screen in the centre of the dash
    How to test
    Have the seller run through the main functions and watch for lag or failure to load.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost a screen or head unit

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  7. Underbody, bumper corners and beach use

    Owners sometimes treat AWD as real 4WD, damaging bumper corners and sills, and Outbacks used at the beach can corrode.

    Where to look
    The underside of the bumper corners, the sills and the underbody
    How to test
    Look underneath for impact damage, heavy mud or dust, and corrosion.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost depends on what is damaged

    Sources: marquenews.com.au (opens in a new tab), carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  8. Cold starting and manual gearbox

    The engine should start quickly and idle smoothly however cold, and a manual should shift smoothly and quietly.

    Where to look
    The engine at cold start, and the manual gear lever
    How to test
    Start from cold and listen for a smooth idle, and change through every gear on a manual.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost diagnosis and repair

    Sources: marquenews.com.au (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 4 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Is it the 2.5 four, 3.6 six, 2.0 diesel or 2.5 GT turbo, and CVT, auto or manual?
  • Has the CVT had a fluid change and control module reset?
  • How much oil does it use?
  • Has it been used at the beach or off road?

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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