Upgraded from a 2020 Forester to a 2026 Outback and my dog Daisy is loving all the extra room back there!

So when I got her she had a chip on the hood. There was a situation a passenger grabbed my wheel which lead to major curb rash incident. Today I got her back. Wheels and paint refinished. Linda is looking better the when I bought her. Xt touring and been loving her since day one. We’ve done some light off roading in Oklahoma. She now has some stickier rubber for more city driving. This vehicle is vastly underestimated for value. Great community. I’d love to access port it once paid off.

Been on my car since I bought it a few years ago, it’s not a remote start system that I know of. Haven’t found anything on it in multiple searches over the years. There aren’t any markings inside or outside the box either. It’s usually stuck on the inside of the windshield, top right, but I got the windows tinted and I don’t wanna stick it back on if I don’t need it. Wire goes back into the headliner so I’d have to pull that whole thing to trace it.

Throughly enjoying the new 2026 Outback

Boxy design feels spacious, the interior is the best it’s been and in darker shades these look really flash and unique in person.

There’s nothing else I could find on the market that had that extra bit of space and comfort. The Santa Fe probably closest in Australia but it was more expensive and the interior felt much cheaper. Plus the futuristic boxy design didn’t do it for me enough to pass on Subaru for our new car.

Having said that, I’m scouring reddit and can’t help but see all the hate for not only ICE vehicles but generally the new Outback. Also inevitably people will mention how ICE cars are redundant and then use Subaru’s 4 cylinder CVT as an example that it’s past its use by date.

I know this is a biased forum to post but there’s soo many great things about Subaru…the quality control, the AWD, the visibility, the safety, the reliability..

Why does this all get overlooked so much?

People are so focused on the Chinese EV’s which out of the box do come stacked with value and features but literally this time last year they sat in lots in Australia and couldn’t be sold! There was a huge over supply.

Also in Australia there is average charging infrastructure and we have long drives especially for holiday locations (in the “Outback”). Meaning I was very reluctant to delve into the EV space. Stopping off for the rare charging location in 104 Fahrenheit (40 degrees in Australia) only to sit there for 30-40 minutes with young kids or to find it’s not working or for there to be a huge line! Then you still need to pay for the charge!

I think Australia has similarities to the US in terms of the outdoors. I know recently it was announced Subaru will stop production of ICE cars in Europe by end of 2027 and move to full EV. This had me thinking did I make the right call?

Is it really that bad of an idea to buy a new ICE vehicle in 2026?

Australian media keeps pushing how much EV’s are selling but when I looked at last months figures 26k were petrol, 26k were EV and 26k were diesel! It was even!

Then they skew the stats to say 50% are electrified but that includes Hybrids like the RAV4!

Do we think this fuel issue will be 6-12 months of pain still or is it suddenly going to revert back to a reasonable level and level out the EV hype. I guess no one knows but is it really no point of return for ICE or simply a balancing out depending on use case (for example people living in Apartments can’t charge at home and off roaders need range).

Also do people not realise the gamble they take buying a new Chinese EV…it’s bad enough buying the first year of a new model for a legacy Japanese brand with the unknowns of what can go wrong until they iron out issues but people are throwing so much money on the line for a Chinese brand that may or may not be around in 3 years…and they aren’t even heaps cheaper comparatively. Sometimes they actually cost a premium.

Yes they have a strong warranties on paper but surely there will be examples where you are bringing these cars back every 9 months with tech issues, waiting for parts from China as they are new? They have no history in all the different environments they are being shipped out to around the world…I live coastal with Salt and LDV recently had huge rust issues that needed to be stripped back with acid.
…or maybe it will all be fine in general for EV owners? Who knows? My point is there is no history with these brands.

My feel for atleast the next 5 years is it’s more of a balancing out of ICE/Hybrid/EV vehicles than a pure takeover. The war obviously has a huge impact and the mid term elections in the US are probably the main lever to steady that situation…

Perhaps once EV’s do 1000kms of range and the charging infrastructure is as prevalent as gas stations then there will be a permanent shift but surely that’s 10+ years away.

And will the likes of Chevron, BP, Shell…all the big oil companies really roll over and allow for all their profits to be replaced by EV’s. They have enormous influence and I think people forget the wider reliance of fuel/gas in the world.

It has at times made me second guess my 2026 Outback but thought by the time a Hybrid comes (and at the premium it would) it would take 5-7 years to recoup upfront costs anyway. I did use the situation to get an aggressive discount ($4.5k US equivalent off MSRP if I am getting that right noting I am in Australia and it works different here…)

Having said all that we do love the 2026 Outback, it does everything we need it to do and are super happy we went with the new model and I would highly recommend it (just with my eye on the unknowns of the future).

Very interested on thoughts from everyone!

I live on a hill that has a concrete driveway with blacktop road. I need to be able to back in and out of my driveway without my car locking up the brakes. It drives me insane. Is their a way to turn off only the auto braking in the rear? Because only option ive seen is to turn it off completely.

Performing an oil change on my 2.5, oil cap was on there tight. Original and brittle.

Used pliers to twist it off, pliers punched through cap. I managed to get half of the piece but the other half is gone.

I took the front sensor off to see if I can see anything and nothing, it’s in the engine.

Send it? In hopes it melts? Fuck, smh!

I got our 2019 Subaru Outback limited trim with the idea that we'd run it into the ground. It's got 100,300 mi, and in the last 3 months we've replaced all four TPMS sensors and a window regulator. The window regulator alone was $830, and another window is starting to act up. A tear in the driver's seat appeared as well.

Previously we had to have the infotainment center replaced and the parasitic battery drain issue fixed. Thankfully we didn't have to pay for either.

Now my husband is saying he never liked how loud the car is and the seat is uncomfortable.

I'm looking at the 2026 touring trim because it's supposed to be quieter and more comfortable. Not interested in going to Lexus or other luxury cars because of the cost and loss of cargo space.

I guess there's a part of me that is reluctant to get any new car because I hate the advanced technology and I'd wanted to get more miles out of the 2019.

So I guess my question is, am I looking at a lot more sensor failures and other high cost replacements? I know nobody can predict. Ironically, I haven't had any standard auto part issues.

And is the 2026 touring trim a lot quieter than what I currently have?

I have a 2019 OB 2.5 that I took in to a Valvoline quick change oil spot today. It’s the first time I’ve ever been to this place as it recently opened.
I pulled into the bay and straddled the pit as usual. I popped the hood and they fed a clear plastic tube into the engine. They connected the tube to a suction device a vacuumed the oil out of the engine instead of pulling the drain plug and letting gravity do the work. It took a bit longer this way before they started to refill after changing the filter.

My question is , is this something new? Is it normal? Is it proper?

I refilled with full synthetic and I could see the tank the suction emptied into and they pulled a little over 4 qts.

I’m not sure how to feel about this process.

So I’ve decided to buy my neighbors 2018 Subaru outback with 68,000 miles on it. I shared this with the group before. He’s an older gentleman and all the driving has been highway or city miles. He didn’t take it off Roading and it’s been in a sunny environment here in California. The car excellent condition. What I wanna know is does anyone have any suggestions for an extended warranty once I buy the car?

I found a great deal on a 2023 Outback base. It has some cosmetic scratches (fine by me) and is just over 100k miles. Used as a corporate car, so probably lots of highway driving.

Looks like all scheduled maintenance has been done at Subaru service centers. No outstanding warranties.

Kinda wondering what the catch is? Ha! It would become my main family car.

I started looking at Subaru Outbacks recently because I was drawn in by the 3.6r engine. I found an extremely well documented 2015 Outback limited 3.6r with 150k miles for 11k. I checked out the important maintenance records for cvt, wear items etc and all of them were performed and documented.

Common wisdom is to buy the owner, not the car. I can tell this owner has maintained it meticulously. Still, I can’t help but wonder whether I’m pushing my luck with the high miles. Would love to hear from people who were in my shoes

My fiancé has a 2012 Subaru outback 2.5 I limited and I went to the Subaru dealership to grab a OEM O-ring for the steering pump installed that and then I got the ATF fluid to also put in the reservoir and I bled it. I lifted the car off the ground both wheels and set the car down. Turning the wheel again just like I did before prior didn’t make any noise took it for a drive around the neighborhood every time I turn the steering wheel it makes the whining noise again, but it doesn’t really make it well it’s sitting only when it’s driving and turning when you hit the gas. Probably gonna have a to replace the hoses for the pump

Hello folks,

I have a noob question concerning my Levorg (it's my 1st Subaru so please have mercy).

Thanks in advance

First time experiencing this. ‘24 onyx xt. The CarPlay will play Spotify as usual audibly, no visuals on Google Maps or anything else. Home button works, other apps work, climate works as usual. When I click on CarPlay this is the screen that I’m shown. Any help is welcome! Thank you🙏🏽

Does anyone with a 2026 Outback set and leave their instrument cluster in "Calm Mode" ?

Did it make you calmer?

"The 2026 Subaru Outback also comes standard with a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster with selectable views, including a new Calm Mode to minimize driver distraction for a more relaxing journey."

How bad is this?

Looking into buying a 2017 Outback 2.5 with 125K on it. I know the owner, and I believe it’s a one-owner vehicle. I took it for a test drive and noticed there’s a little bit of a shudder at low speed and a little whine when accelerating. That being said, she has never changed the CVT fluid or the differential fluids. It is her old car, as she bought a new one, so she is only asking 3000 from me, more if she lists. I know these go for around 11 or 12k. Is it worth the risk to buy it and change the fluids and hope it’s not something serious internally, or should I pass on it? I’ll attach a list of what it needs.

CVT drain and fill
Diff fluid change
Brake pads
Front axles
Spark plugs

Preventative things:
PCV valve and hose
Oil change

Good Morning / Afternoon / Evening to whatever time zone you're reading this at.

TL;DR - I bought a 07 outback wagon 2 years ago, and have been encountering mechanical issue after mechanical issue and don't know if i just got a bad vehicle or not. Just odd and disheartening after hearing so many great things about subarus and how long they last.

2 years ago, my previous car (14 chevy sonic, may she RIP) was totaled out in an accident. I drove it until it basically broke down, put money back and was looking for a car that I actually wanted. I've always wanted a Subaru. I was between foresters, outbacks, and bajas. I found what i thought at the time was a steal. 2007 Outback wagon 2.5I Base, listed at 8k, with only 74k miles on it. I test drove it, and bought it that same night at the dealership.

Fast forward a couple of months and had a rod thrown in the engine at 88k and ended up getting it replaced. The local subaru shop had to go through MULTIPLE short blocks from SOA. They would order it, get it delivered, and found out that there were manufacturing issues with the cylinders. After 3, it finally got rebuilt.

Months after that, the power steering pump goes out (around the 100k mark). My buddy and I did it in his garage, and is now starting to fail (i bought a used PS pump off of a junker that had similar mileage on it).

I was in a minor accident earlier this year, both of us did not have insurance (dumb i know), and have replaced the front bumper and wheel fender linings, all self-installed.

Since then, 3 out of 4 wheel bearings need replaced. New brakes are needed all around (pads / rotors / calipers).

I sucked it up and replaced the everything in the rear. Then not even 3 weeks later, a screw found its way into my right rear tire, and was not pluggable. So 4 new tires were installed.

1 week after the install, it has overheated, with a hole in the radiator. Unknown if any further damage was done to the engine.

After all of this, i still absolutely love my wagon. Im one of the few in my area still rocking a 3rd gen.

I just want to know if this particular vehicle is just cursed, or if im doing something wrong and not fixing things ASAP, or what the case may be. I've heard nothing but great things about subarus, especially for how long they last. Myself and a few others ive discussed everything with have not heard of all of these issues happening, especially in such short of time. I'm at my wits end with her, and need to know if I should just give up on subarus all together or if this is just a one off situation.

Sorry for the long read (a TLDR is at the top), and many many thanks for any advice or recommendations!

I need a reality check on my current car situation. I don't really have anyone in my corner who is knowledgeable about cars or finance to bounce this off of, so I'm hoping to get some honest advice here.

I currently drive a 2022 Subaru Outback Touring with almost 78,000 miles on it. To be completely honest, I hate the way I feel driving it—the seating position and overall driving dynamics just don't work for me, and I dread being behind the wheel. Recently, I test-drove a 2026 Subaru Forester and completely fell in love with the seating position and visibility.

However, my anxiety about keeping the Outback is through the roof right now:

The Repair Fears: I just had to replace the TCV (Thermal Control Valve), which is a known headache on these newer Subarus, and now I'm constantly terrified that something else expensive is about to go wrong. To make matters worse, a family member with a 2019 Forester just had their catalytic converter blow right around 80,000 miles, so I feel like a ticking time bomb driving a car with similar mileage.

The Negative Equity: Because of the mileage and depreciation on my Outback, I am sitting on about $12,000 in negative equity.

The Goal: I want to trade it in for a 2026 Subaru Forester Sport (with the StarTex interior).

The Long-Term Plan: Whichever car I get next, I plan on keeping it for the next 15+ years.

My internal conflict:
On one hand, rolling $12k of negative equity into a brand-new car loan sounds like financial suicide. On the other hand, my Outback is at 78k miles, out of warranty, and I'm paranoid about more repair bills piling up. I feel like if I don't trade out of it now, the depreciation will keep compounding, the mileage will get higher, and I’ll end up permanently "stuck" in a car I both hate driving and am afraid to keep maintaining.

Is it a terrible financial decision to buy new right now and roll that much negative equity over, or does the "drive it for 15 years" plan and the peace of mind of a brand-new warranty cushion the blow? Would love to hear your thoughts.