Subaru Outback XT

FA24F 2.4L Turbo DI 260 hp Automatic All-wheel drive Wagon 2020–2025

✔ Good Choice

Engine FA24F ✔ Good Choice 2,400–4,200 €

Subaru's newest and best turbo boxer: 2.4L direct injection, used in WRX VB, Ascent and Outback XT. Oil pan RTV sealant was the early issue (fixed under warranty, corrected from 2025). Too early for real long-term data, but Ascent owners past 100k miles report trouble-free operation. Budget for carbon buildup cleaning like all DI engines.

Fun Factor? Fun to Drive!

Outback XT — turbo wagon for gravel roads

FA24 turbo in the Outback: 260 hp AWD with ground clearance. Fast enough for highway passes, rugged enough for dirt roads. The Outback for people who want more than just space.

Engine Weaknesses 5

!! Recall: PCV Valve Separation (WUW-08)

Recall WUW-08 (Dec 2019): ~51,600 vehicles. Steel washer in PCV valve separates due to heat cycling — engine oil and fragments enter combustion chamber. Engine loses drive power. Free repair; short block replaced if valve fragments not found.

0–0 €

!! Thermo Control Valve Failure (2019-2021)

Plastic thermo control valve (TCV) housing fails under heat cycling. Coolant vapor short-circuits sensor reference line — all driver assist systems go offline. Warranty extended to 15 years/150,000 miles. Affects 2019-2021.

Symptoms: All warning lights simultaneously, vehicle becomes inoperable, disabled safety systems (EyeSight, lane keep), engine overheating

800–1,200 € from 60,000 km

Ad thermo control valve Subaru FA24F TCV Outback XT coolant control valve Legacy XT

! Oil Pan RTV Sealant Leak

Sub-optimal factory RTV application at the oil pan. Service bulletin published, repaired under warranty. Corrected at the factory from 2025.

Symptoms: Oil drops under engine, oil level loss

400–500 € from 30,000 km

Ad oil pan gasket Subaru FA24 RTV sealant oil pan

! Intake Valve Carbon Buildup

Same DI issue as the FA20DIT. Budget for walnut blasting every 40-50k miles.

Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss at low RPM

300–600 € from 80,000 km

Ad walnut blasting Subaru FA24 intake valve cleaning FA24

! Cam Phaser Cold-Start Rattle

Hydraulic cam phaser loses oil pressure overnight. Cold start produces 1-3 seconds of sharp clattering until oil pressure builds. Harmless at correct oil level; inspect if noise persists warm or gets longer.

Symptoms: Sharp clattering or rattling on cold start for 1-3 seconds, sounds like chain noise, disappears once oil pressure builds

500–900 € from 50,000 km

Ad cam phaser FA24F WRX VVT actuator Subaru 2.4 turbo variable valve timing FA24

Vehicle Weaknesses 1

! Body Windshield Cracks Too Easily

Same class action as Impreza/Forester: windshields with EyeSight calibration particularly expensive to replace.

400–1,000 € from 30,000 km

Ad windshield Subaru Outback BT OEM

Reports & Tests

nhtsa_complaints NHTSA Complaint Summary 2026-03

Below Average

1747 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2020–2025). Most reported: Wipers & Visibility (684), Electrical (391), Other (316).