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Subaru
Liberty
6th gen (BN)·
2014-2020
sedan
Value
Price (AUD)
$12k-$28k
Body styles
4-door sedan
Drivetrain
Symmetrical full-time AWD
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
The sixth-generation Liberty went on sale in Australia in December 2014 as a sedan only - the wagon role was handed to the larger, higher-riding Outback. Sold as 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and the flagship 3.6R, every Australian BN is symmetrical full-time AWD paired exclusively with the Lineartronic CVT (the previous 5EAT torque-converter auto on the six was dropped). It is a comfortable, quiet, safe (5-star ANCAP, EyeSight from 2015 on Premium/3.6R) and genuinely reliable mid-size sedan that flew under the radar against the Camry and Mazda6. The defining caveat is the CVT - mostly dependable and backed by Subaru's extended CVT warranty, but with documented shudder, a low-speed 'bump/jolt' (TSB for 2015-17 2.5i) and occasional reverse-to-drive engagement delay. The FB25 four can use oil on a minority of engines, and the EZ36D six is smooth and stout but thirsty. Overall one of the safer used mid-size buys, provided the CVT history and oil-consumption behaviour check out.
Engines & variants
2.5i / 2.5i Premium (FB25)
Engine
2.5L DOHC 16v naturally aspirated flat-four (boxer) with dual AVCS
Config
Flat-4 (boxer) NA
Displacement
2498cc
Power
129kW @ 5800rpm
Torque
235Nm @ 4000rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical full-time AWD
Economy
7.3 L/100km official combined (8-10 real world)
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT (TR690)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (timing chain)
Pros
- Smooth, quiet and economical for a mid-size AWD sedan
- Timing chain (no belt interval) and a generally durable FB-series boxer
- Standard AWD with strong wet/gravel grip
- EyeSight active safety on Premium adds real-world crash avoidance
- Cheap to buy used and well-equipped
Cons
- A minority of FB25 engines consume oil via worn oil-control rings
- Lineartronic CVT shudder / low-speed bump and engagement delay reported
- Modest performance - adequate, not quick
- Carbon build-up on intake valves over time (port-injected, so less than DI but still occurs)
- Boxer head-gasket risk if cooling is neglected (much reduced vs older EJ engines)
Known problems
medium
Engine oil consumption (oil-control ring wear)
A subset of FB25 engines burn oil through premature wear of the oil-control piston rings, with low oil-light or smoke between services. Affects roughly a small percentage of engines but is well documented and the subject of a Subaru TSB; severe cases needed updated rings or a short block.
Fix: Track oil level between services; if consumption is high, have the dealer run an oil-consumption test and replace rings/short block under the relevant TSB or goodwill. Use the correct 0W-20 oil and service on time.
medium
Lineartronic CVT shudder / low-speed bump / engagement delay
Owners report a shudder under light load, a 'bump' or jolt at idle in Drive once the CVT is warm (Subaru TSB for 2015-17 2.5i), and a 1-4 second delay shifting reverse to drive. Most are nuisance-level and resolved by a TCM reflash and fresh CVT fluid; a minority escalate to valve body or full transmission replacement.
Fix: Apply the latest TCM reflash and a CVT fluid service; confirm any Subaru extended CVT warranty coverage. Test-drive specifically for shudder and reverse-to-drive delay before buying.
low
Intake valve carbon build-up
Carbon accumulates on intake valves and ports over time, causing rough idle or a slight loss of smoothness at high km.
Fix: Induction/intake clean as needed; quality fuel and regular oil changes slow it.
3.6R (EZ36D)
Engine
3.6L DOHC 24v naturally aspirated flat-six (boxer) with dual AVCS
Config
Flat-6 (boxer) NA
Displacement
3630cc
Power
191kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
350Nm @ 4400rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical full-time AWD
Economy
9.9 L/100km official combined (11-13 real world)
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT (TR690, high-torque)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (timing chain)
Pros
- Smooth, strong and refined flat-six - effortless 191kW/350Nm
- Timing chain and a robust, long-lived EZ36D
- Standard AWD plus the flagship's full equipment (leather, EyeSight)
- Quiet, relaxed highway tourer
- Cheap to buy used relative to its original price
Cons
- Thirsty - real-world low-to-mid teens L/100km around town
- Now CVT-only (the older 5EAT torque-converter auto was dropped), so it shares CVT caveats
- Premium fuel preferred
- Heavier front end; front tyres and brakes wear faster
- Niche, so fewer on the market and parts pricier than the four
Known problems
medium
Lineartronic CVT (high-torque) shudder / engagement issues
The 3.6R uses the high-torque version of the TR690 CVT and shares the family's shudder, low-speed bump and reverse-to-drive delay complaints. The six's torque means CVT replacement, if required, is at the dearer end.
Fix: TCM reflash and CVT fluid service; verify extended CVT warranty status. Test-drive for shudder and delay; insist on CVT service history.
low
High fuel consumption
Not a fault - the flat-six AWD drinks low-to-mid teens L/100km in town and prefers premium unleaded.
Fix: Accept the fuel bill; gentle driving and correct tyre pressures help.
low
Front-end wear (heavier six)
The extra weight of the six over the nose accelerates front tyre, brake and control-arm bush wear.
Fix: Quality tyres and pads; replace worn front bushes; rotate tyres regularly to protect the AWD driveline.
Common problems (all variants)
medium
CVT fluid neglect / driveline binding
The Lineartronic CVT is marketed as 'sealed for life' but benefits from periodic fluid changes; neglected fluid contributes to shudder and premature wear. Mismatched tyre sizes/diameters on the full-time AWD can also cause driveline binding and accelerate CVT and diff wear.
Fix: Have CVT fluid checked/changed at high km by a Subaru specialist; always run four matching tyres of equal wear on the AWD system.
low
Battery drain / short battery life
BN owners commonly report shorter-than-expected battery life and parasitic drain, especially on EyeSight-equipped cars with short-trip use; flat batteries can cause CVT/limp warnings until reset.
Fix: Fit a good-quality battery; check for parasitic draw and update any relevant software; a trickle charger helps low-use cars.
medium
Brake lamp switch / EyeSight & pre-collision faults (recall)
A recall covered a brake-lamp switch fault that could disable pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control on EyeSight-equipped cars; EyeSight cameras can also throw faults if the windscreen is cracked or replaced incorrectly.
Fix: Confirm all recalls are closed out by VIN; have EyeSight recalibrated after any windscreen work.
high
Takata airbag - verify by VIN
The bulk of Subaru's Australian Takata recall covered 2004-2009 Liberty, so most BN-generation cars fall outside it, but Takata coverage was broad and ongoing - it must be confirmed by VIN rather than assumed clear.
Fix: Check the VIN on Subaru Australia's recall/Takata lookup or the ACCC list; have any outstanding airbag inflator replaced free of charge before driving.
low
Wheel bearings and suspension bushes
Standard age/km wear of wheel bearings, control-arm and sway-bar bushes, giving hums, clunks or vague handling at higher km.
Fix: Replace worn bearings and bushes as part of routine maintenance; inspect during a pre-purchase check.