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Top issues
11 known problems · 1 high
high
Takata airbag - verify by VIN
All engines
medium
CVT fluid neglect / driveline binding
All engines
medium
Brake lamp switch / EyeSight & pre-collision faults (recall)
All engines
Recalls
2 on recordREC-003636
2015-08-01
Defect: In the event of a brake lamp switch (BLS) failure, the Pre-Collision Braking (PCB) system may not operate as intended in an emergency braking situation, or may fail to properly engage the brakes when the vehicle is in Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) mode, due to a software programming issue.
Hazard: Compromised PCB/ACC braking performance could, in a worst case, lead to an accident.
Remedy: Subaru will download a modified program into affected vehicles via an authorised Subaru retailer, free of charge.
Affected: 5,073 units, MY2015 Liberty & Outback (campaign PRA 2015/14758)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-005485
2022-08-03
Defect: Due to a manufacturing issue, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) adaptor cord connector may not operate as intended.
Hazard: The vehicle may move or roll away while the EPB is engaged in the park position.
Remedy: Book a free rectification at any authorised Subaru Service Centre.
Affected: 78,617 units shared across 2015-2018 Liberty, Outback, Levorg & WRX and 2017-2019 Impreza & XV (campaign SRT324)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
At this odometer
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Before and after
Before: Liberty 5th gen (BM/BR, 2009-2014)
After: None in Australia (Liberty discontinued locally after 2020; not replaced)
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
Engine code
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
Engine code
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.