According to my mechanic Subaru has not addressed the well known head gasket problem to date. He says that his shop has seen quite a few and that the design of the replacement gaskets remains unchanged. So far Subaru's solution is coolant "additive", a band-aid approach at best.
I had a 99 Forrester that needed a headgasket replaced at 75,000 miles, just outside of the 70,000 mile powertrain warranty and Subaru of America essentially told me that it was my problem. I sold the car and pretty much vowed never to bother them with my business again. That is until my father recently gave me his '00 Outback Limited sedan. It's in the shop now for a catalytic converter (after numerous check engine lights for the notorious O2 sensors). It's a shame that Subaru is willing to treat it's customers like this, and if you check the "major engine problems" on '01-'03 Subaru models in Consumer Reports this is obviously an issue where Subaru leaves many of it's customers out in the cold with a well documented common problem.
It's a shame, because the brand has definite potential but it's hard to love a company that leaves you with the feeling like you have a ticking time bomb under the hood.
