Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain? (1998 - 2021)

Does A Subaru Outback Have A Timing Belt Or Timing Chain?

All Subaru Outbacks from 2010 to 2021 have timing chains. From 2000 to 2009 the 4 cylinder Outbacks had timing belts while the V6's had timing chains. All Outback engines are interference.

For example, the 2021 Subaru Outback 2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4) option has a timing chain while the 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) option has a timing belt.

Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Model Years	Engine Option	Timing Belt Or Chain	Interference Or Non-Interference
2010-2021	all	timing chain	interference
2000 - 2009	4 Cylinder	timing belt	interference
2001 - 2009	4V6	timing chain	interference

Scroll down for detailed information on your particular Subaru Outback model year.

Check the belt or chain for other makes and models here.

Timing Belt Basics

The primary purpose of the timing belt or timing chain is to maintain the timing (syncronization) between the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).

A timing belt is made of a rubber compound while a timing chain is made of chain similiar to a bicycle chain.

A timing belt wears out over time and must be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval. Timing belt failure can result in serious engine damage.

Although a timing chain will wear over time it is usually good for the lifetime of the engine but it should be routinely inspected.

2021 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2021 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2021 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo 260hp (FA24)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2020 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2020 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2020 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo 260hp (FA24)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2019 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2019 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2019 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2018 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2018 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2018 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2017 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2017 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2017 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2016 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2016 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2016 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2015 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2015 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2015 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp DOHC (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2014 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2014 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2014 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2013 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2013 Subaru Outback is a interference engine and has a timing chain. See the data outlined in the table below.

2013 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing chain	interference	105k miles
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2012 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2012 Subaru Outback has an interference engine and the 2.5L has a timing belt while the 3.6L has a timing chain depending on the model. See the data outlined in the table below.

2012 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing belt	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2011 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2011 Subaru Outback has an interference engine and the 2.5L has a timing belt while the 3.6L has a timing chain depending on the model. See the data outlined in the table below.

2011 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing belt	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2010 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2010 Subaru Outback has an interference engine and the 2.5L has a timing belt while the 3.6L has a timing chain depending on the model. See the data outlined in the table below.

2010 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2009 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2009 Subaru Outback has an interference engine and the 2.5L has a timing belt while the 3.6L has a timing chain depending on the model. See the data outlined in the table below.

2009 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2008 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2008 Subaru Outback has an interference engine and the 2.5L has a timing belt while the 3.6L has a timing chain depending on the model. See the data outlined in the table below.

2008 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
3.6L (H6)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2007 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2007 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2007 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2006 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2006 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2006 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2005 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2005 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2005 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2004 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2004 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2004 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2003 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2003 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2003 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2002 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2002 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2002 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

2001 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2001 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2001 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

2000 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2000 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2000 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

1999 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 1999 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

1999 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

1998 Subaru Outback - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 1998 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

1998 Subaru Outback Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles