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Subaru Outbacks with 4 cylinder engines from 2000 to 2012 have timing belts and the 4 clinder engines from 2013 to 2025 have timing chains. From 2001 to 2019 the 6 cylinder Outbacks had timing chains. All Subaru Outback engines are interference.
Scroll down to see detailed timing belt data for your particular model year of the Subaru Outback.
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2025 | 4 cylinder | Timing Chain | Interference |
| 2001-2025 | 6 cylinder | Timing Chain | Interference |
| 2000-2012 | 4 cylinder | Timing Belt | Interference |
Note: Replacement intervals are broad recommendations and can be affected by age, weather conditions, running conditions etc. Check with the owner's manual/ manufacturer/ dealership.
Check out the Belt Or Chain specifications for other makes and models.
The 2025 Subaru Outback engines all have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2024 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2023 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2022 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2021 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2020 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.4L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2019 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2018 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2017 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2016 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2015 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2014 Subaru Outbacks have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2013 Subaru Outback is a interference engine and has a timing chain.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
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.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
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.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | Lifetime |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
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.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
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.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
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.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.6L (H6) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2007 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder engines have a timing belt while the 6 cylinder engines have a timing chain. Both are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.0L 6 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2006 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder engines have a timing belt while the 6 cylinder engines have a timing chain. Both are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.0L 6 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2005 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder engines have a timing belt while the 6 cylinder engines have a timing chain. Both are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. Turbo | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.0L 6 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2004 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder engines have a timing belt while the 6 cylinder engines have a timing chain. Both are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.0L 6 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2003 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder engines have a timing belt while the 6 cylinder engines have a timing chain. Both are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.0L 6 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2002 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder engine has a timing belt while the 6 cylinder engine has a timing chain. Both are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.0L 6 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The 2001 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder engine has a timing belt while the 6 cylinder engine has a timing chain. Both are interference.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 3.0L 6 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2000 Subaru Outbacks have timing belts and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. NA | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |

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.
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