Plastic PCV valve cracks, causing oil seepage and rough idle.
Reviewed by SubaruReview Editorial Team · Last reviewed 2026-05-15 · Editorial standards
How this problem ranks against the other documented Outback failures — cost, severity, and DIY difficulty at a glance.
| Problem | Years | Severity | Repair cost | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback PCV Valve Oil Leak (this page) | 2010-2019 | Minor | $30–$250 | 1/5 |
| EJ25 SOHC Head Gasket Failure | 1999-2009 | Major | $1,800–$3,200 | 4/5 |
| Excessive Oil Consumption | 2011-2015 | Major | $3,500–$5,500 | 1/5 |
This is one of several documented Outback problems we track, and it fits inside the broader Engine Guides guide. If you're weighing repair against replacement, cross-check the Subaru repair-cost database and any open NHTSA recalls on your VIN before booking a shop.
Plastic PCV valve cracks, causing oil seepage and rough idle.
Brittle plastic PCV valve fails after heat cycles.
Brittle plastic PCV valve fails after heat cycles.
National average $30–$250.
Difficulty 1/5. OEM metal-bodied PCV valve upgrade (part 11810AA130).
Oil on engine bay; Rough idle; Check engine light P0171
Owners typically pay $30–$250 at an independent Subaru shop, parts and labor included. Our Subaru Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost guide breaks the job down by parts, labor hours, and where the money actually goes.
The same generation also sees EJ25 SOHC Head Gasket Failure and Excessive Oil Consumption. Both are documented with symptoms, cost, and a permanent-fix walkthrough — see the full list in the Outback hub.
We rate it 1/5 on our DIY scale. Confident wrenchers can tackle it in a weekend using the permanent-fix steps above. Cross-reference the reliability & common problems hub for related jobs worth bundling while you're in there.
It's part of our Engine Guides cluster, which collects every article covering the same system as this failure.
Same failure mechanism documented on a different Subaru — shares components with this article.
Same failure mechanism documented on a different Subaru — shares components with this article.
EJ, FA, FB, and EZ boxer deep-dives — the engine background this failure sits inside.
Dig into the Problems Database to plan your next maintenance sprint, or browse every model hub for buyer's guides, generation breakdowns, and known-issue lists.