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2003 Subaru Outback Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

SUV 12 trims listed ← 2002 2004 →

Fuel tank capacity

16.9gal · 64 L

The 2003 Subaru Outback has a fuel tank capacity of 16.9 gallons (64 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 389–439 highway miles or 287–321 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

16.9 gal · Smaller than 76% of 2003 models we list.

Highway range
389–439 mi
City range
287–321 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
Tank sizes
1
Trims
12

2003 Subaru Outback fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Engine
no difference

All 12 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank Fuel MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 26Range 321 / 439 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 19 / 26 321 / 439 mi
AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 18 / 25Range 304 / 423 mi 2.5L 4cyl 5M AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 18 / 25 304 / 423 mi
AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Audio System 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 26Range 321 / 439 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 19 / 26 321 / 439 mi
AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Audio System 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 18 / 25Range 304 / 423 mi 2.5L 4cyl 5M AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 18 / 25 304 / 423 mi
H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Premiumrequired 17 / 23 287 / 389 mi
H6-3.0 AWD 4dr Wagon 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Premiumrequired 17 / 23 287 / 389 mi
L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Premiumrequired 17 / 23 287 / 389 mi
Limited AWD 4dr Sedan 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 321 / 423 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 19 / 25 321 / 423 mi
Limited AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 26Range 321 / 439 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 19 / 26 321 / 439 mi
Limited AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 18 / 25Range 304 / 423 mi 2.5L 4cyl 5M AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 18 / 25 304 / 423 mi
VDC AWD 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Premiumrequired 17 / 23 287 / 389 mi
VDC AWD 4dr Wagon 3.0L 6cyl 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 23Range 287 / 389 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Premiumrequired 17 / 23 287 / 389 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 2003 Subaru Outback goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 19 MPG, a full 16.9-gallon tank covers about 321 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full16.9389287
3/412.7292215
1/28.5194144
1/44.29772
1/82.14936

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 789 gallons, roughly 47 full tanks.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

What it costs to fill up a 2003 Subaru Outback

$72.16 to fill the 16.9-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
16.9 galRegular$4.27$72.16$54.12
16.9 galPremium$5.28$89.23$66.92

By region, 16.9-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$67.94
Midwest$4.27$72.16
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$62.53
Rocky Mountain$4.46$75.37
West Coast$5.42$91.60
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$99.54

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 16.9-gallon tank$72.16
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,371

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

Outback tank size in other years

The 2003 Outback uses the same 16.9 gal tank as every Outback since 2000.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2008 Outback 16.9 gal 439 mi
2007 Outback 16.9 gal 439 mi
2006 Outback 16.9 gal 439 mi
2005 Outback 16.9 gal 439 mi
2004 Outback 16.9 gal 423 mi
2003 Outback 16.9 gal 439 mi
2002 Outback 16.9 gal 423 mi
2001 Outback 16.9 gal 423 mi
2000 Outback 16.9 gal Not rated
Subaru Outback fuel tank by model year
200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
← 2002 Subaru Outback Every Outback year 2004 Subaru Outback →

2003 Subaru Outback fuel system recalls

None of the 14 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2003 Subaru Outback involve the fuel system.

All Subaru fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

2003 Subaru Outback fuel pump and gauge parts

NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2003 Subaru Outback, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.

Fuel pump DELPHI FE0351 Listed for the 2003 Subaru Outback. For hard starts, stalling or a whining tank. Pumps can differ by engine and tank size, so check your trim on Amazon. Check price on Amazon Fuel filter ACDelco GF663 Listed for the 2003 Subaru Outback. A clogged filter starves the engine under load. On many newer cars it sits inside the tank with the pump. Check price on Amazon Fuel tank strap Spectra Premium ST528 Listed for the 2003 Subaru Outback. Rusted straps let the tank sag or drop. Replace them in pairs. Check price on Amazon Fuel filler neck Dorman 577-082 Listed for the 2003 Subaru Outback. A rusted filler neck leaks fumes and can set an EVAP check-engine code. Check price on Amazon

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Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2003 Subaru Outback?

The 2003 Subaru Outback holds 16.9 gallons (64 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 2003 Subaru Outback gas tank hold?

The 2003 Subaru Outback tank holds 64 liters, or 16.9 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 2003 Subaru Outback go on a full tank?

About 389–439 miles on the highway and 287–321 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 2003 Subaru Outback go on a quarter tank?

About 97 highway miles or 72 in town from the 16.9-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.2 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

What gas does the 2003 Subaru Outback take?

Regular unleaded, or Premium unleaded (required), depending on the engine. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 2003 Subaru Outback?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.9-gallon tank from empty costs $72.16. It ranges from $62.53 in the Gulf Coast to $99.54 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2003 Subaru Outback?

About 105 pounds for the 16.9-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Has the 2003 Subaru Outback had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

No. None of the 14 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2003 Subaru Outback involve the fuel system.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings. Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Subaru fuel system recalls).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 2003 Subaru models

Baja16.9 gallons Forester15.9 gallons Impreza15.9 gallons Legacy16.9 gallons