Subaru Outback Hood Release
The hood release on a Subaru Outback is located beneath the dashboard on the left side, under the steering column. Click here to learn how to use it.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
To pop the hood on a Subaru Outback, you’ll first need to locate the hood release lever—you’ll find it on the left-hand side, on the bottom of the dash, under the steering column. Then, release the secondary lever to the left, between the front grill and the hood above the Subaru emblem.
At some point during the lifetime of your Subaru, you’ll need to open the hood to access the engine bay. Whether for routine maintenance, like an
oil change
or washer fluid refill, or a more extensive car repair,
opening the hood is the first (and most important) step. But just because it’s the first step doesn’t make it easy! If you’re struggling to open the hood on your Subaru Outback, we’ve put together a one-stop guide to help you find the hood release. We’ll cover where to find it, how to use it, and even whether your
car insurance
policy will cover it if it needs repair! Ready to get started?Where is the hood release on a Subaru Outback?
You’ll find the hood release on a Subaru Outback to the left-hand side of the car, beneath the dashboard, and under the steering column.
The hood release lever is sometimes a bit challenging because it’s usually tucked away under the steering column, and accessing it can be tricky. But if you take a look down there, you’ll see the latch release with a picture of the hood open on it—that’s the first lever you’ll need to pull to open the hood of your car.
Once you’ve pulled that lever, you’ll have to find the secondary hood release lever, located just above the Subaru emblem on the front of your Outback. If you reach the small space where the hood has popped, you’ll feel a lever between the front grill and the hood above the emblem. This lever releases the hood safety latch.
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How to open the hood on a Subaru Outback
Once you’ve located the hood release lever in your Subaru Outback, it’s easy to open the hood of your car. Here’s what you need to do:
- Pull the hood release lever under the steering column inside your Subaru Outback toward you until you hear a click (that’s the hood releasing).
- Slide your hand between the front grille and the hood, just above the Subaru emblem, until you feel the secondary hood release lever.
- Push the lever to the left to release the safety latch and push the hood up.
- Find the prop rod inside your Outback’s hood and pull it up, inserting the tip into a notch on the underside of your hood.
Once your hood is unlatched and propped open, you can get started on maintenance!
What if the hood release latch doesn’t work?
If you don’t hear the pop when you pull on the hood release lever inside your Outback, chances are you’re dealing with a broken hood latch release cable. If it’s broken, you can still open the hood of your Outback; it will just require a bit more elbow grease, a flathead screwdriver, and a flashlight (or the light on your phone).
Get in front of your Outback’s grille and locate the latch; you’ll generally see a small metal latch directly under where the front center of the hood meets the car frame. If you can see the latch and reach it with a screwdriver, put your flathead screwdriver below the right side of the release lever and push up until you see or hear the latch release. Then, finish opening the secondary safety latch of the hood per usual.
If you can’t reach the latch with a screwdriver, you’ll have to remove your grille plate or bring your car to a mechanic.
How to repair the Subaru Outback hood release
If your hood release is broken and you need to
replace your Subaru Outback hood latch
, the easiest thing to do is take it to a licensed mechanic. Sometimes these parts can be a bit challenging to fix on your own, especially if you don’t have much automotive experience.The replacement costs for an Outback hood latch average around $175 to $220. If you take your Outback to the Subaru dealership, they will generally use genuine Subaru parts, which can be expensive, especially if your vehicle isn’t covered under warranty. It may be cheaper if you choose to have it repaired by an independent mechanic.
If your hood latch was damaged in a collision, you might also be able to make a claim to have your
collision coverage
pay for the repair or replacement. But if you don’t have additional coverage that exceeds your state’s minimum insurance requirements
, you’ll likely be left to cover the costs out of pocket. "Jerryis the future of car insurance! I downloaded the app, entered the information, picked my insurance rate, and paid my fee. I even switched insurance providers easily! Jerry saved me $182/month so quickly!” —Paulina F.
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