9 Cars And SUVs We Just Cant Recommend

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9 Cars And SUVs We Just Cant Recommend
Posted On: September 8, 2022

As car enthusiasts and reviewers, we're always disappointed when we can't find a reason to recommend a car. 


No car is perfect, but we typically like to believe that every car has its virtues. However, there are some we come across where the cons outweigh the pros to the point it's hard to recommend to any demographic, and there's usually a better option. Aside from buying them for the sake of being different, some cars just don't really have a strong selling point, sadly.


We try to keep things positive here at CarBuzz, but these are cars we've driven and reviewed but just can't bring ourselves to recommend to anyone, knowing full well that there are better options to go with. Cadillac XT6rnThe Cadillac XT6 starts off well with what we described as an "authoritative and contemporary exterior design." The interior is spacious but doesn't live up to the promises the exterior makes, then mixes questionable build quality with low-grade materials. While the technology is the latest and greatest and the ride is Cadillac-standard, the four-cylinder engine is underpowered, and the V6 isn't as smooth and easy to drive as it should be. While not a terrible car, it's hard to recommend it based on the premium price and the strong competition it faces, particularly with its interior. With a starting price of $48595, a sport trim that isn't sporty, and a luxury trim that doesn't up the luxury with any satisfaction, something like the often underrated Buick Enclave is a better option in the same price range. Mini JCW Convertible.


A Mini with a John Cooper Works badge promises performance, which means the car will be quick, agile, and fun to drive. For the Hardtop and Countryman versions, that is the case. Unfortunately, the JCW Convertible is an exercise in style over substance. The problem is Mini didn't fix the one problem convertibles cause to performance cars. The roof is an important structural element, and torsional rigidity is essential for a vehicle that's supposed to grip and handle well. As a result, the JCW Convertible is a bit of a wet noodle compared to the Hardtop, and yet somehow, it's remarkably harsh and feels like the shocks are too stiff for the car they're in. If you want performance, get the JCW Hardtop. If you want a soft top, get the normal convertible. If you want both together, look elsewhere. GMC Terrain.


"The soft-roader market is hot right now," we said in our 2022 review of the GMC Terrain, "and GMC is perfectly poised to slip into it with the already aptly named Terrain." Unfortunately, the Terrain is woefully inadequate and massively overpriced. It starts at $29900 (including a mandatory OnStar subscription) and comes with a 1.5-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, a dated interior, and a truck-like driving experience from a car-based chassis. The Terrain isn't as premium as its price tag suggests, and as a daily driver, you can throw a dart at a list of Japanese-brand SUVs and come away with something much better. Step up to the off-road AT4 trim, and you're spending $35859 for something that can't compete with an off-road trimmed Bronco Sport. We wanted to be impressed by the Terrain, particularly in AT4 trim, as we know what GMC is capable of. But we weren't. Subaru Impreza Sedan.


Once upon a time, the Impreza was a great family car and a fun daily driver. Now, it's still a great family car, but only an okay daily driver at best, and the fun is sucked out by an underpowered engine and a "whiny, dimwitted CVT auto." If you want what the Impreza was, you'll have to spring for the excellent WRX. Or, if you're not a performance hound but still enjoy driving, you could save your money and buy a Honda Civic. For now, the Impreza is an engine, a gearbox, and an infotainment system away from greatness, and you can get AWD plus turbo power from the Mazda 3. Infiniti QX80rnIf you're looking for a value contender for the more expensive large luxury SUVs, wait until the Infiniti QX80 gets its upcoming redesign. Its current old-school V8 is excellent but thirsty, the bodywork is showing its age despite a refresh, and its ride on the road is sea-sick inducing. With a starting price of $71950, it's just not competitive here in 2022. The good news is that Infiniti based the QX80 on the Nissan Armada, which is cheaper and better. If you're in a hurry, we recommend that instead. Jeep Renegade.


Despite its retro-Jeep looks, all-wheel-drive, and a 'Trail-Rated' badge, what you're looking at is a modified Fiat 500X. Not many owners will be off-roading, though, and for day-to-day driving, the 180-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.4-liter or 177-hp 1.3-liter turbo engines are not great matches for the dimwitted nine-speed transmission. As a result, like the Mini JCW Convertible, the Renegade is a case of style over substance. Unfortunately, the Fiat 500X it's based on is overpriced, so it's hard to recommend over the Renegade. For the same price as the Renegade's second trim up the ladder, Lattitude, you can get a base model Ford Bronco Sport. We would go for that. Mitsubishi MiragernEntry-level budget-friendly cars are not as popular as they once were, but that should mean the remaining ones are good, right? Right?


The Mitsubishi Mirage is a baby hatchback that weighs in at $16,245 (unless a dealer marks it up) and goes up against contenders including includes the Chevrolet Spark and Kia Rio. It comes with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 76 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque driven via either a five-speed manual gearbox or CVT automatic (CVT only from 2023 on) to the front wheels. It is one of the cheapest and most fuel-efficient cars you can buy new in 2022, but this is truly a case of cheap = cheap and nasty. Unfortunately for Mitsubishi, the Chevrolet Spark and Kia Rio exist. The Spark is cheaper and has more power, and the Rio has a better cabin and ride quality. Another option is the Nissan Versa, which is a sedan that starts at $15,580, comes with more pep, is surprisingly fun to drive, and has a friendlier and more spacious interior. Maserati Quattroporte.


Going in the opposite direction price-wise, the Maserati Quattroporte aims to be a large, opulent executive sedan to rival the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class and comes with a price tag to match. Unfortunately, the base Quattroporte GT trim costs $104,700 and has less power than a Chrysler 300S. The Trofeo trim with the 523 hp Ferrari-derived V8 engine is a powerhouse, but it doesn't have the ride quality or handling chops to justify the $151,500 price. We hate to say it, as we wanted to love the Quattroporte, but buy a BMW 7 Series or Audi A8 instead. It seems even Maserati realizes it's not in that category, as the next generation will shrink and replace the Ghibli, which is getting the axe. Chrysler 300rnDespite numerous updates, the Chrysler 300 has only aged well in its exterior looks. Inside, it's lagging in technology and build quality. It's also heavy on gas, and the base model is sparsely equipped. Sure, it's an old-school cruiser on the road, and nostalgia is a valid reason to choose a car, but you should not be getting that from a brand-new car. Apart from some light refreshes and special editions, it's the second generation car that went into production in 2011. That's a shame because a third generation with the 300s looks, but a turbocharged straight-six-based hybrid drivetrain would be a great American answer to something like the Genesis G80 or Lexus ES.


Reposted From Source: carbuzz.com.



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9 Cars And SUVs We Just Cant Recommend
Posted On: September 8, 2022

As car enthusiasts and reviewers, we're always disappointed when we can't find a reason to recommend a car. 


No car is perfect, but we typically like to believe that every car has its virtues. However, there are some we come across where the cons outweigh the pros to the point it's hard to recommend to any demographic, and there's usually a better option. Aside from buying them for the sake of being different, some cars just don't really have a strong selling point, sadly.


We try to keep things positive here at CarBuzz, but these are cars we've driven and reviewed but just can't bring ourselves to recommend to anyone, knowing full well that there are better options to go with. Cadillac XT6rnThe Cadillac XT6 starts off well with what we described as an "authoritative and contemporary exterior design." The interior is spacious but doesn't live up to the promises the exterior makes, then mixes questionable build quality with low-grade materials. While the technology is the latest and greatest and the ride is Cadillac-standard, the four-cylinder engine is underpowered, and the V6 isn't as smooth and easy to drive as it should be. While not a terrible car, it's hard to recommend it based on the premium price and the strong competition it faces, particularly with its interior. With a starting price of $48595, a sport trim that isn't sporty, and a luxury trim that doesn't up the luxury with any satisfaction, something like the often underrated Buick Enclave is a better option in the same price range. Mini JCW Convertible.


A Mini with a John Cooper Works badge promises performance, which means the car will be quick, agile, and fun to drive. For the Hardtop and Countryman versions, that is the case. Unfortunately, the JCW Convertible is an exercise in style over substance. The problem is Mini didn't fix the one problem convertibles cause to performance cars. The roof is an important structural element, and torsional rigidity is essential for a vehicle that's supposed to grip and handle well. As a result, the JCW Convertible is a bit of a wet noodle compared to the Hardtop, and yet somehow, it's remarkably harsh and feels like the shocks are too stiff for the car they're in. If you want performance, get the JCW Hardtop. If you want a soft top, get the normal convertible. If you want both together, look elsewhere. GMC Terrain.


"The soft-roader market is hot right now," we said in our 2022 review of the GMC Terrain, "and GMC is perfectly poised to slip into it with the already aptly named Terrain." Unfortunately, the Terrain is woefully inadequate and massively overpriced. It starts at $29900 (including a mandatory OnStar subscription) and comes with a 1.5-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, a dated interior, and a truck-like driving experience from a car-based chassis. The Terrain isn't as premium as its price tag suggests, and as a daily driver, you can throw a dart at a list of Japanese-brand SUVs and come away with something much better. Step up to the off-road AT4 trim, and you're spending $35859 for something that can't compete with an off-road trimmed Bronco Sport. We wanted to be impressed by the Terrain, particularly in AT4 trim, as we know what GMC is capable of. But we weren't. Subaru Impreza Sedan.


Once upon a time, the Impreza was a great family car and a fun daily driver. Now, it's still a great family car, but only an okay daily driver at best, and the fun is sucked out by an underpowered engine and a "whiny, dimwitted CVT auto." If you want what the Impreza was, you'll have to spring for the excellent WRX. Or, if you're not a performance hound but still enjoy driving, you could save your money and buy a Honda Civic. For now, the Impreza is an engine, a gearbox, and an infotainment system away from greatness, and you can get AWD plus turbo power from the Mazda 3. Infiniti QX80rnIf you're looking for a value contender for the more expensive large luxury SUVs, wait until the Infiniti QX80 gets its upcoming redesign. Its current old-school V8 is excellent but thirsty, the bodywork is showing its age despite a refresh, and its ride on the road is sea-sick inducing. With a starting price of $71950, it's just not competitive here in 2022. The good news is that Infiniti based the QX80 on the Nissan Armada, which is cheaper and better. If you're in a hurry, we recommend that instead. Jeep Renegade.


Despite its retro-Jeep looks, all-wheel-drive, and a 'Trail-Rated' badge, what you're looking at is a modified Fiat 500X. Not many owners will be off-roading, though, and for day-to-day driving, the 180-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.4-liter or 177-hp 1.3-liter turbo engines are not great matches for the dimwitted nine-speed transmission. As a result, like the Mini JCW Convertible, the Renegade is a case of style over substance. Unfortunately, the Fiat 500X it's based on is overpriced, so it's hard to recommend over the Renegade. For the same price as the Renegade's second trim up the ladder, Lattitude, you can get a base model Ford Bronco Sport. We would go for that. Mitsubishi MiragernEntry-level budget-friendly cars are not as popular as they once were, but that should mean the remaining ones are good, right? Right?


The Mitsubishi Mirage is a baby hatchback that weighs in at $16,245 (unless a dealer marks it up) and goes up against contenders including includes the Chevrolet Spark and Kia Rio. It comes with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 76 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque driven via either a five-speed manual gearbox or CVT automatic (CVT only from 2023 on) to the front wheels. It is one of the cheapest and most fuel-efficient cars you can buy new in 2022, but this is truly a case of cheap = cheap and nasty. Unfortunately for Mitsubishi, the Chevrolet Spark and Kia Rio exist. The Spark is cheaper and has more power, and the Rio has a better cabin and ride quality. Another option is the Nissan Versa, which is a sedan that starts at $15,580, comes with more pep, is surprisingly fun to drive, and has a friendlier and more spacious interior. Maserati Quattroporte.


Going in the opposite direction price-wise, the Maserati Quattroporte aims to be a large, opulent executive sedan to rival the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class and comes with a price tag to match. Unfortunately, the base Quattroporte GT trim costs $104,700 and has less power than a Chrysler 300S. The Trofeo trim with the 523 hp Ferrari-derived V8 engine is a powerhouse, but it doesn't have the ride quality or handling chops to justify the $151,500 price. We hate to say it, as we wanted to love the Quattroporte, but buy a BMW 7 Series or Audi A8 instead. It seems even Maserati realizes it's not in that category, as the next generation will shrink and replace the Ghibli, which is getting the axe. Chrysler 300rnDespite numerous updates, the Chrysler 300 has only aged well in its exterior looks. Inside, it's lagging in technology and build quality. It's also heavy on gas, and the base model is sparsely equipped. Sure, it's an old-school cruiser on the road, and nostalgia is a valid reason to choose a car, but you should not be getting that from a brand-new car. Apart from some light refreshes and special editions, it's the second generation car that went into production in 2011. That's a shame because a third generation with the 300s looks, but a turbocharged straight-six-based hybrid drivetrain would be a great American answer to something like the Genesis G80 or Lexus ES.


Reposted From Source: carbuzz.com.



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Product Reviews:

I purchased the 2015 Subaru Outback brand new, the sticker says 33 mpg high
I purchased the 2015 Subaru Outback brand new, the sticker says 33 mpg highway, I have traveled on the Highway in Kansas (flat, no traffic, no turns, straight highway), and get about 26-27 MPG which isnt even close to the 33 MPG they are advertising. I have emailed Subaru customer service with no reply. I have tracked my mileage and now have just over 5000 miles on my car and have averaged about the same the whole time. The rest of the car is fine.
Published: October 20, 2015
Kim of Shawnee, KS
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have never owned a Subaru before. After this car I will never own a Subar
I have never owned a Subaru before. After this car I will never own a Subaru again. What a piece of crap this car is. The only good things about this car are the generous cargo space, the (so far) lack of repair bills and the resale value. That is it. Everything else BLOWS. The acceleration is abysmal. The braking is ridiculously soft and bad. The handling, well, there is no handling on this car and good luck taking it on road trips; you will spend 75% of the time fighting with the steering wheel to keep the car from wandering all over the road. Oh and dont even think about taking a corner fast with this car! The A/C is adequate, but god forbid you step on the gas, IT WILL STOP COOLING! The CVT transmission hesitates, is jerky and Subaru says thats perfectly normal! The sound system and entertainment screen is just an embarrassment. The backup camera of course is very LOW-RES. The MPG on the sticker is a BIG LIE; I have never gotten anything over 24 miles per gallon with this car. I wont even keep typing, as Subaru doesnt deserve for me to spend another second writing about this substandard vehicle. Make sure you test drive this vehicle many, many times before you buy it, and for the love of god do not even think about buying the 4 cylinder, unless you like to be blown off the interstate by trucks since your car will not be able to accelerate enough to merge. This car is for people who are not drivers. At this point I am just waiting for the car to start burning through oil, as 99.9% of the Outbacks are doing. The car is only good for hauling stuff in the snow. It gets two overall stars from me for that. Thats about it.
Published: August 19, 2015
ej of Tampa, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Bought a 2014 Subaru Outback from them that was a Subaru certified used car
Bought a 2014 Subaru Outback from them that was a Subaru certified used car. I’ve had nothing but issues with it. I reported to them that there was a loud screeching sound intermittently the day after I bought it. They said they drove it and didn’t hear anything. I brought it up multiple times and they said they inspected everything but couldn’t find an issue. Brought it in for the same reason recently and they called back and said that rust on rotor made grooves in the brake pads. I asked if they could replace just the brake pads and they said no we have to replace the rotors. I wrote their service manager asking for the $65 inspection fee to be waived and honestly I want a full refund for the work. $550 for rotors that I didn’t need or want is ridiculous and I’m not sure its legal. The rotors cost around $70 each and the brake pads $20.
Published: March 19, 2018
Mike of Milwaukee, WI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have a 2016 Legacy Premium 2.5 engine. I experienced a trembling being fe
I have a 2016 Legacy Premium 2.5 engine. I experienced a trembling being felt on the driver seat, floorboards and on the passenger seat. Ive had it in four times. This didnt happen last year when I bought the car and during the summer when using the A/C. Now this year when I use the a/c and the cooling fans go to high speed you feel this trembling. I went to the dealer for where I bought it and the mechanic said that that was normal. He even felt the trembling. He then said to switch to premium gas.I took it to another dealer and the mechanic felt the trembling also. He then said he would look into it. He called me back and said he sat in a similar 2016 Legacy and with the approx. same mileage and said it did the same. So he even said it was normal. If it is normal why didnt it do the same thing last year. Subaru of America said that there was nothing they could do because the mechanics said it was normal. It feels like you are sitting in a vibrating chair. They say it is normal then Subaru needs to fix this problem. What you pay for the car it should run smooth. I am very dissatisfied with the car and the service. There is something wrong with the fans or engine or trans. Does anyone have this issue.
Published: September 18, 2017
robert of Unionville, CT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Nearly killed four weeks ago visiting grandchild in Tamworth. 2010 WRX Impr
Nearly killed four weeks ago visiting grandchild in Tamworth. 2010 WRX Impreza overheated and steering went outside Ebor NSW. Towed to Armidale. Now sits needing new engine as did not have new front drive belt at 48 months. Subaru mechanic thought was 125,000ks. Only done 100,000!!! Bought from Geoff King Subaru, serviced at Geoff King, believed their experience, who is to blame, not us. Have eight yr old WRX, immaculate, no engine, is cooked and nobody is taking blame!!!
Published: June 15, 2018
Anita of Valla, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

What the hell is this Subaru dealer in Jordan? I am really shocked when I s
What the hell is this Subaru dealer in Jordan? I am really shocked when I saw the underground garage. Its hidden and so dirty. No one can see it and they dont have a system at all. They dont even know the history of the car service schedule. There is no clean waiting area for customers. Please just come to Jordan without informing the dealer of your visit and see this with your own eyes. It is unbelievable. They lied to Subaru by convincing them that the garage is the one above ground close to the gas station. It is not, it’s the Renault garage .Subaru in Jordan is dying. There are a lot of Subaru lovers in Jordan waiting for solution .By the way, there are no available spare parts in the dealers warehouse. Just come urgently without informing them of your visit and see the disaster.
Published: September 15, 2011
Karlos of Amman, other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased a 2014 Subaru Forester because of Subarus good reputation. To my
Purchased a 2014 Subaru Forester because of Subarus good reputation. To my surprise, my NEW car burns oil. I have to keep checking the oil because it needs to be added on a regular basis. At my first oil change the Subaru mechanic told me this just happens and I have to keep an eye on it. That sounds like garbage to me when talking about a new car. Im angry I switched to Subaru, never again!
Published: November 6, 2014
Rachel of F, NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased a 2013 Subaru Outback with VST. One thing I noticed right away
I purchased a 2013 Subaru Outback with VST. One thing I noticed right away was that when I backed out of my driveway onto the road, when I put it into Drive, there was about a 3-second hesitation. Same happens when I go from Drive into Reverse. I complained about it a couple of times and they told me at Subaru that it was normal. They told me that several people have complained about it. I really like the car, but now there is the oil usage problem. It is happening to me, too.
Published: December 18, 2014
Wayne of Garnet Valley, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Got this Legacy 2 years ago as a lease return. Had not experience any probl
Got this Legacy 2 years ago as a lease return. Had not experience any problems besides locking and unlocking it. I strongly recommend this car to people but before buying it go to Subaru dealer and check it up. Never buy any of a car without doing a full check up.
Published: August 11, 2013
Maksim of Guelph, ON
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Subaru Forester 2015 got broken windshield after 1 1/2 years. I went to a g
Subaru Forester 2015 got broken windshield after 1 1/2 years. I went to a glass dealer who contacted Safeco Insurance who approved replacement. Then 1 year later, the EyeSight started giving trouble. Eventually it quit working altogether. The Subaru repair place said the problem was an aftermarket windshield I had purchased and they would not fix the EyeSight until I replaced the windshield with a Subaru brand windshield which cost about $1000. The Subaru man said the glass and insurance companies all know about this. But the glass companies say they have no problem with aftermarket glass and Safeco says they take no responsibility unless I use one of their approved glass companies.So now I have a Subaru with no cruise control with all of the companies telling me that the EyeSight problem is my fault because I didnt know to get an official Subaru windshield by an approved Safeco installer and they wont fix the EyeSight until I make everything right again at my trouble and expense. I dont believe the windshield has anything to do with the EyeSight failure.
Published: August 8, 2019
Dennis of Springfield, OR
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Bought the 2014 Forester in July, 2013 because of the reliability of the br
Bought the 2014 Forester in July, 2013 because of the reliability of the brand. Car has been great as I put about 800 miles on a week commuting. At about 35,000 miles I started to notice that the oil light came on about the midpoint between oil changes, at about 3500 miles. Have to add oil about every four weeks, really burns through the oil. No drips on the driveway, car runs great. Love the car but have to fix this oil issue.
Published: December 5, 2014
Stuart of Federal Way, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My husband purchased a new Subaru Outback in 2011. It has continually had o
My husband purchased a new Subaru Outback in 2011. It has continually had oil problems, with the oil light coming on and off. The Subaru dealer assured him this was normal and his car was fine. It was serviced on a regular basis with the recommended work and oil changes. Last week the car stopped in the middle of the road (while driving) and he had it towed to the Subaru dealer for diagnosis and repair. Diagnosis: They dont know. Recommendation: It needs a new engine! Really Subaru? 130,00 miles and no help from Subaru! Unbelievably bad reliability!
Published: July 30, 2015
Kathy of Bradford, IL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have been a loyal Subaru owner. I have owned 4 Subarus. In the last 6 yea
I have been a loyal Subaru owner. I have owned 4 Subarus. In the last 6 years I have leased 2 outbacks and am planning on leasing my third. I have called and asked for my $500 Loyalty Reward which I used on my 2016 lease. I keep getting the runaround, transferred from one department to another with no results, how much more loyalty is needed! I will continue to try for another week, but I will lease a Toyota and become their loyal customer! Shame on Subaru!
Published: January 16, 2019
Shelley of La Crescenta, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I am writing in concerns of an issue I had with my 2005 Subaru Legacy Outba
I am writing in concerns of an issue I had with my 2005 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon H6 LL Bean addition. I have owned this vehicle since October 2005 and drive it nearly every day, so I know its behavior. On December 18, 2014, the day was clear; there had been no rain or snow that week. The pavement was dry. At the point of the issue I was in stop and go traffic, thus had used my brakes at an average of 12-18 times since I had left the house that morning. Traffic was maybe moving at 20-25 miles an hour, stop and go.At one point I went to apply my brakes at a normal pressure and they started to pulse in the anti-lock fashion. The pulses were EXCEPTIONALLY LONG, between braking (pulsing), nothing like I had ever experience before with this car or any other vehicle. However I kept my foot applied to the brake and did not try to pulse it myself. Before I was able to get the car stopped, it hit the car in front of me. I had about 1 and + car lengths between us, again only rolling and absolutely could not get the car stopped. The collision was not hard enough to deploy the airbag. The 2012 Ford Escape in front had nearly no damage to the rear bumper; however due to the placement of the Fords bumper to my grill, my repairs were $5,534.67.I have filed a complaint with Subaru, although since my insurance does not have the means to access the electronic information on this make of car for the information on the day of the accident (very Convenient for Subaru), they are unable to proceed with a claim with Subaru as they have no proof. Now Subaru says without the claim coming from my insurance company - that they have no reason to investigate my claim. I have filed a complaint today with the National Transportation Division in order to try to get someone to check this out. I have investigated this issue and found that others have had it as well. As many I have found have disconnected the Subarus ABS system. I also found YouTube videos on how to do this. Others on certain chats say they do not want to disconnect because it would void their warranty. I find it sad that people feel better disconnecting a factory installed system for their safety. I am scared that this will happen again. If something happens to me - who will get the claim then? I do not trust the ABS system on my car.
Published: April 3, 2014
Rhonda of Saint Charles, MO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Subaru advertises free map updates. However in Canada you have to try and d
Subaru advertises free map updates. However in Canada you have to try and download from a website as the vehicle option is disabled. So the map downloader has glitches and the customer service has no clue. If you go to the dealer he will charge you labour but does not have a clue as well.
Published: February 6, 2021
Hayavadana of Calgary, AB
Source: consumeraffairs.com

After 21,000 miles my vehicle has had to have the engine replaced along wit
After 21,000 miles my vehicle has had to have the engine replaced along with other major parts. Initially, when I received my vehicle back, it had to be returned the same day. Its because the mechanics at Garcia Subaru of El Paso failed to lock the major coolant hose. It caused my car with a new engine to run hot and coolant to spill all over the new engine. When I received my vehicle back the 2nd time, the turbo was not working and the performance of my car was less than it was, prior to this major repair.
Published: October 19, 2011
Bettye of Las Cruces, NM
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Subaru MADE good vehicles... But, then they went cheap. My 2013 Forester bu
Subaru MADE good vehicles... But, then they went cheap. My 2013 Forester burned oil worse than an old WWII airplane... Its normal, Subaru said. Traded it for a 2015 Forester, no more oil burning issues, but now a crappy CVT transmission that bucked, stalled and hesitated upon acceleration all the time... Its normal Subaru said. Well, no more Subarus for me. No more CVTs for me. Got me a Toyota Rav4 with a normal automatic transmission and ZERO problems in many miles ever since.All of these CVTs are junk and causing problems, just Google CVT Problems with Nissans, some Toyotas, Subarus, etc, etc., and be ready to read pages upon pages of negative reviews. Many manufacturers like Subaru and Nissan have current class action suits pending. What a joke! To gain maybe 1-MPG, they jeopardized the goodwill and loyalty of their customers. Good to know that many other companies have not gone this way. Maybe thats the reason they have top sellers like the Toyota Rav4 with a normal automatic transmission. Do yourself a BIG favor, avoid headaches and stay away from CVTs at all cost!
Published: November 12, 2018
Am of Other, OTHER
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Have 2016 Subaru Outback with serious electrical problems. Steering lockout
Have 2016 Subaru Outback with serious electrical problems. Steering lockout prevents car from starting. We Have extended warranty. Dealership found and identified several codes indicating the sporadic occurrences. Bob Baker Subaru Carlsbad CA refused to fix the problem, and stated we would have to bring the car in while it was experiencing the problem which would be almost impossible. The reason given was itemizing and comparing the risk to a potential flat tire and how much money the repair would cost them. So much for extended warranties.
Published: January 20, 2017
Roy of Seattle, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Our first Subaru was a 2009 Outback, and we loved it. It was a program car
Our first Subaru was a 2009 Outback, and we loved it. It was a program car with about 10K miles on it when we got it, but had been owned by the state of NC DOT so was like new when we got it. The one problem we had throughout the life of it was the left headlight would not last; it would go out several times a year. Because of some other problems, some possibly a mechanics fault, that car caught fire and was totaled in 2013.We went back to the same dealer in Asheville NC and bought a new 2014 Forrester. From the beginning it had a lag when accelerating, as when one is passing another vehicle or when a potential problem has arisen and one needs to move fast to avoid a wreck. It was a consistent 6 second lag; after 6 seconds, the RPM would soar almost to the red line. I could literally count one thousand one, one thousand two etc. My husband took it back to the dealership and asked about it. Oh, everyone is complaining about that with this car, theres nothing to worry about. Umm, I do worry when my car wont move when I want it to! Ill also add at this point that my husband and I are both in our late 50s, and we are the only people who have ever driven this car, so we know how well it has been treated.In Februrary 2016 I left home, drove into town (10 miles), made two stops, the car was running smooth as butter. My third stop was at the car wash. I pulled up, told them what kind of wash I wanted, and I went into the lounge to wait. A few minutes later the guy came in and said, Your Subaru wont move. What?! I went out, cranked it, could put it in gear, but it was like it was in neutral. Could hear the motor revving, but nothing happened. There was no noise when it happened. There was no smell of anything burning, nothing. The emissions warning light was on.I had the car towed to our house (I needed to get back and get my other vehicle for an appointment), then later had it towed to a local garage, because the car was out from under warranty. He kept it a week, then called and said he couldnt figure out what it was, so he called the dealer we bought it from, and they said they thought it was the transmission. Paid to have it towed 70 miles to the dealer. After about a week, they called and said they couldnt figure it out, so they ran all the computer stuff and sent it to Subaru to find the problem. They determined it needed a new transmission.The Service guy told me when I picked it up that when they went to look in the transmission, all kinds of parts fell out, that the transmission had literally exploded. That was the word he used. Fortunately that was still covered under warranty, so it covered the $7K to repair it. When we finally got the car back we noticed the lag was gone! Now when I accelerate, the car actually does what its supposed to do! If you have that lag, insist that they check your transmission!
Published: March 16, 2016
Dell of Whittier, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Driving on the interstate, my 2016 Subaru Crosstreks transmission utterly l
Driving on the interstate, my 2016 Subaru Crosstreks transmission utterly locked up. Without warning, the car ground to a halt in the middle of the freeway and would not move, either in forward, reverse or neutral. Other cars swerved to avoid me. One car hit mine from behind and spun my car 180 degrees, placing me directly in front of oncoming, high-speed traffic. The car has only 18,100 miles. Anyone else experienced such a problem?
Published: February 19, 2018
Tod of St Louis, MO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

This car has so many safety features. I can’t imagine driving without the
This car has so many safety features. I can’t imagine driving without them. It fits my lifestyle and I can drive on any terrain without an issue. I am very happy with the amount of space this vehicle has also.
Published: December 2, 2019
Shani of Parsippany, NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have found many things I hate about my Subaru. The biggest is you cant us
I have found many things I hate about my Subaru. The biggest is you cant use any of the devices unless the car is running and you are burning gasoline. You cant listen to the radio or charge your phone or use your gps or talk on your phone through the radio. I used that for 10 minutes and my battery was dead. The heater does throw heat on your feet. There is a tube about an inch wide that comes down beside the console and that is all the heat you get. If you are in a hard rain storm, you cant see because the wipers do not run that fast. I have an SUV and the back hatch is so difficult to open or shut, I have to put everything down to open or shut it. I bought this vehicle due to Consumer Reports data. They apparently do not look at things like this. I hate it. Anytime I ask Subaru, they say that is just the way Subarus are. Now my radio screen has squiggly lines all over it. So bad I cannot see to back up or see the channel on the radio if the sun is shining on it. They said, Well, the radio works, doesnt it. If we were talking about a 57 Chevy, yes, I can hear the radio. But this vehicle radio is supposed to do other things and it does not because you cannot see them. This item I believe cuts into resale value. Anyone thinking of buying a Subaru should check out these items. If they are ok with them, fine. But I was not told nor did I think to check them before I purchased and Subarus do not come cheap.
Published: July 7, 2017
Peggy of Panama City Beach, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

2013 Outback P2764 code. Dealership advised contacting corporate and I was
2013 Outback P2764 code. Dealership advised contacting corporate and I was offered $750 toward new car! Seriously, 125,000 miles, known transmission issue with extended warranty to 2022 but not mileage? Vehicles are meant to be driven! Beware of Subaru! Not so giving!
Published: December 27, 2019
Arlene of Versailles, KY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have a Forester, it’s a great car except for when the engine light and
I have a Forester, it’s a great car except for when the engine light and cruise control light goes on at the same time making the car difficult to drive. I have had this issue 6 times now from 2009-13 and each time I go to the dealership where I bought the car, they say the issue has been fixed but there are always added expenses such as my hose has a leak or etc. Obviously, if I had this issue 6 times, then issue hasnt been fixed. I have been told by the dealership this isnt an ISSUE and that the time lapse in between visits to the dealership are so far apart I shouldnt worry about.When I had this experience for the 6th time this week, I thought writing to company and saying, Hey, when are you guys going to figure this out? Its been five years and a lot of money and no one seems to be able to help me. So today I decided to do a little research. There is a whole site on topics about this issue going back to ’07 all the way up to my last entry… I am still researching. This issue is a big issue, Subaru. Wake up!
Published: December 6, 2013
Sarah of Fort Lauderdale , FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I took my Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 2011 in for routine 45000 mi mainten
I took my Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 2011 in for routine 45000 mi maintenance, for which I was charged $243.75. I was told the brakes all needed new pads, for which I was charged over $600. I was then told the battery needed to be replaced, for which I was charged $144. Then I was told I needed 4 new tires which would cost $900. I had just taken my car for routine service 3 months ago and was told that everything was fine. I believe that for all the additional charges I had to pay today, Subaru could have at least waived the $243.75 45,000 mile service fee. This car has awful tires - skinny lo-pros that should never be sold here in the Northeast, the pothole capital of the world. I wouldnt drive another Subaru again if they paid me a million dollars to do so. Unfortunately, even though I have paid off my car loan, I am stuck with this thing now that I have paid close to $3,000 for repairs. I bought this car from North End Subaru Mazda in Lunenburg, MA. If you go there, hang on to your wallets - they are definitely trying everything they can to steal from the customer!!!
Published: March 18, 2014
Lala of Winchendon, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a new 2014 Impreza in Richmond Hill. Paint defects appeared within
I bought a new 2014 Impreza in Richmond Hill. Paint defects appeared within 5,000 km all over my front bumper and hood. Both the dealer and Subaru Canada stepped back from repairing the defect under warranty and I had to file a claim in small claims court against both the dealer and head office. They eventually settled and paid. The issue is clearly experienced by many people all over the internet who also claim Subaru denied them any warranty. They lost me forever as a customer. They also asked me to sign a non disclosure prior to settlement that I declined. If I had then just writing this review would have landed me back in court. I have this entire disgusting experience fully documented. Shame on Subaru. Beware!!!!!
Published: October 16, 2019
David of Vaughan, ON
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I just bought a 2014 Subaru Impreza from Subaru of Burlingame 9 months ago.
I just bought a 2014 Subaru Impreza from Subaru of Burlingame 9 months ago. I never bought a used car before but I figured I would be safe buying it from Subaru dealership as is. I was so wrong. 17,000 miles later I have blown head gaskets about the car at 45,000 miles. It is currently at 60,114. After taking it into the dealership and being diagnosed I called Subaru of America right away, explained my situation. I had a Subaru representative tell me he was advocating for me but in the end they told me, Sorry not our problem. Only owned this car for nine months. I am devastated. I still have a very large loan on this car I’m paying for and have no car to drive. I’m going to do everything I can, to fight these people through social media platform, through the city of Burlingame, to anybody who will listen to me. This was my first Subaru and my last!!!
Published: September 9, 2018
Christine of San Francisco, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I had a 2003 Subaru Forester. Like so many people, I purchased it based upo
I had a 2003 Subaru Forester. Like so many people, I purchased it based upon its reputation. Car ran fine for many years. At 129,000 miles the head gasket went. This cost several thousand dollars to repair. If you google Subaru Head Gasket Problems you will find many people with the same problem. Subaru claims to have fixed the problem in 2007. At 170,000 the car started leaking oil. At 184,000 miles car developed another oil leak from the engine. The cost of repairs for the leaks was in the thousands. I finally decided to trade in the car for another brand. Some things that you may not know about Subaru: Subaru has a reputation for leaking oil. There are 2 class action suits against Subaru because the newer Subarus burn oil. Subaru claims that it is normal for a car to burn a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Google Subaru Class Action Suit.Many of my friends that talked me into buying a Subaru have also abounded the brand for having similar problems. We have discovered that Subaru oil problems are difficult to fix whether you bring the car to the dealer or an independent mechanic. One other quirky item I learned when being a Subaru owner - tires must be replaced in sets of 4. I had good tires with 20,000 miles on them. One got ruined by a nail. I ended up having to buy 4 new tires otherwise I would have run the risk of damaging the car.
Published: August 9, 2015
Jonathan of Ringwood, NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

2010 Forrester is the worse car I have ever owned. Two years in: the heated
2010 Forrester is the worse car I have ever owned. Two years in: the heated seat wouldnt turn off. Ongoing: CD changer heats up to the point of warping discs even in the winter. 2.28.2015: Driving on I83 in Bmore rush hr driver side door releases door unlocks!! Unsafe unreliable piece of junk.
Published: February 27, 2015
sherine of York, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased my Subaru Forester in Greenwood, IN, a little more than three hou
Purchased my Subaru Forester in Greenwood, IN, a little more than three hours away from me. I didnt mind the distance because I thought I had found a good deal on a vehicle that I could depend on and would last me a long time. In the beginning of being a proud Subaru owner, I had all of my maintenance done at Gurley Leep Subaru in Mishawaka. When I brought up the excessive oil consumption of my car, I was told it was common for Subaru to consume more oil. They would always try to sell me unrelated maintenance whenever I was there. Eventually I stopped going there because I simply didnt like them. I brought up my oil consumption again at the new mechanic. They did a consumption test. Eliminating other causes, they determined it was something internal and were unable to perform the repairs because they didnt have the special tools unique to Subaru. So I went back to Subaru Mishawaka with the information.I took my car in as soon as I figured out transportation while my car was in the shop for the day. A shuttle bus to town was the only option Subaru provided for me. I received the call with the expensive diagnosis. Fortunately, I had added an extended warranty on my car when I refinanced. They covered some of the work. A new cylinder head gasket was the primary diagnosis. This time-they had a courtesy car for me. The tech was also kind enough to call and ask me if I wanted them to replace my plugs, wires, timing belt, ball joints, etc. while they were at it. He told me it would only cost me parts and not labor because they were already in there doing work, youll have a whole new setup under there. I agreed. I asked him about my sway bars. He told me they were fine. Ironically, this is one of the parts they told me needed to be replaced when I was in for my oil change.When I got my car back, nothing seemed different. I contacted Subaru again- I was told (again) that oil consumption was common in Subaru. I had a check engine light come on, I took it back to Subaru Mishawaka. They hooked it up to the machine, and said my catalytic converter starting to go bad. This was not under warranty. They changed my headlight and I was on my way. I returned to my local mechanic for maintenance. My car was driving funny and the light came on. The machine indicated I had a bad plug. I explained that I had recently had them change. The mechanic told me that it was the original spark plug to the vehicle, according to him, there is a marking on them when they come off the assembly line. This threw up major flags for me. I decided to go the Subaru Portage (which is just over an hour drive) and pay to have them check the head gasket to see if it was even replaced.I explained my situation, oil consumption, etc. They determined the head gasket appeared to be new. I returned for them to diagnose my car. They found another $2000 worth of work that needed to be done in order to stop the excessive oil consumption. The tech replaced: oil pump, crank seal, a/c belt, idler pulley, time belt tensioner, and PVC valve. My warranty was out by this time. I pick my car. I dont even make it through an oil change cycle and my oil light is on. I check my oil- nothing on the dipstick. I call Subaru Portage right away. I add oil as directed/ take my car back. They find oil pressure sensor and leak behind Lh camshaft seal front cover. I asked why this wasnt fixed when my car was in there 3 weeks prior. They did the repairs. I pick my car up again and AGAIN my oil is extremely low- I, again, hadnt even made it through an oil change cycle. I called, and went back.The tech wanted to do another consumption test. He wanted me to contact him in 1200 miles. During this conversation he asked me, what color is your exhaust smoke? What? I have no idea. I dont look at the back of my car when Im driving. My car has been here 4 times, and youre asking me what color my smoke is. I didnt understand this. He told me that I would either need to get a new motor or a new car. He didnt tell me why.I called him once my oil started getting low, which was before the 1200 mile mark. He restated that I would need a new motor or new car- that I wasnt leaking oil, I was burning it. I informed him Of this the very time first took my car to Portage Subaru. He said the piston rings sometimes go bad on these things, allowing the oil the slip through. So all this money that I spent fixing around the problem, I should of spent to pay off my car. Instead I owe on a car that is worth nothing. Instead, I have a car that failed to be dependable and last a long time. I feel that I was completely taken advantage of by Subaru.
Published: September 17, 2019
K. of Buchanan, MI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

There’s so many to choose from but our Forester has truly been exceptiona
There’s so many to choose from but our Forester has truly been exceptional! The safety features are phenomenal, the price was the best option, the ride is smooth, and the company treats you like family.
Published: December 7, 2019
Katie of Columbus, IN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased my 2013 Subaru Outback February 2013. I have servicing done reg
I purchased my 2013 Subaru Outback February 2013. I have servicing done regularly. However, from the very start, my oil light comes on between 2500 to 3000 miles after an oil change. I was told by the dealership that this is normal for these cars because they do not have as much oil as other cars. Told me to bring it in when it happened, or let the car sit for five minutes, and check the oil levels. This is great - Im a woman in my 70s - and it is scary to try to get to an exit when you are on the expressway and your oil light is on.Now, just to feel more secure, I keep a quart of synthetic oil in my car to add when Im on a trip and my oil light comes on. Very distressing. I had a Toyota Highlander for ten years, 210,000 miles on it and never had any problem like this. Unfortunately, it was totaled by a falling tree, and everyone encouraged me to get a Subaru. Nice car, but not truly reliable. I would have to rate it a 2.5 star reliability rating (which is not a choice below).
Published: April 5, 2014
Faye of Big Canoe, GA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I need to give some history on my previous 97 Outback before getting to my
I need to give some history on my previous 97 Outback before getting to my current 09 Forester. The 97 Outback had no major problems till about 120k, head gasket blown. Problem fixed at $1800.00. Sold shortly after to buy a newly redesigned 09 Forester. Was told head gasket problems are thing of the past, so I purchased the 09 Subaru Forester with high expectations. Things Ive noticed since putting miles on my 09 Forester. During cold winter months the engine starts over very hard and until the engine is warm it sounds like a diesel. My guess poor lubrication. In cold weather the gas flap which is opened from a latch inside of my vehicle will freeze making it very difficult to gas up at the station. I live in a region that uses salt and the exhaust system is taking a beating. My radio when in use gets feedback from my engine at different revs. I stopped using my sun roof - the motor has been acting funny. At highway speeds above 70 mph the engine tends to use oil, have tried conventional and synthetic oils alike with similar results. The front doors have had rattles since day one, sounds like plastic on metal. Things which have been repaired and or replaced while under warranty: reprogrammed ac unit, engine was pulsating at stop lights at 12k miles, front wheel bearing high pitched whining sound at 35k miles. With that said the warranty is up. I have 76k on my 09 Forester, on my second set of brakes, second set of tires, second set of spark plugs, second battery. I went in for an oil change the other day at the dealer and on the multipoint inspection was noted oil bleed on head gasket. You can guess where this will be going. Quoted at over $2000.00 to replace the head gasket and at the 100k mile mark it is recommended that the timing belt be changed $950.00 and since I have a manual clutch transmission it will probably need replaced soon for $1300.00.On the positive side the symmetrical AWD system provides excellent handling in any road driving conditions, the engine provides ample power with great fuel economy and while under warranty there were no real issues. Now that the warranty has expired the wear issues are becoming apparent and Subaru knows it. Im sorry to say, this will be my last Subaru. Many fond memories of vacations in remote areas with my family camping and backpacking will no longer be made in my Subaru. I will probably give Toyota SUV or Trucks a try. My wife drives a 2003 Camry XLE and is still going strong!
Published: January 13, 2015
Adam of Hartville, OH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We found out today that our Subaru Forester at 60k miles has blown a Head G
We found out today that our Subaru Forester at 60k miles has blown a Head Gasket. The repair is over 2k!!! With the other repairs, the bill will be $3,000. Now that they have our permission... I expect it to be even higher when we pick it up. Happy New Year... right? Upon researching this problem (after our shock), we saw many complaints about Subaru knowing these cars have this Head Gasket problem and yet they dont do anything about it. They let unassuming people pay good money for these cars and its tick, tick, tick.... until the HG blows. Then its $$$$$$$!Our car will be 7 years old in March at only 60k miles is a crime and total incompetence of Subaru to knowingly sell a car that has a reputation like this and that down the line, the owners will have to pay THOUSANDS to repair the car or junk it. We paid $21k for this car and I will never buy another Subaru because of this failure of this company to not fix the problem that has been going on for YEARS! I will discourage anyone I know from buying a Subaru from this day on. The ** & hype on these cars is just that--all false. Our dealer told us IT usually happens at 85k miles and I almost fell down. What kind of company admits they KNEW the whole time they were BSing you about buying this car that the Head Gasket will blow at a certain mileage? Furthermore, they said that our Head Gasket blew early! We have low mileage for 7 years. We take the car in regularly for service. Now we know the repair men know about this Head Gasket problem and no one at the dealer ever warned us.
Published: January 2, 2014
Sandra of Charlottesville, VA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a Subaru Outback 2012 from a dealer on Cape Cod. They caused me a
I bought a Subaru Outback 2012 from a dealer on Cape Cod. They caused me a lot of grief by selling me an afterMarket stereo/GPS that was miserable. After 5 very ugly attempts at repair they gave me a good one to get rid of me. I bought the car with an extended warranty to 100,000 miles. Now, at 140,000 miles the CVT transmission died. Subaru CVT transmissions are SEALED UNITS. They have lifetime automatic transmission fluid. You cannot check it or change it. Does that sound like a bad idea? It is. My tranny failed admittedly after a lot of miles, but I drive very very carefully. I get 120,000 miles form original tires and brakes. Beware if you buy an Outback. A new transmission is $6,600 plus $1,500 install. $8,000 to use the car. I am told Toyota transmissions NEVER have a problem. NEVER.
Published: July 15, 2016
Bob of Carver, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a 2012 Outback in February 2012. When I rotated the tires at 10,00
I bought a 2012 Outback in February 2012. When I rotated the tires at 10,000 miles, I noticed that both rear tires were severely worn at the outer edges. The dealer had the wheels aligned. They were out quite a bit. But now after about 11,000 miles, the tires are worn to the tread gauges in the outer tracks. I dont think I will get 20,000 miles out of them. I think Subaru should replace these two tires. The other two tires are fine but at 20,000 miles, I may have to replace all four tires because it is a four wheel drive.
Published: March 23, 2013
Robert of Northport, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I am a loyal Subaru customer. I buy Subarus because they are dependable. My
I am a loyal Subaru customer. I buy Subarus because they are dependable. My engine gave out on my 3-year-old Subaru and the warranty is not being honored. Getting a hold of someone on a national level has been close to impossible. I wait for 2-45 minutes before I am told the person I need to talk to is out of the office. I am really disappointed because I love what Subaru says they stand for. The fix is 10,000 dollars that I dont have.
Published: September 8, 2014
debbie of Anchorage, AK
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Im so disappointed in a car that I expected would be my best ever. I have k
Im so disappointed in a car that I expected would be my best ever. I have kept up on all maintenance and just this once did I push my oil change close to the manual recommended maintenance schedule of 7,500 miles and now the dealership is trying to tell me that that is why my motor blew. Then why does my maintenance schedule say every 7,500?!! And to make matters worse, no warning lights ever came on to warn me that the oil was low! How many people with new cars check their dip sticks every week when getting regular oil changes? So upset. I only have 106,000 miles on my 2010 Forester. I have never had any car that just simply ran out of oil because you missed one oil change. I know people in other brands that dont adhere to the rigorous maintenance schedule and never have problems like this. Furthermore, Subaru should not put in the maintenance schedule then to change your oil every 7,500 and then expect that I might find my way to the fine or other print that would tell me (we just lied. Only wait this long if you barely ever driven above 25 mph in the most pristine weather conditions!). Only $3,000 till its paid off and now I dont even know if I should fix it! So mad! I typically do oil changes between 3500-4500 miles but regardless. I live in the Motor City and have always taken slack for driving a foreign vehicle and guess what, now they can all have the last laugh because all my friends, Fords, GMs and other cars did not blow an engine for just once waiting as long as the manual said I could! Really?
Published: May 22, 2014
Heidi of Eastpointe, MI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Love my Subaru???? Great car for the value. Feel safe every time I get behi
Love my Subaru???? Great car for the value. Feel safe every time I get behind the wheel. Especially when it comes to bad weather. Snow sleet driving rains cant keep me off the roads. Would recommend to everyone.
Published: December 11, 2019
Suzanne of Carmel, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I am having a terrible issue with my 2011 Subaru Outback paint rusting. It
I am having a terrible issue with my 2011 Subaru Outback paint rusting. It is only on the top of my car and the top of the hatchback. I have owned many cars for this long and never ever had an issue with paint. I have spoke with the dealer and Subaru and they will not do anything about it. I live in the south where the weather is mild.
Published: October 20, 2017
Ronda of Katy, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Spoke to Subaru service department yesterday. Asked about oil consumption i
Spoke to Subaru service department yesterday. Asked about oil consumption issue. His reply was oh dont worry, the problem seems to be going away. Gee, didnt know cars could fix themselves.
Published: November 9, 2015
Brent of St.Clairsville, OH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Time proven and highest resale value of all car brands. Customer loyalty se
Time proven and highest resale value of all car brands. Customer loyalty second only to Ferrari. Subaru owns the winter with symmetrical all-wheel drive, out-performs every vehicle in its class.
Published: November 24, 2016
Bob of Finland, MN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I had an Outback in 1997 and loved it... wish I had kept it. I recently bou
I had an Outback in 1997 and loved it... wish I had kept it. I recently bought a very well cared for single owner 2005 Outback 2.5i with 150K miles. I knew it had a minor oil leak... When it got worse, I fixed that, and while the engine was apart, put in many new parts including timing belt, hoses, thermostat, mounting bolts, machined the cylinders, etc. It was fine for 6 months and then had intermittent sputtering at idle and when starting to drive, along with after a slowdown off the highway to 35 or so and then speeding up again. I also noticed it was strangely low on oil, despite no visible leaking. My mechanic said that the prior owner did a (dealer-done) tune up without replacing the wires, so we did that and the problem seemed fine... for a while. 2 months later, same exact sputtering. One stall after starting the car and putting it in reverse but not driving yet. And... almost no oil in the car (again no visible leaks). Problem as yet undiagnosed so any feedback is appreciated! Also, minor complaints. Had to change the rear door latch when I got the car. The plastic latch that opens the gas cap keeps falling off. And now the drivers window button is sticky and sometimes doesnt want to make the window go up or down.
Published: August 1, 2013
Jill of Darien, IL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My 2016 Subaru Foresters CVT transmission failed catastrophically at 42,000
My 2016 Subaru Foresters CVT transmission failed catastrophically at 42,000 miles with no prior warning. Vehicle would not move and made grinding sounds. Had it towed to the dealer and was told it is still under warranty. I asked about the failure and was told by the service techs that they had never heard or had a problem with the transmissions before. When I told them that Subaru has had numerous problems with the CVT over the years I was told that I did not know what I was talking about and that they never had a problem. I had researched the CVT problems quite a bit beforehand and was upset by the way I was treated. I now have a vehicle that I no longer trust and a dealer that will not ever get my business again.
Published: November 6, 2017
Gary of Pacifica, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

2014 Forester with 35k miles. Our Bluetooth is not working properly. I thou
2014 Forester with 35k miles. Our Bluetooth is not working properly. I thought this would be an easy fix, and I was not too stressed by it. In my error, I forgot to mention it to the service department when I brought the car in last time. Three months later I had the car in to the service dept. for a standard check up and mentioned it to them... The whole radio unit needs to be replaced in order for the failed Bluetooth to work again! If only I had mentioned it during my previous checkup it would have been covered under warranty. Subaru is charging over $500 for this replacement. I will go without. My chief question is, why is the Bluetooth failing? Its not that old and its not as if it is an item (i.e. brakes, or tires) that might get wear down from overuse.In addition, when you press the accelerator on the 2014 Forester, a small delay and then it takes off. Very disconcerting. We have many family members who own Subaru and at our last family reunion everyone was grumbling about their Subaru and saying they will not buy another. Its a shame. This was our first Subaru purchase after many years with Honda. We were tempted to try a new car and had heard such great things about the Subaru. We will be going back to Honda.
Published: July 19, 2016
Jean of Weston, CT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We service this car properly. Ive never had problems with Subarus and have
We service this car properly. Ive never had problems with Subarus and have been a loyal customer since 1994. So at 110,000 miles the six cylinder engine starts overheating erratically. A tow to Subaru dealer to replace the thermostat and were on our way. Two to three weeks later it happens again. We are provided a new thermostat under warranty installed at a different dealer (because we were on a long trip and were forced to tow the vehicle). Each time the claim was the thermostat was sticking. It happens again within a few weeks after we return home with yet another thermostat. $6,000 later we get resurfaced heads and a valve job, complete with all the marked-up engine components, supplies, disposal fees, and so on. Did we get a refund or credit on the supposed faulty thermostats? No. The servicing dealer proclaims there was an internal engine leak due to bad head gaskets. I asked to see them, but they were never given to me. Ive never heard of an engine failure of that gravity in a Subaru (unless of course the vehicle was abused). My wife babies this car and uses it for errands. I have a 1994 SVX with 140,000 miles, and had a 2002 Outback and neither had engine issues, ever. My confidence in the Subaru product is gradually waning.
Published: September 23, 2015
Anthony of San Antonio, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Soon I will be rid of this 2012 Subaru Forester and will never buy a Subaru
Soon I will be rid of this 2012 Subaru Forester and will never buy a Subaru again. The oil consumption has been a quart per 1,000 miles. The manual said that this is normal. The dealerships have been unconcerned and unwilling to try to stop the consumption as it is normal. The car has 26,000 miles and 26 quarts of synthetic oil have been poured in it between the recommended oil changes. All sorts of excuses for the consumption have been given; however, I have owned very many other models of cars and trucks (probably over 50) and never had one that consistently used over a quart between changes even though some had over 200,000 miles on them. This poorly designed and supported car is unacceptable. Subaru got me once never again!
Published: April 9, 2014
Robert of Laramie, WY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Not only do I love my Subaru, but I sincerely appreciate Subaru’s commitm
Not only do I love my Subaru, but I sincerely appreciate Subaru’s commitment to their customers. Of course I’m not talking about the dealers, but Subaru Corporate HQ In NJ. Whenever I’ve hit a snag with the dealership, HQ has been there to help. ❤️
Published: December 15, 2019
Bill of Dunnellon, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have been a loyal Subaru owner over the years. As with other manufacturer
I have been a loyal Subaru owner over the years. As with other manufacturers being someone who has run a service center as well as being able to perform the task of replacing head gaskets and I cant understand why there hasnt been either a recall or class action lawsuit. I have never seen a Subaru that has not needed head gaskets. I currently drive a 2005 outback with 233000 miles, head gaskets have been done twice with machine shop labor performed every time. These cars are designed to fail. A lot has to do with battery location. Everyone has seen the bottle of special coolant conditioner at the dealer, why the need for it? And heres the simplest explanation, small amounts of electricity pass thru engine parts which reacts with the coolant and the metal in the head gaskets. Its a chemical reaction, over time it eats thru the gasket. Aluminum and steel do not mix as well. Corrosion develops so as you see by design it is set for failure which in 90 percent of cases the customer pays and you all know the cost - anywhere from 3200.00 to 4800.00. Now my car is at the dealer for a brake recall which failed while I was driving and lost brakes so I decide let me look around for another Subaru at some of the dealers. I only looked at cars between 85,000 miles to 110,000 miles, the ten I looked were a mix of Outbacks and Foresters, all had blown head gaskets all of them. So this car in my opinion and Im sure the opinion of many that this car is designed to fail so the dealer can make money and the fact Ive done over a thousand head gaskets in my career is disturbing. And they are all usually outta warranty so when it goes at 85000 your forced with a choice to either spend money on the motor which will blow the gasket again or trade in and get another. But also be mindful on that second head gasket job. The aluminum that the block was made of was so porous the threads came out with the head bolts so I redesigned the motor where the block has studs and you slide the heads on and use grade 8 nuts to complete torque specs. I shared the design with Subaru, not interested at all. So in a nutshell I did head gaskets at 87000 miles and 156000 miles. When I did the redesign it now has 233000 which by my math and experience Im either gonna be due for a head gasket job soon or my redesign has worked with relocation of the battery. Enjoy the photos, this is what had to be done to avoid buying a 5000 dollar used motor that more than likely needed head gaskets. I think Subaru owes it to its customers to design a quality engine. Youre making cars that stop themselves and tell when youre drifting in your lane but cant use better grade metal for the engine or relocate a battery.
Published: October 28, 2015
Redmond of Winder, GA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We purchased this vehicle Brand new and have experienced nothing but issues
We purchased this vehicle Brand new and have experienced nothing but issues within the first year. The vehicle now has 10k miles and I’ve experience jerking from the transmission, my panoramic sunroof cracked for no reason (no point of impact), and the most troublesome has been the automatic liftgate; the liftgate constantly gets stuck with a non-stop chiming and the only way to reset it is no remove the battery!!!! This is a known problem and a quick Google search will prove a lot of consumers have similar problems with this vehicle. I’ve had the liftgate become stuck in the airport, hotels, etc. This is not only embarrassing but completely unacceptable for a brand new 40k vehicle!? Come on Subaru!!!! The quality is terrible!!! Never again!
Published: July 28, 2019
Steve of Pompano Beach, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Recently purchased a new 2015 Outback 2.5i premium. We test drove dealer ca
Recently purchased a new 2015 Outback 2.5i premium. We test drove dealer car 3 times to confirm we wanted to order one, none available at any local dealers at the time. About 3wks after receiving our car, it developed a clicking noise coming from the gear shifter knob every time you went below or above 5mph, EVERY TIME. Nonstop, every light, every stop sign, all day every day. Dealer says its normal and refuse to fix. I keep reminding them it did not do it on any test car and it took weeks for it to show up on our car. How can that be normal? I would not have purchased the car had it made this annoying noise on the test drive and I certainly would not have paid for the car when I went to pick it up. (I did test drive our car prior to paying for it once it came in and there was no noise at all.) I am at the point of wanting to sell my brand new car because I just cant stand this constant annoyance. Wrote several emails directly to Subaru company rep, with them refusing to take any responsibility.
Published: June 28, 2015
John of Kinnelon, NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Bought a brand new 2016 Forester limited back in May at the white bear Suba
Bought a brand new 2016 Forester limited back in May at the white bear Subaru dealer. At 5,000 miles five thousand miles the car failed to start sitting for as little as 24 hours in a nice and warm garage. The person that jump started my car was surprised knowing that its a brand new car... taking it to the dealer next week for an inspection... definitely not a lovely way to start a new year.
Published: January 4, 2017
Amber of Roseville, MN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have a Subaru XV 2013 and on the highway, the glass roof exploded without
I have a Subaru XV 2013 and on the highway, the glass roof exploded without reason. No other cars close and a perfect road. Temperature 0 Celsius. Subaru refuse to cover it on guaranties. The car has been in traffic less than 30000 kilometers. Unbelievable.
Published: February 3, 2015
Ylva of Stockholm, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Several months after purchasing my 2016 Outback I experienced an occasion w
Several months after purchasing my 2016 Outback I experienced an occasion when my engine stalled when I was trying to move into moving traffic. At first I assumed it was just a one time incident but I had the same thing happen a couple more times over the next few weeks. I drove the car to Armstrong Subaru and discussed the issue with Terry the service manager who told me that Subaru is aware of the problem that is in the computer module. He said they were expecting to come up with a solution within the next five months but in the meantime there is nothing they can do. The problem has continued to plague me and I fear that it could possibly cause an accident. I called Subaru America and the lady at that number pretty much told me the same thing. I waited several months and called Terry again only to learn that they are still working on the problem.In todays internet issue of Consumer Affairs I learned that the Impreza has been recalled for the same issue but there is not mention of the Outback. I am very disgruntled to say the least. I guess I will be forced to wait until all the Imprezas are fixed before a recall is issued on the Outback. Ill just continue to keep my fingers crossed because I have to have my car for transportation and cant just park it indefinitely. No more Subarus for me.
Published: April 19, 2017
Harold of Lenoir, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I leased a new Impreza from Ganley Subaru of Bedford, OH, three weeks ago a
I leased a new Impreza from Ganley Subaru of Bedford, OH, three weeks ago and have been there for service four times already with still more safety issues hovering over my head. I discovered (the hard way) that all Imprezas have at least these problems: 1) The wheels are wobbly causing shakes and vibration. I have been to service three times to get them fixed, though it got better, it is still shaky. 2) The automatic unlock switch cannot unlock any door if the lock key at the door is in mid-way position. This is a severe safety risk in case of accidents if a person has to exit the car quickly after fire or flooding.3) The information gauges for gas mileage and distance of travel are practically useless and are off by 50% or more which means you can run out of gas if you rely on these gauges. 4) The advertised gas mileage of 32 MPG is questionable, since all information gauges give you the wrong readings. 5) After parking, the steering wheel gets jammed and locked and requires some wiggling effort to unlock it.
Published: December 6, 2017
Abe of Braodview Hts, OH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My car is a 2008, I bought it in November 2007. I have never had a problem
My car is a 2008, I bought it in November 2007. I have never had a problem with this vehicle and it has never left me on the side of the road. When I buy a new car, it will definitely be a Subaru.
Published: May 5, 2018
Antoinette of Mantua, NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We purchased a 2016 Forester in October 2015. In June 2017 we were hit on t
We purchased a 2016 Forester in October 2015. In June 2017 we were hit on the passenger side causing our Subaru Forester to be totaled in an accident that also resulting in an emergency c-section. We paid $24,000 to buy a brand new model and drove it less than 2 years before accident. During the accident I hit my head hard against the side and no airbag deployed. I have had painful headaches since and am seeing a physical therapist for head and neck pain. The body shop that inspected our vehicle told us the airbags should have deployed based on the fact that we were hit directly on the passenger side where the side sensor was. We waited over 6 weeks for Subaru to inspect the vehicle and get back to us with an answer about airbags. They gave us a very generic response that because we were hit at an oblique side angle the airbag may not always deploy. The next vehicle we buy brand new and spend $24,000 on will certainly have working airbags in any situation. It is federal law to have airbags in vehicles, to have a scenario in which the manufacturer can declare the airbag may legally fail is baloney to put it nicely. Before the accident we absolutely loved our Forester and I truly wanted to be able to say that the Subaru company was helpful to us during a rough time. I felt we were ignored and all of my husbands attempts to discuss our situation were handled without care. I would have liked for someone to have spoken to us on the phone directly instead of feeding us generic emails basically saying there was no answer and we had to wait. I would have liked to have known the $24,000 vehicle we invested money into might have bought us more care when being in an accident and being left without our car with a newborn.
Published: September 6, 2017
Jeanette of Lexington, KY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Charlie ** was referred to me, because my brother and all his family by all
Charlie ** was referred to me, because my brother and all his family by all their cars from Milea Dealership on East Tremont Ave, Bx, NY. Charlie was helpful as I turned my old Forester in, for an excellent trade in value - while they had a new one ready for me, with exceptional new safety features, and everything I needed in a car. Thank you for excellent professional timely service!! Everything was perfect and I am grateful for such an A+ experience with everyone I encountered, who could not have been more helpful!
Published: May 14, 2019
Carol of Bronx, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Extreme Disappointment - Atrocious Quality; First time Subaru Owner - brand
Extreme Disappointment - Atrocious Quality; First time Subaru Owner - brand new 2015 Legacy 3.6R - purchased Dec 2014. Major Safety and Quality Issues - Awful. Whomever is in charge of Quality at Subaru should be fired. It is evident Subaru failed to Quality test this model before production.1. Burning smell from engine & snow water entering engine bay. Discovered snow/water entering engine bay/compartment while driving in snow. Serious safety risk; water all over electrical components I believe leading to burning smell. Contacted Subaru of America, no response yet. Filed N.H.T.S.A. complaint. The water/salt stains are evident under the actual hood and the engine compartment and already see signs of rust on electric connectors. 2. Water leak in foot well of cabin. 3. Starting issue - numerous time required 4-5 seconds for the engine to crank/turn over finally started. Dealer replaced fuse relays per Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)4. Display - frozen numerous times - Dealer replaced fuse relays per TSB. 5. Fuel Filter door froze numerous times; unable to open; Dealer fixed per TSB. 6. Awful wind noise driving above 40mph. Door/window moldings replaced on all doors and 2 front triangle windows replaced by dealer per TSB. Vendor made faulty moldings and glass.7. Moon-roof - above 60 mph moon-roof whistles loud - seal issue like door. Exterior moon-roofs black seal/molding towards back near center dome light, is raised up above the sheet metal not aligned/flush - adjusted by dealer. 8. Lumbar - when pressed to increase lumbar, it only enlarges on the left side of the seat back only, then when you press decrease it shifts to right side and almost even outs then goes flat. Dealer inspected and found defective seat from factory; parts on order.
Published: March 5, 2015
Mike of Rocky Hill, CT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

For a long time, I wanted a Subaru Legacy car, being fascinated primarily w
For a long time, I wanted a Subaru Legacy car, being fascinated primarily with the reliability of the Japanese cars and also with this brand (studying the history of the brand, the beginnings, the technology, ...) and now I managed to buy one In second hand (because I could not afford a new one, though, with that money, I could have bought another car brand almost nine). I took it from a known, serious person, knowing the history of the car. Its a Legacy, a 2008, 2.0-liter, 150cp diesel boxer that has 220,000 km. Series: ** / 2008. Nr. Identification: **. Engine: Tip EE 20; Series **. I was glad that the person she bought her took care of her, he invested heavily in her (at that moment thinking he was unlucky), but it seems that bad luck continues to me and not only, But to all who have this Subaru model; After I was interested in the Romanian specialty forums, I found out that all the owners of this model are talking about a serious problem with this type of engine and even if it had a proper use and proper maintenance, none have ever reached More than 200,000 km without total engine failure. The mechanics say there is a fault in vibrochen, which breaks and it in turn destroys the entire engine block, and the whole engine becomes unusable. This is what happened with more than 90% of these market engines in Romania. I, even though I have not bought it for too long, have rectified the turbine, replaced an injector and it seems that I will have to replace the other injectors, including the turbine again (repair kits are not in Romania, as well The other parts, special mechanics, are no longer there, there is only one representative in the capital city of Bucharest and which does not represent the interests of the clients, let alone the authorities) and yet the engine is not heard at all and I am Afraid to go a long distance with her (I do not have the courage to leave the city), for fear of happening to me the same way, to break the vibrochen and to stay who knows where in the field... discouraging! What is the value of the description on the official website? This engine is not just a new evolution of diesel models - its a revolution! Its the first time that a diesel engine with horizontal roller mounted is installed on a SUBARU BOXER DIESEL... the revolution lies in the fact that it does not last (while other manufacturers guarantee these km) more than 200,000 km. The answer I received from the representative was that I did not document myself before, I did not know what I was up to! The guarantee is 200,000 km, which she does not guarantee “and we All the owners had to change their engines or give them old beasts, losing money!” I would have liked to have sent a letter of appreciation to represent Romania or to Europe or directly to Japan (where it is impossible) and to express my gratitude for having this brand and the joy to lead it but I have spent More time in repair centers than to use it, but it seems that things will not stop here, as it is already compromised. I would have liked this mail to be sent directly to Subaru Corporation, the Customer Consumer Division, or in the worst case to the Romanian authorities, not to you, but no email address is available for you. Japan and send to the Romanian representatives, proved to be equal to ZERO. If you can help me with a Subaru Corporation mailing address, Customer Consumer Division, to find a compromise solution.
Published: August 28, 2017
biciila of Braila, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Have a 2015 Subaru Forester and cant stand driving it bc the Bluetooth rare
Have a 2015 Subaru Forester and cant stand driving it bc the Bluetooth rarely pairs and/or works. Once it does pair, it drops calls as soon as I start driving faster (like on the highway) and then pops back on once I slow down (exit the highway). Its the craziest thing! Ive brought it to the dealership and it seemed fixed when I left, but then the next day it started acting up again. Apparently, its a software issue. Apple says that Subaru software is outdated and need to be updated. Cmon, its 2017... update your software. I swear more accidents are going to be caused from jacking with this bluetooth! So frustrating and time-consuming.
Published: May 28, 2017
Kris of Austin, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We bought a used car from Subaru of Little Rock manager (Billy). We paid ca
We bought a used car from Subaru of Little Rock manager (Billy). We paid cash for the car and we were told within the next week we would have the title that was on 5-14-2016. We still dont have it. We have called multiple times and we have been sent to voice mail, passed around and around without answers until today. We are now being told they NEVER had the title and the owner of the car lost it. Billy the manager told me they have thirty days to give us the title. Ive never talked to a person in ANY kind of sales that was as rude and belligerent as this man.I told Billy we have always bought our cars through Toyota and we have never been treated with such unprofessionalism. He told me to go back to Toyota! I assure you we will do as he said and stay with Toyota from now on. Other Subaru dealerships may be different than this one and I sure hope so because this was the worse buying experience and it shouldnt have been a simple cash purchase. I believe someone from the corporate office needs to check on this dealership. SHADY people there.
Published: June 6, 2016
paula of Paron, AR
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Two months ago I built up the urge to trade in my 2005 Chevy Uplander for a
Two months ago I built up the urge to trade in my 2005 Chevy Uplander for a brand new 2014 Subaru Crosstrek... the car Ive been wanting for sometime. I walked up to the black one I wanted and demanded the deal they promised online. Finance 6 years $400 monthly. After being denied for not so hot credit and offered a $550 monthly I walked out of the dealership a lil bummed. But took it with a grain of salt, just have to save up more for the 15, I thought. But the very next day Marco, the online Subaru sales guy, called me up in the morning with great news that Wed talked to the manager and made some moves to get to deal you wanted. Excited I rushed to the lot, signed the contract, got the insurance onsite, traded in my van.At first they told me theyd give me $2500 for the van. But when I look at the contract they put value @ $500. When questioned they said in order to get the numbers I wanted and to make the deal work thats what we had to do. Agreeing to that I went ahead. I fell for the extended warranty and 3 year maintenance too for an extra $79 a month bringing it to 479 for 6 years. Hesitant but sure I could make the payments, I drove off the lot a proud New owner of a Subaru.One month goes by and Marco calls and says, Oops, we forgot to get a copy of your pay stubs. Can you please send it via text email or fax? After kindly agreeing I first text it to him 3 different times. A week later they called me at work and demanded I fax or email of my pay stub. Agitated at this point I agreed and faxed it, scanned and emailed the copy. Two months since I drove off the lot and I get a call at work again from Marco asking if I could come down to the dealership to work out a new deal because they made a mistake on the contract and discrepancy on my pay stub. While at work I told them I was busy, I would try in the next couple days. Today I got another call at work from the Subaru manager rudely demanding that I return the car to the lot, saying that time is up and the deal is no good, the bank rejected the terms. Pissed off at this point I was ready to just say ** it, Ill just return it and get my van back. So thats exactly what I did. Except they didnt have my van ready, its getting smogged and Ill be ready in a couple days they said. When I arrived at 8:45 pm the GM wasnt even there waiting as we discussed. I had to wait for an hour for him to show up. During which I had to sit there with the sale manager who didnt know anything about the situation. When the GM finally showed up he rushed up to me, got in my face and demanded the keys back. I refused because they didnt have my van ready. Thats when three guys surrounded me and basically strong armed me for the keys. Then acted like they were doing me a favor by calling me a cab ride home. Only to tell me theyll call me when the van is ready.When I signed the contract I signed a page that said no buyers remorse... once I drive off the lot theres no driving back with second thoughts. Is there a such thing as sellers remorse? Bad Business. I want Fairfield Subaru exposed. I dont ever want to buy Subaru again. They lied about the van being smogged and dont know where my van is?
Published: September 18, 2014
justin of Vallejo, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought my Outback new in summer 2007. Always did oil changes every 3,000.
I bought my Outback new in summer 2007. Always did oil changes every 3,000. At just over 60K (just out of warranty), the head gaskets blew. Six months later, car started leaking oil and head gaskets were done once again (under warranty of mechanic). Now, Im facing blown head gaskets again!!!! After just 20,000 miles after 2nd job. My car only has 82,000 miles. I will never buy another Subaru which is unfortunate because this is the 4th one Ive owned. The others were older but better.
Published: February 14, 2015
Janice of Albuquerque, NM
Source: consumeraffairs.com

2014 Subaru Crosstrek - What a cool looking little SUV crossover. Loved it
2014 Subaru Crosstrek - What a cool looking little SUV crossover. Loved it for the first 3 months. Then the steering wheel started locking up on its own, both when the car is on and when it is off which results in the ignition locking up. I have taken it back to the dealership - Earl Tindol Ford Subaru - twice. They have done nothing to fix it. They burned up 1/2 tank of gas and put 100 miles on it and told me it was pretty much my fault. I finally went to the dealership yesterday and demanded my vehicle back and drove up on a salesman/service man and some blonde chick pulling into the parking lot at the same time and getting out of MY Subaru. I left it there for repairs - not as a vehicle for Earl Tindol Fords employees to use as their own personal vehicles. I left a message for the dealership owner, but got no response. EPIC FAIL! My first and last Subaru and this dealership is HORRIBLE!!!
Published: April 10, 2014
Molly of Gastonia, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

This review only refers to the Service Department of Koeppel Subaru in Quee
This review only refers to the Service Department of Koeppel Subaru in Queens, NY because I purchased my Subaru in another state so I do not have any experience with their car sales. However, I generally do have good experience with Subaru dealership service centers so I was surprised that Koeppel felt like going to a mechanic shop instead. Online it appears that you can schedule a drop-off of your car but when I arrived they had no knowledge of the appointment. They hassled me about every point including the problem with the car, the price, why I didnt want to stay with the car when I had to go to work, why I didnt pick it up sooner, etc... It would have been fine if they had not followed up with an email about my complaints to continue to badger me and blame me for my bad experience. There was never once an apology.
Published: September 6, 2018
Justin of Long Island City, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a 2008 Subaru Outback for my 21-year-old son in May 2013 with 61,0
I bought a 2008 Subaru Outback for my 21-year-old son in May 2013 with 61,000 miles. Before my purchase, I had the car inspected and was told the head gasket was leaking. The dealer finally agreed to split the cost with me. My son travels 2,000 miles to school in Montana and has had two oil changes over the seven months that we have owned the vehicle. He had the local dealership inspect the vehicle before heading to Chicago for Winter break, and he had to have one of the front axle boots replaced for $400. On the way home with no warning in the middle of North Dakota, the oil light goes on and the engine dies. The local mechanic wanted nothing to do with Subarus, so my son took the Amtrak home at a cost of $270 and I shipped his car to Arlington Heights, IL at a cost of $775. I sent it to the dealer I purchased the car from and they said the issue was not the head gasket, but the oil pump, and I needed a new engine costing $4,200. Both the North Dakota mechanic and my local mechanic that I trust said the head gasket was leaking as well. The dealer did not agree and would not give me a new engine and Subaru USA declined any responsibility for this poor excuse for a vehicle. After reviewing several websites on Subaru customer complaints, there is a common theme of oil leaks and bad oil pumps. I have owned many vehicles in the 47 years that I have been driving, and have never had such major problems. There should be a huge class action settlement for Subaru owners. I will never buy another one and will voice my displeasure with anyone who will listen.
Published: January 8, 2014
Jack of Arlington Heights, IL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased the 2015 Forester in Sept. of 2014. At Christmas I received as
I purchased the 2015 Forester in Sept. of 2014. At Christmas I received as a gift a remote starter. Most of the time it didnt work. The installer reported to me that the battery was not in full charge and recommended I take it to Subaru as this was a common problem. (Factory installed battery is too small is the common conclusion now.) On 3/10/15 I drove it from Niagara Falls to Amherst (just outside of Buffalo) and was told it was fully charged and there was no problem with it. Of course it was fully charged after I drove 20+ miles. It continued to give me problems on and off until exasperated I stopped using it. And spring was coming.This winter has been mild so far and although I tried to use it I gave up until the really cold weather kicked in. I again took it to the installer of the remote and after replacing the starter parts it was still not starting but did start on their battery. They recommended I take it again to the dealer but I know that would be a waste of time and told them to get me the proper battery and give me the old one to take to Subaru with a copy of the receipt. I hate to drive that far (at age 72, 20+ miles is a long way) but I am so angry that with the 1st break in the weather I will. I will demand to be reimbursed, and also an apology for putting me through this.
Published: January 26, 2016
ginnette of Niagare Falls, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

K of Lonsdale, MN on Oct. 22, 2010 wrote something that is nearly identical
K of Lonsdale, MN on Oct. 22, 2010 wrote something that is nearly identical to my experience, except mine is a 2010! I have two warranties on my Subaru. Major engine failure requires new block. Before I get to the complaint, I would like to offer a quick current real-life analogy that applies in this case. I needed an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan of my left leg this week, with the cost resulting to approximately $2,000. My insurance company did not need any pre-authorization, it was all fine, and they are paying x percent. Now imagine if something completely different transpires. What if the insurance company said no, we are not paying anything. You have to pay for it all unless you can prove for the last 2 years with records, you have been taking vitamins. It is extremely unlikely that vitamins had anything to do with a stress fracture, but I am swindled out of my money unless I either come up with the records that will satisfy them or fight them on their denial.That is nearly my exact position with Doug Smith Subaru in Utah. I am not unfamiliar to fighting when companies do bad things. I had a cement contractor try to make off with $2500 of my deposit and not do any work. I was highlighted on a local television news episode of Get Gephardt and I got the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing involved. I prevailed in that incident. I have a 2010 Subaru Forester, with approximately 44k miles on it. I had picked up my 10-year old son from school, was getting on the freeway on ramp and accelerating to 65mph with the engine revolutions between 4000-5000 (it is an automatic). All of a sudden, a clicking sound started - not too loud, but noticeable. I got off the next ramp and examined the engine. Nothing unusual could be seen, nothing leaking, nothing loose, no engine lights, no warning lights, nothing. I proceeded home, but the noise got much worse by arrival. I didnt want to drive it further, so it was my idea to have AAA tow it to Doug Smith Subaru, where I had purchased the vehicle. At the time of purchase, I was strongly encouraged to also get the extended warranty for 6 years/100,000 miles, which I did at rather substantial cost. I was told 2 days ago by the service department at Doug Smith that bad things had happened inside the engine. It was broken rod, I would need a new block and Subaru is not going to pay unless I could produce every single oil change record since I purchased the vehicle. They said they had no oil change records, so I would need to produce those. I said, wait a minute, I had the oil changed a lot by other people, but I know for a fact you guys changed it once as I had a coupon for it. They said, hold for a minute. Then they came back to the phone, oh yeah, we found that one and we also saw that you had a sticker on your windshield from last year, but we need more than that. They are refusing to pay anything. I have had it changed in Seattle, changed in Sacramento and here in Utah and I am scrambling to find records. This is outrageous, absurd and smacks of what can be seen in some legal defense firms - deny everything and assert reasons no matter how farfetched, ridiculous, unlikely or impossible. I have started networking to the people I know. Everybody I have talked to is stunned and shocked. I work with someone who was an auto mechanic for 20 years (they are in computers now) who said that is just ridiculous. Since I have purchased the vehicle, never has even one engine warning light comes on. It only has 44k miles on it. No check engine, no oil, no temperature, nothing. I checked all fluid levels usually once a month and also before going on any trip. This vehicle is not some turbo-charged teenage car that is abused. I am nearly 55 years old, this is a station wagon and I had my 10-year old son in the car. I have owned and maintained dozens of cars in my lifetime and this is absolutely crazy. I scrambled to produce the records back to the beginning of purchase because not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that Subaru of America and Doug Smith would look for any reason not to pay. I have owned between 20 and 30 vehicles in my lifetime and had warranty work done from Dodge, Ford, BMW, Porsche, Nissan, GMC. Never, never was I asked to produce every single service record before any warranty work would be done. Doug Smith and Subaru cannot prove that there was an engine failure due to negligent service. They are only citing a phrase in a book to get out of paying. I have a huge list of people following this event and what the outcome is. I have a complaint on file with the BBB, but the dealership and SOA is refusing to budge. To people who want to purchase a Subaru, buyer beware!
Published: March 9, 2012
Kent of Pleasant Grove, utah, UT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have owned 4 Subarus but I must say, I am done with the company. My 2002
I have owned 4 Subarus but I must say, I am done with the company. My 2002 Outback had the leaking head gaskets but was not part of the recall. Subaru paid for the repair (as they should have) and I was told the head gasket issue had been resolved on the newer model Subarus. When it was time to purchase a new car I bought a 2007 Outback thinking I would be OK because SOA promised the head gasket thing was resolved. Imagine my shock when I was told I had oil leaking from my head gasket. Then soon after the antifreeze started leaking. I wrote to SOA and was told this was normal wear on a car with 139000 miles. Shame on you Subaru. I have since found many people with the same leaking gasket issue on different model/year/mileage of Subarus. A google search will show you or just ask any mechanic or your Subaru owning friends. I wish I had done better homework. I love my AWD wagon but never another Subaru.
Published: May 26, 2017
maureen of Kill Devil Hills, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a 2008 Subaru Legacy (with EJ25 engine), took great care of her, s
I bought a 2008 Subaru Legacy (with EJ25 engine), took great care of her, synthetic oil and all and she has a blown head gasket. Ya, a 4-year vehicle, a reliable and expensive vehicle that has been properly maintained has a blown head gasket. At first, I was completely blown off by the service manager, Ron **, then I talked to the GM of the store, Brian **. He admits to seeing these cars with blown heads all the time, and its a known problem. Then I talked to Subaru America. Nothing happened until they admit there is a recall on this engine, but my VIN does not match?! Who cares about the VIN? Theres a known problem with the engine that even the GM says once its fixed, theres never another problem. That means its a factory defect, i.e., you need to recall and fix the $2000 problem on all these engines, not say, too bad, so sad to a single mother still paying payment on her car.
Published: October 31, 2012
Robin of San Jose, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have a 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i that I bought new in Massachusetts. The f
I have a 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i that I bought new in Massachusetts. The first few years seemed to go okay except for the $350 dollar services and the fact that the car dents when you look at it funny (literally hundreds of door dings 7 years later). I maintained impeccable service history and records but it started feeling funny in 2009 - gas mileage was tanking, engine felt off, acceleration was sluggish. I drive... a lot ... on road ... on dirt roads ... I use the car as the commercials show but do not abuse it. 2010 the brakes fail and I run off the road. 2010 (69,000 miles - so off warranty now), after complaining about the engine running funny for over a year to Subaru service centers, a local mechanic discovers the head gaskets are leaking. Subaru agrees to pay for half of the repair. Great! I am happy with the company and simply mad at the service centers for not finding it. Since then, it seems like everything that has a seal or bearings is beginning to fail - two transmission leaks, power steering pump, ac belt tensioner, coil pack (cylinders 3 and 4 started misfiring causing the car to smoke, shudder, and die), ignition wires (twice - once routine maintenance), front axle seals, differential... The thing leaks oil if you dont use a Subaru brand oil filter. It eats tires in half their designated lifetime, even with regular rotation and alignment. Oh, for a car that is advertised for the adventurer, perhaps they could work to make the alignment a little harder to throw off - any bump in the rode and it goes out. The exhaust pipe broke its weld (presumably from the aforementioned offroading, which consists of driving on flat, well maintained farm roads).The 3-year bill for my car, 75000-113000 miles, for routine and additional maintenance, has been almost 7000 dollars. I am not naive when it comes to car expenses. I did not expect this car to be worry free, maintenance free, or without a half life crisis at 100,000 miles but every time something fails on the car, I call up Subaru dealers around the northeast and I ask: Is this normal? Every time they say they rarely see it break. I have contacted Subaru of America and told them of these problems. They have offered me $500 towards a new car, like I will ever buy another one.
Published: April 24, 2014
Elizabeth of Howard, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

They still wouldnt fix the rust but i got a better deal on a new 2018 STI.
They still wouldnt fix the rust but i got a better deal on a new 2018 STI. i guess its all a number of sales verses happy customers. If the car didnt rust i would still have it.
Published: January 1, 1970
Steve of Cumberland, RI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We purchase a brand new Subaru Forester in 2009 and the transmission went a
We purchase a brand new Subaru Forester in 2009 and the transmission went at just above 60,000 miles and just over 5 years -- warranty expired barely. We took it to Maple Hill Auto Group in Kalamazoo where they replaced the transmission. All the maintenance records were submitted to the warranty group at Maple Hill. All the preventative maintenance was completed by a reputable company who does a thorough job. We received backlash that some of the work was not completed at a Subaru dealer. The bill for the transmission was greater than $5,000 dollars. Maple Hill did not provide a vehicle and took 3 weeks to replace the transmission. When it was finally replaced, I paid for the vehicle and drove off. After 1 mile the vehicle would go over 25 MPH. I returned and told that they must have received a defective transmission from Subaru. I waited another week and 1/2 to finally get a transmission that cost over 5K. No vehicle to get through the time period and no assistance from the Warranty Group. We will never purchase a Subaru again. We have receive feedback from consumers who own GM products. They provide 100K warranties and they help assist with issues that arise just after the warranty expires. Do not purchase a Subaru. They do back their vehicle the way they should and expect you to overpay for service on their vehicles. They do not value customer satisfaction. They view problems with the vehicle as an avenue to gain profitability.
Published: May 29, 2015
Tony of Portage, MI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased New. Cheap carpet and seat fabric. After 36k CV boot went, then d
Purchased New. Cheap carpet and seat fabric. After 36k CV boot went, then driver boot 1k later. Boot rubber is thin compared to other car makers. At 68K, Rubber in throw out bearing went. At 68k, Power steering pump leaking. Cost? Almost 5K.
Published: May 13, 2014
Samantha of Altamonte Springs, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Beware Subaru Starlinks incompetence. Ive had an incredibly dissatisfying c
Beware Subaru Starlinks incompetence. Ive had an incredibly dissatisfying customer billing experience... 6 months and counting! At the conclusion of my first years trial of Starlink, they auto-renewed my subscription, which Id already asked them not to. I immediately contacted them about the error. They suspiciously werent able to reverse the charge on my credit card. I was told that a refund check was in the mail. 6 MONTHS LATER, I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY MONEY BACK. I call every 3-4 weeks, and each time they tell me theyre sorry (!), and that THIS time the check is in the mail. Again and again and again. Needless to say, I dont believe them, and could not be more disappointed. Gimme back my money, Starlink!
Published: December 10, 2019
Jeff of Seattle, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I was disappointed to learn that Subaru would not cover the cost of replaci
I was disappointed to learn that Subaru would not cover the cost of replacing the engine in my car that is burning excessive oil. It currently has about 69,770 miles on it, but the oil burning started around 40,000 miles back in 2018. It was still under warranty when this problem started but it didn’t fail the oil consumption test, and we had a baby so my wife wasn’t driving it much. Then we had another, so the car was only driven some weekends, especially with the pandemic there weren’t many places to go. Fast forward to now, the past year and a half the problem is getting worse because I started driving it daily. I found out some engines have an extended warranty because this is a very common problem with Subarus, but since my car isn’t a manual it’s not covered. I called them a couple weeks ago, and after not calling me back when they said they would or emailing me I called again and and found out they agreed to pay $5,000.Who agrees to pay more than half unless they admit their engines don’t hold up? The customer advocacy manager who called me (she must be the CEO of Subaru because she doesn’t have a manager above her) just went around in circles with me while refusing to acknowledge that this was a problem in 2018. She didn’t say I was a liar but pretty much she said it didn’t fail the test then so just because the oil light came on and there was no oil doesn’t mean it was burning.. O.. Ok? Even though the problem started 20,000 miles before the warranty was up it doesn’t matter. Subaru did offer to pay more than half of the $8000 engine replacement, but even $3,000 is a struggle for us being on one income, with only this one car. Even 70,000 miles is way too low of mileage to have this kind of problem.It seems this problem is very common and this is all very disappointing. Even being on hold with them you hear recordings boasting about “the Subaru family” and how much they care. Well I must be the black sheep of the family. We loved our 2010 forester and traded it in in 2015 for This one. We still thought we would get a new one after this one but if we have to pay for a new engine 10,000 miles past the warranty because of a common problem like burning oil that started during the warranty period (there’s cars 20 years old that don’t have this problem) then no thanks.We will not buy another Subaru again, not so much because of the problems, because hey problems happen, but we will not buy one because they are not willing to stand 100% behind their products (only 62.5% apparently). The car was burning oil at 39,000 miles and they admit that but it wasn’t burning enough to fail the test. Now it’s burning 23oz every 1200 miles. For a 2015 with 70,000 miles. I know, ridiculous. So anyways it’s a little more sentimental for us since we loved the car, but if owning a Subaru means needing a new engine at 70,000 miles then we will buy a different brand, and I recommend you do the same.
Published: March 21, 2022
Chris of Milpitas, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a 2011 Forester and was generally happy with the car although it c
I bought a 2011 Forester and was generally happy with the car although it consumed a lot of oil. I then bought another Forester, a 2014 which also consumed a quart of oil every 700 miles. First the catalytic converter went at 35000 miles, then the engine imploded at 75000 miles. Then I thought I was saved by the country wide oil consumption lawsuit against Subaru. Nope, not only was I denied the extended coverage to 100,000 miles, but I was told it was not due to oil consumption and consequently not reimbursed for an engine that died prematurely due to excessive oil consumption. Cute commercials, supposedly a green forward thinking company, dont believe it. Subaru produced thousands of faulty pistons and kept using them until they were caught. Subaru of Americas response was flat out denial. I will never buy another Subaru product and I encourage you to do the same. A company that doesnt stand behind their product and presents a fake posture of caring should not be dealt with.
Published: April 20, 2017
Eric of Dayville, CT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Several years ago, I was looking at cars, and went to a Subaru dealer. The
Several years ago, I was looking at cars, and went to a Subaru dealer. The salesperson was so rude and condescending that we left. Just now, I was researching cars on **, and I sent in several requests for information from dealers. Several Ford dealers got back and were very professional. We had conversations, and they were understanding as I discussed my needs. Then, a moment ago, a Subaru dealer called back (Patriot Subaru in North Attleboro MA). The salesperson was rude and confrontational. She said my request was for a specific car, which Im sure it was. However, I had done more research and wanted to discuss a different Subaru model. Instead of offering advice and listening, she again reiterated, so you want information on a different car than your request? After talking with some good salespeople, it was quite jarring and unexpected for the Subaru person to be so rude, condescending, and overall unprofessional. But I guess I should have expected it, as Ive never had a good experience with Subaru sales.
Published: February 13, 2015
Scott M. of Westwood, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I saw paint bubble up and peel on my 1 year old Subaru. I took to a body sh
I saw paint bubble up and peel on my 1 year old Subaru. I took to a body shop and they said it was defective paint. I took it to Subaru and they accused me over and over again of allowing bird droppings to sit on my car and eat away the paint! Kristen was so rude. Here I see a major problem with a new car and she is yelling at me. They refused to repair it of course. Then I read all the bad news on Subaru in general. If you get a good one, you are lucky. The paint sucks, it burns oil and you never get the mileage they advertise - it is false. Oh well. So much for service 25,000 later and they cant put decent paint on a car.
Published: October 30, 2015
marilee of Seattle, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased a brand new 2014 Impreza 2.0i Premium a year ago. Within the fi
I purchased a brand new 2014 Impreza 2.0i Premium a year ago. Within the first 1500 miles, the low oil light came on, and found it was a quart low. Was willing to give Subaru the benefit of the doubt the first time, but sure enough, 1200 miles later the oil light came on again and I had to add another quart. Since then, Ive had to add a quart every 1,000 miles like clockwork. I brought the vehicle back to the dealership and requested they look at it and do an oil consumption test. They refused to do anything, despite still being under warranty, claiming that this consumption is normal. When I expressed my concern that these were the same symptoms indicated in the lawsuit and subsequent recall, they told me they couldnt do anything because my model year was not included in the recall, and that they wouldnt even look at it unless a recall is issued for my VIN number.I followed this up by pointing to the Subaru owners manual which describes excessive oil consumption as after the break-in period...more than 1 quart every 1200 miles. In reply I got a shrug from the service manager. Last fall, I wrote to Subaru Corporate, along with calling customer service, and was told this was an issue I needed to take up with the dealership itself. Ive since gone through (on average) 4-5 quarts of oil between each 6k mile oil change interval. Ive never experienced such blatant disregard for customer satisfaction from a car company. Having been patient for the past year, Ive now lost any hope of Subaru providing the service and support needed to resolve this issue, and for this reason have been forced to take up my concerns with the law firm handling the class action suit of last year.
Published: June 19, 2015
Chaus of Glen Rock, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I stupidly believed the marketing and didnt do my research. This is an unsa
I stupidly believed the marketing and didnt do my research. This is an unsafe vehicle. The head unit says 60 miles left. Drops to 40. Then runs out of gas. Never let this car get to a quarter tank. Ran out of gas at midnight coming home from work. I had to leave my car in the middle of road. And bonus! Had to deal with a creepy dude harassing me! Fun. Luckily a nice couple scared him off. Subaru finally recalled this car for this specific issue. They need to replace the head units but wont do that. We had this gas issue fixed before the recall. Be aware. It took two weeks and was messed up. Xmode stopped working which we didnt find out until we needed it on a gravel road in the mountains. Also the software didnt match the features of the car. It is a messed up situation and I feel like an idiot buying this expensive car. I will never buy another and never recommend this car to anyone. The marketing is great. The car is not.
Published: November 18, 2018
Signe of Warrenville, IL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My wife and I bought a brand new Subaru Forrester, our second one. Had no c
My wife and I bought a brand new Subaru Forrester, our second one. Had no complaints with the first one 250,000 miles. The new one is a complete **. Around 30k miles started burning oil at the rate of about a quart every 2k miles, we jumped through all their hoops and did their ridiculous oil consumption test. We were treated like morons, told this is acceptable with a boxer engine which is ridiculous! My boss owns a Porsche which also has a boxer engine and doesnt burn a drop. Anyways they finally admitted there was a defect and replaced the top end (short block). Now with less than 20k since the replacement having the same issues, wife went back to dealer today! Its a shame because we really loved the first one but at this point no matter what they do, we will NEVER, EVER, own another Subaru!!!
Published: August 20, 2015
Robert of Lempster, NH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I like the cars performance in bad weather like rain, snow and ice. The car
I like the cars performance in bad weather like rain, snow and ice. The car keep me comfortable. I also like the all-wheel drive and heated seats. But I am disappointed with my Subaru in the cost of repairs. They are very expensive. Also, the windshield has been a bother and has broken numerous times. Rocks hit it and instantly put holes in the window. We have replaced the window five or six times.
Published: June 16, 2018
Donna of Fairfield, OH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I read about the Imprezza in Consumer Reports as it was their top car of th
I read about the Imprezza in Consumer Reports as it was their top car of the year 2016. It is an average car. It drove nice and at the time I was looking for an inexpensive car. Ive had it for 2 years with some minor problems and I will be looking for a better car this year. It doesnt have all the features I would have liked and cant expect more. I also had a poor experience with the dealership. Also, I dont like that when I unlock the car it only unlocks the driver side door. I saw in an ad that they changed this for the next model year and you can now program it to unlock whatever doors you want. Lastly, I dont like that it doesnt have rain sensing windshield wipers.
Published: June 14, 2018
Barbara of Burlington, KY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I was coming to a stop at the end of a dead end street when my 2010 Subaru
I was coming to a stop at the end of a dead end street when my 2010 Subaru Outback shot off like a bullet from 10mph to about 30 mph in less than 2 seconds. I hit a tree and sustained severe rib injuries (3 broken ribs) and a lacerated finger and my passenger dislocated his hip and suffered a broken leg. We were lucky not to be killed.
Published: October 30, 2014
Jack of Dundee, OR
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Due to limit of words everything in detail cannot be told. Car has had issu
Due to limit of words everything in detail cannot be told. Car has had issue upon issue since new. Subaru knew this car was a lemon offered warranty. Now it has an internal engine PROB CLAIM BEING DENIED.
Published: January 21, 2020
Andre of Humble, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased a brand new 2017 Subaru WRX roughly three months ago. Upon imme
I purchased a brand new 2017 Subaru WRX roughly three months ago. Upon immediately driving onward I was noticing a really bad smell shifting gears and I brought it into a shop nearby. I had the service manager come for a ride-along to view my driving habits and he told me it was OK and that the smell would go away. Now, a couple of weeks ago, I was noticing the gear was tougher to shift into first, and then eventually the gears werent selecting properly. Id be in gear 3 and itd say gear 2, and so forth. Also, the biting point became completely non-existent. I took it into the nearest dealership with only 7800 km on the odometer and the clutch was completely gone.I called Subaru of Canada about it and as they reiterated many times throughout the conversation, the clutch was not covered under warranty since it was a wearable item. The dealership also said it was due to driving error. Upon doing research into this, Im seeing a lot of the earlier models are having the exact same issue and its the highest complaint on record for the 4th gen wrx in both the 2015/16 models - that cant be coincidence. Anyways, Im having to fork 1000+ out of pocket for the expenses and more for the rental Im using since the dealership didnt have any loaners on hand.The lady I was speaking to even said the clutch will go out that quickly depending on driving habits but Im a spirited driver, at best. And theres no reason a clutch should go out in less than 10,000km. Hopefully this helps anyone think twice about their next big purchase, especially the wrx, to actually do some homework and check into any policies or warranty information. This is my first Subaru and probably my last.
Published: December 1, 2016
Richie of Brampton, ON
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have owned Hondas, Mazdas and Saabs and there is no question that the Sub
I have owned Hondas, Mazdas and Saabs and there is no question that the Subaru Outback is the most uncomfortable and annoying car I have ever owned. I just traded it in after only 2 years, and I am so relieved and thankful to have gotten rid of it. Just so that you know the importance of this, I always keep my cars 15 years. I have never, ever in my life traded in a vehicle. I usually keep my cars for 15 years and then sell them to a private party for a couple thousand bucks at the end, usually b/c they are in such great condition. I am writing this because I want to help others avoid making the same mistake I made, a very expensive mistake.I had a 2014 Subaru Outback, the Limited version, with the 2.5 engine, auto transmission. I was interested in this car because I had always heard how great Subarus are and I wanted a comfortable and larger car that was dog-friendly. I test drove this vehicle three times before I bought it. ***None of the issues listed below are either evident during a one-hour test drive, and/or become annoying until you have driven the car for a few months.*** I recommend that you ask for (at least one) day-long test drive of any Subaru, especially the Outback, before you buy one. Heres why I got rid of this car (NOTE: All of the issues below I addressed with the dealers and they told me this is all normal behavior for these cars; also many of these issues are common complaints from owners):Worst transmission in the industry. I do not know how anyone can stand to drive this CVT transmission day in day out. I had an automatic. Imagine stepping on the gas and the car feeling like its about to choke, like the transmission is failing. It is especially bad when the car is cold. I did not notice this during the test drive. I believe you have to have a few thousand miles on the car, and/or be in normal traffic or driving conditions to understand how bad this transmission feels. Rough, choky, sputtering doesnt even begin to describe it.Worst A/C in the industry. When you are in Arizona (or DC or Florida or anywhere where it gets hot) and its 108 degrees, the last thing you want is a car that doesnt cool. The A/C on these cars STOPS COOLING when you step on the gas. Dont believe me? Put your hand in front of the A/C vent and step on the gas. The A/C keeps blowing but the air is warm. Ridiculous. Worst seats in the industry. If you have even the slightest back problems, do not buy this car. Also do not even think of long road trips in this car either. The seats will kill you.Worst handling in the industry. Speaking of long road trips, another reason why you will not want to take long trips with this car is the fact that the car wanders on the road. You are fighting with the steering wheel constantly to stay in the lane. Yes, again, all this is normal behavior for this car, according to several Subaru dealers. And this wandering is among many issues with steering/handling that people have complained about on this forum, with little to no resolution. I rented a Ford Escape last weekend and I was shocked at how well that SUV handles, compared to Outback, which costs $10,000 more. (The Escape has other negatives, however.)Worst infotainment system in the industry. If this is important to you, keep shopping. DO NOT buy this car unless you get the navigation, which comes with a big infotainment screen. Otherwise you will be dealing with a tiny little screen that is smaller than your phone. If you have an iPod or a USB drive full of songs, good luck trying to get the Outback to play the songs, or specific songs. Want to find Dave Mathews Band? The song search is pretty much impossible. The Bluetooth is crackly and terrible (another common complaint). The audio sound is awful, but I know nobody buys these cars for acoustics and audio sound. Speaking of sound, also, the car is very very noisy, but I know no one buys these cars for the soundproofing either.Worst backup camera in the industry. The resolution of the camera is so bad, I dont know why they bothered with the backup camera to begin with. Dont expect to see much of anything from that camera if its raining. Worst auto body in the industry. When I go to Costco or whatever, I park my cars away from other cars, in the farthest space possible. Thats just how I roll. And yet this car already had several door dings and chips and scratches. The exterior paint/metal will not last 15 years. In fact, it looked like junk after only 2 years. The Subarus are also no match for bird poop or tree sap; both had already damaged the hood.Horrible fuel economy (I never got more than 19.7 mpg) despite being a supposedly green automaker. I only did city driving, but thats what I got. Also, the major reason why I did not buy the larger 3.6 engine is because I did not want to buy a gas guzzler. But in fact the 2.5 is also a gas guzzler. So I ended up with a really slow, under-powered car (read: zero pickup off the line) that guzzled gas.I do have two good things to say about this car. A, it doesnt require premium gas. And B, it has excellent resale value (because I guess theres a lot of people out there who dont care about the above-mentioned things and just want a car to haul stuff uphill or in snow). If your only interest is having a very basic AWD hauler, then this may be the car for you. If drive quality, comfort and fuel economy are important to you, arrange for full-day test drives, preferably several of them, before you buy. I feel like Subaru, especially with the Outback, tries to market itself as a step above other compact and intermediate SUVs. They should give their marketers a raise, because they sure conned me. Hope this helps someone avoid making the pricey mistake I made.
Published: July 18, 2016
Dog of Los Angeles, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

When I brought my car in for service on Friday May 15th 2015 the problems w
When I brought my car in for service on Friday May 15th 2015 the problems were hesitation to start and ticking sounds in the engine. ** your service manager advised me to leave my car overnight for repair. When my husband arrived on Saturday morning 05/16 to pick up the car after receiving a call telling us the repairs were done he paid the service fees $695.52. Because DEVOE of Naples Florida dealership is advertised as an authorized Subaru service center, we trusted that our car was service properly. After paying for and picking up the car from your service center, while driving home the car suddenly stalled and stopped in the middle of traffic requiring to be jumped and towed home. The following day Sunday the car continue hesitating to start. Again the car needed to be jumped and taken into a repair center for analysis. Mechanical analysis showed that the battery was worn unable to hold its charge supply energy to the engine. Being in your service center overnight was more than ample time for your technician diagnose and replace my battery. After becoming stranded being jumped and towed to replace a worn battery totaling charges $140.00. Your excessive service charges were unnecessary when all my car needed from the beginning was a replaced battery.I am requesting a refund due to excessive maintenance charges and inadequate services totaling $405.39. I am totally disappointed in your service center: will never buy another car from your DEVOE dealership or use your service center again. Your service center over charged me, didnt repair my car, and put me and my family at risk of being killed in a car accident.
Published: May 19, 2015
Maryann of Baples , FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Before you decide to purchase a Subaru, be sure to check ALL areas of the c
Before you decide to purchase a Subaru, be sure to check ALL areas of the car to make sure it has been COMPLETELY painted. YES I did say painted! Under the hood should NOT be just primer, it should be painted and have a clear coat on it. Look closely at ALL of the seams, inside the door jams, the bottoms of the doors, the hinges of the hatch or trunk, the gas tank lid. My Crosstrek only has an overspray or primer on these areas. For those who dont know, primer is grey and a clear coat is what makes your paint shiny.Subaru is NOT giving their cars away, youre paying FULL price so, you should be getting a FULLY painted car! Check out other car manufacture paint jobs before you enter a Subaru dealership. The affordable Kia has an excellent paint job as does my VW beetle and my VW Sportwagen, Chevy also does an amazing job. Look under the hoods of these other automakers cars and youll be rethinking about the so called quality that Subaru delivers.Youre paying a lot of money for top quality so, why settle for less than mediocre? You know its a bad paint job when you bring your car to have it detailed and the detailer recommends that you get rid of the car before it rusts! And I thought I was buying quality, boy was I wrong! Dont make the same mistake that I did. I am currently working with Subaru and it does not look favorable. If they do decide to help me out I will update this post.
Published: September 10, 2017
Kris of Whitinsville, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Its a Subaru. Really close to the safest car on the planet. Its our fourth.
Its a Subaru. Really close to the safest car on the planet. Its our fourth. Saabs including an Aero convertible, Nissan 350Z. Fast (at least to 50mph). And safe, safe, safe.
Published: November 25, 2016
Phil of Graham, North Carolina
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I contacted Subaru of American about the dealer over filling my 2015 Outbac
I contacted Subaru of American about the dealer over filling my 2015 Outback by 1 quart of oil and complained about over 1 quart of oil was consumed. I have 11,400 miles on the car and this was at the end of the second oil change coming up. This was their response. Subarus standard for oil consumption is 1/3 qt every 1,200 miles which would be 1qt for every 3,600 miles. I can assure you that if the dealership determines that your vehicle is outside these specifications the necessary repairs will be performed. So they are saying it is normal to burn up to 2 quarts of oil every 6000 miles?? There is a problem and they do not want to recognize it.
Published: November 5, 2015
David of Lodi, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We were impressed that our car insurance went up only $3 on a brand new car
We were impressed that our car insurance went up only $3 on a brand new car! This is due to the safety features. One design flaw is the gap at the door sills collect dirt and mud and make it impossible to get in and out of the Outback without getting dirty. The Customer Service at 5 Star???? Subaru in Oneonta, NY has been pretty good.
Published: November 30, 2019
Reverend Dr Ellen of Treadwell, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Last week, my wife was pulling into a parking spot at 5 MPH when our 2005 S
Last week, my wife was pulling into a parking spot at 5 MPH when our 2005 Subaru Forester suddenly sped up and hit a fence in front of the parking spot. Then it began reversing rapidly and backed up for about 12-18 feet and hit a wall. Then, it suddenly died. The car had some damage to it, and our insurance company is totaling the car. She is an extremely careful driver, and this was either a transmission or engine failure. There are others on this forum and elsewhere who have had a similar issue with their Forester. Hopefully, Subaru will do something about this.
Published: May 22, 2012
Apurva of Dublin, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I had this Impreza on March 2016, so far very disappointed. Compare with my
I had this Impreza on March 2016, so far very disappointed. Compare with my last car Hyundai is not that good. First the painting is not a very good quality, the front lower paint is already had lots white spot, maybe in the rough road a bit damaged, but the Hyundai never like this and I had more than 8 years, just show the painting not very strong. Second the sound system sometimes not working, still display everything on screen, just not play, like dead computer, I have to restart it. And today I found my windscreen got a crack line, not really like a stone hit as the crack very even, maybe the original fitting is not good so sooner or later will cracking. I just wondering whats happened in that day when they assembly this car in Japan? And I want to know is really Japanese care about their customer.
Published: January 4, 2017
JEN of Ringwood East, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

42,000 miles on Impreza Sport, gone through two sets of tires. Subaru does
42,000 miles on Impreza Sport, gone through two sets of tires. Subaru does not recognize this problem. Local dealer ignores it. Dealer where I bought it says there is a problem. Time to get it out to the world. Subaru did replace first set of tires but said thats it. Anyone else with this problem?
Published: May 4, 2015
Jim of Intervale, NH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have owned Subarus since 1972. Of course, then you had to shift into AWD.
I have owned Subarus since 1972. Of course, then you had to shift into AWD. I have had a 1996, 1999, 2011, and 2017 Outbacks and a 1998 Forester. My son has had two Subarus Impreza sport, and a Forester. and my daughter has a Forester. We all feel safe in these and love the way they drive and handle. Presently my wife and I have the 2011 and 2017 models that we bought after they we turned in off lease by other owners. Both cars have been trouble free.
Published: December 14, 2019
John of Brookfield, Connecticut
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Hi this is Subhkarmanjit **. I’m from Barrie Ontario. I bought Subaru Imp
Hi this is Subhkarmanjit **. I’m from Barrie Ontario. I bought Subaru Impreza WRX 2015 pre-owned certified hardly 4-5 months ago. I maintained my car properly did services on time. I got it on 95,000 kms and driven it all way to Vancouver hardly 4400 km one way. I heard some weird noises. I checked everything. I thought it was just driving it too much then after everything was ok I kept driving it until I driven back from Vancouver again 4400 kms all the way to Barrie Ontario then it’s also my daily drive car and I work in Brampton so I drive it from there to Barrie daily. Like 2 months ago I started having issues with my car. The engine lights started showing up and then my car started smelling like something like burning rubber and out of nowhere. And the rpm was like going up and I felt like clutch was slipping on 100 kph and high rpms and my gears were little stiff. It’s not like that I never driven standard car before. I know how to drive standard. This is my third Subaru. I had 2001 Subaru Legacy before twin turbo then 2004 WRX and this is my 4th manual car. I sold my Jeep and got this WRX. I have this extended warranty from Subaru dealership when I bought my car for almost $3400 and I took it to dealership as I was told everything is covered in warranty so I went there. They diagnosed my car and after an hour service department told me it was just faulty o2 sensor and my clutch was started roasting and gears were stiff. When I asked them will they fix everything they said no they can’t fix o2 sensor until it completely dead and clutch is not covered as bumper to bumper warranty or my full warranty says everything is covered and they did nothing. They just erased my all the faulty lights and charged me $121 for just looking at car and I had to pay ask them to fix my clutch in few days because they asked me to pay either for parts or labor and they told me they will give me appointment for another day so I can come and show my car again and get estimates. I waited. They never contacted me or called me. Then on 3/12/2018 I was on highway 400 at midnight around 12 am. I was coming from Toronto back to Barrie when I was changing my lane from right to left suddenly there was big blast under hood and my whole motor was blown and it was big black smoke on whole highway. I couldn’t see anything and also smoke was inside car. I was on 100 kph and suddenly motor started making weird noises. I was so scared and was alone. I pulled it over to side and opened my hood. Saw big crack in engine near the alternator and everything was hanging even belts pulleys and was big crack in motor and oil spills coolant everywhere. I called my brother and other friends because I inhaled smoke and then my car was broke and I was alone. I called tow guy had to pay him $200 to tow it back. Next day I Went to Barrie Subaru dealership and they told me they will cover everything as I have full warranty and they will take report to SPP and they said they will contact me but they didn’t. I took all my tools and stuff from my car and got rental car. Since then they didn’t contact me. I had to contact them and now the thing is they said spp checked and they approved my repair and said motor will be replaced. I checked everything online did research and asked my friends as new WRX motor cost from $6500 to $10000 and with transmission and used ones from $4500 to $7000. I called Subaru dealership on 22/12/2018. They said they can’t fix the car. The repair cost they is gonna be $23000 and if I pay $6000 from my Pocket they are ready to fix it. They told me my car market value is on $15000 and that’s wrong. I got my car valued before and from Barrie to Oakville dealerships. My car still value still stands at $20,000 to $22,000 and I’m so pissed hearing it. At this point that it’s been almost 23 days my car is standing at same spot. It’s not neither getting fixed or took cared. It’s snow season and my car is almost started catching rust and other things is how can a car repair cost $23000. I’m mechanic too. I know everything I have 3 yrs experience too worked in 2 different countries. This is my biggest mistake. I bought Subaru. I wish I would’ve never bought it. It’s not getting fixed anytime soon almost gonna be month. I’m moving soon to other province. I tried to reach everyone. No one is ready to hear me so I’m writing this email. Please help me up with something or I will take this to court. I’m already so stressed about my life and then my car. I already have so many problems to deal with. Please do something soon or replace my car or something. I’m totally tired to going to dealership and contacting them again and again. Thank you.
Published: December 24, 2018
Subhkarman of Canada
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Comfortable seats, ample leg room, great visibility, sufficient power for m
Comfortable seats, ample leg room, great visibility, sufficient power for my needs, ample interior space for passengers and storage, reasonable mileage, stability on the road, good range of color choices, could be a little quieter inside the cabin. Roof rack provides additional storage space.
Published: December 4, 2019
Robert of Burlingame, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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