Subaru Automobile Model 2018 Subaru Outback
Subaru Automobile Model 2018 Subaru Outback

Subaru Automobile Model 2018 Subaru Outback

2018 Subaru Outback

The 2018 Subaru Outback was a midsize crossover SUV that offered a blend of ruggedness, practicality, and versatility. It came with a range of features and options to suit different customer preferences and needs. Here are some of the key features and options you could find in the 2018 Subaru Outback:

All-Wheel Drive (AWD): The Outback came standard with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, providing excellent traction and stability in various driving conditions.

Engine Choices: The 2018 Outback offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with around 175 horsepower, while an available 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine provided approximately 256 horsepower.

Transmission Choices: Depending on the trim level, you could choose between a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a 6-speed manual transmission for the 2.5-liter engine. The 3.6-liter engine was paired with a CVT.

Subaru Starlink Infotainment System: Most Outback models featured Subaru's Starlink multimedia system with a touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and available navigation.

Rearview Camera: All 2018 Outback models came equipped with a rearview camera to assist with parking and reversing.

EyeSight Driver Assist Technology (Optional): EyeSight was available on certain trims and included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.

Keyless Entry and Push-Button Start (Optional): Higher trim levels offered keyless entry and push-button start for added convenience.

Heated Front and Rear Seats (Optional): Some trims provided heated front seats, and certain models offered heated rear seats as well.

Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control (Optional): Dual-zone climate control was available on select trims, allowing the driver and front passenger to set different temperature settings.

Advanced Safety Features (Optional): In addition to EyeSight, other optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Leather Upholstery (Optional): Higher trim levels offered leather-trimmed seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel for a more luxurious interior.

Power Moonroof (Optional): Some trims provided a power moonroof for added natural light and ventilation.

Spacious Interior: The Outback featured a comfortable and spacious interior with ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers.

Cargo Space: The Outback's wagon-like design provided a generous amount of cargo space, and the rear seats could be folded down to further expand the cargo area.

Roof Rails: Roof rails were standard on most models, allowing for the attachment of roof-mounted accessories like bike racks or cargo carriers.

X-Mode with Hill Descent Control (Optional): X-Mode was available on certain trims to enhance off-road capability and stability. Hill Descent Control aided in managing steep descents.

Sportier Trim: The Outback 2.5i Touring trim offered sportier design elements and unique styling cues.

Please keep in mind that the availability of specific features and trim levels may vary depending on the region and market. It's a good idea to check with your local Subaru dealership for detailed information on the 2018 Subaru Outback models available in your area.

Manufacturer: Subaru

MODEL: 2018 Subaru Outback

MSRP: $28070.00 USD


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Subaru Automobile Model 2018 Subaru Outback


Product Reviews:

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

Worst experience with this car. I had many other cars that never gave me pr
Worst experience with this car. I had many other cars that never gave me problems. Decided to buy a brand new 2016 WRX STI. After 3500 km driving it, it had to have a $2500 fix on the car and now I wake up to the car not cranking. Tried boosting it but its not a battery problem. I should have gone for a Hyundai, at least it wont give that issue at 5000 km. Not complaining about the dealership, they have been helpful but complaining about the car.
Published: February 17, 2016
Taysser of Mississauga, ON
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I own a 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT. I love my car! Its my baby and I take g
I own a 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT. I love my car! Its my baby and I take great care of it and great pride in it! I have been one of Subarus biggest fans since I was young, convinced my parents to buy a Subaru as a teenager, and have owned two myself; I have trusted and supported this company through the years.However, after recently after having repairs done for a broken turbo at one of their Certified Subaru Service Centers, my engine died due to the fact that their technicians did not remove the oil pan after replacing the shredded turbo (a standard and required part of their repair!). Since the repair, Subaru terminated the dealers service department (Vista Subaru In Glennwood, CO) and will not honor their workmanship! Subaru has outright told me that they will not help me with the cost of the new engine, even though their certified workers are at fault (for not completing a repair per SOAs explicit directions in a bulletin I will attach) and the cost of replacing their fouled repairs combine to put the money I have in this car at $27,789 (the base price of a 2011 model!) when purchased 11 months ago for $16,500! I put 9,000 miles on this car!I hope someone reads this and does the right thing by me! As a loyal Subaru customer, you are ensuring that I will bever have anything to do with your products ever again! I love my car, but as it lies with its engine out at the dealership, I realize that if this is how you treat your loyal customers, I must put my beautiful car to rest and move my loyalty to a company that knows how to treat its customers well!Love, its what makes those Subarus in your commercials different from mine!
Published: August 11, 2011
Max of Boulder, CO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a used Subaru Impreza 99 at a local used car dealership in Jax, FL
I bought a used Subaru Impreza 99 at a local used car dealership in Jax, FL at National Automotive on Blanding Blvd. I had test drove it a lot that time! Well, after only having it for 2 1/2 months and a lot of break downs and a bad oil leak, my motor getting hot and smoking! It finally broke down and then my engine locked up and now thanks to them, I have no car now!! It was always checked on, always adding oil and when I put $10.00 in for gas, it barely even gave me a quarter of a tank!! It ate gas like nothing and I didnt have the money to keep putting in my tank!! This car is a piece of crap!!! Dont buy any Subaru car whatsoever!! I dont trust no one that sells them! Theyre a rip off!!!
Published: June 29, 2014
Sally of Jacksonville, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have an Outback...It is a fantastic car. Lots of room and no major blind
I have an Outback...It is a fantastic car. Lots of room and no major blind spots. It has the power needed for highway driving and passing. A feature many miss is the luggage rack with the crossbars built right in! Helps the aerodynamics for fuel consumption which by the way is very good. It is interesting to note that the outback has more towing power than the Forester. The only dissatisfaction with Subaru is their packages - confusing and not always making sense.
Published: December 6, 2019
James of Henrietta, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Head gaskets just went on a 2008 Impreza with only 74,000 miles. Our mechan
Head gaskets just went on a 2008 Impreza with only 74,000 miles. Our mechanic told us we didnt have much longer before something catastrophic happened. This should have been a manufacturers recall! Everyone is wooed by Subarus AWD, but not everyone knows about their dirty, little head gasket secret. Tried to get Subaru Canada to help pay for the cost, but since the car is 2 years outside of warranty, they basically told us to pound sand. This is the first and only Subaru in my driveway. Fixing the gaskets and selling.
Published: May 28, 2015
Kyle of Saint John, NB
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 bought the Legacy L with 320,000 miles on it and after putting another 32
I bought the Legacy L with 320,000 miles on it and after putting another 3200 miles on it, the car still runs great. I did not purchase the vehicle from a dealership, I purchased it used from a private owner that I knew from the store I worked at. The asking price was $1500 which was great. He knew that I needed a reliable vehicle to get me back. I like that it is an AWD and is an excellent car to do road trips. Climbs mountains & rocks like a 4WD, but can still drive in the city and neighborhood like a RWD. It can go over anything and has power windows, 5 speed and cruise control. It is very roomy, & comfortable. The back seat comes out giving extra room for everything or everyone that you need to travel with you. The #1 thing I dislike is the automatic seatbelts. They choke me every time I start the car. I would take out that feature and just put in the manual seatbelts. But other than that, the Subaru Legacy L has probably been the best car that I have ever purchased and would definitely purchase again, when this one decides to die on me, lol!
Published: June 28, 2018
Jennifer of Aurora, CO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I just purchased 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Very disappointed with vehicle and
I just purchased 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Very disappointed with vehicle and dealership which sold me the vehicle. I purchased the remote start for this vehicle to which is useless since the vehicle shuts off once the door is opened. Why would the salesman sell me an accessory that does not work in my vehicle type. He should have informed me of this. I was misled along with the salesman being incompetent not knowing this feature would not work. I should be refunded for the $525.00 I paid and they can uninstall the device. Aside from this disappointment the vehicle engine start is extremely rough and take too long to warm up, thus I cant use the remote start as necessary. Right now its spring and 50s, how long will it take for this car to warm up in the cold winter months when its in the teens. Im also not sure how this was rated a top seller in its class. Huge disappointment with dealer and vehicle.
Published: April 22, 2017
Mary Ann of Rockaway, NJ
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

5 speed manual transmission on a 2007 Forester 2.5X failed at 80,000 miles
5 speed manual transmission on a 2007 Forester 2.5X failed at 80,000 miles and had to be replaced (~$2600). Car servicing followed Subaru recommendations. I have driven manual transmissions my entire life and never had a problem with a transmission in any other car. Checking the web I see a fair amount of discussion that Subaru does not have the best built transmissions. While I like the car in almost all other respects, I will not invest in another given the apparent design weaknesses of Subaru transmissions.
Published: March 15, 2015
Mark of Acton, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I want this information to be sent to the International Export Division of
I want this information to be sent to the International Export Division of Subaru in Japan, to its General Manager. I have a Subaru Legacy 2.0L SW LX year 1998. The material of the front brake pads of the car were very hard. Harder than the brake pads sold by your dealers in Peru, South America. You have placed my life in harms way many times because the car would not stop at low and high speeds. When I replaced the brake pads, the car stopped adequately. Recommendations: Watch very carefully your personnel that work in your quality department like a hawk, better fire them and replace them with a new crew. Your biggest dealer in Peru, Indumotora Subaru, is doing a very lousy job with its customers. I recommend you to kick their ** and make them work, if not look for another dealer that can attend the customers in an appropriate way. All your brochures talk about the outstanding security of all Subaru cars, do something to maintain this remark.
Published: January 5, 2012
Miguel of Lima , Peru , South America., Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Bought the car at 35 thousand miles - have a warranty that says purchased a
Bought the car at 35 thousand miles - have a warranty that says purchased as of mile on and 72 months so I bought it in 2012. 72 months is not up but lo and behold, it is cause it goes back to 2009 which we were not told and have the extended part of the warranty but still up, and I have barely 70 thousand miles on it. Great job Subaru. You know that this is going to happen but yet I paid over 17 thousand for this car. Will never buy another car from you nor will I recommend anyone else. I have owned a lot of cars in my life but this is the worst.
Published: July 15, 2015
debbie of Highland Lakes , NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Ive always been an American car buyer, but Ive always been intrigued by the
Ive always been an American car buyer, but Ive always been intrigued by the Outback. I have been researching your vehicles for some time. So I decided to buy my first Subaru. I went used, and I bought it from Subaru of Melbourne Florida. Here is my nightmare of an experience, this the letter I wrote to the dealer: Hi Shannon, I dont know if you remember me, but we talked about 4 weeks ago. I was interested in a 2011 Outback that you had for sale. As a matter of fact I did come down from Michigan and buy it. It was one of my worst buying experiences ever. I told Larry to have everything ready. I would be there by noon on 4-3-2017. I was on vacation and didnt want to waste a lot of time. Got there by noon, left by 3. Here is a list of problems and delays:1. In the picture on your website the car had a trailer hitch. I wanted that, but no hitch. Larry said they had to take it off because it wasnt a Subaru hitch. It was after market. So I have to buy a hitch. U-Haul is 300.00. 2. In the picture on your website it had a rear cargo mat. No mat. Larry said it was bad, so they threw it out. He finally gave me a used one from another car. 3. It took 45 minutes to find the second set of keys. OK, so I got the car, drove it home to my place in FL. Waxing it and notice a dent in the front fender passenger side. I had it removed by a dent removal service 195.00. I did ask for detailed pictures that I never received, and I also ask Larry if there were any paint deficits or dents. Of course he said no.The final thing, drove it to work yesterday in the dark and notice a headlamp out. Now I know there is an extended warranty for bad headlamps on 2010, 2011. So I replaced the lamp myself and found that Larry and your dealership had left non Subaru HID headlamp conversion kit on the car, so now I dont know if Subaru will honor the warranty.
Published: April 24, 2017
RICK of Waterford, MI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We bought our Subaru Outback brand new, with about 10 miles on it, we got i
We bought our Subaru Outback brand new, with about 10 miles on it, we got it because we wanted a reliable car and we loved the fact that it was a dog car. Within a few months I started noticing a vibration when accelerating, I brought it to the dealership no less than 20 times and it could not be duplicated by the technicians. Finally around 38,000 miles we bought 4-new tires, YES, FOUR! This did not help. 40,000 they replaced a rear wheel bearing (felt like vibration was in the front?), I thought this might fix it, but it still shakes.NEXT issue, which is probably far worse! The battery. The first time we had a dead battery we had just shopped at Costco, the entire back of the car was filled with groceries, the car wouldnt start. We called the Subaru tow service, they started it but it promptly died. We had to have someone come and get our groceries, then have our car towed to the dealership. Yes, we got a loaner car for the weekend, but on Monday they said there was nothing wrong. Repeat this 2, 3, 4, 5 TIMES! I would be stuck in the garage, the car wouldnt start, my husband at work, wouldnt start. Would take off after a sluggish start, stop at a stop sign, then boom, it dies right there. Dealership response- Hummm, looks fine, must be because you are not driving it enough, or you are leaving the lights on, or the hatch open. We just had our 4th NEW battery put in, the last brand new battery was exactly 3-months ago. This car is a lemon. I started researching online, WOW, we are not the only ones out there with this problem, Subaru has a real problem, the battery has got to be an electrical issue. The vibration is a mystery. I used to love my Subaru, now I really dislike it.
Published: June 7, 2019
Linda of Ceres, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My 2014 Subaru Forester was amazing when I first purchased it in Nov of 201
My 2014 Subaru Forester was amazing when I first purchased it in Nov of 2013. I loved it. That loved was short lived. This vehicle burns SOOO MUCH oil. Its not even funny. I complained every time I took it to the dealership and they just said it was normal and to keep watching it. I recently went into the dealership and found out that back in 2015 Subaru issued an extended warranty for the oil consumption issue, however, I was WAY over the mileage. Why did no one mention this to me??? Why did I get no communication through the mail??? I emailed the corporate customer service area and they wanted to argue with me over this, saying they had sent communication and they would not honor the warranty since I was over the mileage. The ONLY assistance they wanted to provide was $500 off a new purchased or leased vehicle. Ummm, excuse me but I dont have a car payment and no way in heck Im going to get one because of another Subaru. So, instead Im spending $6,000 to get the engine rebuilt and never purchasing another Subaru. Reading all these reviews just confirms that Subaru has AWFUL customer service and they dont care if they lose customers or not. Im sorry but Im going to purchase my next vehicle from a car company that cares and works with their customers. Sorry Subaru but you guys suck.
Published: March 26, 2019
Asha of Gainesville, GA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I brought a 2007 Forester new, changed oil according to the owners manual.
I brought a 2007 Forester new, changed oil according to the owners manual. It started using oil from the first change. Now with 73,000 miles its using about 3 pints of oil per 5,000 miles. I took it to the dealer and they were unable to explain what was happening. I feel I should dump this thing before I have bigger problems.
Published: October 14, 2014
Thomas of Wausau, WI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca - On February 16, 2013, I was on the highway when su
2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca - On February 16, 2013, I was on the highway when suddenly the large hood smashed into my windshield - shattering it and sending tiny glass shards all over me. I was blinded by all sides because the impact of the hood slamming into my windshield sent the rear view mirror flying to the floor. I was able to get myself over to the shoulder and when I got out to see what happened, I noticed the entire safety latch mechanism that is supposed to hold the hood down was detached and was dangling from the hood. Obviously, this is a Subaru manufacturing default. I called Subaru of America in NJ and was basically told by customer service and by an executive VP (since I escalated my complaint) that I was out of luck. I begged them to send out one of their reps to confirm this is the issue, but they refused. They know they are at fault, but if they send someone out, they would lose money since they would have to do a recall. And there never was a recall with an issue this serious. I also found 3 other reports online of this exact same issue on my year, model and make. They just dont care about their consumers. They were dismissive and cold. I am beside myself that they wont do these repairs. Did I have to die or get injured in order for them to take responsibility? Now I have to pay almost $4,000 for these damages and it wasnt even my fault. They also told me, You cant prove this is our responsibility. Wow. I will never buy another Subaru again. I will get this one fixed properly because I know I would not be able to live with myself if this happened to someone who bought my car and it was my fault.
Published: March 2, 2013
Vesna of St. Louis, MO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a new 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5 Wagon August 29, 2013 (3 month old v
I bought a new 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5 Wagon August 29, 2013 (3 month old vehicle). In December the engine started making a squealing noise. When I took it in to be checked I was asked what I had done to the engine??? I had never opened the hood on my car - in fact I didnt know where the hood release was. It took 3 times bringing it in until one of their techs came outside when I brought it in again in January and took a look and said he knew what was wrong with it. The belts were glazing over. The pulley system was redone and the belts replaced. I thought this was the end of the problem. I contacted their main headquarters in New Jersey and after working with customer relations was given a 100,000 mile warranty. I am so happy I did this because the engine problems didnt end there.In August of 2015, my engine light came on - I pulled over and called the dealer and was told if it was the flashing one to not drive it and have someone tow it. It wasnt the flashing one and wasnt told I could continue to drive it. I drove the car to the dealer and told them I wanted it fixed. It was under warranty. They replaced a sensor. They had my car for 5 days. I picked the vehicle up and drove it for about 3 days and the light came on again. I took it back to the dealer, they gave me a loaner vehicle, couldnt find the problem (after having it in the shop for 2 weeks), turned the engine light off and called me to come get it. I picked it up and drove it for about 3 days and the same thing happened. I took it back - they gave me a loaner vehicle. When the service manager called they said it was a vacuum problem - and it was how I was braking. I said that was not possible. I got another call, the service manager told me that it was dirty and the catalytic converter was dirty too. He asked where I was buying gas and told me that I should only be using gas from Costco, Shell or Chevron 92 octane (even though the manual says otherwise). They said they would get a data recorder from Subaru and it would take them about 3 days to get it - I was told I could keep driving the loaner or pick up my own car and drive it and bring it back in when they got the recorder. I chose for them to keep it until they got the recorder. I didnt hear anything for 2 weeks. On a Saturday the service manager called and yelled at me that I hadnt picked up my car. I asked if they had the data recorder yet and he said no. They wanted me to be driving my car so the warranty would run out. On November 6th they called and said they had gotten the data recorder. I was already home from work when they called. I picked my car up on the 9th. Three days later the light came on again. I took it back to the dealer. They called and said they think they corrected the problem. The rear sensor was replaced.I dont believe they would have done any of it if I hadnt contacted their headquarters. It took over 3 months to get the problem corrected. Because of how I was treated by the dealership and the reliability of the cars, I will never buy another Subaru. Subaru does have a class action lawsuit against them now for the excessive oil burning issue. Their remedy is to give an extended warranty! Its not worth it!
Published: May 22, 2016
Sandra of Stanwood, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

While getting out of the driveway in reverse, the car suddenly accelerated.
While getting out of the driveway in reverse, the car suddenly accelerated. Subaru after two months investigation decided that the car was OK and even refused to fix the small damage to the body car.
Published: April 2, 2022
Isaac of Scarsdale, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Never notified of CVT issue. Told me they sent letters regarding the issue
Never notified of CVT issue. Told me they sent letters regarding the issue but I never received anything. Once issue started on my car, they told me they couldn’t do anything because my car was outside of warranty date/mileage. My car is stalling while I’m driving, they claim it’s not a safety issue. They offered to pay 50% of my 2,000$ repair but I declined stating that these vehicles need to be recalled because of it stalling while driving. They declined and said it’s not a safety issue on them to deal with. Basically doing whatever they can to get around handling this situation. From what I’ve seen, when they started with the CVT transmissions back in 2012, those issues are still continuing to happen even on brand new vehicles.
Published: October 16, 2018
Jessica of Muskegon, MI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Engine light on, brake light on and cruise light flashing - I took my 2012
Engine light on, brake light on and cruise light flashing - I took my 2012 Legacy in two times for the same problem. The second time I brought it in, I had to leave my car there and they gave me a rental. When the car was done, they told me I had to pay for the rental. I said the car only had 20,000 miles and not even a year old. He said I still have to pay for the car rental. I told him that I was not very happy that I had to pay for the rental. I will never do business with them ever! The Subaru dealer was in Merrillville, IN. Do not go there for any service.
Published: March 1, 2013
Jon of Portage, IN
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 bought my 2013 Outback new and Ive had nothing but issues... Two stereos
I bought my 2013 Outback new and Ive had nothing but issues... Two stereos replaced, drivers seat heater comes on randomly, cant charge my phone on the USB, lifters make noise and always have to add oil between service requirements. Ive had it to three different dealers, and found one trying to help get to the bottom of this electrical problem and corporate will not advise them what to do. Corporate tells me just have them send me an email and she never answers them back!
Published: June 11, 2016
gayle of Woodinville, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased a 2014 Subaru Forester because of Subarus good reputation -- much
Purchased a 2014 Subaru Forester because of Subarus good reputation -- much 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. Also, the Bluetooth does NOT work and has not worked properly since the beginning of time. Very dissatisfied and will NOT purchase from Subaru again. BUYER BEWARE!
Published: October 20, 2014
Sandra of North Port, FL
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

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

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

January 2017, I decided it was time to upgrade my Subaru. I went to Dick Ha
January 2017, I decided it was time to upgrade my Subaru. I went to Dick Hannah and found a 2015 Subaru WRX (certified Preowned) still under the factory warranty. Sold. The car was wonderful... for about three weeks. Then it was downhill for the next 6 months. The check engine light came on and was of course taken to Dick Hannahs service department to be repaired. They claimed to have fixed it and a week later, light comes on again. So I go back and forth about 8 times (about 3-4 months, same light same problem) and I finally go to the general manager and see if this is a lemon. Apparently I missed that by about a month. Okay cool. Now what? I am treated poorly by them and there is nothing they can do. I moved on to Gresham Subaru, and at this point I get Subaru of America involved. Gresham claims to fix the car... same light, same problem a week later. Now we are at 9 visits to the shop for the same problem. As if Im not frustrated enough... I cannot get a hold of anyone at Subaru for probably two weeks. Their customer service reps would say okay 24-48 hours and you will get a call from a supervisor. Never happens and I continue to call and wonder what is going on. So it doesnt qualify for a lemon OR a buy back - no explanation, just no it doesnt qualify - Im wanting a collateral exchange at this point... 7 months later, 10 visits for the same check engine light issue, the techs are literally scratching their head at my car. And everyone at Subaru of America is beating around the bush. Wont answer my calls, keeps saying that they wont know anything until their engineers take a look at my car, they keep ordering and replacing and testing parts and I feel like I am a victim of a scam. This is the most awful experience and Subaru is showing their true colors and do NOT stand behind their vehicles when there is a problem. Clearly the 1 and half stars by everyone else explains enough. I HAD to rate this as one star but it doesnt even deserve that.
Published: August 16, 2017
Kelsey of Battle Ground, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought Subaru Ascent 2021. It’s my biggest mistake I did the wrong deci
I bought Subaru Ascent 2021. It’s my biggest mistake I did the wrong decision. My SUV have issues with seats. My driving seat is shaking while driving especially when you stop on signal or stop signs. When you move driving seats is shaking feel me be. I fell down backside so it’s scary and my SUV 2nd row right side seat is give bad noise when you are driving bumpy street like rough road. It’s only 10000 miles and feel I drove old car. I take my SUV on Subaru service center twice. They are not able to fixed that issue. I guess they don’t have experienced technicians. They tried to fix and said it’s manufactured fault. Right now I am confused. What I gonna do. This SUV is not value to money so I decide to give review about my experience for helping people be careful before buying this suv make sure first check the seats in this SUV. After buying no one take responsibility. My car is under warranty but they didn’t fix. I go every week in service center and request them please fix my car.
Published: January 30, 2022
Hafiz of Easton, MD
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased my 2005 Impreza 2.5RS wagon new in 11/04. I now have 122,000 mi
I purchased my 2005 Impreza 2.5RS wagon new in 11/04. I now have 122,000 miles on it and aside from normal maintenance and minor repairs, the car has been fantastic and inexpensive to own. Another new Subaru will be at the top of my shopping list when the time for a new car comes.
Published: April 10, 2012
Ken of Hudson, NH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Do you want an engine with that car? That is my feeling towards being charg
Do you want an engine with that car? That is my feeling towards being charged about $1200 to replace my bumper. It was a minor fender-bender and I went to a reputable collision repair shop. The $700 cost they originally estimated seemed reasonable, but when the bumper came in the cost jumped another $463, because it had to be painted!!! Seems like a rip-off to me.
Published: January 22, 2019
Jeffrey of Phoenixville, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We have a 2009 Outback. At approx. 70000 miles (just past warranty) a vibra
We have a 2009 Outback. At approx. 70000 miles (just past warranty) a vibration was becoming noticeable from the drivetrain. The Subaru dealership said it was from bad boots on the front end. We had the work done. The vibration remained so we took the car to an independent shop. They said that it could be the transfer case. To really examine it the transmission has to be dropped. We scheduled the service. When they opened the case there were bits of metal in the fluid and it was clear something had failed. Approx. $2000 later we were on the road again. The head mechanic said he had seen several failures like this. I would like Subaru to face up to this reoccurring problem and cover all repairs..
Published: August 13, 2015
James of Reno, NV
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased a new Outback in April 2016. Noticed the GPS map was from Q3 2014
Purchased a new Outback in April 2016. Noticed the GPS map was from Q3 2014, so I asked the salesman if it could be updated. The salesman checked with the service department and told me that it could be updated by the service department just as soon as an update was available...but an update was not available at that time. A few months later after moving to another state, I asked Subaru Customer Service if my map could be updated. They informed me that the Subaru policy would not allow me to get an update before I owned the Outback for 12 months. So my map would be almost three years old before I could get it updated by a Subaru service department. I wasted much too much time sending emails to them attempting to get an update approved and after too many...I gave up and was lucky enough to find a way to update it myself.
Published: November 17, 2016
Orlan of Panama City Beach, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

The Subaru Outback 2010 has been trouble from day 1. Constantly worrying ab
The Subaru Outback 2010 has been trouble from day 1. Constantly worrying about what will happen next. Uses oil, all lights replaced, AC and radio quit working, torque converter, and on and on and on. Worst car I have ever purchased by me or anyone in my family.
Published: June 20, 2017
Caroline of Jonesboro, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Very expensive repairs, poor gas mileage, the battery was a major issue, le
Very expensive repairs, poor gas mileage, the battery was a major issue, left us stranded at least 10 times in 2 years! Finally replaced by Subaru, but frustrating. There is no vent in the back so the backseat is sweltering during the summer. The service department at the dealership is great, the best part of owning the car!!!
Published: December 15, 2019
Kristin of Boise, ID
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Double clutch your sports car if it wont go into gear. Thats what I was tol
Double clutch your sports car if it wont go into gear. Thats what I was told when I repeatedly complained to the new car Subaru dealer when I took my 08 WRX in for service. I bought the car new in 08 and have never abused it, but at times I couldnt even get it into R, 1st, sometimes 2nd gear. When the service rep finally got tired of giving me the try double clutching suggestion he had me talk to their head mechanic about the manual transmission issue. After he gave me the technical hard to sync explanation he finally said that Subaru isnt noted for having refined manual transmissions. I guess I should have done better research before I bought the car.I finally gave up complaining and had to live with it until a couple of months ago with only 83k non-abused miles the transmission started whining. When I took it to the same dealer I was told that a rear bearing needed replaced and they couldnt even get that part. So I was told that I needed a reman transmission and it was going to cost over $5k. And I thought Subarus were well-built, long-lasting vehicles. Other than that the car has been pretty good, with the exception of 5 safety recalls and the firewall that the clutch is attached to has spot welds cracking. And this issue is a known issue and there was even a class-action lawsuit against Subaru. So if youre thinking of a Subaru please do some research before you get stuck with issues that could be very costly and time consuming to deal with. And you might want to do like Im going to do in the near future, get a Honda.
Published: March 7, 2017
Paul of Franklin, IN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Engine Failure on 2014 Subaru WRX w/ 14k miles - To preface, I bought my WR
Engine Failure on 2014 Subaru WRX w/ 14k miles - To preface, I bought my WRX brand-new, less than 12 months back (Nov 13) with only 7 miles. Since purchasing, I properly broke in the engine, have had it regularly serviced, & have not made any modifications to the car whatsoever. Over one month ago, I was driving along on the freeway (cruise controlled in the fast lane @ 75 mph) and the engine completely ceased on me w/ no notice or unusual sounds. After taking it in to the closest dealership, I found that the small block would need to be replaced & that the reqd engines are back order for OVER ONE MONTH. 5 and a half weeks later, Ive yet to receive my car back after numerous broken promises & have found further issues with my car, including unexpected damages to the pistons/rods & a potential need to replace my clutch (which would not be covered under my standard, or additionally purchased extended warranty). With all of the issues that Im having - Im starting to believe that maybe Im not the only one... Anyone else having similar problems? What should I do from here? HELP.
Published: November 17, 2014
Scott of San Jose, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

In 2014 I bought my first Subaru Outback (a dream of mine since I first got
In 2014 I bought my first Subaru Outback (a dream of mine since I first got my license) for $26k at Bill Kolb Subaru in Orangeburg, NY. It was one year used with only 7,000 miles on it and immediately started noticing problems. The first problem was that it consumed an outrageous amount of oil and would always need an oil change. I talked to the dealership service about this and they assured me it was completely normal (IT WAS NOT!). My second problem was this rattle sound that apparently is a problem with all Subaru but really is harmless as far as Im aware. The third problem is that many components of the car started to fail including the catalytic converter which cost me a hefty amount of money and turning this car into a money pit.I used the car a lot in the two years Ive had it. I got 130k miles on it now. Going home one night the car started making noises and turned off suddenly. A mechanic told me it was the engine which Subaru later confirmed. I have maintained this car very well in the last two years, and its been at the Subaru Service department too many times for no fault of mine. I recently discovered a class action lawsuit against Subaru for oil consumption that ultimately damages the engine like mine did on Google after searching. It was apparently too late for my car to be serviced due to my mileage even though I never received any notice or was told by the service people about this problem (they knew about the lawsuit and the settlement the whole time I was having issues). This problem will cost me 10k to fix. I will never buy a Subaru ever again and I encourage people to think twice about the brand and to do more research on bad companies who refuse to take responsibility on THEIR mistakes. DO NOT BUY SUBARU!!!
Published: August 18, 2016
J of White Plains, NY
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

My 2011 Subaru Outback stalled out on the 101 South driving back from San F
My 2011 Subaru Outback stalled out on the 101 South driving back from San Francisco. At any hard brake the car would shudder and/or quit. Extensive research has informed me that this is a very common problem with Subarus, resulting from a failed torque converter. Owners of Subarus have posted about this problem for many years. The Subaru dealership from where I bought my Outback, and which is making the repair, just confirmed it is the torque converter that has failed and will be charging me $2016.59 for the repair. I am coming out of pocket over $2,000 to replace a part Subaru has known for years FAILS. Not only have they received many complaints about this part, it is a DANGEROUS problem for the car to have. It should have resulted in a recall by now, there are so many complaints. The car can stall at a red light, on the highway, or anywhere else where a hard, fast brake is required by the driver.
Published: January 21, 2015
Liza of San Francisco, CA
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

My spouse and I recently purchased a brand new 2013 Subaru WRX STI. Before
My spouse and I recently purchased a brand new 2013 Subaru WRX STI. Before signing our agreement, we stated that we could see an orange peel look in the factory paint. The salesman and sales manager stated that they would have it cut and buffed, which should remove the orange peel look (my spouse nor myself do not have experience with auto body paint, so we reluctantly decided to sign the papers being as it was a brand new car and we figured that the cut/buff process would really remove the orange peel factory defect look). They cut and buffed it and it will not remove the orange peel, so we decided to take it to a reputable auto body company in the area we live in. Once we spoke with him, he stated that to totally fix this factory paint defect, the car would need to be pulled completely apart and totally repainted. That comes in at around $6,000! We just spent $40K. We cannot afford to put another $6K into the car. So we contacted Subaru.com and they sent a rep out to look at the paint. The rep stated that there is not a problem with the paint! Not only can the salesman see the orange peel as well as other workers, my friends, etc., but the Subaru rep doesnt come on! They also stated that they would not take any opinion from any auto body place besides the one they use. That in itself seems fishy. If they say nothing is wrong with the paint, why wont they get a few other opinions? They are just trying to cover their rear ends and not make right. If you read online about the orange peel effect on auto body paint, it clearly states that its caused from improper application of paint - whether it dried too fast, they didnt apply it correctly or the paint itself has a defect. We have owned over 20 cars in the past 12 years and have never had a car with orange peel looking paint. We have never owned a Subaru and this will certainly be the last! The factory is cutting corners to make more cash and get over on the consumer since most people dont notice this issue unless you really look at your car. We have been up and down with the Subaru dealership and have contacted the owner to see if he will make right on the fixing of the paint. We are awaiting the answer from him. I can only hope that he will make right on it. We love the car otherwise and shouldnt have to live with something that looks so bad! My husband just received a phone call stating that we are not allowed back at the dealership and to not contact them any longer! Not only did we already prepay for service up to $45K, but we also were told that we are given free car washes for the life of the car! This is ridiculous! I will never purchase a Subaru again!
Published: February 28, 2013
Samantha of Tacoma, WA
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

Purchased 2009 Forester in April and timing belt pulley failed in June. Thi
Purchased 2009 Forester in April and timing belt pulley failed in June. This happened after I had 90000 mile service. It now needs an engine replacement. Stay far far away from Subaru and their cars. You will be sorry. Post your stories to their facebook page so the truth will heard.
Published: July 7, 2015
Hank of Powell, OH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I currently have a 2014 Crosstrek that I am sending back to Subaru for cons
I currently have a 2014 Crosstrek that I am sending back to Subaru for constant rattles on the right front and back sides, glove compartment box, instruments gauge, left front and rear doors and the rear hatch. I bought this car in January 2015 and as of right now, it has roughly 4,300 miles. The rattles in my car began showing up around 500 miles as a sound in the front passengers side speaker. On my 1st trip to the dealer, they could not find any noises coming from the car so they sent me home. On the 2nd visit, they found that the front passenger side speaker grill was loose and was causing the constant rattling so they insulated it and sent me on my way. A day after leaving the dealer, the rattle started again and this time it seemed to spread. On my 3rd visit to the dealership, they again could not find a rattle in my car. By this point I am aggravated and decide to involve Subaru of America in the process. On my 4th visit, they found rattles in the front and back passenger doors and insulated them. They proceeded to have me test drive the car around the dealership but again nothing seems to happen when youre at the dealership. I left and on the way home, guess what pops up? THE DAMN RATTLES!! I blast SOA and demand something be done or I want a refund. On my 5th (and final) visit, SOA send a senior field rep/engineer to test drive my car. They stripped my instrument gauge down TWICE and insulated it on EVERY POSSIBLE LEVEL! They also insulated all of my doors, except for the drivers door, and the glove box. After having my car for more than 7 days, I finally get a call that it is ready to be picked up. Hoping that this will be the end of if, I test drive the car with the service manager to ensure everything was OK. As soon as we pull out of the dealership, the drivers door begins to rattle and so does the instrument gauge. The service manager proceeds to inform me that since every possible surface of the instrument gauge has been insulated twice, they can insulate it no more and would require them to install a completely brand new instrument gauge. It is a shame that a car that is only 4 months old could could like such a clunker!!! Maybe if car manufacturers would stop putting SO MUCH DAMN PLASTIC IN THE CAR, THERE WOULDNT BE ANY ISSUES!!! So as previously mentioned, I contacted SOA and demanded a refund. They offered me another car which I turned down because all 3 of the Crosstreks I was given to drive had the same exact issue! Needless to say that I will never purchase a Crosstrek AGAIN!!
Published: May 19, 2015
Christie of Edison, NJ
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

I purchased a new 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited in March of 2016. The in
I purchased a new 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited in March of 2016. The interior is a light-colored leather. A few months after purchase, I found that anyone wearing blue jeans in the car turned the seats blue. I contacted Subaru official site and spoke with my dealer. The dealer stated they were aware of this and have been receiving numerous customer complaints, but have no remedy to offer. They also said frequent cleaning of the leather may cause premature wear. This wasnt something I was warned about when buying the car. I traded in a 10-year-old Honda Accord with the same color leather and never had any problem with dye transfer and no problem with previous leather upholstery, including the other Outbacks in the family. Im looking at the option to trade in my 9 month old car on another brand, though it would cause a major financial loss. But I need to weigh this against the possibility of having to replace my interior.
Published: January 3, 2017
Neil of Woodinville, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought Outback 2017 in Sept 2017. 3 mos later GPS froze then hatch flew o
I bought Outback 2017 in Sept 2017. 3 mos later GPS froze then hatch flew open while I was parking & my dog jumped out. Dealer said electronics needed reprogramming & done. A year later, GPS froze again, hatch slightly jammed on rubber mat, hatch stuck closed. AAA to the rescue, dealer said needed reprogramming & done. New battery. 4 mos later, I used radio while car stopped for 10 min, drained battery, needed AAA again to jump. Told I was using too many electronic features like the radio! Now 3/2019, GPS froze, hatch stuck shut, AAA jumped. Dealer said rubber mat jammed - NOT, it was 1 mm over the space, I am careful, but yes dog jumps in & out. Told interior light of hatch was on because it jammed & drained battery overnight.Extremely unreliable and unsafe in my opinion. Have spent hundreds of dollars in time, Ubers, taxis not to mention lost doctors appointments etc. Internet has websites of hundreds of Subaru owners with identical problems with 2016 - 2018 Subaru outbacks and foresters. Complaints of similar parasitic battery drainage for numerous reasons. They need to redesign the electronics, especially the malfunctioning sensitive hatchback and interior lights, size of battery and hatch rubber mat. Will it take a class action to get them to do this? For sale: 2017 Outback, 19,000 miles, all the bells and whistles, then some. CHEAP. (getting a Volkswagen).
Published: April 12, 2019
Joan of Walnut Creek, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Please, please, please STOP recommending Subaru cars as being reliable. I h
Please, please, please STOP recommending Subaru cars as being reliable. I have purchased two of them based on Consumer Reports recommendations and both have had major expensive repairs. I am old, have had all the routine maintenance done and still have had lots of problems. The 2010 Forester (that was said to be a very reliable car) needed to have its head gasket replaced at 95K (turns out they had lots of head gasket issues) and the 2011 Outbacks CVT just went out, 3 weeks after the extended warranty expired (expired on July 31, 2018). As I stated earlier, I am old (retired) and cannot afford a costly fix on a car that is only 7 years old. I have contacted Subaru of America to see if they would help me and all they do is say that they are waiting to be contacted by the local dealer (where I took the car to be repaired) but the local dealer called me to tell me that they have called Subaru of America twice and no one ever responds. Does this sound like a reputable company? Shoot, if they are not going to help me, cant they at least tell me? Maybe they used to be reliable but that time has passed.
Published: September 6, 2018
Paul of Edgewood, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased a brand new 2006 Subaru Forester. I did 4-5 months of research
I purchased a brand new 2006 Subaru Forester. I did 4-5 months of research and looked at the majority of small SUVs and finally decided on the Forester based on what I had read - reliability, utility, AWD technology, and the Subaru brand name. I have nothing but positive things to say about the Subaru dealership but I cant say that about Subaru Canada - they really dont care about their customers. They have your money. Why should they care?The Forester for the 1st six years of its life was a fairly reliable car. I took the car in for service religiously and performed all the required maintenance/service. The only main item that went which I thought was odd and a bit pricey was the Oxygen sensor which cost me $700 and then went again a year later but I was lucky as the sensor was still under warranty. At about its six year of life - just before Christmas - I was just getting on to the highway and the oil light went on; I immediately got on my phone to my mechanic and he said to bring the car in tomorrow. About 10 minutes later the oil light went on again and I was on the phone to my mechanic who said bring the car in right away, which I did. Turns out it was the head gasket so it cost $3000 to fix (they did the timing belt / water pump at the same time). I called Subaru Canada and they said because the car is out of warranty, there is nothing they could do. So, I got the head gasket fixed and should have dumped the car right then and there. About two years later, I was driving on the highway and stopped at my destination and noticed the temperature gauge going to the H position so I stopped the car, let it cool down and walked down the street to a local service station. They said, Bring the car in, and they were going to do a rad flush but when they started to do it they noticed coolant leaking so they just topped up the coolant. I got back on the highway and the car started to heat up again; the net of it was a leak around the water pump which my mechanic fixed. About 2 months later, the car started heating up again and back to the mechanic.So the probable cause...wait, wait...likely the head gasket; cheapest fix is the thermostat which they swapped out. But, my mechanic is saying the only thing that would fix it would be a rebuilt engine. Again, I contacted Subaru Canada and same story line - out of warranty - too bad, so sad. So I cut my losses and traded the car in on something more reliable - a Honda. I will never ever buy a Subaru again - what a waste of $36,000.
Published: February 14, 2015
R of Toronto, ON
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

On my 3rd Subaru lease. I won’t go into details with their previous Mirro
On my 3rd Subaru lease. I won’t go into details with their previous Mirror Link issues (lots of them). This review is regarding their Starlink Service. Big shout out to Maria at the Danvers location who was awesome while I waited FOR SIX HOURS AT THE DEALER DUE TO SOMEONE’S MISTAKE. We got through that. I’ll spare the details.Purchased the Starlink Service. Took the time to set it up, registering, etc. Worked fine. Then out of the blue without warning, the services stopped. My car profile was wiped from the MySubaru app as well as the service. Someone made an error and must have confused it with the previous lease. Well after literally about a dozen calls and false promises, no one could figure out how to fix the issue. I called Subaru (not the dealer) and they couldn’t figure it out either. After more escalation, wasted time and apologies that do nothing, a supervisor got my credentials back into the MySubaru app and reinstated the Starlink services. All looked good until I went to start the car remotely, ERROR—you must have a subscription. Yet the app says I have a subscription.Place another call to Starlink, they have no clue as to what is wrong. Pissed off is an understatement. If you want to deal with people that are clueless, cant figure out issues and make random mistakes, Subaru is your go to. I am literally too busy with a job, business and two little kids to be dealing with foolish errors and incompetent BS.Also, please don’t leave me a regurgitated message saying you are sorry and to call you. You don’t answer the phone, I already tried that. Fix the issue is all you have to do. My sorry jar is already filled up with apologies that are useless. Lastly, no---you don’t understand. If you did, the issue would have never happened. Should you waste my time to have to go to the dealer—a major inconvenience—I will not sit there for hours while you figure out the issue. My time is extremely valuable and I hate wasting it.
Published: January 4, 2019
Curt of Winthrop, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I am having issues (multiple) with 2011 STI. When I’m driving in the rain
I am having issues (multiple) with 2011 STI. When I’m driving in the rain and don’t touch my brakes for 5-15 minutes and go to apply them, they act like they don’t work. The engine knocks when it sits for 2 days. It makes the most horrific noise when it’s started and cold (I have video documentation of the engine noise). I spoke with a Subaru Rep named Bob **. He was very kind in setting up my appointment (took 3 days), but everything afterwards has been below average. I took my vehicle into the dealer he scheduled and after the technicians looking at my car, they said there was no problem. Allegedly, the brakes were fine as far as they looked (but they never got the brakes wet). The technician Kurt said he’s never heard that noise before from the engine. I spoke with Bob ** and he said that the dealer’s service manager had talked to me and told me that everything was okay. Well, either Bob ** is a liar or Jeff the service manager from Suburban Subaru is a liar because I never spoke with Jeff ever, other than to ask what him and Bob spoke about and he said that he was just told to fax the info over. Bob said that Jeff had told him they found nothing wrong with my car and since they have found nothing wrong with it, they won’t send out anyone to look at it. I have a safety concern that others are having and they won’t even look at it? Seriously?! I have researched the web and found tons of others complaining about the brakes not working when it’s wet. So this is a problem that Subaru is aware of but won’t acknowledge. I don’t feel safe driving my car when it’s wet because in an emergency situation, I won’t be able to stop and I could kill myself and someone else. All I want is a Subaru rep to come out and take a look but they won’t. I was repeatedly lied to by Bob **. I will never buy another Subaru again.Another thing to add, I took the technician for a drive to show him how my diff clunks when I’m shifting under hard acceleration. So I took it up to 6000 rpm and shifted the car. The gears and the clunk were heard. The technician then said You’re putting this under a lot of stress. How am I putting the car under stress? People rev there STIs up to 5000 rpm and dump it, bounce off the rev limiter, down shift from 6th to 3rd. All I was doing was shifting going in a straight line down the road. The car can’t handle 6k rpm shifts? Why does the motor rev to 6k rpm then? Why it isn’t electronically governed? Subaru is the worst auto company in the world. Never buy a Subaru because from day one, they will screw you. I bought the most expensive car they have and they treat me like crap!
Published: February 24, 2012
Edward of Farmington Hills , MI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Major transmission issues within the first 25000 miles, 2 years. Brought my
Major transmission issues within the first 25000 miles, 2 years. Brought my manual 2017 WRX in due to noise in transmission area. They said some parts need to be replaced (bearing, etc) and they installed plate, cover, spring, fork, bearing, flywheel and the whole thing. Picked it up on Wednesday and on Thursday while driving on the freeway something popped in the transmission area and the car was towed back in the shop (Carlsen Subaru in Redwood City California) in less than 24 hours from the time I had received it. This is absolutely unacceptable. I have been driving transmission manual cars for 30 years and to get this kind of performance at such low miles is scary.
Published: February 10, 2019
mehran of Belmont, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

When I bought my 2015 Subaru Forester, I had my doubts. I even told the sal
When I bought my 2015 Subaru Forester, I had my doubts. I even told the salesman that when I lived in Bermuda, Subaru had the nickname Subarust. He said hed never heard that one. I figured that maybe it was the sea air and that in Canada, everything would be okay. After all, I loved the look of the car and the way it handled. However, soon after I purchased it, I noticed that my Subaru was surging when I was breaking from time to time. It didnt happen (of course) when I took the service attendant out for a drive at my last visit, but it does happen. Very disturbing. Whats even WORSE is the RUST that started 18 months after I bought the vehicle.The morning I was supposed to bring in my car for service I was going to clean it, then bring it in. Aside from writing, I walk dogs (much like in the numerous Subaru commercial, implying that the cars are for active lifestyles and dog lovers and the car gets pretty dirty sometimes. Unfortunately, that morning I discovered that my battery was dead and had to call roadside assistance (ironically) on the day of my service appointment. I spent a lot of time on the phone with these people, and when the guy boosted my battery, I drove it up to the dealership without having the time to clean the car. The service attendant was disappointed, as this would probably show that my battery was fine, rather than being able to test if it was faulty. Luckily, it still failed, so they replaced it. I showed the attendant where rust spots had started to form on the inside of the hatch. She took pictures and sent them off to Subaru Canada.No one contacted me. I called and got no answers, but plenty of people saying they would get back to me. It took 8 phone calls before the service manager at Barrie Subaru told me that the company felt it was not a manufacturers defect, but rather dirt that caused the rust, and that they were happy to pay for half of the repair. Reminder, this is 18 months after the purchase of the vehicle. There was also no way to talk to the person who had made this decision but I did call customer care and gave the lady there an earful, without purpose, really, as I asked if the call was recorded or if she wrote anything down. The answer to both was no. So here are a few things I want to point out:1- Of course, they are happy to pay for half. They should be paying for the whole thing. A friend of mine had the same problem with her Toyota truck. They said the rust was caused by sand. However, the clear coat was intact. 2- What would they have blamed the rust on if I had had the chance to clean my car that morning? 3- I didnt have the chance to clean my car because of Subarus faulty battery. 4- The car still surges forward when Im stopping. 5- This is a crooked company that does not care about their customers. If you disagree, try reaching a human being who has any authority to make a decision. 6- What kind of sport utility vehicle cant handle getting dirty without immediately getting rusty? Again, see their commercial. They should definitely NOT be marketing to dog owners. Please, dont trust the car awards. This is not a reliable car or a consumer-friendly company. They want you to buy, then wash their hands of you.
Published: July 14, 2017
Chantal of Bradford, ON
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Im a long time Subaru owner and enthusiasts however my 2013 Subaru Crosstre
Im a long time Subaru owner and enthusiasts however my 2013 Subaru Crosstrek began making a noise. When I took it to the dealership they proceeded to tell me it needed a $8,000 transmission and Im 8000 Miles over the warranty. It currently has 68000 miles on it. How many people expect your transmission to go out at 68000 miles? Let me know if youre having the same problem. Im currently trying to get into contact with Subaru about this problem. It has to be some sort of defect in the transmission. Still waiting for them to contact me. Everyone thinking about purchasing a vehicle like the Crosstrek should probably get a standard not an automatic. Why in the world would a transmission cost $8,000? That is crazy and go out at 68000 miles.
Published: December 17, 2016
Marvin of Burbank, OK
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

Subaru has had a history of head gasket failures due to the flat, boxer-sty
Subaru has had a history of head gasket failures due to the flat, boxer-style engine design! I heard from a local mechanic that the issues from around 1999 to mid-2000s had been addressed and corrected. No way! This will always be a chronic, ongoing issue with Subaru engines! I am the original owner of a 2010, 2.5 4c Subaru Outback. I have babied my car and had all maintenance done on time, including oil changes and 60,000 mile service at a local Subaru dealer. It is low mileage at approx. 94,000 miles, purchased in May of 2010, so just over 8 years old as of October, 2018.Please also note, if you are in the market for a used Outback, that with the new body style starting in 2010, Subaru removed the engine temperature gauge from the dash and didnt reintroduce until 2015! There is no way to monitor if your engine temp is running high normal or not, especially when there is a head gasket or A/C issue during hot, summer month! Buyer beware!!!My coolant started to boil out of the reservoir and the only way I was alerted to this problem was due to the low coolant light flashing on and off for a brief moment at a time, twice over two days. It turns out, this was the beginning of a head gasket failure... at slightly less than 94,000! When contacted, Subaru corporate did not stand by their product, even knowing that hg issues are a built-in weakness/ongoing issue due to the shape/configuration of their flat boxer engine design vs the V configuration of say a more reliable Toyota SUV. Their staff dismissed my issue and would not help out in any financial or emotional way. They were actually aggressive, non-empathetic and accusatory!I ended up paying well over $2,500 to get my car back on the road, not including a $400+ tow to my nearest dealer, in another state. It is interesting that Subaru advertising works so had to convince buyers that there is longevity to their product as in 98% of Subaru vehicles are on the road 10 years later. They fail to mention the cost to the owners to keep their cars on the road for that amount of time!So, bottom line, if you are considering a new, newer-used or used Subaru, I would highly recommend 1) you do your research, 2) consider a different, more reliable brand such as Toyota, Lexus or Acura and 3) dont expect Subaru to stand by their product if you do have a major mechanical issue in the future, regardless of age and/or mileage! My entire family used to drive Subaru vehicles. They now all drive Toyota SUVs. I was the last holdout. I guess I am a slow learner, lol. Please save your hard-earned dollars and buy something much more reliable than a Subaru product! Happy car shopping!
Published: October 23, 2018
Linda of Weed, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My girlfriend bought a Certified Pre-Owned 2013 Subaru Outback from Kendall
My girlfriend bought a Certified Pre-Owned 2013 Subaru Outback from Kendall Subaru in Fairbanks in December of 2013. Within 1,000 miles of purchasing the vehicle the oil light came on. We brought the vehicle back to the dealer with the complaint of oil consumption. They told us that a quart of oil every 1,000 miles is Normal. But they would conduct an oil consumption test. Their test showed that the car was consuming a quart every 1,000 miles. Subsequently the oil light has come on 3 times. We called Kendall again and the service manager said this I did speak to one of the Subaru mechanics back there. And he said they are designed a bit differently from other vehicles. And he used the term the crankcase doesnt quite hold the same amount of oil as other vehicles. He compared it with the Toyota. So he said yes you would burn a little more oil faster because you just dont have the amount in the crankcase that other vehicles may have. When you come in I would ask the advisor to please let a mechanic explain it to you, because when he explained it to me it totally made sense. You have got to be kidding me? Do they think we are that stupid? I have the recording of the service representative on my phone. People need to hear this. We are talking a 2 year old car with 22,000 miles on it!
Published: June 5, 2015
Hugh of Fairbanks, AK
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Subaru is one of those Teflon companies like Apple that seems to have a loy
Subaru is one of those Teflon companies like Apple that seems to have a loyal consumer base without any regard to their conduct. For example, their advertising suggests that they are good corporate citizens but they are one of the very few auto companies with not a single hybrid or electric model. (When they once experimented with a hybrid Impreza, it added precisely one mpg to its fuel efficiency). But what really surprised me is how, at the corporate level, Subaru is extraordinarily unlike the image it projects. After experiencing a significant mechanical problem with just 34,000 miles on my Impreza, I brought the car in for service. The service department tried six repairs, all making the problem worse. When I informed Subaru of America, they offered me two options: a $500 credit toward a new model (the type of incentive routinely offered to new customers), or a return visit for a seventh repair.I asked a supervisor I spoke with in Consumer Affairs, What would you do if this were your car? She refused to respond. I asked why she would not answer and she became angry and told me to call the attorney generals office. (This was someone who trains others in how to interact with consumers). Another Subaru of America representative echoed her invitation and told me not to bother reaching out to anyone else -- that he, a middle manager, was the last word. Even if I was satisfied with the car, the experience with the company was enough to make this Subaru, my third and last.
Published: June 29, 2017
Andrew of Newton, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My son Jake was killed in 2013 in a Subaru Outback in Montana. The commerci
My son Jake was killed in 2013 in a Subaru Outback in Montana. The commercial Subaru has on TV when they show a smashed up Subaru and all they say is THEY LIVED OR THEY SURVIVED. Well my son didnt live! Do you have any idea how disturbing that commercial is to me??? Every time it comes on the TV I relive the day I got the news my son was killed in a Subaru. Please, is there any way it can be taken off the TV? Im sure Im not the only person that has lost a loved one in a Subaru.
Published: June 15, 2014
Kristopher of Weeki Wachee, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

NOTE: I do NOT work for Subaru, nor have I ever or have ever known anyone w
NOTE: I do NOT work for Subaru, nor have I ever or have ever known anyone who has on a personal basis. I own a 2015 Forster 2.5L Base Model that i have already logged 18,000 miles on! I have experienced the oil burn issue everyone is complaining about, BUT since I have a formal education in mechanics I did some research before jumping to an assumption based on internet complaints and so called rude dealerships.These cars and many, many, many other brands are having similar issues due to having to run these new high MPG rated synthetic oils in the motors. The EPA has been pushing the use of it on manufactures in order to get the MPG ratings up and is pushing for development of 0w5 oil (that will burn like crazy). This oil is almost like water and gets past the low tension piston rings that are being used to also reduce friction and increase mileage. This is why it is called oil consumption and not oil burning. Oil burning is usually referred to as leak from the valve guide seals into the combustion chamber, oil consumption is oil getting past the piston rings and is actually pretty normal for any motor because if the oil did not work its way around the rings they would not get lubricated and would cause engine failure.Keep this very important thing in mind, new cars call for service every 6,000+ miles, as opposed to the old standards of 3,000 miles. Every vehicle I have ever owned that I pushed over 4,000 miles between services has been down a half to full quart of oil by the time I changed it. Motors by nature consume oil, there is NO way around it. Pushing the service intervals further apart has only exposed this to uneducated consumers.The mistake that Subaru made was setting the oil level sensor too sensitive and premature, they have updated the ECM programing now to fix this. My light comes on at about 6,000 miles and I am about 3/4 of quart low. This is totally acceptable and expected. My 2003 Chevy truck was always a quart low by the suggested service intervals, yet the light NEVER came on.I hope this helps those of concerned with this and please pass on this info to anyone concerned about the same thing in their car, no matter what brand it is. And please, always remember that Service staff at dealerships are having to deal with sometimes 100+ people per day all upset about their vehicle having an issue. Give them a little lead way before you jump on them, kindness will always get you further with customer service staff.Have a nice day!
Published: January 14, 2015
David of Charlotte, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My husband and I bought our very first Subaru (2007 Outback) believing we h
My husband and I bought our very first Subaru (2007 Outback) believing we had bought a great car that would serve us for many, many years. We were wrong! At 69,000 miles the turbo blew. Then, recently, the turbo blew again at 82,000 miles and took out the engine with it! Subaru doesnt want to do anything but sell us a new car! I am mad as hell and want to tell everyone that Subaru is not what they represent themselves to be.
Published: February 25, 2015
Janet of Concord, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased a 2014 Subaru legacy in April of 2014. Car has every thing but th
Purchased a 2014 Subaru legacy in April of 2014. Car has every thing but the nav and eye sight. I have 17000 miles and have no problems at all, love the awd and for a 2.5 litre it goes pretty good. It is my first new car and would recommend it to anyone. I am 6.6, 220 and it fits me in. I have two kids and they love it. I am a chevy man and finally went Japanese. It is great on gas, handles well, and looks great at 30k - you cannot beat it. Lets face it - every thing breaks but these subarus are great. Buy one, you will not regret it.
Published: January 12, 2015
mike of Patchogue, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Contacted Subaru about a recall on my dashboard because I lost the recall c
Contacted Subaru about a recall on my dashboard because I lost the recall card. They told me that that recall was over in June around the end of the month. I call on July 15th. I told them that there was no date on the card that noted when the recall was done. The representative was very nice but they still would not replace it. I feel they are responsible because they used fabric that melts in the sun. I feel that Subaru quality has gone downhill in their cars. BUYER BEWARE!!! Oh, but they did send me a $300.00 COUPON IF I DO WANT TO REPLACE IT. Thanks but no thanks. The estimate was $780.21 to replace it. Plus a lot of their cars have a head gasket problem.
Published: July 16, 2019
Constance of Johnstown, PA
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

We bought a 2015 Outback 3.6R Limited while it was on the train to Dellenba
We bought a 2015 Outback 3.6R Limited while it was on the train to Dellenbach in Ft. Collins, CO in Dec of 2014. My wife drove all the way up there in the snow from Littleton to avoid the poor reputation dealerships in the metro area. My wifes father totalled our old car and I talked the wife out of buying the 4Runner we both truly wanted for something a little more economical. Our teenage son was still driving my moms old 1999 Impreza Outback with 330k on it, so reliability didnt seem to be as much of a factor as much as the safety. While we lived in CO, not many issues aside from a windshield that is paper thin and cracks if you spit on it and snow gets wedged in the wheel wells just as bad as the old Subaru.Then spring came and we started having issues with the rear lift gate. The not so friendly or helpful employees at a particular stealership on Arapahoe and Dry Creek were defensive and accusatory trying to say we had the memory set. Take it up there and get a recall on the ridiculous eyesight programming, just for them to tell us they cant duplicate the lift gate failure. Of course not! You just unhooked the battery which resets the system! We just put up with the occasional rear gate for a year, I keep the oil and filters fresh and we move to the heat of AZ. The rear gate has been getting worse to the point that it rarely ever works no matter what pattern or manual intervention you do. Now our rear gate is completely useless. The dealership in Chandler is great and has noticed the latching being brisk and misaligned. BUT of course, they cant do anything about it until their body shop opens. Enough. First Bru purchase from us but many in the family over the years, this will be the final. All of the others have been traded or sold, we cant wait to get out of this car as well. We dont care about the electronics or the gimmicks, we wanted a reliable and functional vehicle like we had with our Camry. We will be driving back to CO to sell this car where we can get a better price for it and go shopping. Toyota quality has degraded over the years, it looks like the influence by Toyota Motor Corp is starting to show in Subarus product lines. Too bad, we wanted to like this super ugly car, it is comfy, drives ok for a boring CVT and the mileage is amazing. Cheap parts, poor assembly and lack of customer service makes our Subaru feel like a Chevrolet. Love. Its what makes Subaru owners wish they had their old cars back.
Published: August 29, 2017
Ryan of Mesa, AZ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought a used 2012 Subaru Legacy from a non-Subaru dealership and 4 days
I bought a used 2012 Subaru Legacy from a non-Subaru dealership and 4 days later there was something wrong with the transmission. The dealership at first couldnt identify the problem. So I googled it and discovered what was wrong. Thanks to a YouTube video. They then didnt want to help fix it and my warranty doesnt kick in till 30 days after date of purchase. And the vehicle wasnt safe to drive, it stalled if I broke too hard. So I couldnt wait the 30 days and go without. I called Subaru and they paid $1000 towards the repair! They didnt have to do that and they did because thats good customer service.
Published: February 15, 2016
Crystal of Barberton, OH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have had 5 new Subaru cars since 2006, all 5 cars were a pleasure to own,
I have had 5 new Subaru cars since 2006, all 5 cars were a pleasure to own, 2 Foresters, 2 Outbacks, and 1 Ascent. The cars are all comfortable, easy to drive and come with many extras as standard equipment. Great resale and trade. Highest rated for safety and insurance.Other
Published: November 6, 2021
Terry of Other, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

300 thousand and most reliable car I have ever owned. 1997 Subaru still goi
300 thousand and most reliable car I have ever owned. 1997 Subaru still going with less in shop time of any car I ever drive/owned/seen before. Maintenance only including the big stuff. Love my Subaru.
Published: September 3, 2019
Expressions of Fulton, MO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Experience is well. Its a used 1999, so it has its fair share of problems,
Experience is well. Its a used 1999, so it has its fair share of problems, but runs overall pretty smooth. Theres not many other features built into the vehicle because its so old. I am still working on getting a few minor things fixed on it. But its a basic car that will get you around. The car has a CD player that was installed into it and has been kept up in pretty good condition.
Published: June 23, 2018
Jacqueline of Nashville, TN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

So we bought our 2013 Outback new and I live in FL so the car doesnt see sn
So we bought our 2013 Outback new and I live in FL so the car doesnt see snow and salt. You people that live in those conditions know the salt will tear up a car in no time. I just had to change both rear bearings due to excessive noise coming from the rear. With the new bearings installed, nice and quiet. But that should not have to be done at 60,000 mi. It started making noise at 60 and of course it is out of warranty at 60. Defiantly not impressed with Subaru. The engine uses oil, will not run smooth until warmed up, the rear upper brake light leaks water in a rainstorm and the paint is not a very tough paint. The Fl love bugs have eaten through the paint on the front. My wife liked the car so we bought it on the past reputation for Subaru. Big mistake. I am a mechanic but mostly on older hot rods and when I bring up the issues with the service manager at Subaru they claim to know nothing about this being a problem. From reading the other complaints it seems that all the service locations say the same bull. Wont buy another Subaru.
Published: January 21, 2018
Robert of Spring Hill, FL
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 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

Ive had my 2015 Forester for a year now. There are some things I like and s
Ive had my 2015 Forester for a year now. There are some things I like and some I really dont like. I have put 20,000 miles on the car and havent had any mechanical problems. It drives and handles comfortably, and did well with snow and ice last winter. However there are a number of small irritants. One of my biggest issues is the upholstery. I try to be careful, but it is already seriously stained and starting to show obvious wear. No other vehicle has ever shown wear like this. The panels on the doors look dirty and wont come clean. My dog stepped one time on the padded cover of the storage box between the front seats. He left several permanent dents and the plastic coating tore. Hes ridden in several other vehicles without anything like this happening. Also the finish on the steering wheel where I grip has worn off. I also find the headrests to be remarkably uncomfortable, and its not really possible to sleep in the seat. The worst problem is that when the air is dry, as it usually is in eastern Oregon, I cant get out of the car without getting a static electric shock, just strong enough to be mildly painful. Every single time. I try to slap the door as I get out to prevent it from hurting, but I sometimes forget. This happens occasionally in other vehicles, but rarely. As minor as this seems, its annoying enough that it may prevent me from owning another Subaru. Another thing that probably shouldnt matter is the mileage indicator. I really like this except for the fact that it always shows me getting 1.5 to 2.5 miles more per gallon than I really am. I find this extremely irritating. I also hate the fuel gauge, which is a line of small gray squares which are difficult for me to see. Also the speedometer is smaller than I like, with markings close together and the 5s not indicated. Also, the windshield has cracked all the way across even though I never noticed it being hit by anything, and there is no rock ding. I resent that Subaru did not give me the option of deciding if I wanted a fancy anti-theft system that requires a very expensive key and, if you try to use a duplicate, will cause the computer to crash and cost several hundred dollars to repair. I am cynical enough to think that this was not done for my benefit. I would be perfectly happy with an old unchipped key that costs $2 to duplicate. I also dont like that only one door on the car can be opened with the key and that if I use the spare key to unlock the door the alarm goes off. Every single time. There is supposed to be a way to prevent that but it doesnt work. I also have issues with the mileage. If I drive on the level at about 45 mph, I can get as high as 30 miles to the gallon. But if I get on the freeway and drive 65 mph to Portland and back I wont get over 25 and have gotten as low as 19. The sticker claimed 29 highway. Also, though I live in a town with no more than 10 stoplights, if I do any driving around town my mileage drops like a rock. Also if I go up even a moderate hill. Finally, the clock and temperature gauge are not consistently accurate, the speakers vibrate unpleasantly if you turn the bass up, and the cup holder has broken for no apparent reason.
Published: October 15, 2015
Kevin of Bajer City, OR
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 can not believe that Subaru refuse to fix a warranty issue with a new veh
I can not believe that Subaru refuse to fix a warranty issue with a new vehicle. Subaru have dodged the issue for 18 months. They refused to admit there was an issue; operator error. Now they admit there is a fault but only want to fix half the problem. Looking at international websites, there are quite a large number of complaints about the 2015 Outback and also the tailgate function. The tailgate has malfunctioned since now and they make up plenty or reasons not to repair the car. I thought this sort of deceptive practice stopped in the last century. So much for buying a new vehicle.
Published: May 11, 2017
Michael of Lilyfield, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Outstanding vehicle. There is no better symmetrical all wheel drive vehicle
Outstanding vehicle. There is no better symmetrical all wheel drive vehicle in this price range. Approximately $30,000. Handles brilliantly regardless of road condition.
Published: August 23, 2017
Robert of West Milford, NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

When I found out the head gasket is going on my 2009 Subaru Legacy, extreme
When I found out the head gasket is going on my 2009 Subaru Legacy, extremely well maintained, and only 70,000 miles on it, I was stunned. After researching this, it has been a well-known problem for millions here and abroad, due to flawed (i.e., cheesy) design. This is an expensive repair!! I am wondering if anyone else is interested in a class action suit. I dont want to have to pay 3,000 for a new head gasket because the company skimped on design and materials. I am livid. If anyone is interested, let me know.
Published: September 30, 2014
Dilys of Verona, NJ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased a new 2017 Subaru Impreza Sport from Flow motors in Winston Salem
Purchased a new 2017 Subaru Impreza Sport from Flow motors in Winston Salem. Check oil light came on at 2500 miles. Failed 2 oil consumption tests and had 2 engine rebuilds before 13,000 miles. Using an appalling 1.5 qts oil every 1000 miles. Not repaired. Dealership cheated on oil consumption test by starting with 6 qts of oil in an engine spec’d for 4.7 qts. Going back under NC lemon law. This company gets a 5 **??? Review.
Published: April 20, 2018
Frank of Rural Hall, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I purchased my first new car in July 2014. I test drove a lot of cars and t
I purchased my first new car in July 2014. I test drove a lot of cars and the Subaru drove the best so I purchased a 2014 Outback. My last two vehicles, I purchased used Toyotas with low mileage and paid them off. I still own and love my Tacoma. I took the Outback to California from New Mexico. I visited friends and drove Highway 1. I was enjoying my road trip and after 3,000 miles, the oil light came on. I immediately pulled over and checked the oil and it was low. I put a quart in, the light went off, and I headed for home. I called the salesman that sold me the car and asked if there is a break-in period I did not know about. The salesman told me the car should not use that much oil and to bring it in for an oil test of 1,200 miles. I did so. At 1,200 miles, I called the dealer and was told nothing was open for two weeks. I took the car to another dealer in town and was told they had to start their own oil test after I was told on the phone by the other dealer the consumption test could be completed by any Subaru dealer. I start a new oil test with this specific dealership. I park the new car and drive my Tacoma to work. During Christmas, I took the Outback to Texas on a road trip. I drove the car 12 hours to and from my destination. Plus a week of all over the state, a few hours here and there. On my return trip, the oil light came on again. I put a quart in, the light went off. I called the same dealer and took the car back. I far exceeded my 1,200-mile limit and the girl checking me in scolded me for putting oil in and said I would have to start a new test. This made me angry and I started to get curious about the runaround. I lose my temper and tell the dealership if they dont fix the problem, they can have the car and Ill stop paying for it. I did not purchase a new car to keep spare quarts of oil in the back. I call for the service manager and he tells me we should have done better. He did not have an attitude like the girl at the counter. He told me Subaru will not do anything unless I complete the oil consumption test to their specs. He told me the manual states that the Outback uses a quart every 1,200 miles. I started thinking about that one. If the 2.5L engine holds 5.1 quarts, uses a quart every 1,200 miles with recommended oil change is at 7,000 miles, I am negative oil at oil change time. Again, this does not make sense.I go online and Google it. The first page is full of Subaru oil consumption articles. I had no idea that my problem is a universal problem and that a lawsuit was filed against Subaru for oil consumption and defective rings. Now I understand the runaround. An article in Motor Trend states Subaru dealers are telling owners that the oil consumption issue is normal and that normal usage is 1 quart every 1,200 miles. But with a new vehicle, this kind of oil consumption is definitely not normal. Owners who are experiencing excessive oil usage can take their Forester, Outback, Legacy, XV Crosstrek, and Impreza models in and ask their Subaru dealer for a consumption test. They will then change the oil free of cost, and ask you to come back in 1,200 miles. If the oil usage is over their acceptable specifications, they could replace the piston rings. The Outback performs beautifully. I purchased the base model 6-speed standard. The Outback is roomy and pleasure to drive. Unfortunately, I now have to convince the dealership to fix the problem. I did not purchase a new car thinking the rings would be defective and the engine must be rebuilt. The car consumed oil on long trips with the cruise control set at 73 to 83 mph driving for 12 to 14 hours straight.I will not take a trip like that for another six months. I will park the car and wait for the next road trip. I also want to make note that on my first road trip, the Outback got up to 28 miles per gallon on the highway. After the first oil light incident, the car gets 23 miles per gallon at best. I am very upset with Subaru. I will be paying for this car for the next five years. I will be driving my trusty Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 4-cylinder with 179 thousand miles on it. The Toyota is not as comfortable and does not have all the bells and whistles but has never used oil and gets 26 mpg. My first new car at 46 years old and I made the wrong choice. The hassle with the dealership, I wish I could give the car back and spend my money on a Toyota.
Published: January 8, 2015
Richard of Albuquerque , NM
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Dont Buy Subaru! I bought one, now I wish I hadnt. It wasnt until after the
Dont Buy Subaru! I bought one, now I wish I hadnt. It wasnt until after the purchase that I realized that it was consuming oil. One day, a light came on the dash, which I learned was an Oil Level light, an Oil Level light! I checked the level and refilled the oil to the full mark, 2 1/2 quarts. I took it back to the dealer and what they had told me was that It was perfectly normal for a Subaru Outback to lose a quart every 1000 miles! This was not mentioned during the sales pitch or during the purchase; however if they had, I would not have bought the car! They recommended doing the Oil Consumption test, where you drive 1200 miles and return to the dealer four times. Yeah, a couple times it only took a half quart and it did take a quart. Well at the first attempt, my oil light came on while driving through the valley, so I had to add oil and that nullified the test and we had to start over again. Again they said that was normal and they wouldnt tell me why or how. I called Subaru of America and went back and forth with their customer service rep and she ended up hanging up on me. She did point to the owners manual, chapter/page where it did say to expect oil loss, as much as a quart every 1000 miles. Who reads a manual before a purchase? In my opinion, Subaru lied to me by means of omission. So any of you out there thinking of buying Subaru, dont do it. Ill be getting rid of this one soon and will never go Subaru again.
Published: September 17, 2013
Steve of Belmont, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My 2011 Forester failed a recent oil consumption check. I had it done becau
My 2011 Forester failed a recent oil consumption check. I had it done because the warranty expires in May 2016 and my daughter had the same problem with her 2012 Forester that was warrantied by Subaru. I hope to have mine warrantied also. In my case though, the dealer has warned that I may be liable for all expenses since the interval between oil changes exceeded recommended milage. Reading Subaru message boards leads me here to Consumer Affairs to learn if mine and my daughters is not an isolated incident. I think not.
Published: August 1, 2015
bill of Spokane, WA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought my Outback new and have taken meticulous care of the car, religiou
I bought my Outback new and have taken meticulous care of the car, religiously changed the oil and all of the customary tune ups. I do quite a bit of driving, having put 149k in less than 6 years but have tended to every update or replacement so to avoid any unforeseen major issues. Last year, my oil light came in which confused me since I had 2k miles to go before the next oil change. Went to check the oil and it was boned drive. Since then, I have carried extra oil - just in case this happened again. Did not think much of this fluke. Fast forward to a couple of months ago, I felt a noticeable decrease in performance. Took it to my mechanic and always got its fine.A month ago, noticed that my acceleration was compromised so my mechanic changed the engine filter and then the battery, which improved the acceleration slightly, but thought it was in my head. The car started to make a rattling sound after trying to accelerate over 60-80MPH; it felt that the engine was choking. I would not even pass other cars for fear of the car stalling; no lights came on. Then the next day, the dashboard went haywire with the lights (cruise control, solid engine light, traction control, and another light that I cant remember right now). Took it to another Subaru dealership in North Attleboro, MA and they hooked it up to the machine and told me that I needed OSV Valves for both side, code P0028. The cost of the valves were 235.74 and labor was 600.00, totaling $835.74, which I paid since I thought it was going to resolve this issue once and for all.I asked if the tech took the car for a test drive and they could not confirm this. I picked up the Subaru and drove off, the car had a slight improvement but not for the 835.75 repair. Called Subaru the next day, and drove the car back to the dealership. Had the general manager drive my car, and he felt that the car had no power to accelerate and that the transmission felt like it was slipping. This was Saturday morning. On Tuesday, the Subaru manager said that they were still working on it; they could not find the source of the problem and was on the phone with another Subaru department trying to figure this out. A day later, we got a text message stating it was my transmission leaking down internally. The cost to replace was $6040 and that did not include other parts and fluid. I wrote to Subaru since I feel that the Class Action Lawsuit of the excessive oil consumption may be related to the transmission.In addition, Subaru had replaced OSV valves and did not test drive the car to see if they remedy the issue. Lastly, why did the diagnostic machine pick this up? I purposely asked the tech, if there was another nested issue underneath the OSV valves; she answered no. The POO28 code was correct diagnosis. I will contest the charge for the valves on my Visa and have written to Subaru Corp about this issue. Between replacing timing belt, fuel pump, tires... this transmission would have set me back well over 10k. If I cant get Subaru to fix this for under 2k, I will trade it in. This car was great in the snow, but the seats were uncomfortable, poor visibility from the side of the car (blindspots were bad). Headlights are constantly burning out and Subaru response is to go to the dealership to get them replaced. Next car will be a Honda or Toyota.
Published: May 25, 2017
Kathy of Worcester, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

The horn on my 2009 Sabaru Impreza started to sound spontaneously while sit
The horn on my 2009 Sabaru Impreza started to sound spontaneously while sitting in my driveway. My son finally removed the fuse (my 21 year old son drives the car most of the time). This was in April 2011. We took the car to the dealership and they determined that the horn was damaged due to excessive outside force and that my son must have hit the steering wheel repeatedly with his fists or a hammer. The price to fix the horn would be $966.80 plus tax. My son loves the car and takes very good care of it. He told Donna that he did not damage the steering wheel and she told him to just admit it. The same thing happened a couple of weeks ago and the young man finally admitted it, she said. Again, my son said that he did not hit the steering wheel. He saw a tiny dent in the emblem on the steering wheel about a week after we got the car. But he didnt say anything to me and said he didnt want to bother the Sabaru people about it. It didnt interfere with the car at all and it wasnt worth complaining about (he knows better now). Now the cars inspection is due and it cannot pass without a horn. I have talked to the service manager and customer service. I have had several phone calls (long ones, as it takes about 30 minutes to get through to anyone) and learned that the Sabaru company has an excellent system for keeping a customer from speaking to anyone. I think they invented the run around. The people working in customer service are nice at first. But as they keep putting you off and you keep calling, they get more and more rude and abrupt. I spoke to Jeff, Bill, and finally Shirley. Shirley offered me 50% off the warranty rate which she said was $800. When I asked what a warranty rate was, she said that if the warranty is in effect, there is a certain rate that the customer pays. No warranty means the non-warranty rate which in my case she said was $1400. She said, Thats our final offer; take it or leave it.” She said she thought it was a very generous offer considering I did the damage myself. I told her that was exactly the point: we did not do the damage. I was skeptical about her actually being a customer service rep. So, I asked what her job title was and she said she was the customer relations manager for the entire region, whatever that means. I have written a letter to the corporate headquarters in Cherry Hill, NJ and a letter directly to the president of Subaru of America. I went back to Mid-Hudson Sabaru to try and reason with them. They again said that I or my son caused the damage. When I said that was not true, the manager said, Well, thats our determination and what you say really doesnt matter.” Also, I asked Donna if the $966.80 was the warranty rate or the non-warranty rate and she said it was the non-warranty rate. Then, I told her about Shirleys conversation with me and suddenly the $966.80 became the warranty rate. Donna said she actually did not know where Shirley got the $1400.00 price from. I told her that Shirley said she got the figure from her. Donna said that was not true (and they say Im lying!). Manufactured figures, lies, back peddling, avoidance behavior, and general disrespect have been nonstop since this problem began 9 months ago. I told them I would not pay the $400 as I did not cause the problem and it should be covered under the factory warranty and that my integrity was not for sale. They said, Whatever. Sabaru couldnt care less about my problem. That’s a nice company policy. I told the service manager, Rob, that I might as well give them the car back as we cant drive it uninspected. I said, I bet youll fix the horn then. He said, Of course. Then it will be ours. Dont buy a Sabaru. I never will again.
Published: January 17, 2012
Carmen of Hopewell Junction, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Our 2010 Outback failed on a road trip in a cloud of smoke a few days and l
Our 2010 Outback failed on a road trip in a cloud of smoke a few days and less than 1,000 miles after an oil change and 23-pt. inspection at the selling dealership. Were told the engine block would need replacement -- $5,200 -- and a $1,300 tear down to see what other engine parts would need replacement. With few options, in another city, we traded the remains on a 14 Forester. The Outback used immense quantities of oil; we began changing every 1,500-2000 miles and always carried oil because the light went on frequently. Dealers that checked said no biggie. Three times we had episodes where the idiot lights all went on, the Outback shuddered, had no power, etc. Bad plugs (after a dealer change) and perhaps briefly using hi-test gas were blamed. I think NHTSA needs to look at engine reliability.
Published: April 25, 2014
Kames of Milwaukee, WI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have owned my Legacy only a few week. Pulling slowly into a parking space
I have owned my Legacy only a few week. Pulling slowly into a parking space, the car lunged full speed into a brick wall. My passenger suffered 3 broken ribs, I had whiplash, banged knees, and we both suffered injuries from the seat belts. Contacted Subaru Corp, and heard back. He said stop the repairs. I told him the repairs were cosmetic, and he could test the car after repairs, that the hood, fenders and bumper didnt cause the problem. He said they wouldnt do that. Then he suggested that I trade in the car. Sure, so someone could buy this defective car??? I said I wanted a comparable car, and he said they wouldnt do that either. The car had been a corporate car, with 31,000 miles on it. I wonder if it had the problem when they sold it to me.
Published: November 27, 2015
Patricia of Lowell, MA
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

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 own a 2005 Subaru Forester. It has a factory installed lift bar on the ba
I own a 2005 Subaru Forester. It has a factory installed lift bar on the back hatch. This bar has been replaced 3 times, due to a rust issue (from the rear washer fluid spraying on top of it). My local Subaru dealer said that it is a Subaru flaw, and not only are they no longer able to get replacements from Subaru, but will not cover the cost under my bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Published: January 26, 2012
Joann of Trumansburr, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Issue with headlight freezing, building up while driving when it is snowing
Issue with headlight freezing, building up while driving when it is snowing. Not suitable for long driving or out of state especially when it is snowing (I mean not even continuous snowing). Very dangerous so do not ever do that. Gas tank keeps freezing, again when it snows, just a little cold temp outside and it always happens every time. Very inconvenient and unreliable as you have to fix that before you can put gas. Snows build up underneath. This snow should clear up or melted away already as the cars been driven 40 miles 2 way already. I have 2 2004 cars and one is a 2005 Subaru STI and never experienced any of this issue with the WRX LTD.Contacted dealer when it happened a month after driving it in October and was just advised to just pour water or use credit card to take out the ice build up around the gas cap and put w40 or wipe with it on both headlights when driving in snow or when you know it will be snowing later... The headlight I can figure that out because it is all LED and it was flushed inside and not mounted so this should be recalled and fixed. It just like the stoplight here in Illinois that they have so much issues when they all get replaced with LED. Not enough heat to melt the freezing snow (snow and wind), it caused accident because drivers could not just see it.I wrote Subaru like 5 times already about this. All they said is check with the Dealer??? They are both incompetent dealing with the customers once you purchased the car but they will answer all your questions when you are still buying it... Just buy something else. For reliability I have a 2004 Subaru STI and a 2004 Toyota Sienna LXE LTD AWD that are still on the road. Probably cars built in the past last long than newer ones. Ill trade this overpriced car and will just start leasing...
Published: November 21, 2019
jojo of Wheeling, IL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Me and my 12 year old had a lady pull out in front of us in my 2012 Subaru
Me and my 12 year old had a lady pull out in front of us in my 2012 Subaru Forester. We ended up hitting a telephone pole on the drivers side. Thank goodness but my side impact air bag did not deploy, I was slammed into the pole very hard and I was doing 20mph when I started down the hill, factor in the velocity of the slide on ice and snow and I was doing well over the 8mph needed to deploy the air bag. I hit hard enough to crumple the rocker sill inside the door and snap the bumper clips and flatten the front tire. We had seat belt bruises of course, my daughter hurt her knee on the door, I injured my arm and shoulder, and slammed my head violently. When I contacted Subaru about this, they did not seem overly concerned, Im still yelling at them about this. I dont know about anyone else but I feel this is a serious malfunction. Ive had other problems too, faulty seatbelts, engine running rough and smelling bad, brakes going bad, stalling, loss of power. And every time I take it back to the dealer, they say we cant do anything, the check engine light is not on. To say the least, this is the most frustrating thing Ive ever heard it makes me want to pull my hair out. I bought my Subaru because Ive owned 3 older ones like 80s and they were good old beaters ya know, so I figured Id buy a newer one. Mine only had 20,000 on it, like new. I wish Id never bought this car, what a mistake.Anyone else feel this way, these big companies always getting away with rooking us little guys? I even contacted a lawyer, he said good luck. Im like really? they almost killed me. I think Im going to try to take them on myself!!! Anyone else interested? If you are write to me **. Im so sick of these guys rooking everyone. You pay 30,000 for a car, it shouldnt be a piece of junk death trap that stalls and does hesitates when you step on it so you can get hit by people real nice. But ya know the check engine light isnt on so we cant fix it. Hey I have no brakes. Well the brakes look good to us we cant help you. Really??? God, such crap.
Published: January 14, 2015
brandie of Easton, ME
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I love my Subaru Legacy. It handles like a much more expensive car. The col
I love my Subaru Legacy. It handles like a much more expensive car. The color is awesome and the overall look sleek and modern. It gets compliments wherever I drive it. 3 y/o and 113000 miles and it doesnt feel broken in yet. Go Subaru!!
Published: December 5, 2019
Patricia of Morganton, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Both me & my wife have Subarus. Given what Ive found out I probably won
Both me & my wife have Subarus. Given what Ive found out I probably wont be buying another one ever. My wifes 2002 outback is leaking oil & coolant now. She has about 120k miles on it. Cost to fix at a non-Subaru shop $2300-$2500.00. This is total BS as far as Im concerned. All the hype with these cars and it has been a KNOWN problem by Subaru. No recalls or fixes it would appear either. So far my 2005 isnt a problem. Only 60k miles also. Our regular mechanic is an ex-Subaru service manager. He said I can expect another $2300+ bill for the 2005 as well. If I had known about the problem I certainly wouldnt have bought my 2005. From the other reviews and complaints about the newer Subarus here, its definite that I wont buy another Subaru. Another mechanic has just recently told me about this as well.
Published: October 30, 2014
Dennis of Las Vegas, NV
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased 2000 14 Subaru WRX in June. I was advised the tires on the car we
Purchased 2000 14 Subaru WRX in June. I was advised the tires on the car were summer only tires so I purchased a new set of rims and tires for the winter. When I went to change the summer tires to the winter tires, I noticed the interior edge of the tire were worn down to the cords, the rest of the tire look brand new. Took the car to a Subaru dealer, they put the car on the alignment machine and said everything is in specs, that theres nothing wrong with the car. Since they say theres nothing wrong with the car they will not replace my tires. The car has 20,000 miles on it. I have maybe ten thousand miles on my summer tires and ten thousand miles on my winter tires. I rotate the tires myself every other oil change. The dealer wants documentation on tire rotation which I cannot provide since I do my own maintenance. I like the car, its fast, handles well and is great in the snow. As of now I am trading in my 2014 Subaru because I cannot afford to purchase tires every 10,000 miles. I receive no satisfaction whatsoever from Subaru. I find that Subaru is very unhelpful in dealing with consumers complaints.
Published: November 11, 2014
john of Milford, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Excellent car for the value. Also the safety rating in the Subaru Crosstrek
Excellent car for the value. Also the safety rating in the Subaru Crosstrek with its all wheel drive tops most competitors in its class. After test diving all most cars, we kept on coming back to the Subaru Crosstrek.
Published: December 8, 2019
Douglas of Myrtle Beach, SC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Note: This is my 4th New Subaru and mostly like my last. I have had my car
Note: This is my 4th New Subaru and mostly like my last. I have had my car in at the Subaru dealer 6 times since 12/6/14 for the SAME issue and most recently 7/6/15. The issue is with Low Oil Levels. They performed 3 oil consumption tests and I have been told twice that they replaced a sensor and performed an upgrade on the software. Note: Each time I took my car in for this issue, the Oil Can Light was on and the info screen on the dash information window displayed Check Engine Oil Levels System detects low engine oil levels.The 1st time the low oil lights came on was on 12/6/14, I was on the highway, and I stopped at a nearby auto repair shop to have them check the oil. They did the check, they told me that the dipstick was dry... I requested they put oil in the car. I then drove to dealership Service Dept. that same day, 12/6/14 (Invoice # **), with miles at 18,554 (difference of 4,605 from last oil change). Note: The date of the previous oil change was on 8/16/14 (Invoice # **) with mileage at 13,949. The Subaru owners manual indicates that the car should go 7,500 miles between oil changes. 12/6/14 - start of 1st oil consumption test. The subsequent dates of these services for this same issue were: 1/3/15 (Invoice # **) mileage 19,906 in for results of 1st consumption test, they also started a second oil consumption test on 1/3/15 - same date as the 1st results, they topped off the oil. On 1/31/15 (invoice **) mileage 21,380 returned for the results of the 2nd Oil Consumption test, they also charged me for an oil change. On 3/24/15 - Oil Level Low message displayed, mile at 23,755, Invoice ** - Service covered the start of a 3rd oil consumption test, and topped off the oil. Miles since last oil change were 2,375.4/18/15 - the car displayed the oil can light and displayed the system detects low oil level message. I was told by the service advisor that they were going to replace the sensor and upgrade the software, and top off the oil. The invoice # for 4/18/15 is **, mile at 25,020 - 33,640 since the last oil change, 1,265 miles since the dealer service dept. topped off the oil.7/6/15 the car displayed the oil can light and displayed the system detects low oil level message. Invoice # **. Upon arrival, I showed the message displayed in my running car to the Service Advisor, he repeated the issue back to me and then the Service Manager took over. The service manager asked what service was performed last time. I told him that the service advisor indicated that they replaced sensor and they updated the software. After being at the dealership service department for over 1 hours the Service Manager informed me that they did NOT replace the sensor or upgrade the software on 4/18/15. They were going to do that today (7/6/15). Mile at on 7/6/15 27,470 - 2,450 since previous oil top off by dealership and 6,090 miles since last oil change including two oil top offs by the dealership.I will be requesting Subaru open a claim for this issue with 2014 Subaru Forester (as soon as the website will accept my vin #) as the dealership service department has failed to request Subaru, even though I have requested them to do so 3 times. Note: On July 6th, 2015 I heard a service advisor talking with another customer about his older Subaru that was in for an oil change. The customer asked the service advisor if the oil in his car would take a 3,000 mile trip, the answer was yes. I turned to the Subaru Service Manager and asked if my 2014 Subaru Forester would be good for a 3,000 mile trip without the Low Oil Level lights coming on, he said I dont think so.
Published: July 12, 2015
Jean of Nashville, TN
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

Two accidents with 2016 Forester. No. 1. While sitting in my car at a drive
Two accidents with 2016 Forester. No. 1. While sitting in my car at a drive in restaurant in park position, my car suddenly moved backwards across the parking lot before hitting another vehicle. Several diners saw this happen. Police were called and wrote a report. I got no ticket. I contacted McGovern Subaru and told them what happened, They said that they would call the Subaru headquarters. A few days later, I was told that they had never hear of this. The dealership never contacted me again. No. 2 June 16 2018: With the keys in my hand, ready to get out of the car, it suddenly started moving forward as if driven by its battery. Before I could do anything, it went through my fence, knocked over two full 100 gallon propane gas cause one to spewing to spewing it in the air and hit my screen house, destroying it. Estimated damage: $13,000. There is a witness to this. The fire and police departments were on the scene in minutes and traffic was routed to other streets. I immediately reported this to McGovern Subaru. It took five days wrangling between the towing company and the dealership before it was delivered. Two weeks later no work has been done. Excuse: Waiting for an expert from Subaru using a computer to analyze the problem.
Published: August 29, 2018
Royal Francis of Amesbury, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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