Deep dive: Travis Pastranas Subaru Family Huckster gymkhana car

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Deep dive: Travis Pastranas Subaru Family Huckster gymkhana car
Posted On: December 4, 2022
Travis Pastrana's "Family Huckster" packs the guts of a gymkhana car into the body of a 1983 Subaru GL wagon. Pastrana unveiled this unusual build earlier this year, and the wagon makes its gymkhana video debut on Dec. 6.  Inspired by Subaru GL wagons used as a marketing tie-in with the U.S. ski team, the Family Huckster retains the boxy profile of its stock counterpart but features a bespoke tube-frame chassis and carbon-fiber body panels and doors. While the wheelbase is about the same as stock, the Huckster is about a foot wider. This makes for both a throwback to Subaru's earlier days and a practical choice for video shoots, Pastrana explains in the video. It's easy to see the corners of the car from the driver's seat, which comes in handy when driving close to obstacles. Pastrana also doesn't have to worry about damaging a protruding rear wing, as in his previous gymkhana car, the Subaru WRX STI Airslayer. Travis Pastrana's Family Huckster 1983 Subaru GL wagon Like the Airslayer, the Family Huckster was built by Vermont SportsCar, the firm that also builds the WRX STI rally cars Pastrana drives in the American Rally Association (ARA) championship. Underneath the boxy Subaru GL bodywork, the wagon has quite a lot in common with those rally cars. Power comes from the same turbocharged 2.3-liter flat-4 used in the Airslayer. The engine produces the same 862 hp as in the Airslayer, which is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed sequential gearbox. The Family Huckster is geared for a higher top speed than the Airslayer, topping out at 175 mph. The Family Huckster also incorporates some of the active aerodynamic elements from the Airslayer. Flaps pop up when extra downforce is needed, then retract to help lower grip levels when Pastrana wants to get sideways. In place of the Airslayer's large rear wing, the Family Huckster has a movable wing that rises out of the roof.  In keeping with the family wagon theme, Vermont SportsCar added a roof rack that also serves an aerodynamic function. It helps direct air into a roof-mounted intake for the radiator, which is located in the rear of the car. For authenticity's sake, the wagon sports original Subaru GL taillights and badging on the outside, and some factory switches on the inside. Vermont SportsCar also recreated the stock dashboard in carbon fiber, with a blue tint referencing the original interior color. The builder also gave the digital instrument cluster some 1980s-style graphics. A non-1980s touch is the steering-wheel paddle, which Pastrana pushes to activate a radio, and pulls to turn on the windshield wiper. Look for the Family Huckster in a new gymkhana video premiering on Dec. 6. In the meantime, watch the full video for an up-close look at this unique wagon.

Reposted From Source: motorauthority.com


[BACK]
Deep dive: Travis Pastranas Subaru Family Huckster gymkhana car
Posted On: December 4, 2022
Travis Pastrana's "Family Huckster" packs the guts of a gymkhana car into the body of a 1983 Subaru GL wagon. Pastrana unveiled this unusual build earlier this year, and the wagon makes its gymkhana video debut on Dec. 6.  Inspired by Subaru GL wagons used as a marketing tie-in with the U.S. ski team, the Family Huckster retains the boxy profile of its stock counterpart but features a bespoke tube-frame chassis and carbon-fiber body panels and doors. While the wheelbase is about the same as stock, the Huckster is about a foot wider. This makes for both a throwback to Subaru's earlier days and a practical choice for video shoots, Pastrana explains in the video. It's easy to see the corners of the car from the driver's seat, which comes in handy when driving close to obstacles. Pastrana also doesn't have to worry about damaging a protruding rear wing, as in his previous gymkhana car, the Subaru WRX STI Airslayer. Travis Pastrana's Family Huckster 1983 Subaru GL wagon Like the Airslayer, the Family Huckster was built by Vermont SportsCar, the firm that also builds the WRX STI rally cars Pastrana drives in the American Rally Association (ARA) championship. Underneath the boxy Subaru GL bodywork, the wagon has quite a lot in common with those rally cars. Power comes from the same turbocharged 2.3-liter flat-4 used in the Airslayer. The engine produces the same 862 hp as in the Airslayer, which is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed sequential gearbox. The Family Huckster is geared for a higher top speed than the Airslayer, topping out at 175 mph. The Family Huckster also incorporates some of the active aerodynamic elements from the Airslayer. Flaps pop up when extra downforce is needed, then retract to help lower grip levels when Pastrana wants to get sideways. In place of the Airslayer's large rear wing, the Family Huckster has a movable wing that rises out of the roof.  In keeping with the family wagon theme, Vermont SportsCar added a roof rack that also serves an aerodynamic function. It helps direct air into a roof-mounted intake for the radiator, which is located in the rear of the car. For authenticity's sake, the wagon sports original Subaru GL taillights and badging on the outside, and some factory switches on the inside. Vermont SportsCar also recreated the stock dashboard in carbon fiber, with a blue tint referencing the original interior color. The builder also gave the digital instrument cluster some 1980s-style graphics. A non-1980s touch is the steering-wheel paddle, which Pastrana pushes to activate a radio, and pulls to turn on the windshield wiper. Look for the Family Huckster in a new gymkhana video premiering on Dec. 6. In the meantime, watch the full video for an up-close look at this unique wagon.

Reposted From Source: motorauthority.com


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Product Reviews:

Bought a 2009 Subaru Forester XT with 40000 miles. Was good till about 5000
Bought a 2009 Subaru Forester XT with 40000 miles. Was good till about 50000. First was a camshaft position sensor which I got SOA to pay for after some heated discussion. Next came a blown turbo - no help from my dealer, Patriot Subaru, or SOA. Cost $400 - did work myself. Now 2000 miles later, the car sits with a blown motor. Once again, no help from Patriot or SOA. They had the nerve to offer me a $500 credit toward a new Subaru like Ill buy another one not to mention I owe $15,000 on the POS! Dont buy Subaru!
Published: May 30, 2014
jimmy of East Waterboro, ME
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

13 Outback Premium PZEV- Bought new in Sept. 2013 at Moore Subaru in Peoria
13 Outback Premium PZEV- Bought new in Sept. 2013 at Moore Subaru in Peoria AZ. This dealership is great and has treated me well. My outback has nearly 29k miles and has been enjoyed. Car is garage kept at home & work & ALWAYS gets good gas...usually Shell premium, NOT because it needs it, but because it has the highest concentration of cleaning agents. Im a geek about keeping it clean and take care of it because I love it.Ive had it in dirt, mud, water, rocks, gravel and it has always done fantastic. I drove it past the finish line of Four Peaks Trail past Saguaro Lake with 3 people & AC where we saw only ATVs & a few Wranglers. Also had some fun climbing on loose dirt & rocks with the VDC off...car does more than some reviews show. Manual even says to turn VDC off in certain conditions...If you keep your MAF sensor clean & use a high perf. Air filter like K&N, performance is noticeably better. (Never cleaned & re-used one...) Climbed the 17 with 4 adults, 1 large dog & luggage with no issues. Love my car...only regret not getting the limited with nav & eyesight. My wife just got a new Crosstrek from the same dealership...
Published: May 17, 2015
Paul of Surprise, AZ
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased new 2014 Outback from Maxwell Subaru in Burlington, NC... They sc
Purchased new 2014 Outback from Maxwell Subaru in Burlington, NC... They screwed up paperwork and let tags expired. Have not received explanation yet. Reported the situation to Subaru who seem not to give a damn. Hopefully, this is not an example of the vehicle itself...
Published: March 19, 2014
William of Danville, VA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

On May 27, 2014, we purchased a 2014 Subaru Outback. We have complained mul
On May 27, 2014, we purchased a 2014 Subaru Outback. We have complained multiple times about a leak in our roof and were told that the roof tracks had to be cleaned out regularly. The first leak occurred when our cup holders filled with water. The second leak occurred at a car wash which filled a cup with car wash fluid. Again, today while going through a car wash, my husband witnessed the leak from the corner passenger side vanity mirror. We have also complained about a chronic moisture issue to no avail.
Published: February 3, 2018
Terry of Portland, OR
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

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

(Am not a car expert so forgive the terminology) In 2010 we leased brand ne
(Am not a car expert so forgive the terminology) In 2010 we leased brand new 2010 Subaru Forester and it sometimes would not start and had weird electrical issues. Gas tank meter would sometimes not register when I filled tank. Engine/oil and other lights would start flashing randomly--was not able to establish a pattern or pinpoint reason. Once I was not able to fill tank and gas station attendant pushed hard into gas tank opening and gas spilled out. Dealership supposedly fixed it--something with the sensor. But electrical issues continued to happen sporadically and dealer kept saying to bring it in when it happened--but of course it would never happen when I could bring it in. We returned that car thinking it was a lemon.In 2013 leased another 2014 Forester because we love how it performs in the snow and ice. Well, this one is also giving us problems right after the 3-year warranty mark. This past winter it didnt start in about 7 or more different occasions (lost count) leaving me stranded in the cold, sometimes alone or with kids. We are never, ever getting another Subaru--I dont care how well it performs in the snow.
Published: April 9, 2017
B of Dobbs Ferry, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We have owned three Subarus. The 2017 Forester being the latest. I was very
We have owned three Subarus. The 2017 Forester being the latest. I was very excited about my new Forester until I was driving and it kept dying on me. Then a light showed up showing low oil, had only had the vehicle two months, called dealer they said bring it in they will check it out they stated nothing showed up about low oil, again two months later same problem while we were on our way to vacation again. Dealer said bring in. Same response, my husband talked to them and explained the other problems about it dying, transmission not shifting properly, rattling in motor. They told him to bring it in. They test drove it and told him nothing was wrong but did say they would charge us $95.00 an hour to fix it, now again same problems no response. The only reason we had stayed with Subaru is because we purchased a 2003 Baja and it has almost 300,000 miles on so we decided to buy another one in 2014. We purchased a Crosstrek. Had so much trouble with that car. Traded it in for a Jeep which by the way is fantastic, guess if we cant get my Forester fixed we will be trading it in also. Wondering if anyone else has had so much going on with their Subarus.
Published: April 2, 2018
Sharon of Sinton, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

With - 28 C in Ottawa today, it was not surprising that my car did not want
With - 28 C in Ottawa today, it was not surprising that my car did not want to start. The dealer could only suggest calling their emergency roadside assistance service 1-800-263-8642. After punching several options on my cellular phone, I was put into a waiting line and after 45 minutes, I could no longer stand their stupid music and I cancelled the call. Thanks to my personal battery charger, I solved the issue. The car runs nicely but Subaru fails on the service aspect.
Published: January 24, 2022
PAUL of Orleans, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

2012 Subaru Impreza limited edition - I purchased this car for my daughter
2012 Subaru Impreza limited edition - I purchased this car for my daughter who was attending college. Within in a month oil light came on, quart low. This continued and the dealership said this is fine. Over a 2 year period of being in and out of shop we had 25 oil changes. Fed up and went to dealer and they finally did an oil consumption test, it failed. They replaced the lower engine block. My daughter is 20 and the dealer has always given her a loaner for the car was in shop for 3 weeks. After lower block was put in she was told to return after 4000 miles. She did but had relocated for college to Oregon. When they checked it out they found that the passenger side valve gasket was leaking and not sure what they might find when they get in to fix it. She was told they could not give her a loaner for not 25. She had to leave for she needs a car for college and sports. To go back to Santa Rosa, CA to have problem fixed is a 10 hour round trip but they give her a car. Dont know what to do. This is a Subaru problem and I feel they need to cooperate at the Medford, Oregon dealership. This has been the worst car experience for a new car and my daughter is so sad and disappointed in a car she believed would be great.
Published: September 28, 2014
Julie of Garberville, 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

I have 2 stone chips in my 2014 Subaru Outback, one went right to the metal
I have 2 stone chips in my 2014 Subaru Outback, one went right to the metal and started rusting immediately! I took it to the dealer and showed them the two chips. I asked why would a 10 month old car rust that easily, could this be the beginning of a bigger rust problem with a Subaru (think OLD Subarus - very rusty)? They pretty much told me they would do nothing about it. This will be my last service call time dealing with the Service department at Chilson Subaru in Eau Claire, WI.
Published: July 18, 2014
Cari of Chippewa Falls, WI
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

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

I love my 2013 Subaru Impreza and had no issues up to now. I know Im part o
I love my 2013 Subaru Impreza and had no issues up to now. I know Im part of a class action suit, and I reviewed it and saw it was not only for oil issues but also for CVT transmission problems. My car is 62,000 and Ive done all of the services. After my 60,000 check up, where everything checked out fine, I heard an odd grumbling noise and was told I needed a new transmission, which luckily is still under warranty. However, there are simply no parts available in all the USA and it could take weeks or months due to back order. I was told it was safe to drive, but I live alone and drive country roads and was told it could stop at some point. To me thats not safe. I find it unacceptable that a car so popular should have such a serious issue. Ive been in touch with the customer service hotline and someone keeps promising me hell try to expedite getting the part, but theres been no action. I cant even get a guesstimate. Ive been offered $500 for a rental car, but thats only 10 days and that will not even begin to cover that it could take weeks. So, its worthless right now until I can even get an estimated arrival date. Im beginning to think I need to trade in the car, but after this, not sure I want another Subaru. Buying a new car is hard work and Im not in the mood for all of that. I dont like driving around with a faulty major part of the car. Im disgusted and angry. Im going to write a letter to the Chief Operating Officer at their headquarters to see if I can get some action.
Published: August 29, 2017
Susan of New Milford, CT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Ive owned 5 Subarus including 2 Foresters. Three of my Subarus had 105,000;
Ive owned 5 Subarus including 2 Foresters. Three of my Subarus had 105,000; 121,000; and 167,000 miles respectively. Absolutely no problems. Youd think I could expect more than 90,000 miles on my 2009 Forester. No such luck. It experienced not just an engine failure, but a catastrophic engine failure. It was a total engine disintegration - crank, rods, cam journal, etc. All this with Mobil 1 synthetic oil and Subaru oil filters every 4,500-6,000 miles.Repair estimate is $6,200. Attaway Subaru. Well see what assistance Subaru corporate will offer. Other Asian manufacturers, GM and Chrysler, offer 5-year/100,000-mile warranty. I guess Subaru is so proud of its products it only offers a 60,000-mile drive train warranty. Also, the interior finish on the doors and dash is wearing off. Both fog lamp lenses cracked within a month and the auto dimming mirror failed outside of the warranty. I get parts at cost and its still $147. More to come with Subaru.
Published: April 30, 2013
Paul of Clancy, MT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have the Subaru Forester. I love that model because its an all terrain ve
I have the Subaru Forester. I love that model because its an all terrain vehicle. I like to go camping a lot so its useful on those old dirt roads. Usually it is terrifying to drive on them because its so bumpy and you feel like the car could turn over any second but with my Subaru it is smooth and I feel safe! I really like my Subaru. It is dependable and safe. I have children so it makes me feel better driving with them in a car like that. I have actually gotten into an accident in it, just myself, but it wasnt that bad! I credit it to the safety precautions I got on it. Its also very pretty. I got it in blue which is my favorite color. Just seeing the car makes me really happy! The seats are a nice creamy white leather. And I got a flower scented air freshener!I would improve however, the battery life. The battery in my car has a very short life span and I constantly find myself having to fix it. Granted, my kids do tend to turn the light on the car and we leave it on overnight. So maybe a fix could be an auto turn off on the lights after a couple of hours? That would be really useful since my family always forgets to turn the lights off.
Published: June 27, 2018
Jessica of Pittsford, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have been taking my Subaru Legacy 2011 to the Subaru service center for t
I have been taking my Subaru Legacy 2011 to the Subaru service center for the fifth time with the same problem, hard shifting from park to reverse, engine shakes and lights dim, put into drive and get a flutter like cold start after engine warms up for five minutes, also while driving come to a stop and engine shuts off. Service center kept my car for four days and still am having the same problem.
Published: March 26, 2014
Derrick of Mount Vernon, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I wanted to buy Subaru xv premium 2015 Black From Bayraktar Subaru. They to
I wanted to buy Subaru xv premium 2015 Black From Bayraktar Subaru. They told me they will have in 2 weeks. And I told I will have 4 weeks because I needed to sell my old car. Then I sold my car faster than I think. I visit them 3 times and every time I visit they gave me 3 different date about cars arrival. At last they said they will have the color I want next month... maybe. Called their manager and got information about they don’t know when they will black cars arrival. They said it is normal. The only thing I wonder why they did not tell me that in the first time I was there when I said I wanna buy Subaru xv premium 2015 black...
Published: May 21, 2015
Burak of stanbul, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

My engine all of a sudden started to sputter and shake. No lights came on a
My engine all of a sudden started to sputter and shake. No lights came on and I pulled it into a parking spot immediately and shut it off. I then checked my oil and my level was so low it did not even read. I was exactly 3,000 miles from my last oil change. I then had two places check out my car before attempting to drive it home. I made it halfway and then had to call to get towed because my engine was giving out. I have had problems with my Subaru Forester 2010 in regards to the drivers side window getting stuck and not closing properly, the radio changes stations without any reason, the window washer fluid container leaking but leaving no trace a mile away after I refilled it, and finally the interior lights not working at all after a year of having the car. I am just very frustrated with this car and makes me wonder why I didnt chose a Honda when I had a choice and chance. Thought I was going for the safer and better car because it had a great track record. I will never choose a Subaru again.
Published: April 2, 2015
Denise of Lewes, DE
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Hi, we have a relatively old Subaru, about 8 years but very low mileage and
Hi, we have a relatively old Subaru, about 8 years but very low mileage and the a/c failed with a projected cost of $2,500. Seeing as the vehicle has been used very little, the repair amounts to $3 for every hour it has been driven. I asked if this was normal from Subaru and they simply explained that it was out of warranty. So if you want a reliable car that is going to last for years, and you have low mileage, maybe best to look elsewhere, as they appear unconcerned that there are failures despite low usage. Warranty should be time or mileage-based. My first and last Subaru, oh well.
Published: August 4, 2021
Tony of Mango Hill, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Purchased my 2017 Subaru Outback in May, 2017, and rear power liftgate has
Purchased my 2017 Subaru Outback in May, 2017, and rear power liftgate has worked only intermittently since then. Dealer fix in June (Don Beyer Subaru, Alexandria VA) didnt help, and problem continues. Contacted Subaru USA about power liftgate problem, and they said that I had probably inadvertently disturbed the liftgate height control on the dash, and should fix it myself by consulting the Subaru manual, which I did, and the steps suggested in the manual again resulted in a continuation of the liftgate operating only intermittently, or not at all. This is not acceptable in a brand new vehicle. Subaru USAs answer shows that they are aware that there is a power liftgate switch problem and they dont have any corrective action, other than to fob off their problem on the unfortunate buyer. An inoperable rear liftgate is a massive inconvenience, since the rear storage/carrying area is rendered useless. Dont love a Subaru, will never purchase another or recommend to anyone.
Published: August 10, 2017
Robert of Camp Springs, MD
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I am now experiencing problems with my 2013 Subaru Outback I purchased new
I am now experiencing problems with my 2013 Subaru Outback I purchased new from a dealer. I see on this forum, other who have similar problems. The oil light has come on several times and the transmission is surging and bucking at low speeds and while lightly loaded. Ive had the car serviced for these problems twice. The transmission is especially troubling as my warranty expires in 5,000 miles and they cant find the problem. (Design flaw?) So far, I spent hundreds on a throttle plate cleaning and an oil change that I didnt need. Subaru claimed that the oil was over serviced by Jiffy Lube. Okay. So drain some out and dont charge me $77 for an oil change. Plus, nth is didnt fix the transmission. Its still surging and bucking. Anyone else? Should there be a recall? Subaru might have the nicest people working there and might make a very safe car, but if its always in the shop, how would I know?
Published: October 13, 2015
Wesley of Springfield, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Subaru Outback 2016 - I am unable to change radio stations from the steerin
Subaru Outback 2016 - I am unable to change radio stations from the steering wheel when my screen is in Phone mode. In order to change the stations, I have to hit the Home button on the screen, thereby defeating the purpose of the steering wheel button. Has anyone else had that issue?
Published: August 1, 2017
Holli of Marion, IA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I just bought a brand new Subaru XV in Turkey and on the way home check eng
I just bought a brand new Subaru XV in Turkey and on the way home check engine light came on and took it to several service stations over the last month but no luck so far. I requested them to replace the car but Subaru Turkey is worse than second hand car dealers... I called Subaru Japan but have not heard back from them either... Vehicle VIN: JF1GP3LC5EG204801, Vehicle Manufacturer: Subaru, Fault codes: P000A,P000B and P000C. I will never buy a Subaru again...
Published: October 31, 2014
A.Özkan of Istanbul, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We bought a brand new 2012 Subaru Forester. We took a trip from Georgia to
We bought a brand new 2012 Subaru Forester. We took a trip from Georgia to upstate NY. The car was burning oil. For the next couple of years, we kept telling the service dept. that our car was burning oil. They kept assuring us it was not a problem. After checking the internet, we found out it was a real problem. We demanded that something needed to be done. They did a oil consumption test. Saturday they agreed that it was excessive and we would be getting a new engine. Why does it take the service departments so long to take action? Now my concern now is what happens to the resale value of my car?
Published: December 28, 2015
Linda of Blairsville, GA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Need a AWD car for ease of operation for my wife. Need it to be able to fun
Need a AWD car for ease of operation for my wife. Need it to be able to function well on icy and snow covered roads. Need power since we live in a mountain region and sometimes pull a tent trailer. Subaru with the 6 cylinder engine fits these criteria very well. I own 3 six cylinder Subarus and one 4 cylinder model. All are lasting quite well and get good gas mileage compared to our friends with various makes and models of cars. I would and have purchased Subarus again and again.
Published: May 4, 2018
Gregory of Pollock Pines, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My first car was a 2005 Subaru STi. I drove it throughout college, about 10
My first car was a 2005 Subaru STi. I drove it throughout college, about 100 miles a day, from work, school and back home again. It never let me down, and I drove the crap out of it. I sold it right before I got married and got a brand new 2013 Crosstrek for the wife (future) and a used 2010 Outback for myself. In just about one year I began noticing how low the oil level was when changing the oil on the Crosstrek. I change my oil every 3500 miles with full synthetic oil and a OEM filter. It was never low enough to set off the oil light, but I would have to add about 1.5 quarts between oil changes, which is not normal for any low performance naturally aspirated car. I brought it to the dealer and they said oil consumption at that level was normal. So I accepted the fact that I would just add 1.5 quarts between my 3500k mile oil change interval. At 30K miles on the Crosstrek, the blower motor started acting up, there was a hard start issue (probably crank sensor) and passenger rear wheel bearing was noisy. The dealer did not want to replace any of the parts under warranty. They did not even want to diagnose it. At that point I did not want this car anymore. Who knows what else might go wrong another 30k miles later. So I traded the Crosstrek in for a 2017 Forester Touring. Now the CVT on the Forester is acting up at highway speeds. I am waiting to see what the dealer has to say about this issue. Whether they are going to dismiss it and say its normal, or actually look into the service bulletins issued to see if something is applicable. This is quality and service I did not expect from what-used-to-be my favorite car manufacturer. So in short, the three (3) stars is for my old 2005 STi and my 2010 Outback. Everything Subaru produced after that is and was Junk. I will never purchase another Subaru again. Back to Honda/Toyota.
Published: October 10, 2017
Harrison of Floral Park, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

The car chargers are faulty. They keep blowing up now twice in few months.
The car chargers are faulty. They keep blowing up now twice in few months. Every time I have to waste a whole day to fix them. They keep trying to convince me that the problem is with my adaptor but thats not true. I have used the same adaptor for 10 years with my last Toyota with no problems. Needs to be fixed permanently. What an annoyance.
Published: April 19, 2017
Mo of Woodbridge, VA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We took it in because it was whining and had lost power. I had checked the
We took it in because it was whining and had lost power. I had checked the engine oil the night before and it was at the right level. First off never buy anything from Lees Summit Subaru. They scratched up a fender detailing the Forester and it was a pathetic detail job. When they looked at the Forester they said it was a quart low on oil and the reason it was probably whining and the loss of power was a blown turbo. They said my extended Subaru warranty wouldnt cover the repair because it was a quart low on oil even though I said it was fine on oil the night before. I called around to a few Subaru dealerships service departments and was told even if it was a quart low on oil that wouldnt cause the turbo to fail. They said the reason for the turbo failure was probably a clogged banjo filter in the turbo line.Since Subaru wouldnt cover it even though there was no mention of a banjo filter in any of the manuals they gave me, it doesnt even show the banjo filter on any of the diagrams. So I learned 4 things: 1. Never buy a Subaru; 2. Never buy anything from Lees Summit Subaru. Every time I had to deal with them they didnt care and it was a nightmare. The only pretty much they managed to do right is take my money and screw us over; 3. Dont bother buying a Subaru extended warranty because it probably wont help as far as theyre concerned. 4. Dont trust the manuals, go to Subaru.org to see whats really going on. At least Ive talked people out of buying Subarus! I hate Subaru. I hope they go bankrupt!
Published: March 12, 2014
Troy of Roeland Park, KS
Source: consumeraffairs.com

First of all, I love my Subaru Crosstrek. Since it is an all terrain vehicl
First of all, I love my Subaru Crosstrek. Since it is an all terrain vehicle I was surprised to hear the vibrating and rattling in the unit. Subaru replaced the unit once, but unfortunately the rattling noise came back. Wondering if anything else can be done with the unit to stop the noise. It even rattles on the open highways. Please let me know.
Published: January 21, 2020
K. of Cornwall, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Can describe this car in two words: HATE IT. The driver seat is so uncomfor
Can describe this car in two words: HATE IT. The driver seat is so uncomfortable Ive bought a cushion and even that doesnt help (aside from now pushing my head up against the ceiling). There is something in the seat bottom that pushes on the nerves right below my buttocks that make my butt and lower back scream in agony. Unfortunately on a test drive you dont find this out and sitting there for longer than 15-20 minutes it soon becomes very apparent. This makes being in the car torture. The other thing is the EyeSight. Great safety feature set but it is really super annoying to hear the damn car beep for one thing or another that it is warning you about. It does this constantly. You can turn off all of the features, but then why pay for this expensive option if you have to do this? They need to have a better way of informing the driver like Cadillac uses with a seat vibration. Also the window lock feature (a must with kids) is so ass-backwards. If you activate it, none of the window controls work including the drivers controls! You have to unlock it, do a window, then lock it again. Other cars the driver controls continue to work. So stupid. The Starlink feature is also convoluted and has so many apps and functions with menus and submenus that you need the EyeSight working because you cant drive and work the thing without seriously having an accident. Talk about distractions. And even though it is keyless entry and push-button start, it does not have a remote start function, not even as an option which extremely odd as pretty much every other manufacturer that has this type of system does this, and the door locks are from 1980 because you cannot program them for any option at all. They dont lock when in gear, they dont unlock when you turn off the motor, and they dont lock when you walk away. I am constantly leaving the car unlocked while driving and the places I drive thats a real safety issue. Remembering to do this on a car that is rich in features is a bit mind-boggling. I thought I was buying a good car, but after reading all the issues other Subaru owners are having I seriously want to dump this POS car tomorrow and Im not too impressed with the dealer because buying this new it took them 3 weeks to schedule me in to fix a fog light defect. Great way to welcome a new customer! So based on my experience and reading what others are going through I will never buy a Subaru again. Terrible, terrible car.
Published: October 21, 2016
Robert of Reno, NV
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have a 2010 Subaru Forester with no problems and the older engine. As you
I have a 2010 Subaru Forester with no problems and the older engine. As you know, they switched to a newer engine in 2011 models, which have a piston oil control ring that wears prematurely and there have been a successful lawsuit which extends the engine warranty to 100K and 8 years with the stipulation that you have a Subaru dealer oil consumption test. I bought a 2013 Forester and the oil pressure light started coming on around 45k. I replaced the sensor 2 times based on Subarus recommendations because they pretended they didnt have a clue. How many thousands of complaints has Subaru had, and they act like they are innocent. To get a new engine, you have to get a TSB oil consumption test. Ive had 2 oil consumption tests. The first one the dealer overfilled and then filled up and told me it was normal. I complained to BBB and got my money back. I went to another dealer and this time I made them show me the oil level before I left, however, they also filled the engine back up, and told me there was no problem and they would never lie because they have newborns and they are honest. Right. Because Im a girl who has 42 years of experience working on cars, and I couldnt possibly know how to pull out an oil stick and check the level. So... the moral of this story is that unless you can get the dealer to admit you have low oil, you wont get the new engine. Which means you have to make them check it in front of you. Preferably with your camera rolling. Take pictures, get witnesses, and dont let your car out of your sight until they have the dipstick in their hands. Sound crazy? Try talking with the Subaru of America customer service reps. Youll be hanging up on them, guaranteed. Youll be so pissed off, you will wonder what the hell is wrong with this company. And it never ends. Its like a nightmare merry-go-round where your car is the POS. Plan on losing thousands along with these nasty ass people. I have now started documenting every time I check my oil and have to add it. I plan on posting on Youtube. Its very inconvenient. I carry two quarts in my back door. The 1st time was in Canyonlands, the second in my parking lot, which the 2nd dealer said laughingly, OMG a parking lot... Everyone knows a parking lot isnt level. So my next documentation oil check will have levels. I still love my Subarus, but its absolutely DISGUSTING that this corporation does not stand behind their vehicles. They knew about the problem and are letting their customers eat the costs. Problems that are documented by unhappy customers all over the web from 2011 to at least 2015. Im sure the 2016 and 2017s will have the same problem based on my dealings with this company. Can we say stick your head in the sand and pretend there isnt a problem? Ive NEVER had a car that burned oil at 45K!!! And from that point on, your peace of mind is OVER. Everywhere you go, you better remember to check the oil and put some oil in. Two quarts fits perfectly in the rear door... Just an FYI. Thatll get you down the road 2400 miles. Then you need some more oil. Im burning a quart every 600 miles, but Subaru tells me Im a dumb bunny... How would I know where the level is on an oil stick??? Dumb Bunny. Oh yeah, but the camera can see it... Really, the camera can see it, but the dealers cant? Now isnt that odd. Subaru consistently says there isnt a problem, but I have to keep adding oil because if I dont, Ill ruin my engine. And Subaru hopes that will happen.Subaru, you need to do right by your customers. You might be going strong now with sales of cars... but if everyone of those customers have the same problems with shady lying people that work in your dealerships, youll be lucky if anyone ever buys another car from you. Subaru is losing their loyal fan base. I have two Subarus right now. Will I buy another one? Not on your life. Because I dont buy new cars to open bug covered hoods, check burning oil sticks in 100 degree weather, crank open the hot oil cap and then add a half quart to go 400-600 miles. And then do it all over again and again and again. And then deal with a bunch of crappy liars. Camping?? Taking your relative to the Mayo Clinic 2000 miles away? Dont forget your quarts of oil, a funnel, plastic bags to put the oil in, something to wash your hands with because of the dirt and oil, some paper towels, and a hot pad. And a lot of patience. Dont waste your time with dealers or Customer Service. You will be much happier. At some point you will have to unload the oil burner. Who do you choose? A dealer or an unsuspecting person. I have the paperwork from Subaru to back up that my car isnt burning oil. How disgusting is that??? But youve got a Subarus dealers word for it. Does that tell you something? If it doesnt, it should. Buy a different brand. Because this is part of the Subaru culture when you buy one of those cool Subaru cars. Not to mention how unbelievable it is dealing with all the BS with the Customer Service people and Dealers. Mind boggling to say the least. And how many people have they screwed over??? Im one of them. I have a 2003 Honda Accord with 103,300 miles on it. No problems, and it doesnt consume oil. Ive had Toyotas who have rusted out, but the engine still wasnt burning oil and a Toyota RV that I drove all over the place with humongous loads on it, it never used oil. My POS 2013 Subaru burns oil like a sieve. Its a PZEV, which means its zero landfill. What about all that oil burning into the atmosphere and the extra oil every 600 miles? So for a 5000 mile oil change, its 5.5 quarts of synthetic 0W20, new oil filter and gasket for $39.99 and a quart of oil for every 600 miles at approximately 6.95/quart, which is 8.33 quarts of oil, at an additional cost of $57.92. Dont forget the aggravation of making sure you know when your oil is going to be low... like around 600 miles. Now this is me changing my oil using Mobil 1 synthetic. If you have them change it, its $58 to $116, and then add the $57.92, plus the aggravation, the BS and the absolute nothing that Subaru will admit to. Then you get to repeat, and repeat, and repeat. My advice, buy a Honda or Toyota or some other reputable brand. Ive had Hondas my whole life and Toyotas for over 20 years. No problems. My 2013 Subaru? The car itself is nice, but well, the engine is messed up. The main part of the car, and Subaru sells it to you that way. Some people pay $37K and get a bad engine. What? Huh? Read all the reviews you can. Because they arent liars. I love my car... I hate the engine, the dealers, and the car maker. Unless you want to pull the engine and put some decent oil control rings on the pistons, but Subaru didnt even care enough to do that and people are getting screwed. Its a really bad thing. The government should get involved. Maybe if there are enough complaints to congress.
Published: July 20, 2017
J3 of Denver, CO
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

Bought this car brand new and am meticulous about maintenance. Cvt transmis
Bought this car brand new and am meticulous about maintenance. Cvt transmission was advertised as no maintenance. Now they say it needs to be replaced at 150,000 miles and that this is a known defect! There was a horrible whining that started very quiet on and off in 2017 and became louder this year. We drove into a city intersection to turn, and the car stalled. We were lucky that we didnt get hit by another car. We took it to the dealership as we do all recommended maintenance and something was really wrong to make it stall like that. The dealership said that it is a CVT transmission, and they are known to have this problem. Told us to call Subaru. There was an extended warranty offered in 2018, but we never were notified of that and are the original owner. If we had the notification we would have had this fixed as it occasionally made the noise but it did not repeat when at our service center. We would have had the dealer check it if we knew about the problem and warranty. I expected a Subaru to last longer than this before needing an $9,000 repair. Called Subaru and they offered me $1,000 toward a new Subaru. I paid $36,000 for this car. I dont think $1,000 off one now is going to help me very much for a known problem with this transmission that put us in a very dangerous situation.
Published: August 6, 2020
Margaret of Harrisburg, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I would give negative stars if I could. My family has owned 3 Subaru vehicl
I would give negative stars if I could. My family has owned 3 Subaru vehicles because we believed their lies about it being a safe and reliable car. We have young children. Never have I entered a car thinking there is a possibility that the engine will suddenly die and then burst into a raging fire. It is a miracle I am alive. It is a miracle our 3 year old is alive. Subaru and their lawyers are only offering credit for a new car. Seriously? Never will we buy another Subaru. Buy a Subaru if you’re okay with dying and your family dying just by driving their car.
Published: January 24, 2018
Patty of Fremont, CA
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

Subaru Tribeca 2010. They need to give me a new vehicle - I bought my car u
Subaru Tribeca 2010. They need to give me a new vehicle - I bought my car use at dealer for 12k. Problem appear right always but dealer said it nothing wrong with the car. Lack of knowledge about auto I trust them. 1 year later when all the warranty expired, that problem start to expand, I just got my car towed to auto shop because engine wont start, fuel pump need to be replace, air system need to be replace, bunch of stuff need fix due to the recall and engine noise is very weird. I didnt know Tribeca is a discontinue model. If I had know earlier I wont bother to buy the car. I have spend more than 2000k to fix the car and the value I got for it now is 8500, they really need to take back the car. I dont care about the payment I made in that year, I just want to be free from this nightmare.
Published: April 1, 2018
Rin of Houston, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

I called Subaru Care team last week after my Son who is in the military 201
I called Subaru Care team last week after my Son who is in the military 2011 Subaru with 112,000 miles CVT Transmission failed. The car is in my name due to it being purchased when he was seventeen 2 years ago. Also because he has been gone the last year and not driving it due to training in California. The cost for a Transmission to be repaired is close to 8,000. dollars. The part itself costs 6,640 dollars. I called Subaru because my son is only home for 2 months for additional training close to home before he deploys, I asked Subaru being so close to the extended warranty could they assist me in any way with replacing the transmission. Outside of this issue the car is in excellent shape. Subaru America said they could not help me and could only offer me a $1,500 towards a brand new vehicle even though Subaru would not even take the Outback as a trade in and told me to take it to pick in pull. With my son deploying he wont be home for a few years so a brand new vehicle is not necessary which I told them. $1500 towards the repair and a Subaru staying on the road instead of being totaled due to Subarus known CVT issue I think would be more beneficial to me and their brand. Incredibly disappointed with Subaru America Care Team for One charging such an astronomical dollar amount to fix a Subaru transmission, Two not caring about rare circumstances like a military individual deploying in two months and not needing a new car but assistance with the repair of their current car so they can drive it until they leave! The Subaru America Care Team obviously follow the corporate log book and do not look at each induvial situation. Their Branding definitely needs to be updated. They obviously dont love to Care the Military!
Published: August 31, 2021
Cassie of Wilmington, NC
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

It has always been at least a two week wait for an appointment. Now its 30
It has always been at least a two week wait for an appointment. Now its 30 days. Really??? I was also given the option of just leaving my car there for a week. They might get to it per the person answering the phone. I purchased an extended warranty which is about to run out. Now all of a sudden my headlight wont come on. I took to a mechanic and he tests and determines its the switch which is over $200. He says it should be under warranty. I cannot get an appointment earlier than 30 days. I travel a lot and consider this to be dangerous. Are the low beams going to go out too? Who knows, I dont. Also had a recall on the wiper motors which I cannot get serviced either. 30 days is a ridiculous time to wait for service. Especially on things that can cause you harm or injury if they go out.Whats going on? You sell us this stuff and you cannot deliver. Oh I was also told I could take it to the next county which is 40 mins away. What kind of service is this, anyway. The solution. If your auto has problems and you dont have enough mechanics to deal with the volume of customers, then Subaru needs to pay the person I get to repair it. I think that is fair. Is there a recall on the turn signal light switch? My vehicle is a 2012. Never owned a car that had so many dangerous problems so quick. My car now has 50K miles. What am I to expect in the future?? I thought this was a well put together vehicle. Im beginning to wonder. Not being able to have the vehicle serviced in a reasonable period of time is not acceptable to me, and Im sure not to any owner. So, I await your reply for my solution since your service dept. cannot help me. I live in Asheville, NC.
Published: December 20, 2016
Carol of Asheville, NC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Absolutely horrible customer service. Been working with both a dealership a
Absolutely horrible customer service. Been working with both a dealership and with Subaru of America and both have been utterly horrible and useless. I have a continuous issue with my head unit (Google 2015 forest Bluetooth issue) and you’ll see I’m simply one of hundreds if not thousands of people dealing with this issue. Subaru refuses to acknowledge it and will not help with the fact they have placed a faulty head unit in my car. I will never buy Subaru again and I’m telling everyone to avoid them due to their extremely poor customer service. They do not care about their customers.
Published: October 11, 2018
Jon of Dublin, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have a 2008 Subaru Outback and my visors keep breaking. I have already re
I have a 2008 Subaru Outback and my visors keep breaking. I have already replaced one visor which needs to be replaced again in less than two years. And now my driver side visor is broken as well. These visors create a driving hazard and should be recalled. The visors are poorly made and keep breaking. The visors break and drop down at inopportune times, such as while driving, posing a safety hazard. To add insult to injury, the replacement costs are over $100.00 each, more if you happen to wreck. These visors create a driving hazard and should be recalled.
Published: June 26, 2013
Dana of Aurora, CO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I heard a wind sound at speeds of 120 km/hr or more and fine dust between t
I heard a wind sound at speeds of 120 km/hr or more and fine dust between the doors and car body and I went to the service center. The service center told me it`s normal, that all Subaru XV model 2012 have the same issue after we tried another car.
Published: February 28, 2013
Osama of Cairo, other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Subaru ripped me off multiple times when the clutches (transmissions?) the
Subaru ripped me off multiple times when the clutches (transmissions?) the sold me were defective. Ive been driving manual transmission cars since 1984, but the clutch on my 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX kept going way bad for years. Only after a non-Subaru mechanic installed a non-Subaru clutch when the 5th one failed 20K miles on the odometer has the clutch on my car been reliable. Subaru fixed only one under warranty, then abandoned all warranty support for their defective product. Of particular concern was the completely crappy service done on the car by the now defunct Subaru dealership in Charleston, SC. This has been my 2nd Subaru, but I will try a Mitsubishi vehicle the next time around.
Published: November 16, 2016
Mark of Beaufort, SC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Love the 2015 Crosstrek! Eyesight is great when it works. Had the car in fo
Love the 2015 Crosstrek! Eyesight is great when it works. Had the car in for the recall and three additional times, in two different states. Last time, took 1-1/2 days, had a great, brand new loaner (Courtesy Subaru in Rapid City) turned out to be a right rear brake assembly. Have another appointment tomorrow, on again, off again Eyesight. This morning, car started right up, no Eyesight and stuck in park, neutral or brakes locked up. Dont know, might have to be towed in. Glad it was in the garage at home.
Published: December 18, 2016
Cynthia of Custer, SD
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

Complaint and concern for our 2014 Subaru - We are having problems with oil
Complaint and concern for our 2014 Subaru - We are having problems with oil usage, and have had the car towed and had to call roadside twice. The oil light comes on and there is very little oil. We have taken it in and discussed this with the Courtesy Motors in Chico where we bought the car. They say this is a normal thing with Outbacks. What do you say about this? We are tracking the oil ourselves and it is using oil. We cant afford to be on the road with a problem. Please advice. Thank you.
Published: May 14, 2015
Donald of Crescent Mills, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Sabotage. That’s what Subaru and all the other auto makers have done to c
Sabotage. That’s what Subaru and all the other auto makers have done to create the interference engine failure. And who pays? Mostly 2nd and 3rd owners. Poor people pay. It is pure SABOTAGE. We bought our first 2002 Subaru. A nightmare. Timing belt went out within a year at 140kmiles. Total cost.... $2900. Plus cv axels and clutch $600. Now the under carriage frame is rusted to the point of unsafe. Go to H all capitalist pig auto makers who purposed failure at our expense.
Published: April 18, 2014
ricko of Mankato , MN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I bought an Outback 2017 model on July 2016 and decided to spend more for t
I bought an Outback 2017 model on July 2016 and decided to spend more for the convenience of having the ability to set interior temperature of the car before I go in by having the remote start option. The car manual stated that if you set the A/C or heater setting the way you like it before turning the engine off, you should be able to have the same setting when you turn the engine on using the remote start. My car did not do that. I brought the car to the Subaru of Glendale, California on January 20, 2017 and the service advisor told me that it only works for the 2016 and not the 2017 model. When I told him that it did not make sense that a newer model would be less capable than an older one and that the feature is clearly stated in the 2017 manual, he promised to call me on Monday or Tuesday of the next week because that day was a Saturday and he cant get a response from Subaru of America. So I waited and no call came. Today (Wednesday 1/25/17), I gave them a call and was told that the advisor was busy and that he will give me a call. After a while I called again and was told the advisor was off-duty! I called the service supervisor and she said she would connect me with another advisor to help me. I was put in hold and after a few minutes, the line was cut!!! I called again and again, I was promised that somebody would call me back and as I am writing this, no calls! They were so good when I was buying the car, and you think that I was planning to buy the Impreza for the wife next month! Hell no! This will be my first and last Subaru!!!
Published: January 25, 2017
RoyDan of Los Angeles, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

We 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

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

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

Subaru Outback Impreza 2013 - Around seven months ago, I heard a scraping s
Subaru Outback Impreza 2013 - Around seven months ago, I heard a scraping sound coming from the right side of my car as I was driving. When I pulled over, I noticed the front of the side bumper was dragging against the ground. Completely horrified, I had my passenger lift it from inside and hold it in place until we could get to her place where we taped it (to avoid further damage) until I could get it to the dealer. At the dealership, they sent me to Parts, and told me that this would need to be filed under a collision repair, and that the part they needed to order and paint would either be $600 out of pocket or a collision incident through my insurance. As it is a leased car (and did NOT interact in any way with any sort of collision), I was hesitant to pay out of pocket, but decided that was the best move. Until....A week ago, I was driving with family in town. When we got to our destination, and after a few trips back and forth from the car, to unload our possessions, did we notice that the frame around the light in the front of the car, a grey frame that must be no more than 14 by 10 had completely fallen off and was nowhere to be found. We checked the other side and saw that its light frame was still there. Same side as the side bumper incident but of course, nowhere near the part that had previously become loose.(Frankly, Im not sure how the side bumper was ever secure, because if you take a look at whats against the vehicle frame behind where its supposed to be, there are a series of small plastic knobs that seem too flimsy to carry such weight. In fact, we really thought we might be able to get the bumper back on seven months ago because it seemed that easy and there was no damage to the bumper, aside from some scraping it had endured against the road. A few of those knobs were bent and broken, from the inside, so I really thought that when I took it in, they would see this was an internal issue.)Alas, thats not what happened. And like I said, I offered to pay the $600 when the part came in. It took several months to get that call and at the time I did not have the money to pay, so I put it off. Then, this past week, when the light frame mysteriously popped off the car, I called the service manager at Subaru and was greeted with a very rude response. He did not understand how this could happen, as, Parts just dont come off cars. Well, sir, they do. And they have. And I cant be the only one!He questioned if someone had popped it off and taken it. I laughed. When? While Im in the grocery store? At night at the foot of my driveway? I live in a house, in a quiet neighborhood. And that part was still there before we took off on our trip. No. This likely happened while we were on the road. The real question is: Should a pot hole in the road or a rock or anything on the surface of what were driving on be the reason why a part just pops off? Probably not.With that said, please respond if you have had ANY issues with your Subaru where parts suddenly pop off, especially on the exterior of the car. Light panels, frames, bumpers. I didnt even know it was possible for this light frame to pop off like that. I was questioned repeatedly as to if there is any damage around it, and though I kept telling the same story, I was asked if there was any kind of an accident. There wasnt. And when I take it in to the dealer, they will notice that. I understand where they are coming from. But, Id also like to come in armed with evidence that this CAN happen and DOES happen to other Subaru drivers.I am a two-time Subaru driver. The first vehicle was a leased 2011 Outback Sport, same make and model, and I drove it across the country twice. Zero problems. Ive had this vehicle for under a year, and Im already dealing with parts falling off. Once again, please respond if you have had any similar experiences. It will make a better case. I appreciate it!
Published: July 31, 2014
Kim of Portland, OR
Source: consumeraffairs.com

About 5 minutes after I left the Subaru dealership I knew that my 2014 Fore
About 5 minutes after I left the Subaru dealership I knew that my 2014 Forester that I owned for 3 years was not running properly. Eventually I found out the dealership upgraded some software because of an imaginary idle problem. Now Im left with a car with much less acceleration and power, and to boot a 20-30% reduction in mpg. There are several other problems too. Subarus was response was not acceptable: Nothing we can do. The person handling the case had no interest from second one. In the past they have helped with serious issues. This is their software, they are responsible for getting the car back to the previous running condition.
Published: August 23, 2017
Sidney of Philadelphia, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I was looking for an SUV that had all wheel drive or 4-wheel drive options.
I was looking for an SUV that had all wheel drive or 4-wheel drive options. This one fits both of those requirements. It is reliable, peppy, looks nice, easy to travel in (and mostly comfortable), and large enough to haul things. It is easy to install roof racks for sports items like kayaks and paddle boards. It easily goes from highways to off-roading. It also has more than enough features like heated seats and heated mirrors. I love the vehicle and the versatility that it provides. However, I dislike that theres a known oil issue with the engine.
Published: June 13, 2018
Jerica of Bowie, MD
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I have a 2014 Subaru Outback that I bought new. Until now, I loved my car.
I have a 2014 Subaru Outback that I bought new. Until now, I loved my car. A few weeks ago, I noticed it having difficulty starting. This happens both when I use the key to start it and when I use my auto start. When it began, it wasnt cold out (I live in Minnesota). It was almost 50 degrees. The car would take longer to start and keep turning over before firing up. Other people even noticed it. I took it in for service and they tried doing a computer reset and told me that should do it. It didnt work, so I took it back.Meanwhile, I had done some research and found that some Subarus can start doing hard starts, which is exactly what this seemed to be. Unfortunately, the dealership I took it to did not take me seriously and tried to tell me that it was normal for my car to start that way in the cold weather (by this time it was in the teens outside for temps). They were unwilling to see it as an engine issue and told me that all cars do this, which was completely ridiculous. Prior to bringing it in, it almost would not start one night and I thought I might have to call a tow truck. If this is what my car is going to do at 3 years old, it needs to go. A Subaru dealership is telling me this is normal for the car and it cannot be fixed, and apparently it isnt that uncommon for this car. I need a reliable vehicle. I plan to get rid of it and get a vehicle I can trust to start. Its disappointing because I really liked this car.
Published: December 16, 2016
Megan of Ramsey, MN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

This is the best car Ive ever owned. Although its an SUV, it rides very wel
This is the best car Ive ever owned. Although its an SUV, it rides very well - not hard like my Jeep Renegade did. Passengers in the back seat tell me it is very comfortable. I have the Limited model, so it has some great features like Subarus Eyesight. That feature is a game-changer for driving. I will never own another vehicle without that. I feel much safer since it keeps me from drifting into another lane, can brake quickly in an urgent situation and, best of all, driving on the highway with cruise control, the system adjusts your speed so that you never creep up too close to another vehicle. Its a must have for long distance driving. I love the fact its all wheel drive. I feel much safer driving in rain and snow. Traction is awesome.Im super happy with my gas mileage, too. Average driving around town is usually upper 20s. On the highway, its always in the mid to upper 30s. I tested it one time on an open flat interstate -- no hills, steady speed of 63 mph with the AC on. The computer readout showed 44 mpg. Ive compared the computer read-out to the old-fashioned way to determining mpgs and its usually off by about 3. That means I got over 40 mpg with the Crosstrek!The Crosstrek has a CVT transmission (continuously variable, not gears) and, although a good number of people in Crosstrek social media groups complain about it, Ive never had an issue. Its smooth and even feels like a regular automatic. The other typical complaint is that the engine doesnt have enough power. Is it the fastest car Ive ever driven? No. Does it have incredible pickup? No. But it gets the job done. Ive never had an issue, for example, pulling out onto a highway. Overall, 5 stars for this vehicle.
Published: December 3, 2019
Kenneth of Wilton Manors, FL
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My 2014 Outback was my 3rd Subaru. They had changed to full synthetic oil a
My 2014 Outback was my 3rd Subaru. They had changed to full synthetic oil and one has to use that as the company supposedly tightened up their Boxer 2.5L specs. First oil change at 3K was OK, 2nd at 7.5K later, as they recommended, was still OK. After that, was on a trip and oil light came on after about 3K miles. Eventually found a place in the rural area that had 0-20W which is required. Only half qt required. After another 2K miles, another half quart required. After that, the scenario continued to repeat. After an oil change, 3K miles and half qt needed, and at 5K after the change another half qt. Through several changes. Factory had lowered the period between changes to 6K, but after using 1qt of the 4qt original supply, I went to changing every 5K miles.Then found a CR report lambasting Subaru for their oil use. This was not leaking oil, but consuming it. A couple of autos, Audi and BMW - some models - were worse, but everyone that I talked to considered using a qt every 5K miles very excessive for a new car. Subaru would do nothing about it and the dealer - having been graded on the sales process already with the 10s they beg you to grade, was indifferent. Facing the possibility that the Subaru name would be associated with oil burner in the future and that the value of my vehicle for trade would be negatively impacted I chose to trade it in after only owning it 20 months and 27K miles. Traded for a Mazda CX-5 and went to the Subaru dealer immediately afterwards to tell them why I had traded away the Subaru Outback that I otherwise had loved for what I consider to be a lesser vehicle. That doesnt use oil.Dealer made up some excuses and I walked out, a Subaru fan no more. Dealer never even offered to make me a good deal on a newer vehicle that supposedly didnt have the problem. This was in Columbia MO. Despite my having informed them that I had traded the vehicle, I still get service reminders and other propaganda from the dealer. They are that clueless and disconnected and this reflects upon Subaru as being pretty much the same.
Published: July 12, 2016
Chuck of Macon, MO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

The safety features and its so fun to drive! I really liked how it handled
The safety features and its so fun to drive! I really liked how it handled and reasonably priced. They have several models to choose from, but I am partial to the Crosstrek Sport, it has all of the things I am looking for and then some!
Published: November 19, 2021
Jacque of Newtown Square, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

My wife had a 03 Outback where the engine destroyed itself at 84,000 miles.
My wife had a 03 Outback where the engine destroyed itself at 84,000 miles. Blew head gasket with no warning, cylinder heads had to be machined along with new rings, etc. by Subaru. The car ran fine for 5,000 miles then everything started to happen again. I spoke to Subaru USA about the first incident and was told was off warranty. I had a 05 Outback which I just traded in for a Camry. Again at 84,000 miles, the car started to break down. CV Joints, timing belt and water pump, brake lines to front wheels were replaced, AC fan and fan blower were replaced, catalytic converter failed along with o2 sensors and to top it off, the head gasket was seeping. I have owned 6 Subarus since 1997 and this is it! The cars are great until you hit the 84,000-mile wall and fall apart.
Published: August 25, 2014
Sven of Bronx, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

As many other reviews I read and contained in this page, a 2007 Subaru Outb
As many other reviews I read and contained in this page, a 2007 Subaru Outback did not give any warnings, did not overheat, just all of a sudden a clunk sound, and it had to be towed away to the mechanic who says that it needs a new engine. After reading all the other reviews, it has help me to make the choice of giving it up and cut my losses now. I have to say that purchasing this vehicle brand new was a very poor investment. I thought I was going to be able to have it for many more years, not just 7 years. It is too bad Subaru doesnt take any responsibility for its faulty mechanism. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY OR RECOMMEND ANOTHER SUBARU.
Published: November 14, 2014
sol of Van Nuys, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

What Fool I was, I thought Subaru Pre-Owned Certified meant that I was like
What Fool I was, I thought Subaru Pre-Owned Certified meant that I was likely to get a decent car. So foolish of me. I know the saying “buyer beware”. Well Dear Santa Fe fellow buyers do beware and go somewhere else. Subaru Impreza 2015 $20,000 39,000 miles Pre-Owned certified. I thought if it said I had 50% of my brakes when I bought it that it was safe. I should have known when the blades on the wipers were shot even though they were checked off on the two page Pre-Owned Certified document. Should have given it back then. The brake pads are shot, and apparently have been since I got it. Which is what the brake light flashing when I make a right turn means. Almost $500. Major safety issue. They advertise a car wash with every service, but for me, only if I ask. The AC got “fixed “. it worked for one evening. The same issue happened with “Auto Start”, it was fixed and broke within 10 days. It was fixed again yesterday. They fixed the brakes for free after a winter of driving on dangerous snow-covered steep narrow twisting dirt road. The kind of road Subaru is good at it, with brakes. Everyone who drives my road blanches when I mention Subaru pre-certified bad brakes. Tried to trade straight across, they wanted to up sell me. Then I got rear ended in a hit and run, now it has had an accident. Can’t wait to dump this car. Don’t buy from Honda Subaru they happily sold me Pre-Owned Certified a car with dangerous brakes. “Buyer Beware”. So is everything else checked off on the pre-owned certified an error as well? Go To to Hueberger in Colorado Spring, or to Toyota, CarMax, Sweet Motor Sales, the funky places on Cerrillos Road. Avoid Subaru Honda!! And stay away from Gregory **. They fixed the brakes, as I drove home everyday of a snowy winter, but not the relationship. Avoid this dealership and Greg **. BUYER BEWARE.
Published: June 18, 2019
Consuelo of Santa Fe, NM
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My 2013 Subaru Outback needs the transmission replace at Subarus expense. A
My 2013 Subaru Outback needs the transmission replace at Subarus expense. All Im getting is comments that because there are so many vehicles with this problem they do not have enough transmissions to fix the problem. At first we were told it would be 7-10 days for the necessary parts. Then we were told it would be 4-5 weeks. We have surpassed that time frame with no idea when my car will be fixed. I am not able to use it as I need. This is totally unacceptable. Pressure from various agencies needs to happen now.
Published: September 28, 2017
Kathleen of Traverse City, MI
Source: consumeraffairs.com

The CVT shift simulator (Ascent) is constantly out of sync and shifting up
The CVT shift simulator (Ascent) is constantly out of sync and shifting up and down. This is especially noticeable during initial start. This needs to either be disabled or at the very least a user selectable option.
Published: August 9, 2018
Bob of Rio Rancho, NM
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

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

My recent experience. Went to local tire center to replace tires. During pr
My recent experience. Went to local tire center to replace tires. During process tire pressure sensor was damaged and required replacing which tire center did. However after several attempts the warning light would not extinguish. Tire center was told new sensor has to be recalibrated/registered with Subaru costing $160 and requiring the vehicle to be booked into their service center (more than 2 weeks wait) to be corrected. If you want the convenience of choosing how much and who services and repairs your vehicle without being held to ransom this may not be the company for you.
Published: February 8, 2021
Gabriel of Australia, Other
Source: consumeraffairs.com

At 54,000 the original CVT transmission on my 2012 Subaru Impreza Limited f
At 54,000 the original CVT transmission on my 2012 Subaru Impreza Limited failed. A Subaru reman CVT tranny was installed. After 8 days and 200 miles that replacement CVT tranny failed suddenly and with no warning. It is back at the Subaru dealership for its 3rd CVT transmission right now.
Published: February 1, 2016
Stephen of Plattsburgh, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

We purchased a used 2011 Outback with 175K miles from a private party. High
We purchased a used 2011 Outback with 175K miles from a private party. Higher mileage for sure, but at a decent price and we needed an AWD vehicle. We were told how great Subarus were, especially for snow. After a few months the car started sputtering from a stop, and multiple warning lights would come on... Blinking A/T temp light (even though it wasnt driven far enough, or hard enough to overheat), cruise control, & brake lights, and the CEL would stay on!!After some research I came to the realization that this seems to be a problem with Subaru CVTs. So much so that Subaru extended the warranty on them, but did not do a recall. Great for buyers that fell within the time/mileage limit, not so much for everyone else that have these issues later on. The transmission shop is trying to find a solution that is (relatively) inexpensive. Because the price for a new, or rebuilt CVT is around $7,500, getting transmission issues on anything but a newer model (which would still be under warranty) would mean the car is basically a throwaway unless you want to buy a transmission that cost as much as the car is worth.
Published: September 22, 2017
Agustin of Ventura, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I put down a $200 deposit, still havent gotten the check that they promised
I put down a $200 deposit, still havent gotten the check that they promised to send over 3 weeks ago. The manager Erik ** was rude and completely apathetic to anything I spoke about. I would never send anyone here.
Published: April 20, 2017
Kitty of Greenlawn, NY
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I recently purchased a used 2010 Tribeca 3.6 L engine, my first Subaru, and
I recently purchased a used 2010 Tribeca 3.6 L engine, my first Subaru, and am rather pleased except for a howl in my automatic transmission. The sound changes as goes up through gears and especially noticeable from start through 2nd. Dealer has determined it is the alternator since engine speed also changes as gears change. Cannot believe any auto manufacturer would make their top of the line touring vehicle with this howl or whine as I have been told by others. Either way a defective alternator OR transmission needs to be replaced.
Published: July 19, 2014
Bob of Elkland, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Our vehicle is three years old, and we have replaced EVERY light (turning s
Our vehicle is three years old, and we have replaced EVERY light (turning signal, headlights - high and low, running lights, all of them) on the front a min. of three times. There has to be something wrong, but the Subaru shop gives us some lame excuse like we got oil from our fingers on the bulb when changing it, even though we told them we were very careful and didnt. So we let them change the next one, and it didnt even last 5 months. I am ready to get rid of this car just because of the lights. I have driven cars before for ten years and never had to change a bulb and this one I change bulbs more often than I do windshield wipers.
Published: July 24, 2013
Michelle of Sanger, TX
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Please, stay away from the dealership in Richmond, BC...I wish I would give
Please, stay away from the dealership in Richmond, BC...I wish I would give less than 1 star for this dealership. My friend help me gave the car key to the receptionist to have my car stored there while I was out of the country. A few days later, my friend called to ask whether he could come to have insurance canceled; but they couldnt find the car key at that time. Then, only until I came back to pick it up 2 months later, they found that my car was stolen??? What the heck!!!My Subaru Outback 2016 was found abandoned in Vancouver after only a week it was found missing??? Someone had been driving my car more than 5,000 km. And what is more ridiculous is that the items left in the car was belong to their receptionist who was given the car key, which caused me wonder who actually stole my car??? I am very disappointed about how they handled the case, especially from their management, the guys named Tim ** and Mathew **. I have seen none of them said any words of sorry to me, never followed up with me, and kept asking me to deal with my insurance as if they didnt have any responsibilities. I am the fan of Subaru, but would never buy or recommend anyone to buy car from ANY OF SUBARU DEALERSHIP AGAIN.
Published: June 12, 2018
Linh of Vancouver, BC
Source: consumeraffairs.com

In 2010 I purchased my first Subaru. I figured I bought the best vehicle of
In 2010 I purchased my first Subaru. I figured I bought the best vehicle of my life. I owned it until November 2014. I had nothing but troubles. I had to replace the battery within the first year. Randomly thru out the year it wouldnt start. All my oil changes were done at the dealership. Every time they would tell me it had no oil. In total I had a sway belt, drive shaft, engine, battery, full clutch replaced and brakes. Subaru offered $500 prepaid visa for my next Subaru. What a joke...
Published: November 17, 2015
Shannon of Winnipeg, MB
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

I live on a gravel drive about 1/3 mile long and my Subaru keeps getting gr
I live on a gravel drive about 1/3 mile long and my Subaru keeps getting gravel up in the undercarriage. It is easy to remove but of course you need to take it to a dealer to do it and thus a service call of about $100. I have never had a car where living on a gravel road is a problem but Subaru says there is nothing they can do. I am selling my car and getting something else because I cant keep going to the dealer to get rocks (gravel) removed from my undercarriage. PS - the rocks sound like the car has a loose exhaust system.
Published: August 15, 2017
Dennis of Grand Junction, CO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

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

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

I bought an 01 impreza outback sport from where I work. Used. 143,000 miles
I bought an 01 impreza outback sport from where I work. Used. 143,000 miles on it..keep in mind that I fix cars for a living... This is the best car Ive ever had the pleasure to own and work on. When I bought it it needed both front axle boots, valve cover gaskets and steering rack boots. Now this might seem like a lot to the average person, but really its just minimal surface stuff.... The engine is an ej22 phase 2 2.2 liter.... Best engine subaru ever made in my opinion. Non turbo naturally aspirated... Once I fixed all the little stuff, I changed the oil and did a trans drain and fill 3 times...I drive 50 miles a day 5 days a week, so around 1000+ miles a month.... This car hasnt even shown any signs of dysfunction whatsoever.. Im sorry to hear that people are having problems with their subarus... My experience is much different. Drives great and mileage is 25-26 mpg on an 4eat automatic trans. Yes I have down upkeep ie, plugs wires cold air intake coffee can exhaust tires, but the car just goes and goes, doesnt burn oil, shifts smooth and starts up first revolution of the crank.... And this a used car with 3 owners and 143k. Maybe I just got lucky but its a much better than my 03 fx3 ford ever was! And mileage is better too! I wouldnt trade this car for anything...awd and comfort. It fits my life and style and my wife can put her cakes in the back. Mechanically this car is the most solid reliable car Ive ever had the pleasure of owning and working on. Parts are relatively cheap, in abundance, and I find that the design is way easier to work on than most I have to repair. I wish I had something negative to say about my subaru, but I dont. I will drive this car for as long as I can.
Published: June 1, 2014
Erik of Grants Pass, OR
Source: consumeraffairs.com

I really believed that Subarus were reliable cars. I still owe $11,000 on m
I really believed that Subarus were reliable cars. I still owe $11,000 on my 2013 Legacy thats now worth $5,000 now and my transmission went. Since I have 121,000 miles on it, Im out of luck. Subaru is aware of issues they have with their CVT transmission and in 2017, extended their warranty to unlimited miles. That extension expired on 7/31/18. Their response is that they can offer me a $500 coupon off of a new car. I completely lost faith in them. I thought that my car would last until 300k miles at least.
Published: February 1, 2019
Denise of Bethlehem, CT
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

Clutch failure on 2015 wrx with 120 miles less than 24 hrs after. Dealershi
Clutch failure on 2015 wrx with 120 miles less than 24 hrs after. Dealership states it was owner inflicted since they gave pictures of this happening and it was from rally and review. The car would go into reverse but no other gear had it towed and will meet with Subaru tomorrow though they have stated that they will not honor warranty and we must pay for a new clutch. Will find out more tomorrow.
Published: November 14, 2014
rhoda of Palmer, AK
Source: consumeraffairs.com

2 days later, the call taker from SOA did send me the language of the contr
2 days later, the call taker from SOA did send me the language of the contract, so I am satisfied. I also received it from the dealership in NY, so I am pleased, but I dont care for having to dig to find the actual language/details of such an expensive item.
Published: January 1, 1970
Todd of Evansville, IN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My 2002 WRX was recalled for a control arm. I brought it in on December 29,
My 2002 WRX was recalled for a control arm. I brought it in on December 29, and as of January 26. It is still in the shop waiting on parts. Customer service gives dates of estimated arrival of parts, but they keep moving them up. My car is in the shop indefinitely. I love the car, which is why I want it back, but I would never go with Subaru again. How can they just keep your car indefinitely. This is unacceptable service!
Published: January 26, 2012
Rita of Villanova, PA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

My vehicle is out of warranty and software on my head unit is out of date.
My vehicle is out of warranty and software on my head unit is out of date. There is a TSB to update it and fix multiple major bugs and in addition to allow mobile devices to connect. Some bugs can even be considered safety issue (e.g. backup camera lag - it takes 8 seconds for camera to turn on when car put in reverse). Based on Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies act passed in 2014 car manufacturers cannot block car owners from updating their cars software on their own. I understand that such updates are done at my own risk and can possibly void warranty, which I don’t have any longer, so warranty coverage is unrelated to this case.3 other makes I own since 2014 allow owners to update head unit software and make all of the update downloads public. Subaru of America also had updates published and available to public until they removed it few month ago. I sent multiple inquiries to Subaru HQ and received a reply that I MUST go through authorized retailer service in order to receive updates. When I contacted retailer they stated that such updates can only be done for a fee and they can’t provide update media to a customer even when I agreed to pay for it. This is direct restriction of customer’s rights and it is done only for the purpose of making it impossible for customer to update their software on their own, forcing people to go through retailer services so Subaru can make more money. I love the company and this is 2nd Subaru vehicle I own, but this new business model is just unacceptable. It shows how Subaru as a company cares less about laws and its customers.
Published: November 10, 2017
Aleksey of Hanover, MA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

Hit a deer one week after purchasing. Had to wait OVER TWO MONTHS for parts
Hit a deer one week after purchasing. Had to wait OVER TWO MONTHS for parts and Subaru would only give loaner car if we had vehicle repaired at their dealership which is over 100 miles away! Battery was bad, finally got them to replace it. Tilt steering wouldnt stay locked. Wheel bearings went bad, no notice sent out. Numerous problems with driver information center touch screen, software only updated once, now other information has disappeared! Drivers seat developed a split, dealer said to call the 800 number since its not warrantied. My Ford seats lasted over 15 years! If it wasnt for the comfortable ride, Id get rid of it.
Published: July 30, 2018
Peewee of Whiting, IN
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

I purchased a new 2011 Subaru Forester in May 2011. In June 2013 I had it i
I purchased a new 2011 Subaru Forester in May 2011. In June 2013 I had it in for its 30K mile check up and the engine was leaking oil. It was the camshaft. Took it to the dealer, they said it would be repaired under warranty. They had it for 2 weeks, said it was repaired and all was well. About 2 months later, the symptoms of the camshaft leak started again, so I took it back, they repaired it and said all was well. In Dec of that year at about 37K, the car stopped starting. Guess what it was, the Camshaft. Took it to the dealer, they put shims in and said it was a known issue so it was covered under warranty. They gave me the car back and about a week later I get a call saying the parts they ordered are in. Im thinking what parts, the car is fine. It wasnt they had to replace all of the gaskets and some of the pistons due to improper wear and performance. I feel as though I rent this car from the dealership. Its only driven occasionally (about once a week) with the exception of the winter (I live in CO which is why I bought it in the first place). It has also had trouble with its fuel gauge and now the battery. Not only will I NEVER buy another Subaru, I wont recommend them either. Subaru knew about these issue and sold the car anyway without correcting them, they just put out service bulletins. What a SHAM and a LEMON. Seriously, NEVER AGAIN.
Published: February 16, 2015
Kara of Boulder, CO
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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

My 2012 Outback just got a new transmission after 75,000 miles. Im very dis
My 2012 Outback just got a new transmission after 75,000 miles. Im very dissatisfied. When I shift into park its rough, makes like a clunk sound. Makes me wonder how long this one will last!? Ill never buy another Subaru. Makes me wonder if it was done right? Of course they say its fixed and better!! What a joke! I think a bunch of us should get together and place a class action lawsuit.
Published: July 30, 2017
Kim of Conneaut, OH
Source: consumeraffairs.com

Just bought a new 2017 Subaru Forester Touring model which is now confined
Just bought a new 2017 Subaru Forester Touring model which is now confined to my garage. We have a steep hill nearby which I use frequently. The hill is 2.4 miles in length and in parts is up to 20% decline. With all previous vehicles I simply stuck the car in low and applied the brakes occasionally. The Forester does not hold the speed down in either drive or low gear and I am obliged to use the brakes constantly which I believe to be dangerous. The car is equipped with x- mode feature but that is only effective up to 18mph and driving at that speed would make me very unpopular with other road users. My dealership has no answer but they are researching. Id appreciate any advice.
Published: November 27, 2016
Alex of Groveland, CA
Source: consumeraffairs.com

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