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The car reliability ratings are out and the Subaru brand does not have any cars in their lineup on the list. On the list of cars and SUVs, the award recipients do not include any of Subaru’s all-wheel-drive multi-purpose vehicles that have been so popular with consumers. The popular Subaru Outback wagon, Forester SUV, XV Crosstrek crossover, Legacy sedan and Impreza compact are all absent from the reliability list.
The brand seems to be doing everything right, but could the reason they are not included, be because of the Subaru oil consumption lawsuit? The 2015 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2012 model year) vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality.
CHECK OUT: Subaru scores hat trick in Consumer Reports Top Picks of 2015
Subaru named in a lawsuit
Last year, Subaru was named in a lawsuit claiming the automaker failed to let consumers know of the oil consumption problem in some of their vehicles. In an article in the New Jersey Law Journal, the lawsuit claims the 2011-14 Forester, 2013 Legacy and 2013 Outback, with 2.5-liter engines, and 2012-13 Impreza and 2013 Crosstrek, with 2-liter engines are the culprits. The suit claims the vehicles "prematurely burn off and/or consume abnormal and excessive amounts of engine oil."
In order to get a good rating on the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, they examine 177 specific problem symptoms, grouped into eight major vehicle categories, with Engine/Transmission issues being one of the eight categories. With Subaru having 2012 model year owners saying they are experiencing oil consumption issues with their vehicles, could this be the main reason there are no Subaru vehicles on this year’s top rated models?
What are the most dependable brands according to J.D. Power?
Among all vehicle nameplates, Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 89 PP100. Buick follows Lexus with 110 PP100, moving up three rank positions from 2014. Next are Toyota (111), Cadillac (114), and Honda and Porsche (tied at 116).
Brand loyalty tied to fewer problems
The study shows that the fewer problems owners experience with their vehicle, the greater the loyalty to the brand. Subaru has one of the most loyal fan bases in the industry, yet Subaru does not rate highest for the brand with the fewest problems. Overall, Subaru does rank just above the industry average in problems per 100 vehicles. Interestingly, in the area of powertrain dependability, Subaru ranks near the top with an industry average that is better than most brands.
MUST READ: Outback and Forester dominate Consumer Reports 2015 People’s Pick
Subaru has created a niche market with their all-wheel-drive multi-purpose vehicles like the 2015 Outback, Forester and XV Crosstrek that consumers are responding to in a big way. Could it be loyal Subaru owners overlook some of the problems because they like the vehicles safety, utility, all-weather capability and performance?
Image source: Subaru via Victor Hill
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Comments
Our 2011 Forester is burning
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Our 2011 Forester is burning a QT every 900 miles. At 5k, it was bone dry. Called the Subaru dealer and they acted as if they have never heard of this before. I'll be trading mine in and never going back. Too bad, it was a nice vehicle for a while.
How many miles on the engine?
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In reply to Our 2011 Forester is burning by AJ (not verified)
How many miles on the engine? That is not the engine they've been reporting issues with.
The two engines with issues FB20 and FB25
The 2011 has the FB25, the
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In reply to How many miles on the engine? by Gary Birtch (not verified)
The 2011 has the FB25, the change to that engine was 2011. I know because I have a 2010 with no problems. I have a 2013 with the problem.
What they'll do is replace
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What they'll do is replace the short block again... And if that doesn't work, you can get them to by the car back from you.
Wow, I almost bought a
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Wow, I almost bought a Forester.
Here is the issue....not only
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Here is the issue....not only does my 2012 Subaru Forester burn excessive oil from day one, but the dealer says that it's normal....Now that I have 150,000 miles on it, they want $6000 to rebuild my engine...
In other words, the "normal" burning of the oil, leads to catastrophic consequences...
Thanks for posting that.
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In reply to Here is the issue....not only by Mitch (not verified)
Thanks for posting that.
These subarus are turds and so are the folks building and selling them.
I'm looking at buying a
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I'm looking at buying a suburb... have they fixed the oil guzzling issues in 2015+ models yet? Is it just the Forester or am I safe to buy a Outback? Please help me
xoxo.
I have a 2105 XV Crosstrek.
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In reply to I'm looking at buying a by MattBB (not verified)
I have a 2105 XV Crosstrek. Has over 5000 miles on the odo. So far, the engine appears to be tight. I check the oil regularly. There does not appear to be any consumption yet.
Matt, please for your sake
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In reply to I'm looking at buying a by MattBB (not verified)
Matt, please for your sake stay away from any Subaru with a cvt trans. My 2015 forester has lurching to it at easy acceleration. Subaru said this is normal.
I have an automatic 2014
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In reply to I'm looking at buying a by MattBB (not verified)
I have an automatic 2014 Outback. It burns a qt every 3000 miles. They have not fixed the issue.
I would stay away. I love
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In reply to I'm looking at buying a by MattBB (not verified)
I would stay away. I love Subaru, but I'm getting stuck with a 2013 Forester with an oil burning engine. It's not a fun state of events. Opening your hood when the engine is hot, the hood is covered with bugs, a giant red low oil light on, and you have to put oil in your engine or it'll seize. The unfriendly dealers. Try driving cross country with this crap happening to you in what should be a new car. I think people buy new cars so they don't have to deal with problems. I have a 2003 Honda Accord with no problems. I have a 2010 Subaru Forester with no problems, and the 2013 Forester. I think I will get rid of the Subarus before the Honda Accord. Seriously. Doesn't burn oil, doesn't break down, no known head gasket problems that evidently don't get fixed for decades, and 5 years of knowingly putting engines with known piston oil control ring problems in new cars and selling them to the American public. The American consumer is getting screwed, and I won't buy another Subaru after this. As it is, my friends bought a 2015 Subaru Forester because I had 2. I've already told them about the oil problems, but they don't drive theirs as much and haven't noticed any problems. Seriously. Stay away. It's a time and money loser, not to mention the aggravation. You should read what happened to the people that filed the Subaru lawsuit, one had their catalytic converter blow up on the highway because it had so much burnt oil in it and she already had her engine replaced once. It's not fun dealing with the dealers who are stuck in the middle.... Be happy and buy something else. I'm actually looking at Kia, 100K warranty, and cheaper because I don't like the layout in the Honda CRV and the Honda HRV.... I love(d) my Subies. I also wrote to the Subaru CEO and told him what I thought of this situation and that he should be ashamed putting this kind of shit for sale and screwing the American Public because at some point it will be one after another of loyal Subaru owners walking away. It's the same thing that happened to Volkswagen when they starting bringing crap to America. The reputation stays. There are some cars I won't buy and they have a long history of crap. I think Subaru has put their lot in that quagmire, and the car layout which is awesome won't make up for the oil burning engine and the shit that comes along with it. I will take a $10K loss or more if they don't give me a new engine. I bought that car so I could get rid of the other 2, ha ha. Now I have 3 cars, and I'll probably keep the Honda and get rid of the Subarus.
Diana,
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In reply to I would stay away. I love by Diana Conrad (not verified)
Diana,
So sorry to hear about your issue(s) with your Subaru. If you are using the crap oil from Subaru, then that is contributing to you problem. You would think that Subaru would demand a better quality lubricant in their engines but the dealer I purchased my Subaru from years ago is still using the Toyota branded 0W-20 synthetic in the Subaru cars they service. Even Honda and GM are having oil consumption issues. Honda is developing engines that will run on 0W-16 oil and even that is proving to be a problem.
I suggest switching to a 5W-20 synthetic and see what happens.
I am currently considering
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I am currently considering the purchase of a 2016 Forester (or maybe an Outback) and am absolutely taken aback by the comments here. The salesman I have been talking to claims he has never heard of "high oil consumption" in Subarus. Is there no honesty in the world any more!
That salesman is nothing more
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In reply to I am currently considering by Don G. (not verified)
That salesman is nothing more than a liar.
It is possible the salesman
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In reply to I am currently considering by Don G. (not verified)
It is possible the salesman hasn't heard but highly unlikely. Subrau even extended the warranty because if it. As for me my 2014 (same motor) uses maybe 1 quart every 5000 miles but I change it at 3000 miles or 6 months anyway. I don't drive much but I do drive hard. As I understand it a few 2.5's were getting 1 quart for 1200 miles and almost all were the manual trans version. the automatics seem to get 3-5K miles per quart. For a flat H engine that isn't too bad. and it is 0W oil now which is very thin. Anyhow the settlement was to extend the engine complete to 7y 100K If I am not miwstaken.
FINALLY Subaru replaced the
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FINALLY Subaru replaced the short block in my '14 Outback. the day after I picked it up from the dealership, I noticed a rapid fire noise on cold start up. Took it back..."Oh, that's normal. It'll go away when the engine is broke in..."
Yeah, right...2,000 miles later the noise is still there and happens now on cold and warm starts.
Spark Plugs? Wires?
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In reply to FINALLY Subaru replaced the by EKS (not verified)
Spark Plugs? Wires?
2 Subarus - 98 Forester, 2006
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2 Subarus - 98 Forester, 2006 WRX Ltd - both had bad wheel bearings on the rear, Forester blew BOTH heads and the WRX the driver side. Waiting on the passenger side head to go. Those are only the major problems. Both vehicles were maintained religiously. Make of it as you will.
I have a 2012 XV. No oil
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I have a 2012 XV. No oil consumption. All was well until 3 years old and 48,000 Kms. An oil leak was detected from the cam carriers. Engine was pulled out and resealed to fix leak. After that the engine became excessively noisy with a ticking noise from the left head. Currently spent 4 weeks in the workshop. New camshaft fitted. Let's hope that fixes it. All done under warranty. Did plan on keeping the car for at least 10 years, not sure now......
I have been driving Subaru
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I have been driving Subaru since 1985 (GL10). I recently traded a 2008 Legacy limited for a 2016 Legacy Limited.
The 08 had a completely welded and painted roof seam, the 16 is spot welded with a rubber zipper.
The 08 had dual exhaust, the 16 has single exhaust with a knockout on the rear facia for dual.
The 08 had a torsion bar on the trunk lid which was invisible, the 16 has a pair of struts on both sides which are hard to clean around.
The 08 engine compartment was reasonably sealed against weather, the 16 definitely is not.
The 08 had the bottom of hood and trunk painted like the rest of the car, the 16 just has tinted primer.
The propaganda for the 16 made a big deal about sound proofing. I made a sound recording at interstate speed of the 08 prior to surrender and compared it to the 16 at the same speed on the same road; the 16 was indistinguishable. The noise is bad enough that I can not see myself driving the car across country, so the additional space in the trunk gained by using the forementioned struts is meaningless.
The 08 had four screws on the liscense plate bracket, the 16 has two screws. Every time I shut the trunk I am reminded of this deficiency.
The 08 had door sills that met the rear fender, 16 sills on the 16 have a gap of about 1/8 inch.
I have full faith and confidence in the engineers and designers at Subaru, however in my opinion, the bean counters are completely out of control at Subaru. When Subaru is cheeping out on paint under the trunk lid and deleting two screws on the liscense plate bracket, you have to assume that they are specing cheeper parts throughout the car. I am willing to pay for what I want, but not even that is an option with Subaru.
That said the car meets my basic needs, but absolutely not my expectations of a 30 year customer. Given the fact that it is highly likely that cheeper parts have been used throughout the car, I will drive it for 50k and sell it, and that will be my last Subaru. Additionally, the Subaru manuals have stated for years that burning up to 1 quart of oil every 1200 miles is considered normal. Subaru needs to do an engineering Root Cause Analysis on the engine consumption and fix this issue once and for all.
You should write a letter to
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In reply to I have been driving Subaru by DanG! (not verified)
You should write a letter to the CEO in Japan since you are a customer for that long. I own 2 Subaru foresters. The first one was new, (2010) I love it because I can go all sorts of odd places, sleep in it if I have to, and put a cat cage in it to drag my cat around. The second one I bought as a hail damage car (2013), it's engine recently started burning oil like a sieve.... a really awful thing when you're on the road going all over the country. I'm going to have a problem with Subaru replacing it, and what I went through with dummies at dealers was ridiculous.. oh, ignore the oil light if it comes on, no problem. Good thing I checked my oil because I would've just driven it until it fried. Won't go anywhere without extra oil. The whole situation has been such a pain in the tush, that I wrote the CEO about loyal Subaru people walking away. There will be droves. I told him I'm only one person, but then when you get a lot of one persons, then pretty soon you have a sea of one persons, and then you have a problem. At some point, Subaru will have a crisis. I'm not a happy camper... I've been driving Hondas and Toyotas with no problems until this. Will probably go back to them. If I get a new engine, I'll think about Subaru again.
My guess is that if enough
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In reply to You should write a letter to by Diana (not verified)
My guess is that if enough people write a letter to this CEO then he may just have to act on the problem instead of relying on subordinate persons.
I am starting to find the comments posted here disturbing and am starting to consider getting rid of the Outback sooner rather than later. I will more than likely go back to diesel power. Mazda is bringing a diesel CX-5 to the states in 2017. I considered a CX-5 before I purchased the Subaru. The Mazda seats were uncomfortable no matter which level of trim I tried. I hope that they straighten out that issue.
Just purchased a 2009 with
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Just purchased a 2009 with head gaskets replaced, back bearing, and timing belt has 90k miles. Two hours after I purchased it found it has transmission issues. Why do ppl continue to purchase these when you have to put so much money in to maintain? Plus my daughter suggested getting it fixed and selling it for a newer Subaru. NOT happening with all the comments I have seen here. Hopefully with new transmission I can drive this till 250K miles or more.
3 subarus in a row. Decisions
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3 subarus in a row. Decisions based on consumer reports. Yet, several problems... suspension, brakes, electrical, and mostly engine problems. Lost confidence in consumer reports. A Forrester fetish? Methodology? Add the high cost of maintenance and you have the most overrated cars in the industry.
2007 Subaru Outback LL Bean
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2007 Subaru Outback LL Bean 82,000miles currently. At 82,000 miles both head gaskets blown and an absolute disaster in regards to oil consumption. Replacement cost ~$2,000 (not bad considering) that I am having the fowling done: timing belt, head gaskets, water pump, radiator cap, radiator hose, thermostat, CV boots, and a couple of of essentials when the engine is pulled apart. That is the bottom line, if you run in the the dreaded head gasket issue, replace all of the things that you can while the engine is opened up, you will save yourself thousands in the long run. Regardless of how wonderfully you take care of your subaru, you will eventually deal with the head gasket issue if you own one one from model years 2000-2012. It is still too soon to tell whether this issue has been resolved in the newer cars.
My oil light was on at 500
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My oil light was on at 500 (yes, five hundred miles) as soon as I bought my off-the-show-room-floor 2013 2.5 standard transmission Outback> I have been patronized like the little woman who doesn't know better, and given the run-a-round ever since I bought this thing!! Since they treated me like I was an air-brain, I played the role and I would just sweeetly go into the dealership every 1500 miles when the oil light faithfully went on, and asked "Oh, boys, will y'all please check my oil because that silly ol' light is on again glaring in my eyes."..they'd put in more than a quart of oil each time "topping it off" for me.
They have performed the engine consumption test 3 different times and each time tell me it's NORMAL! I refuse to drive around in my new car with a case of oil in the back! My 1998 Dodge Caravan with over 200k miles NEVER ever had this problem!
They have finally agreed to change out the lower block... but now I'm reading that that isn't the fix!
Maybe I'll just go buy a Buick or, (gasp) a Kia!
I'm seriously looking at
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In reply to My oil light was on at 500 by lisa miller (not verified)
I'm seriously looking at those Kias. If I can get a cat cage in the back, I probably will get rid of my Subarus and get one... 100K warranty and 10 years....
I have a 2015 Legacy 2.5 and
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I have a 2015 Legacy 2.5 and in less than 20k miles my oil light came on. I immediately went to the dealer and they told me it was very low, almost gone. Less than 20k miles and within the 10k mile oil change (synthetic) it's already burning tons of oil. Subaru has lost it's touch.
I have had my 2013 Outback 2
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In reply to I have a 2015 Legacy 2.5 and by avd (not verified)
I have had my 2013 Outback 2.5i Premium since November 2012. Approaching 58K miles and so far so good. Stopped using 0W-20 very early in the car's life and use a 5W-20 synthetic. The dealer and several Subaru only repair shops told me that this was fine. Do not use the Subaru branded motor oil as it is junk. As to the jerky CVT, thank the EPA/U.S. government for that. They want to squeeze every last millimeter out every drop of fuel possible so the transmission is programmed to stay in the highest gear possible for as long as possible. A very light right foot helps with that problem.