Subaru
reviews and complaints

On 10/15/22 we went to Fairway Subaru dealership in Greenville, SC. We saw a Black 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness that we checked out and fell in love with, we put money down on it. 10/17/22 we recieved a call stating we can come get it. 10/18/22 we recieved a call stating we cannot come get it because of a DMS part recall. As of now, noone knows what's going on with the car, my husband and I have made several calls to different people, still waiting This is extremely ridiculous.

I have owned a 2015, 2019 and currently own a 2022 Outback. All of the cars had numerous problems with the radios, gps etc. My first 2015 radio died after a few months and the unit was replaced. The replacement's screen had squared lines on it and the contrast got so bad I could not read it during the day from my normal driving position. I lived with it because I didn't want the aggravation of replacing the radio again. The 2019 was much better but I needed to have the audio amplifier replaced. The current 2022 kept freezing up on Sirius. FM and AM worked fine but Sirius had this recurring problem. It was not a Sirius issue as I parked my car next to my wife's and she had great reception while mine had none. The problem was intermittent. The dealer did not believe me until I showed him when it was actually happening. They replaced the head 2 days ago and now the GPS shows that I am in Manhattan (I live in Delaware but it still shows Manhattan) I researched the internet and found that the symptoms could relate to a pin that was not set upon installation but the service department said this was not the case. I am scheduled to return the car so they can call tech support to resolve the issue. The phone also does not link nor does the android feature function on the new unit. That is 3 cars all with starlink/radio problems. Either the software is not very good, or the radios have quality control problems. Otherwise, the car is perfect for my needs but these radio/starlink problems significantly reduce this customers satisfaction.

I called the subaru customer service and asked help on my Vin number so i could sign up for starlink. Im the second owner of the subaru Forrester 2022, and the previous owner is still attached to the Vin number associated with my car. When i try to sign up and create an account on their website mysubaru, im having problems creating an account because the previous owners name is associated with the Vin number of my Forrester.

Dear Sir:

On 7/29/2022, I purchased a 2022 Subaru Outback from International Auto in Sheboygan,Wisconsin.

The staff were extremely helpful and courteous.

The problem from the factory was the air conditioning. It did not work from the onset--it may have been full of fluid from the factory--but there was a leak.

Problem solved at Sheboygan--a/c ordered and replaced.

My complaint was I had to travel (30 miles 1 way) three different times to get the problem resoled(I hope!)

I feel I should be duly compensated for this.

Feel free to contact International Auto or me.

Thank you for your consideration

Al Gulseth

3119 Madson Road

Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220

Phone: [protected]

e-mail: [protected]@gmail.com

Bought our Subaru new and we park it off street and covered. It has approximately 7k miles on it. Came out one morning and noticed a crack where the rear view mirror is attached to the windshield. Live in a city so there are a lot of pot-holes and rough roads. As I drove it, the crack continued to get bigger and bigger and pieces of glass actually started falling into the car. I brought it to Subaru and explained this and they even admitted that there was no evidence of external forces (in fact the crack started from the inside where the adhesive met the windshield). Subaru denied our claim to have it covered under warranty because “excessive force” must have been put on the mirror to cause this. We have never hung anything from it and this happened while we weren’t even in the car. We escalated it to Subaru of America and we denied for the same reason. We are now paying over $1500 to replace the windshield and based on the recent case that was settled and other complaints here, I have no faith this won’t happen again. Never buying Subaru again.

I have purchased a 2019 Subaru Impreza September of 2019. I never had anyone sit in the back seat but my dog. I had guest in town in July of 2022 they used my car. I was sitting in the backseat and I was unable to get out unless someone came around and opened the door from the outside. I called the dealership when I was released from the hospital and told them that I needed an oil change and wipers changed out and to have someone look at the back passenger door because you were not able to open it from the inside. I have already read the manual about the child locks and did what I could do but that did not work. When I was given the price of $166.00 to just look at it I laughed. This is a hazard problem if you ask me and should not be a charge for this. This is my first Subaru that I have owned and will not be purchasing another one if this problem is not resolved with no cost to me. What if we were in an accident and I was unable to get out. I just had a Heart Transplant at the end of May and crawling over to the other side would not be happening if we were in an accident. I would like feedback on this situation on what you plan on doing about this.

Thank you

Diane

The Subaru Outback 2011 2.5 Premium that I bought new and always took good care of, has failed a safety inspection due to extensive corrosion of the engine cradle (front sub-frame). The car has just above 85,500 miles on it.

I think that the particular part was either not made strong enough or built with low quality materials to withstand normal use.

A local Subaru dealer gave me a quote of $3000 to replace the cradle, which is insane. I contacted Subaru of America hoping to get some help with replacing the cradle, but they refused any help.

So, I bought a brand new car, always took good care of it including taking it to a local dealership for regular maintenance and 10 years later I cannot drive it safely without spending $3000 that I cannot afford. I have not had that issue with my previous cars from different makers. This will be the last Subaru I bought.

I have a 2017 Subaru Forester. I got it new at the end of 2016. Within a year, I started having issues with my radio. It would just change the stations without me touching anything. It has worsened with time and more has occurred. The radio stations change and then are stuck to whatever the Subaru chose. It will speed up CDs in the CD player. I have it synced in with my phone for music as that is one way I can listen without things changing (sometimes it will change the song being played, but Pandora only allows for so many songs to be changed and forces it to remain on the song in the end.) Well, now the glitch calls the last person I spoke to on my phone. It will call time and time again. The screen in the vehicle freezes and you cannot hang up the call. Very frustrating and becoming dangerous as I am worried about the calls and paying attention to the road. (On a side note, it was funny when it continually called a SPAM number.)

I brought the car in after it started a few years ago and was told there was no repair for this. It is now 2022 and again had it in a Subaru shop for yet another recall problem with it. Once again, there is no update for it. They said it should be a computer update, but even after having the battery disconnected, it didn't reboot the system and fix the problem.

Thoughts?

On 6/11/22 R/O #8368081/1 my wife's car 2017 Forester was put into the shop (Miller Subaru Mt. Holly NJ 08060) to have the tire pressure light turned off and the key bob wouldn't work, and an oil change (the oil change went fine).

We were told the problem was the roof rail was leaking onto the module that controls both of the other problems.

Of course, the car warranty has just expired, the car only has 27,832 miles on it.

The repair was at a cost of 852.04 to my wife and me.

I was told by the service manager that Subaru has been aware for years of the problem with the roof rail leaking on to the module and has never had a recall for it.

The repair order show that the customer reported the leak which was wrong

(I guess to cover that Subaru knows about the problem and won't help the owner repair it}

we were told about it by the service manager about the roof rail leak when he searched the problem down.

I believe it was a bad design by Subaru and that Subaru should be the responsible party for this problem.

My opinion that's not very good customer service.

I don't know if any of the above will help us, but maybe it may help others with their problem going forward.

Thank you for letting me vent if that's all it is.

Tom

I have 2014 Subaru Outback with less than 38,000 miles on it . I take very good care of my car, garage kept . The belt tensioner is slipping . I have talked to several Subaru owner with the same problem. The service dept at Subaru and they have replaced quite a few. Are you going to do a recall? It is a faulty part? Please e-mail me at [protected]@yahoo.com with a answer. Sincerely Gilda Vance

My 2016 Subaru's battery goes dead if it is not used for 2 weeks. I am on my 4th battery. Put it on a battery charger, they say. I say, put another (small) battery under the hood with a sensor that will activate the small battery when the ignition is off and save the current in larger battery for starting.

Below is an email I sent to Rancho Grande Motors in San Luis Obispo, Ca. Sent to GM Chris Wallace and Service Head Cory Vegas. Engine light was on, power diminished in the 2006 Subaru Outback, and the exhaust system not working properly. My car was in their service facility for 33 days, the car was left unlocked in the service yard, and all of the contents were stolen by homeless people...the car was slept in as well. I returned the car after 30 days because the check engine light is still on and the exhaust system (supposedly new) does not sound right. The repairs were not made (2nd time) and I am still having the same problems again. I do not want to return it one more time because they are not able to fix. I want a full return. Thank you.

Dave Hawley

500 Atascadero Rd. Site J10

Morro Bay, Ca. 93442

[protected]@aol.com

[protected]

Unhappy Customer..Still

From: [protected]@aol.com

To: [protected]@ranchograndemotors.com

Bcc: [protected]@ranchograndemotors.com

Date: Sun, May 1, 2022 11:22 am

Cory~

This is Dave Hawley...again. I am the customer who paid $5700 to fix? my 2006 Subaru Outback, left the car with you for 33 days (the first time), several days the 2nd time, had every item removed/stolen by homeless people when my car wasn't locked in your parking lot, and again find that I must contact you for the same unresolved repair issues. To wit:

The car's exhaust system was redone. It does not have that Subaru sound...it sounds like a muscle car from the 60's. There is water exiting both tail pipes all the time. Your service writer said that was normal for a car with a new catalytic converter to exit moisture in the morning when cold. The pipes exit water all of the time...hot, cold, it doesn't matter. The water shoots continuously about 6 feet from both pipes. This is not normal, and again, the exhaust noise is not that of a Subaru. A ride around the block will convince you.

The check engine light still comes on and all power, down to about 10 miles per hour, is lost. This has happened twice since the car was returned for this reason in March. Believe me, it is very disconcerting to lose all power on the highway! I can reset everything by disengaging the power battery cable, but I shouldn't have to. This was fixed, your service writer told me upon my last visit, by reengaging a throttle connector that had come loose.

In the past, before these above mentioned issues, I added about 1 quart of oil between oil changes. Now I add a quart about every 1000 miles. I have leaks showing in my drive way. Something (gaskets?) not tightened properly?

Cory, when I call for you I want to speak with you, not a service writer who doesn't know what he is talking about. The last time I called, in March, I got a call 7 hours later from a service writer who didn't know what I was talking about.

I want the car fixed, or my money returned, and you can keep the car or I will donate it. Even with the brand new tires I just put on. I want to sell it, but I can't in clear conscience sell it as is. If you decide to take another go at it I want a loaner vehicle for the length of your service. Actually, the best thing would be a full refund to me and you keep the vehicle.

Your general manager and my attorney have been copied. I expect a response in the next few days. My next contact will be the District Attorney through my attorney.

Dave Hawley

May 1, 2022

On April 30, on a trip, a crack appeared in our windshield. The car had 1500 miles on it. There was not and had not been an impact. What appears to have been a very small impact appeared later in our trip, and this is the basis for Subaru of Grapevine declining to replace the windshield under warranty.

The Subaru maintenance manager denied that Subaru recently settled a class action suit on windshields, despite my telling him of many reports that you had settled the suit, for earlier years. He lied, my respect for Subaru died.

I have filed a notice of this event with the NHTSA. You’re second. Then, I shall proceed to Yelp and anyone else I can think of, to warn others of a significant Subaru windshield problem. This is my second Subaru. We loved the first one, and told many people that we did. This one drives very nicely. However, if you won’t stand behind your products, especially products that are known to be defective, then you won’t get any positive reviews from us.

Subaru of Grapevine said it would be $1,300 to replace the windshield. Tomorrow, Safelite is going to do it for a promised price of $1,061, and insurance may cover much of that.

Since purchasing on 12-21-21, have needed to call roadside assistance three times due to car not starting... That horrible "fast click" sound... Finally on 4-28-22, the local dealership took ii in for checking, and washed it before returning... The diagnosis is great battery, tis me and my driving habits: am disabled and retired and have a $40,000.00 garage ornament!.. Well boo hiss... The remedy is to drive it 2 or 3 times per week for 15 minutes or so at highway speed!... Nothing concerning these stringent driving requirements was ever mentioned during the shopping experience!... Totally unacceptable to be "punished" for not working full time and gadding about... So when it does start need to be sure to fill up that gas tank in order to try to keep it starting... Any advice or words of wisdom?... Anxiously awaiting as I am again stuck here at home missing the scheduled 9am doctor appoinment[had planned to also do some errands while out with the car still running], but guess what on 5-3-22 the car will not start again... Left msg with that service dept, still waiting

1) factory recall, spent several hours at Reno Lithia Subaru only to be told no parts for automatic tran control module/chain/belt. They still don't have a part

2)thumping noise under acceleration from front right and now left when turning under acceration. factory recall springs and right front hub assembly replaced now worse than ever.

my VIn # 4S4WMALD7L3442291 2020 Subaru Ascent

My 4th Subaru is a genuine POS in terms of parts and quality.

I expect a response and am considering a national HTSB formal complaint and lemon law suit. Please be aware I like many aspects of the car but the quality and service are near criminal.

Steve Loye-Reno [protected]

s.[protected]@aim.com

We recieved an offer in the mail on 4/25 to upgrade our 2019 Subaru Crosstrek for $220.91 with an expiration date of 5/2.

We immediately went to the dealer on 4/26. The salesman said he can have a car for us in May but the price would be around $400 per month. They claim if they don't have a car on the lot at the time of our visit they can't honor the price.

Called the dealer where we leased the original Crosstrek. Again, they wont have a car until May and they want $315 a month regardless if I come tonight and put money down.

I would think a company like Subaru would honor their mailings.

Not getting another Subaru!

Dear Subaru

I need to file a complaint under Kuwait Subaru Agency, I have a BRZ 2013 25,000 KM was stored in my indoor garage for 4 years and the car was working fine but I sent it by winch to do the full service and change everything need to be changed so I can re use the car … I traveled outside kuwait for 3 weeks and came back to check the car they said something wrong we cant start your car we need to wait and check more so we car notice the issue lets say from November 2021 until April 2022 they said your car will coast around 15,000$ USD because the whole ecu system need to be changed so your car can work.!.!

Subaru 2022 Legacy Limited;

On 11th of April 2022 I took my Subaru 2022 into the Dealer Sunset Subaru Dealer in St. Louis for a simple oil change and rotation of tires... Left the dealer and checked my air pressure with a hand gauge and on my computer. Both showed the tire pressure different on two of the tires. I realize this is minor but wouldn't expect this kind of service on a brand new car which I bought August 2019 due to my vehicle was totaled and needed to purchase a new car. Everyone I knew said I could never gone wrong with a Subaru. In addition, although they put a sticker for my next oil changed on the windshield they failed to go to the computer (car info) and fill out the mileage within the car as a reminder to the next change. I am sorry these issues maybe minor but I felt if this was such a quality car why wouldn't they be proud enough to want to do things right on a car with 7,000 miles. I notified my salesmen and explained some minor chipping on the inside of my car. I am not a body man but they could have resolved this with a touch up pen and install the clear guards down the doors. To this day never heard a thing from my salesmen nor did I get any response from the dealer. I initially filled out the form on line I was not happy with their work; but never received a survey from this dealer. Again may I point out these are minor issues but when you purchase a brand new car you expect service to be beyond excellent.

Kindly advise at your convenience

By the way I do not regret the purchase of this car; very happy with its performance and the quality of the Legacy Limited... I still would recommend Subaru to anyone who asked me about my car.

Larry

On 4/20/22 I saw that Starliink was not suppprted as of 2/22. I attempted to discuss with Management at Grand Subaru. General Manager did not bother to call me. I spoke to the advisor he stated to call Subaru. When I called the agent was not friendly. She said that owners were notified by e-mail and mail about Starlink.never received any e_mails or mail . I explained this over and over to the agent. She stated that Subaru did what they were obligated to do. Not only did I not receive any information about Starlink when I brought my Forester in for service. I am very disappointed in Subaru ! I can not understand why I have to pay for the upgrade. I will think twice before I do any more business with Subaru

My 2022 Subaru Outback is only 9 months old with 9432 miles. ON 3/31/2022 the windshield suffered the spontaneous windshield breakage problem that Subaru's suffer from. The windshield cracked from the lower left corner of the glass (looking from the front of the car to the windshield). There was nothing that hit the glass. There are no marks on it other than the crack that start from the lower left edge. The classic Subaru windshield failure issue.