Subaru
reviews and complaints

2/6/22- SUV malfunction

2/7/22- approx. 07:45, took SUV to dealership service center due to electronic malfunction. Service rep. Mike Needham took information and asked if it was a drop off. I told him staying. He made a sound and said waiting area is over there. Later I was told a new center console will ordered. I asked if the car is ok to drive because electric problems get worse. He rolled his eyes and said it’s fine.

2/11/22- approx. 08:45 SUV WOULDNT start. Dead, no electricity was going anywhere. Called service rep. M. Needham and told him I need a tow to the dealership the vehicle won’t start. His response “we don’t do that, call the 800” then hung up! A few hours later the tow guy arrived. He couldn’t get it to start either. So we pushed it out of garage in order for it to be accessible to load.

Gabriel (Subaru personal)-called at approx. 15:30, to inform me the battery, starter and alternator were functioning fine. I asked if the SUV could be hooked up to the diagnostic computer. He said that would be next step but can’t do it this weekend. I asked for a rental due to the unreliability. I had already lost a days pay and need to work Saturday. He told me there aren’t any rentals available but patched me over to Russell Hyatt anyway.

First thing Russells asks is how can I help you ma’am? I gave him a brief rundown of what happened to my SUV. I’m requesting a rental due to Unreliability and Unavailability of mechanics to do a complete diagnostic on Saturday for SUV. Russell stated we don’t have anymore rentals today. I stated this malfunction is not of my doing and I need a vehicle to work Saturday. After enduring about 30 minutes of his condescending wording and questioning my ability to care for my vehicle, He exhaled loudly be here by 5:30pm to get a rental. I made it there and You could feel the tension! None of the other service reps would even look at me!

Finally rep. Danny Kane jr., came around the corner and asked “can I help you?” I said “I’m here for a rental.” He responds “Rachel?” I said “yes how did you know?” He was a pleasant fellow. Attempting to be overly placid/pleasant then mentioned sometimes we have questions we need to ask clients. I responded yes but there is a way to do it without being condescending, rude or trying to be little someone. He said my apologies. My response was you have nothing to be sorry for you weren’t the Person who behaved horribly. I did stay to him this behavior of the service department actually makes me question: The Subaru brand and the transparency and fairness of the service department.

2/14/22- I received an automated call stating my car has been repaired. Upon arriving at the facility, I asked Mike Needham “whatCaused the car not to turn over/start? Amy’s another exhale and says it was the battery. I said how can that be the battery when you all tested it then said it passed. He exclaims “oh you know sometimes that happens with the weather and all it can affect the battery.”What? This point he said something inaudible then told me have a nice day.

After the initial repair the vehicle seemed to run smoothly.

3/16/22 & 3/17/22.

3/25/22: while using the hands-free phone; It would switch to the actual cell phone for a few minutes and then back to the SUV And I’m getting spotty reception where I never had this problem for a year. So now I have to go back this week.

3/28/22: hands free will not recognize any name and shuts off.

I am disappointed at my salesperson not to mention those issues with windshield made of some materials that prevent glass chips, cracks and breaks within weeks or a few months of purchasing a new car. I worked hard for my money and saved to purchase my second Subaru being there dependable. I am not happy that after my new purchase of an Outback Premium the car has had three windshield replacements. Today 3/20/2022 at 2:30pm my wife and I noticed that the windshield was cracked again and couldn't believe this. My wife made a comment to me that real is like we can't even enjoy the car we paid over $36,000 with a trade-in of 2016 and $10,000 down to have these problems continually. I am going to speak with my attorney on 3/21/2022 and share that I will be visiting Team Gillman where I purchase that SUV, speak with customer service manager, and hope to resolve this to my satisfaction with BS or excuses. I am tired of replacement of windshield and it's very embarrassing that I haven't even had a car for less than a year. I only hope that the dealership doesn't give me a problem, or I will contact the news media and reach out to be on the Class Action Suit. My vin # 4S4BTAFC2N3123260

Everyone was waiting for the new STI especially with the boost of Hp now that isnt happening. I can honestly say I will never buy another Subaru again.

I purchased a 2018 Subaru Legacy in February 2021. I took my Legacy into the dealership January 2022 for a recall, oil change, and 30k mileage appointment. In February I called to have the update completed so I can use Star Link after the 3G service retirement in February. The dealership says that even though Subaru.com says this update is complimentary, that its going to cost $1000.00 to update/fix and for some reason it's not covered by my factory or extended warranties. The same dealership that I had my car in 3 weeks prior that made no mention of this change happening while it would have been free to complete.

My Daughter bought a Subaru from a Mazda dealership and received notification that the Starlink subscription she had paid for would need updated. She scheduled an appointment for an oil change and the upgrade. They seemed to be unhappy about her fussy 4 y/o and suggested she reschedule. They said a customer service rep would contact her to make a new appointment. She told them she was in health care and asked about what times would be open and they basically just shut down. My only guess is it has to do with health care workers, mask mandates and getting the vaccine. After that Treasure Valley would not return her calls until the 21st of Feb. They told her then she would have to pay to get the service done. Then Katlyn informed me today on the 24th that Subaru wouldn't even do it for a fee. She said that the money would be refunded for the subscription and that was the plan all along. Did Subaru America do this or just a local problem in a hick town Idaho dealership. We are the people working in this industry.

We didn't invent Covid-19 we are just stuck with the fallout.

Last November 2021, I brought my car to Berman Subaru (4330 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago) due to intermittent flashing BRAKE light. They could not find the problem however, I Ieft the service shop paying $832 with a significant portion of that --attempting to resolve the BRAKE LIGHT issue. I was told to return to the Service Shop at Berman if the problem persisted. NOTHING was repaired.

I returned to Berman Subaru on Friday January 28 2022 with the BRAKE LIGHT permanently on and the PARKING light flashing.

I picked my car up on Monday morning January 31, 2022 and was told to pay $1439.00 because they had fixed the problem (I was quoted $1056.00 by Andre Duran advisor-- but ended up paying the full amount). I was told that the faulty BRAKE LIGHT was repaired. It is listed as repaired on my receipt. THE FAULTY ELECTRICAL BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT REPAIRED.

As I was leaving the service area I noticed a huge scrape on my car (passenger side front and rear door) right after the car was taken for car wash. This was a new scrape.

I addressed both these problems with the Manager Brian Trout and he (in his most sincere tone of voice) told me he would get back to me by the end of the day after he investigated the problems. He sent me an email stating such.

I also questioned why the "low tire air light" was on and couldnt the Service people inflate the tires -- so absolutely lazy of them.

I am still waiting for Brian Trout to get back to me.

I have sent him 2 follow up emails and he has failed to respond after 2 weeks.

This is a complaint of deceptive pricing

This is a complaint of failure to resolve the problem -- but reporting BRAKE LIGHT fixed -- "Verified light is now off"

This is a complaint about incapable technicians.

This is a complaint about a problematic Manager who does not lead or return Customer emails.

This is a complaint of failing to repair a large scrape made by Berman Subaru.

I am a Healthcare Provider having worked throughout this entire pandemic. I need my car to continue to treat Covid and other patients

This is a complaint to verbalize general disgust with your product and dealers who should represent Subaru

During a move out-of-state, my Subaru Outback (2008) broke down after a total of 16 hours of driving. There had been no warning lights or signals to indicate that anything was wrong and we made frequent stops. We rented a moving truck to tow it the next day to our destination and the mechanic informed us that a lack of oil had killed the engine. We had filled the Outback with oil before taking off and he informed us that Subaru's were known for burning through oil very quickly and known for giving no indication to the operator that oil is low.

The new engine cost me $5000, along with the additional $1000 of a rental moving truck and the myriad of unexpected costs and inconveniences of a car unexpectedly dying amidst a move to a new state.

This was the result of a lack of warning or indicator that the oil in the car was low. This is fault and failure of the Subaru Outback (2008), as a warning light should have warned of low oil, especially since a lack of oil is detrimental to the car. In truth, no car should burn through oil as mine did in the first place, especially not that rapidly. I am requesting a refund for this repair. I have attached the invoice from this service.

Recently bought my 1st Subaru vehicle on 12/17/2021, heard plenty of good review about the Outback, decided to give this car and company a try.
First of all, I do want to say the Subaru safety features on the car are very nice and appropriate.
Now on with the issues and concerns, the engine of the car sound quite loud, not sure it is small for the size, but none of my previous vehicles from other brands sounded as loud as this.
Mileage gauge seems a bit off at 15mpg in the city, that's pretty bad, not sure it has anything to do with the car having only 730 miles on the odometer.
Lastly and the biggest issue, found out there is a SQUEAKY noise coming from behind back seat during the cold weather in Chicago, which going to happen at least 2 months a year.
The squeak sound level depends on the road condition, if it rough or uneven, then it gets louder to the point where no one wants to seat in the back and it is annoying enough for me to try to avoid certain parts of the road where i can see is bad, which is very disturbing and dangerous to my driving and other drivers as well.
When to the dealer(Berman Subaru of Chicago) to see if there is a fix to this issue, was told they do know they are aware of other Subaru models and different years that has the same problem, it has to do with the Rear Stabilizer Bushings and how to do during the cold weather, there is NO fix for it.
My concern now is, how can I comfortably drive around the city knowing there is a squeaky noise every time the weather get cold, how can I recommend Subaru to anyone knowing that there will be this issue when it is cold and there isn't any fix to it, plus it would be very embarrassing to take people around on a NEW squeaky car.
Just want this noise to stop, definitely not making it fun to drive the car during the winter months where we will like to use those safety features of the brand.
Thank you!
Chun Kwok Lau

I purchased this vehicle Nov. 11th, 2021. I thought it would average about 28 mpg, instead I'm getting about 19 mpg. It has 97, 000 Miles on it, the plugs were changed at 65, 000 Miles.

What might be wrong, I'm not happy. Is it possible that I have a lemon or is there some way that I can get better mpg.

Gary Peets
Ph. [protected]
[protected]@aol.com

I now own 2 Subarus (2018 Legacy; 2021 Impreza both purchased new). These are the 8th and 9th Subarus my wife and I have purchased for ourselves and sons over the past years (1977 to now). We have enjoyed hundreds of thousands of miles in them. I will NEVER buy another Subaru if you continue to use Harmon Kardon music systems. They are a NIGHTMARE ! When using a flash drive for songs they get "frozen" and won't change songs. Sometimes they refuse to "load up" - ( I have made 15 minute trips before it starts playing at all ! ) They have a silly feature where there is a "delay time" before the volume control works to turn down/up the volume when first starting the car. I don't know who engineered these things but their thought processes were WEIRD. Please don't make me buy a car other than a Subaru because of these pathetic HK systems.

Battery keeps going dead.
Hansel Subaru in Santa Rosa checked first time. Said battery was fine.
Second time, took roadside service through Subaru 6 hours to arrive to jump car. In the meantime, the service checked with 3 different companies to come. Finally, said no one in my area and I would have to pay fee then be reimbursed. I flat out refused so they waived the fee.
Called Hansel Subaru about battery. Technician, Adam, said this is normal with all new cars with so many electronics if not driven more often.
Adam said would have to bring car in. Since I have battery checked and just had 12, 000 mile checkup. I have no confidence in their service.
Would like bigger battery with more capacity. Said this cannot be done. Would have to drive again to service dept. in Santa Rosa to find problem.
Why should I spend my time and gas to find out no solution?

I have a new 2022 Subaru outback with less than 5000 miles on it and no history of accidents or problem with the car. (Vin # 4S4BTAFC2N3122058). I am posting this to get information to the company engineers regarding the fact that at 65 MPH and over the front door/window on the drivers side has a significantly louder wind sound than the passengers side front door/window at the same speeds. (Windows are closed in this reference). I verified this with two service management representatives from Austin Subaru today when conducting two separate test drives of my new Subaru during my first service visit. After verifying that the front drivers side is louder in my car we took out an identical loaner from the 2021 year and verified that the same issue exists there. There was a noticeable difference in the outside wind sound from the front passengers side to the front drivers side in both vehicles when driving at about 65-75 miles per hour. (Drivers side is louder in both the 21 and the 22 model). This appears to be associated with design of how the air moves across the car at high speeds somehow and it should be looked at in future models. It is one of those things that some people might not notice but if you do notice it it bothers you.
Thank you for looking into this matter going forward. I bought this car to get a quieter ride than my Honda CRV and this factor is a [censored] in that armor! Please acknowledge receiving this in some way. (my email is [protected]@gmail.com) Pleased in so many ways but not in this one! Mark

About 10 days i noticed the starlink update that states that if i did't get the starlink update done by 01-15-22 my starlink security subscription would be automatically cancelled and after 02-01-22 the complimentary update would no longer be available and i would have to pay for the update myself .Herein is the problem for the last week or so i have tried to schedule that service and was told flatly that they where all booked or my call not retured at all.I was considering purchasing a 2022 subaru outback but i'm going to put that on pause for now until conclusion of this situation.I live in louisville, ky.My vin#4s4bsanc4h3347509 on my 2017 subaru outback.

I owned my new 1021 crosstrek for just over 24hrs. Got home and noted my front right tire was completely flat. There was a slash/cut near rim.

I had the 'donut' tire placed by AARP roadside service because I had not gotten time to learn how to call SUbaru service.

Took the SUV to dealer's service center next morning. They put on a new tire at FULL COST TO ME. I don't understand how a brand new tire on a brand new car goes flat within 30 hours.

Please know the service and service people were outstanding.

I believe I need to be refunded the cost of tire replacement.

2016 Subaru Outback 3.7 started jerking and then stalled on interstate while in motion. Steering wheel locked up. Fortunately we managed to get in the emergency lane before being hit. The vehicle wld not start back up. The tow person jumped it 3 times to start. It is at a dealership in another state and they are unable to find anything wrong with it. The dealership said it starts and drives okay. (they did not get on interstate w it nor drive any distance) If we had of been in a different lane than where we were, we wld have been hit and possibly dead from a tractor trailer. I would like a suggestion on how we shld get our vehicle closer to home without risking our lives AGAIN. We shld not have to pay travel expenses to go back and get the vehicle and risk our lives bringing the unfixed vehicle back.

I had to have the windshield of my 2021 Subaru Forester replaced after a rock hit the windshield. I did not realize at the time that this is a common issue with Subaru - and that Subaru does not cover this under warranty like most other manufactures do.
I am also dealing with the Rodent issue I have that Subaru blames on me - although I have taken all precautions and done everything suggested. Again Subaru had rather lay the blame on the consumer
I have spent over $5000.00 for repairs and replacement on a 2021 car that was purchased last fall and has only 10K miles as of yesterday on it.
There is a definite problem with the practices and placing blame on anyone but Subaru

Hi Subaru of America, I would like to bring to your attention about my 2008 Subaru Outback stalling. It's either when I come to a stop or shifting gears. I have seen many many Subaru owners with this issue. During the last month I have cleaned IAC, MAF and replaced O2 sensor to no improvement. I'm concerned about getting in a wreck. 2 times I have slowed down to make a left hand turn and the car stalls and no power steering, no brake booster and the vehicle following me through the turn almost rear ended me. Just unhappy about the outback, happily I have owned 3 Loyale's a Legacy. First time with the 2.5 engine. Drove my other Subaru's in the ground and finally got the outback... Scares me to Drive It.

I have a 2021 Subaru Foster - which I love. However I have had to spend over $3000.00 for wiring being replaced. Rats have chewed it - and I have learned they do this because of the Soy Base of the wiring. I also devices under the hood to scare rodents away. I live in a rural area - but rats and mice are everywhere.
That being said Subaru is refusing to take any responsibility - although there is a Class Action Suite in Hawaii - still in negotiations I believe - from 2017.
If a company uses that type of wiring then at least that information should be divulged and the Customer made aware.

Hello, I own a 2009 Impreza and I love it. I bought it new back in the Fall of 2008. It only has 108, 000 miles on it and I have had to have the engine replaced and also an issue with the oil system. I am attaching the receipts for the work. I an asking that your company reimburse me for this work. I do not feel that the engine and the oil system should have needed to be replaced/repaired with only 108, 000 miles on it. I bought Subaru because I was told by your sales person at the time that the car would out live me. As I stated, I love the car and had planned to stay with Subaru when purchasing a new car but am very disappointed that these huge repairs had to be done with such low mileage. The cost of the engine repair was $4, 852.69 and the oil system repair cost was $3282.96. I paid the bills and then a friend told me to write to the company to be reimbursed. They had the same problems and your company did reimburse them so thought I would write to you to see if I could also be reimbursed. While these amounts may not seem like alot to you this is a couple months of pay for me. Any attention you would give to this request would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.