Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Subaru
Subaru Models:
Subaru Problems
Check Engine Light Due to Failed Catalytic Converter
The Check Engine Light may illuminate because of low catalytic converter efficiency. This same issue may cause the car to fail the State Smog Test if one is required.
Cooling System Problems Cause Head Gasket Failure
The head gasket has a high failure rate due to cooling system problems. Subaru is aware of the problem and has extended the warranty to 8 years/100k miles on many vehicles.
Check Engine Light Due to Failed Knock Sensor
The Check Engine Light may illuminate because of a failed knock sensor. Although the sensor often tests okay, it can fail intermittently, while the vehicle is being driven.
Engine Misfire Due to Failed Spark Plug Wires
Sometimes the Check Engine Light illuminates because the computer detects misfires. Subaru released an improved spark plug wire set to solve the problem. The ignition coil should also be inspected for carbon tracks or short circuits between the contacts.
Engine Misfire Due to Oil in Spark Plug Tubes
An oil leak can develop from the spark plug tube seals. Excess oil in the spark plug tubes can result in engine misfires and illumination of the Check Engine Light. Our technicians tell us that removing the valve cover and replacing the tube seals and cover gasket is necessary to correct this concern. Oil damaged spark plugs, ignition wires, and ignition coils will also require replacement.
Subaru Recalls (Recent)
Subaru Recall 99V040000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.
Subaru Forester, Subaru LegacyThe Automatic Transmission May Not Hold the Vehicle in Park
The transmission park mechanism located inside the automatic transmission may not hold when the selector is in the "park" position. The vehicle could move/roll without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly to correct this concern.
Subaru Baja, Subaru Forester, Subaru Impreza, Subaru Legacy, Subaru OutbackEngine Oil Leak From Oil Control Valve Cover
On 26 vehicles, the engine oil control valve cover may not have been tightened properly, which could allow oil to leak. If leaking oil contacts hot engine components, a fire could result in the engine compartment. Dealers will inspect and retighten the oil-flow control valve cover bolts. The recall began October 8, 2004. The Subaru recall number is WWU-05.
Subaru Baja, Subaru Forester, Subaru ImprezaThe Water Pump Pully May Come Off
555 vehicles with a 4-cylinder engine may have a water pump pulley with a center hole that was improperly machined and is too large. This could result in the pulley coming off of the water pump during normal vehicle operation, causing severe engine damage. Dealers will replace the water pump to correct this concern.
Subaru Baja, Subaru Legacy, Subaru OutbackSubaru Recall 05E065000
Summary: CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Subaru XTSubaru Questions and Answers
When I pulled the hood release latch under my dash in my '90 legacy i heard a snap and a piece of plastic fell down now I'm getting no redidtance when I pull on the release and the hood ...
Head gasket blew, and water mixed with the oil.I am told that I should have all gaskets & seals replaced, and the heads milled. I have a 2.2 engine. Est received Labor & Materials -$1,175.0...
I just bought My justy yesterday and its a 88 not 90 and it drives fine except when i start to speed up then the car has really bad steering and swerves all over the rood...I have an idea what it c...
The puttering or popping or seemed starving for fuel happens when a load is puton engine. Ease up on pedal, then gains power.
Hello,
I drained the gas tank of an '86 Subaru Brat that has been sitting for years and old,thick,dirty,sludgy gas(?) came out. I removed it from the car and want to clean the inside real go...
Subaru Owners' Reviews
I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRZ LAST YEAR OCTOBER 2012. I LOVE THIS CAR. ITS VERY SPORTY IN EVERY WAY. I TRADED MY X 2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLS63 AMG CAR FOR IT. THIS BRZ IS BETTER ON GAS THAN THE CLS63. IT HANDLES GREAT AND DRIVE SUPER. ITS HAS KEYLESS FEATURE. IS HAS A WOUNDERFUL TOUCH SCREEN AM/FM/CD/SAT RADIO THAT WORKS WITH YOUR CELL PHONE. THE RADIO TALKS AND YOU CAN TALK TO THE RADIO AND TELL IT TO CHANGE STATIONS. THESE BRZ'S ARE VERY HARD TO FIND IN THE UNITED STATES. I NEVER HAD NO TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I HAD IT. MY BRZ HAS A FACTORY TINTED WINDOWS ON IT. ITS FACTORY LOWERED. I AM PLANNING TO KEEP THIS ONE FOREVER. THE ONLY THING THAT IS BAD ABOUT THE CAR IS THE REAR BACK SEATS. IT HAS NO LEG ROOM FOR TALL ADULTS. THIS CAR IS GREAT FOR DRIFTING ON A RACE TRACK.
We bought this used in 2004 with 24K miles. Now at 220,000 miles and still going strong. It is a joy to drive.
2010 Legacy GT 6spd manual, 2nd Subaru ( last one was a 2002 WRX Wagon ). I am a HUGE Subie fan, and have enjoyed fantastic experiences with both vehicles. In fact, my mother now drives a 2008 Outback v6, my father 2013 Legacy Premium, my sister-in-law 2013 Forester.
The Legacy GT offers a much more mature and sophisticated ride, plush comfortable interior, and upscale styling to the WRX's street fighter demeanor. But it doesn't give up any performance with 35 HP more than the old WRX.
I baby my Subarus with maintenance, Mobile 1 oil and filters, BP premium gas, nothing but the best in parts. It may cost a little more ( $0.20/ gal, no biggie ), but you will get that money back if you ever sell it.
I sold my WRX at 10 years old with 177k miles, sold in 3 days for $3000.
Take care of your Subaru, and it will take care of you.
When I test-drove my '07 Legacy I fell in love. The car handled like a dream. Steering was tight, with zero body roll - which the five star score for suspension and steering hints at - and the engine let out a gentle rumble that I loved. The car had an understated elegance which the new model lacks. "Platypus" comes to mind. During snowstorms, so common in the Northeast, this car kept driving long after Accords and Camrys got stuck.
Fast forwarding to ~50,000 miles, I had to replace my first wheel bearing. Two more were to come, both before 150,000 miles. I soon learned that wheel bearing failures are epidemic with Subaru cars, be they Legacy, Impreza, Forrester, or Outback models. So much for Subaru's safety focus.
The beginning of the end came at 140,000 miles. At that point, I discovered that both head gasket and front cam seal were leaking. Subaru specialists told me I had little time before the engine went bust.
Being worn out with my Legacy's issues - in addition to a deer hit that cost 8k to repair and a rear collision from a young kid talking on a cell phone which led to a poor repair - I lost any shred of motivation to fix this car. I was simply not paying over 1K to repair the engine only to wonder what else would break.
Honestly, I love the way the car handles. I love how I can count on this car during a snow storm. I know that if my car can't handle a road, most cars can't handle that road either. But I feel cheated. I thought I bought a car, but I bought a toy.
I don't know what this "Subaru Reliability" thing is that people talk about. Data and reviews based on that data clearly show that Subaru has subpar reliability. Ford and Dodge, two brands I have long associated with low reliability, have superior reliability. My previous Mercury Mystique, a cheap cheap car, drove to 175,000 miles without major issues. Subaru can't?
So figure out what you want in a car. Reliability you probably won't get. If my experience says something, you may find yourself in the shop more often than you expect.
...but you will get good handling for a cheap midsize sedan. You will get a car with an outstanding all-wheel drive system that you genuinely can count on. If these matter to you, the Legacy still makes sense. But you will need to budget for the extra time and money you will spend on this car. Here are some of the costs I ran into in 150,000 miles:
- Three unexpected 4-tire changes due to a single sidewall cut (which you can't repair). At $125/tire, this equals roughly $1.5K unexpected expenses (vs
Got hit with a lemon. Purchased for $5000.00 and in 2 months have had to rebuild engine completely and now am replacing the electrical unit. The car has 130,000 miles on it.