Subaru Outback excessive oil consumption issue with burning over 1 quart per 1,000 miles after short block replacement on Subaru Outback

Submitted by Vehicle Owner · Jun 23, 2025
Published by RepairPal

Problem overview

Some Subaru Outback owners report experiencing excessive oil consumption, with some vehicles burning over 1 quart per 1,000 miles after a short block replacement. This issue may stem from known problems with Subaru Boxer engines, which can suffer from oil consumption in certain models. Factors such as wear to seals or gaskets, poor oil quality, and worn piston rings can contribute to increased oil usage. While losing one quart of oil may still allow the oil pump to function, the activation of the oil pressure light signals a significant loss that should not be ignored. Additionally, some owners have noted that their oil burn rates have increased over time, necessitating more frequent oil top-ups. To manage this issue, it is advisable for owners to closely monitor oil levels by checking after each oil change and at every fill-up, while also investigating the quality of replacement parts and the overall health of the engine to effectively address the excessive oil consumption.

2 people reported this problem
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Subaru Outback vehicles with this problem

1 model year affected
Average mileage: 50,000 miles
(50,000 - 50,000)

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