Subaru durability

[gav]

I live in Montana and drive a lot for work in the snow. I'm considering getting a Subaru. I will put 200,000 or 300,000 mi on this vehicle.

I don't know what to believe reading reports of Subaru reliability. Some people say they are unreliable. Others say that that is nonsense.

Any feedback? Would you be comfortable driving a Subaru 200,000 to 300,000 mi as a work vehicle 7 hours away from home?

Thanks!

I have owned several the 2.2l motor was is indestructible but a bit of an oil leader the 2.0 turbo is also a super motor in fact they went back to it because there 2.5 and 2.5 turbo is what got them the reputation as a poor reliability car

 

[ewade07]

I have owned several the 2.2l motor was is indestructible but a bit of an oil leader the 2.0 turbo is also a super motor in fact they went back to it because there 2.5 and 2.5 turbo is what got them the reputation as a poor reliability car

Ive owned several with the 2.2 motor in it, no head gasket issues. currently have a 98 outback with a 2.2 in it that has 140k miles on the engine, 275k on the rest of it. It aint the prettiest thing out there but i know the engine wont shit out on me. Its my run around/Lite hunting vehicle.

 

[Farmingdale's Finest]

About 4 years ago I asked my mechanic what vehicle had the least amount of issues when we were looking to replace a SUV for my wife after we lost one in a flash flood. He said by far the best vehicles he had worked on was the Subaru. We have been going to him since 2001 and he has been the best most honest and least expensive mechanic I have dealt with in my life. For the most part I take his word as gospel when it comes to vehicles. My wife still chose a Hyundai Santa Fe which has been ultra reliable so far.

 

[jimh406]

He said by far the best vehicles he had worked on was the Subaru.

I'm not sure that means a lot. Unless other brands are failing and not going to the dealer, he's never going to be working on them.

 

[ceejay]

It seems like any CVT transmission regardless of manufacture is plagued with reliability issues. Any of the Subarus from past several years that are not the limited few with manual transmissions all have CVT transmissions. Like a lot of things, it's a shame to see vehicles going in this direction. Subaru, Toyota, & Honda had all darn near perfected the automatic transmission that was essentially bulletproof up until the CVT craze.

Between head gasket failures and oil consumption issues with certain engines and CVT problems, I think Subaru has really tarnished their reliability reputation over the past decade.

 

[ETtikka]

That’s crazy. I see so many of them with bad engines every week.

What year and models do you guys have for your fleet?

That might be good info for people to know.

Some engines just won’t quit like the 90’s 2.2 liter Subaru engines, the late 90’s early 2000’s Chevy v8, the 4.0 toyota, the v8 toyota engines from the early 2000’s

Subaru 2.2 one of the better engines ever built , for sure

 

[ETtikka]

No, they use the same system they did then. Default bias is 60 front/40 rear but can be shifted to 50/50 when slip is detected. Computer takes care of all that.

This applies to auto trans only, the Subaru manual trans is 50/50 all the time and awesome

 

[np307]

This applies to auto trans only, the Subaru manual trans is 50/50 all the time and awesome

Well yeah, but that's what the person I responded to was talking about. If we want to get technical, the WRX has a 45/55 split and the STI has a driver controllable split.

It seems like any CVT transmission regardless of manufacture is plagued with reliability issues. Any of the Subaru's from past several years that are not the limited few with manual transmissions all have CVT transmissions. Like a lot of things, it's a shame to see vehicles going in this direction. Subaru , Toyota, & Honda had all darn near perfected the automatic transmission that was essentially bulletproof up until the CVT craze.

Between head gasket failures and oil consumption issues with certain engines and CVT problems, I think Subaru has really tarnished their reliability reputation over the past decade.

Eh, the 4EAT had its fair share of issues too. And for what it's worth, the Subaru CVT is actually a unique design that is stronger than the other ones on the market. Most of the actual problems are with a solenoid external to the transmission, not the transmission itself.

 

[Dobermann]

Full admission - I haven't read all of the last 7 pages, but here's my experience:

One secondhand 2007 Legacy (same platform as Outback, just lower) to about 170 000 kms so far. I love it for the permanent all-wheel drive on NZ roads, which aren't well-built.

Had an Outback to about 80 000 kms, and regret selling it - the additional clearance made for less fuel efficiency, but the larger engine was better at towing uphill, and the ground clearance was better for dirt roads.

When we compared them across the "family wagon" field back in 2015 or so, the Legacy/Outback seemed to have the biggest payload in the boot/trunk - meaning more camping gear and/or easier packing for trips away.

My only warning would be to echo the early post about taking care of them. Our local Sub mechanic often kicks the can down the road - rather than just fixing something they find straight away, they tell us "X will need fixing soon", but then do the same the next time. While it's slightly on me to track this better, I just wish they'd fix stuff as they found it - they've left it too late a couple of times, and that's cost us more. So: direct your mechanic to fix the issues when they find them.

I've heard Aron joke about Subarus and vegetarians there in the US - that's not an issue here; they're just seen as sensible, reliable vehicles for both everyday use and getting out on dirt roads, without having to go to an SUV.

You Americans who know the value of Subarus need to change the image up over there!

 

[Bluehawk]

Own a 2016 outback, currently has 180,000 miles on it. Bought it new. Haven't had one single issue at all. It's all wheel drive and is amazing in the snow. Just don't expect a ride like a Cadillac. I wish I would have gotten the bigger engine as it lacks power. Other than that, great cars.

 

[treillw]

I found a 2007 Subaru Impreza wagon for $6,000 with 100,000 mi on it. Seems like a decent deal. Is this year known for issues? What issues?

It does have a timing belt, so I got to check if that was serviced.

 

[puckhead]

I found a 2007 Subaru Impreza wagon for $6,000 with 100,000 mi on it. Seems like a decent deal. Is this year known for issues? What issues?

It does have a timing belt, so I got to check if that was serviced.

Good year model. Timing belt due at 10yr/105k miles. Known issues are head gasket failure(either leaking oil or exhaust gas into coolant jacket) and oil control valve failure from dirty oil(change every 3,000-3,500 miles). Otherwise, don't see any common issues worth noting.

 

[HighUintas]

Am in the market for a vehicle and was going to go with a 2023 Forester... But hearing about the CVT issues has me second guessing that.

Rav4s are wayy too expensive in my region

 

[riversidejeep]

I just ordered the wife a 2024 Crosstrek with the 2.5, I hope they have the oil consumption , CVT rubberband ( Reminds me of a rubberband winding up ) transmission issues taken care of by now. I good friend has a auto machine shop that rebuilds heads / engines/ for the mechanic shops around the county and I asked him about the oil consumption issue. He said its not unique to Subaru but is a problem shared by most newer vehicles with the low tension piston rings, low tension = less friction= better efficiency. He say's the carbon deposits will stick the oil control rings into the piston grooves and once that happens the oil usage begins. He said to be religious in your oil changes at recommended or less mileage and the detergents will keep this from happening until way down the road.

 

[alpine_troop]

When I bought my 2012 Outback new, it was right around the time when manufacturers were dramatically lengthening their recommended service intervals to 5000 or even 7500 miles between oil changes. My Subaru specialist shop that I had been going to with my previous ‘97 Outback said no way, stick to the old ~3000 mile interval to avoid many potential long term issues.

I am at 164K on that 2012 and still running great! 2.5L w/CVT

 

[highcountrymuley]

I had 2003 H6 3.0 L that was awesome! Got rid of it at 300 k miles. Still was running great, just starting to cost $400 every couple months on wheel bearings, cv axles, etc... I got a 2007 2.5 xt with the turbo. This car has been a constant headache: it flirts with overhearing - especially when idling long time or driving at low rpm. Paradoxically, it cools down when you mash on the gas a bit - leading me to believe that the fans are not running properly at low rpm.

Also has constant check engine and other flashing lights all the time - codes say "lean fuel mixture." Mechanics say it may be fuel pump, but pay $1000 for a potential fix? No.

Mass air flow sensor needs yearly replacement -feels like some kind of band aid... Turbo went out, luckily in my driveway. Replaced that at $1000.

All that said it is still going at 190k miles. Want to sell it but worried that no one will want to take a chance on it with the issues.

 

[HighUintas]

I ended up going with a CRV. The Subarus and Toyotas don't have a beep with the blind spot monitor . That is a necessity for me cause of my bad eyeballs.