Subaru owners, how many issues have you had?

[asoctoberfalls]

I'm not sure when I should throw In the towel on my '05 Forester. We bought it new in March of '05, and we have done every bit of recommended maintenance on schedule. It has 157k miles now. Everyone always says how reliable Subarus are, but I haven't been impressed. I remember the following repairs off the top of my head:

Wheel bearing x 2
O2 sensor x 3
Something else with the wheels...can't remember what but it was $$$
A/C compressor
Steering rack and pinion
HVAC blower motor - wires literally burned up

I'm sure there is more, but this is just off the top of my head. Several of these repairs have cost > 1k.

I am taking it to the shop again this week because it's making a loud humming noise when accelerating (I suspect transmission issues) and the windshield wiper fluid isn't working in the front or rear.

When do I throw in the towel? It's worth <5k due to several dents. I don't want a car payment, and I had always planned on keeping this car 15 years, but it feels like it's always in the shop, and repairs are never cheap.

I guess I just wanted to complain since everyone always talks about how reliable Subarus are. Anyone else had a Subie with lots of issues?

We also have a 2012 Forester. No issues with that one yet.

[lys]

DH is still driving his 2003 Imprezza Outback Sport (purchased new) and has had no problems with it --- only routine maintenance and normal wear & tear replacements. This is his second Subaru and he is not ready to replace it yet (body is starting to show some rust, but mechanically things are still great with many good miles left on this car.)

[lys]

DH is still driving his 2003 Imprezza Outback Sport (purchased new) and has had no problems with it --- only routine maintenance and normal wear & tear replacements. This is his second Subaru and he is not ready to replace it yet (body is starting to show some rust, but mechanically things are still great with many good miles left on this car.)

[maddiepaddy]

My first car was a 13 year old Subaru Legacy with only 100K miles on it. The stupid car didn't even last a few months before it started having major overheating issues despite there not being a coolant or oil leak. Before long, the engine was totally shot. I'm now on team Honda for life. I've had my current CRV for 8 years and it's been incredibly in-expensive to maintain.

If I were in your position and could afford it, I'd throw in the towel. It is only going to get more expensive from here on out.

[aurora]

I've been happy with our Subarus, but I have certainly heard lemon stories. Maybe their QC isn't great and if you get a bad one it's really bad?

Our new one is a 2013 and I love it. It's the best snow car out there and we'll keep it ~12 years or so like our last one. However, we bought it because we wanted an AWD with manual transmission, and unfortunately new Outbacks won't have that option so we may not be brand loyal anymore.

[asoctoberfalls]

We can afford a new car payment, but we were hoping to pay off DH's car then save a good chunk for a down payment first. We just built new construction and sold our old house at a loss, so our cash reserves are low - about 3 month expenses. It would seriously mess up our plans to buy a new car now.

[mich1]

We have 3 Subarus sitting in the drive way, a 2002 WRX, a 2007 STi and a 2007 Forester.

The WRX has 170K miles on it now and runs well. It's gotten a new clutch and brakes recently and has only had maintenance done on it. Only issue is that when it sits for more than a week, something is draining the battery and we can't find what it is. When the car sits for awhile, we disconnect the battery. It was purchased used in 2005.

STi was purchased used last year. It has 35K miles on it and was the toy of one of SO's coworkers. It has only had a set of tires put onto it.

I have the Forester, bought it new in 2007 and it's got 55K miles on it now. The last year, it's gotten new brakes, tires, belts and a battery. Other than PM done on it at 30K and regular oil changes, the only repair I've had was when the a/c system had a leak. Turned out, it was the condenser (which is behind the dashboard), with a $200+ part. I think that repair was about $600, mostly labor.

[asoctoberfalls]

I'm thinking of a CRV next, or even a Honda or Toyota sedan. I hesitate to lose the AWD though - we get a lot of snow here.

[tripleshot]

Jan 27, 2015 17:43:09 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

I'm thinking of a CRV next, or even a Honda or Toyota sedan. I hesitate to lose the AWD though - we get a lot of snow here.

I just got a toyota rav4 AWD and love it. I'd caution against the new crvs without doing a lot of research. They switched to a cvt engine this year and it's getting bad reviews along with major vibration complaints. Check out the CRV forums and see what people are complaining about.  

[FishChicks]

My 2010 has 70,000 miles on it and has had no issues. Our 1996 has around 160k miles and has really only needed normal maintenance, but the head gasket is failing as is the transmission. I would like to get one more year out of it, but when one of those things actually fails, it'll be time to say goodbye. In comparison, our 2001 Nissan is on it's third radiator and regularly has engine issues.

[twistedcruller]

Our 2001 Outback is still trucking along, 175k miles, and all we do is general maintenance and the usual stuff that wears out over time. It had some air conditioner problems a few years ago, and some wonky wiring in one of the headlights, but those are the only odd things that have happened. We plan to keep it until something major goes wrong, but we don't do any long haul driving in it, just commuting/Home Depot hauling/etc. We bought a new Outback last year as our main car.

[asoctoberfalls]

Jan 27, 2015 17:51:14 GMT -5 tripleshot said:

Jan 27, 2015 17:43:09 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

I'm thinking of a CRV next, or even a Honda or Toyota sedan. I hesitate to lose the AWD though - we get a lot of snow here.

I just got a toyota rav4 AWD and love it. I'd caution against the new crvs without doing a lot of research. They switched to a cvt engine this year and it's getting bad reviews along with major vibration complaints. Check out the CRV forums and see what people are complaining about.  

Oooh thanks for the warning. I'll look into it before I seriously consider a CRV.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I'm on my second Subaru - a 2002 Outback with 145k on it. Bessie #2 does have a history of eating up the oxygen sensors. I think I'm going to need my 3rd one oxygen sensor in a few months. Aside from traditional/wears out stuff, I've had to replace the CV joints twice I think, but I drive a LOT on dirt roads and I just figure stuff gets up in there and sort of wears them down early. It's not a cheap repair (this last maintenance cycle cost me about $3k, but we replaced nearly everything that could be replaced, including brake rotors), but I figure spending that $3k now saves me from having to pay $500/month in car payments for years.

But despite that, what you've listed seems reasonable to me for a 10 year old car with 150k on it. Stuff wears out. Once you've done the replacement, you're probably good for nearly the same amount of mileage provided your mechanic used good parts.

[asoctoberfalls]

Jan 27, 2015 18:34:26 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I'm on my second Subaru - a 2002 Outback with 145k on it. Bessie #2 does have a history of eating up the oxygen sensors. I think I'm going to need my 3rd one oxygen sensor in a few months. Aside from traditional/wears out stuff, I've had to replace the CV joints twice I think, but I drive a LOT on dirt roads and I just figure stuff gets up in there and sort of wears them down early. It's not a cheap repair (this last maintenance cycle cost me about $3k, but we replaced nearly everything that could be replaced, including brake rotors), but I figure spending that $3k now saves me from having to pay $500/month in car payments for years.

But despite that, what you've listed seems reasonable to me for a 10 year old car with 150k on it. Stuff wears out. Once you've done the replacement, you're probably good for nearly the same amount of mileage provided your mechanic used good parts.

We have replaced the CV joints also. I guess I'm used to reading about people with 100k+ miles and nary a single issue, and I'm scratching my head. I just don't know where to draw the line. I'll probably keep limping along for a while until we pay DH's car off, unless it needs a REALLY expensive repair.

[tripleshot]

Jan 27, 2015 18:32:40 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

Jan 27, 2015 17:51:14 GMT -5 tripleshot said:

I just got a toyota rav4 AWD and love it. I'd caution against the new crvs without doing a lot of research. They switched to a cvt engine this year and it's getting bad reviews along with major vibration complaints. Check out the CRV forums and see what people are complaining about.  

Oooh thanks for the warning. I'll look into it before I seriously consider a CRV.

www.crvownersclub.com/forums/14-problems-issues/63138-2015-honda-cr-v-vibration-idle.html

[mrs.jacinthe]

Jan 27, 2015 18:45:28 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

Jan 27, 2015 18:34:26 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I'm on my second Subaru - a 2002 Outback with 145k on it. Bessie #2 does have a history of eating up the oxygen sensors. I think I'm going to need my 3rd one oxygen sensor in a few months. Aside from traditional/wears out stuff, I've had to replace the CV joints twice I think, but I drive a LOT on dirt roads and I just figure stuff gets up in there and sort of wears them down early. It's not a cheap repair (this last maintenance cycle cost me about $3k, but we replaced nearly everything that could be replaced, including brake rotors), but I figure spending that $3k now saves me from having to pay $500/month in car payments for years.

But despite that, what you've listed seems reasonable to me for a 10 year old car with 150k on it. Stuff wears out. Once you've done the replacement, you're probably good for nearly the same amount of mileage provided your mechanic used good parts.

We have replaced the CV joints also. I guess I'm used to reading about people with 100k+ miles and nary a single issue, and I'm scratching my head. I just don't know where to draw the line. I'll probably keep limping along for a while until we pay DH's car off, unless it needs a REALLY expensive repair.

LOL, this was me until about 10k ago.  Total braggart!  I hit 130,000 and that's apparently where the OEM stuff wears out.  And yeah, I've got wonky issues too - my autodim mirror doesn't work any more. Several of the lights in my console burned out. I've got a weird rattle coming from the corner of my windshield. My spoiler leaks water into my trunk.  I've had to fix the 'subaru rattle' twice now.  However, I've never been stranded on the side of the road (except once - PSA: Subaru's OEM jacks are crap - when you change a tire they'll just fold over on themselves.  Buy something sturdier from NAPA) so I still consider my car to be super reliable.  Just ... old and maybe a little creaky.  

[LoveTrains]

I have a 2005 Subaru Forester with about 120k miles. I have not needed nearly as many repairs as you. I had a wheel bearing issue but it was under warranty. I had an a/c issue but it was under warranty.

The biggest repair was a head gasket issue that was about $1000 to fix. That was like a year ago.

Re: the poster with low oil what year was your subie? That is a known issue with newer subies and you should hulk smash rage about it.

[mich1]

Jan 27, 2015 18:45:28 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

Jan 27, 2015 18:34:26 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I'm on my second Subaru - a 2002 Outback with 145k on it. Bessie #2 does have a history of eating up the oxygen sensors. I think I'm going to need my 3rd one oxygen sensor in a few months. Aside from traditional/wears out stuff, I've had to replace the CV joints twice I think, but I drive a LOT on dirt roads and I just figure stuff gets up in there and sort of wears them down early. It's not a cheap repair (this last maintenance cycle cost me about $3k, but we replaced nearly everything that could be replaced, including brake rotors), but I figure spending that $3k now saves me from having to pay $500/month in car payments for years.

But despite that, what you've listed seems reasonable to me for a 10 year old car with 150k on it. Stuff wears out. Once you've done the replacement, you're probably good for nearly the same amount of mileage provided your mechanic used good parts.

We have replaced the CV joints also. I guess I'm used to reading about people with 100k+ miles and nary a single issue, and I'm scratching my head. I just don't know where to draw the line. I'll probably keep limping along for a while until we pay DH's car off, unless it needs a REALLY expensive repair.

CV joints need to be replaced when the boots aren't examined regularly for problems.  I think I had to replace mine at about 60K on my Mazda, I probably should have them looked at on my Forester at my 60K PM.  However, it's a fairly cheap repair to just deal with the boots, as they prevent dirt from getting into the CV joints and needing to be replaced.

[redheadk]

DH had 2 Subarus. One was fantastic and the majority of work done to it was just mods that he wanted to do. The second one was ridiculous and we finally got rid of it after it had spent more time in the shop than in our possession in the 9 months we owned it.

[ginkgoleaf]

I have a 2011 Outback with about 55,000 miles on it and the only issues I've had have been little annoyances. I've had to replace the rubber along each back door once. It just randomly likes to start peeling away from the frame. That's all I've had.

[WinterWine]

I just showed your post to my H. He's an avid car guy, does tons of work on ours, and dies lots of engine swaps and crap for fun. He said that if you want to keep the car, the timing belt needs to be replaced- you are on borrowed time (it's a 110k service item). Aside from that, the head gasket may also be needed soon (it will generally start leaking oil before that happens). The a/c compressor, the blower motor, and the steering are a bit odd that they needed replaced, but not super alarming. Do you live somewhere warm? That may have caused the first two items to go out

His take is that you have been pretty lucky so far, these are all normal service items with this old of car. It just depends on how long you want to keep it as to whether you should fix these things.

The rattling may very well be a loose heat shield which is annoying but causes no mechanical damage - it just needs affixed in place. (H just zip tied this in place on my 05 outback). Disclaimer though that we have one car from 1990, and two from 2005. We are old car, drive it until it dies kind of owners. My car has 135k miles and I'd like to take it to 300k. If you have any other questions, let me know and I'll ask my H :-)

[patches31709]

DH had a 2006 Impreza Outback Sport, and his mom has a late 2000s Forrester. Both had cracked head gaskets right around ~100k miles, which shouldn't happen. Both are gone now, happily.

[LoveTrains]

Jan 28, 2015 0:16:54 GMT -5 WinterWine said:

I just showed your post to my H. He's an avid car guy, does tons of work on ours, and dies lots of engine swaps and crap for fun. He said that if you want to keep the car, the timing belt needs to be replaced- you are on borrowed time (it's a 110k service item). Aside from that, the head gasket may also be needed soon (it will generally start leaking oil before that happens). The a/c compressor, the blower motor, and the steering are a bit odd that they needed replaced, but not super alarming. 

I will add that when they fixed my head gasket on my subaru, it was leaking oil at first. They also did the timing belt at the same time. I tried to get the jump on the timing belt and do it at 100k miles, which they did.  But then a year later they had to do the head gasket and the guy told me it was such a cheap part and then engine was already taken apart that I might as well just replace the timing belt, too, as it really wouldn't cost me anything extra. 

I live in a cold climate an my a/c compressor went around 85,000 miles, but as I mentioned, mine ws covered under the extended warranty. 

[asoctoberfalls]

Jan 28, 2015 0:16:54 GMT -5 WinterWine said:

I just showed your post to my H. He's an avid car guy, does tons of work on ours, and dies lots of engine swaps and crap for fun. He said that if you want to keep the car, the timing belt needs to be replaced- you are on borrowed time (it's a 110k service item). Aside from that, the head gasket may also be needed soon (it will generally start leaking oil before that happens). The a/c compressor, the blower motor, and the steering are a bit odd that they needed replaced, but not super alarming. Do you live somewhere warm? That may have caused the first two items to go out

His take is that you have been pretty lucky so far, these are all normal service items with this old of car. It just depends on how long you want to keep it as to whether you should fix these things.

The rattling may very well be a loose heat shield which is annoying but causes no mechanical damage - it just needs affixed in place. (H just zip tied this in place on my 05 outback). Disclaimer though that we have one car from 1990, and two from 2005. We are old car, drive it until it dies kind of owners. My car has 135k miles and I'd like to take it to 300k. If you have any other questions, let me know and I'll ask my H :-)

Thanks! We did the timing belt replacement and a ton of other stuff at 110k miles, so we should be good there. These may be all minor issues, but they add up when you take it to a shop for every one. Not a single repair has been under $500 except the wheel bearing.

I did replace the HVAC blower myself because the shops wouldn't touch it without a new wiring harness, and I wasn't willing to pay 2k for one. So I cut out the burned wires, bought a new blower, and soldered wires to the blower since the connector on the harness was melted. I'm actually fairly handy with electrical stuff (I'm an electrical engineer), but not so with mechanical. I want to learn!

We actually live in a cold climate. My AC doesn't really work at all any more - the air it blows out is only slightly cool, and no one has been able to figure out why. Luckily it doesn't get above 90 here very often.

I guess it would be much easier to drive it till it dies if I didn't have to take it to a shop for every little thing.

[Norticprincess]

2011 forester
51k
Recall stuff
The mirror silver flaked off but they replaced it.
Battery randomly died early.
The damn thing eats oil. I just check it and add as needed.

[Deleted]

DH's 2005 WRX had 187k miles on it, its original clutch (on which I learned to drive stick, so even more remarkable), and had only needed scheduled maintenance + a fix for an A/C leak when we traded it in in May 2014. It was seriously the best car.
DH got another WRX, but a 2015. He loves it, except we're going to get another set of rims + winter tires for next winter. The performance tires that come standard aren't the best in the weather we've had the past week.

[WinterWine]

Jan 28, 2015 8:57:34 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

Jan 28, 2015 0:16:54 GMT -5 WinterWine said:

I just showed your post to my H. He's an avid car guy, does tons of work on ours, and dies lots of engine swaps and crap for fun. He said that if you want to keep the car, the timing belt needs to be replaced- you are on borrowed time (it's a 110k service item). Aside from that, the head gasket may also be needed soon (it will generally start leaking oil before that happens). The a/c compressor, the blower motor, and the steering are a bit odd that they needed replaced, but not super alarming. Do you live somewhere warm? That may have caused the first two items to go out

His take is that you have been pretty lucky so far, these are all normal service items with this old of car. It just depends on how long you want to keep it as to whether you should fix these things.

The rattling may very well be a loose heat shield which is annoying but causes no mechanical damage - it just needs affixed in place. (H just zip tied this in place on my 05 outback). Disclaimer though that we have one car from 1990, and two from 2005. We are old car, drive it until it dies kind of owners. My car has 135k miles and I'd like to take it to 300k. If you have any other questions, let me know and I'll ask my H :-)

Thanks! We did the timing belt replacement and a ton of other stuff at 110k miles, so we should be good there. These may be all minor issues, but they add up when you take it to a shop for every one. Not a single repair has been under $500 except the wheel bearing.

I did replace the HVAC blower myself because the shops wouldn't touch it without a new wiring harness, and I wasn't willing to pay 2k for one. So I cut out the burned wires, bought a new blower, and soldered wires to the blower since the connector on the harness was melted. I'm actually fairly handy with electrical stuff (I'm an electrical engineer), but not so with mechanical. I want to learn!

We actually live in a cold climate. My AC doesn't really work at all any more - the air it blows out is only slightly cool, and no one has been able to figure out why. Luckily it doesn't get above 90 here very often.

I guess it would be much easier to drive it till it dies if I didn't have to take it to a shop for every little thing.

I totally get it. My first Subaru had been a rental car before I bought it and had nonstop problems. I was spending $2-4k a year on repairs and finally had to say enough is enough, and got my current one which has been amazing. I think you're nearing that point. I feel for you tgough, it's stressful and expensive when stuff keeps breaking.

[asoctoberfalls]

WinterWine

I found a video on YouTube that sounds almost exactly like the noise my car is making. However, there are no definitive answers posted in the video comments. Can you have your husband listen to it and see what you think? I'm afraid it's the transmission, but Subarus are supposed to have really reliable transmissions and I'm not hard on it, so I'm not sure.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzzD_2Hb-RU

[drloretta]

I married into a Subaru Forester, and it was a POS from the moment I saw it. DH said the first 100K miles were fine, but things went south after that. Part of it was an electrical problem, and those are notoriously hard to find/fix. I think we managed to fix it right before we sold it. Part of it was a dealership that seemed to want about $1K every time we walked through the door. Add a rear-end collision on top of it, and I was SO done.

We sold it to a friend of DH's and apparently it's still going strong. I'm just glad to be rid of it.

[asoctoberfalls]

I'm actually considering another Subaru despite the problems. I feel they're a good value for the money. And I've gotten 10 good years out of it...I was just hoping for another 2-3.