When I bought Forester they also told me similar stories about high mileage 250K and so on, please don't believe it. Owners of 2009-14 Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI models have launched a class-action lawsuit, alleging the pistons and PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) systems in the high-performance 2.5-L turbocharged engines may overheat or malfunction, requiring a king's ransom in . This leads to gaskets failing, and the coolants start to flow out from outside the engines. But there are some older Subaru Boxer engines and newer engines that have had reliability problems. Subaru worst engines to avoid are the 2.5-liter flat-four and 2.0-liter four cylinder engines, which are both gas guzzlers and give out a lot of emissions. Automakers like Subaru are known to tinker with their vehicles to beef up their performance and make them more desirable, often with hit-and-miss results. This is slightly higher than the 12 percent of problems you can think of as major issues across all models. the phase I motors are the DOHC commonly found in the 1996-1999 (1998 legacy/outback in austrailia, japan, and possibly europe) are the ones with big hg problems. Cash Cars Buyer suggests a few models experience more breakdowns than the 1999 through 2010 Subaru Forester or the Baja from 2003 through 2005. CR says the 2001-2009 Subaru Forester, 2001-2009 Subaru Outback, 2006-2008 Subaru Impreza,. Most Subaru engines run over 200,000 miles before needing maintenance for speed and reliability. In both cases, the problem depends on the type of head gasket used, not the engine itself. Drive them, change the oil (Often), do your regular maintenance (tires, alignments, brakes) and IF you've the resources or money, obey the recommended maintenance schedule and your Subu will meet the 190K+ club. We can not deny the benefits that the boxer engine contributes to your drive. Which Subaru engines to avoid? There's also a Subaru 2.0 litre direct-injection turbocharged engine which is in the Subaru WRX. The lawsuit settled out of court because owners claimed that the 2011 to 2015 models Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Impreza, and Legacy used high oil prices among common uses. In this engine, the valve is known to leak crankcase oil vapor into the combustion chamber, causing the fuel mixture to become corrupted and the pistons to become overloaded. Also read: Are Subarus Expensive to Fix? The EJ205, EJ207, and EJ20G engines are also notorious for their oil leakage issues caused by clogged rings. Besides unnecessarily boiling the engine, it also induces electrical issues, such as fuse explosion, short circuit, or sudden engine power loss. The two biggest problems with Subaru boxer engine lie in the boxer engine size and repair/replacement. Getting the engine on the side will be challenging if you want to change your spark plugs. On top of corrupting the fuel mixture, this condition overloads the pistons, bringing the engine close to the verge of a breakdown. The pumps develop faults a few months after purchase, and the engines overheat quickly. What Are The Best Years For The Jeep Wrangler. The 2009-2010 Audi A4 and A5, and the 2011 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 sport utility with the engine code CAEB were affected by the lawsuit. (Alloy Wheels vs Premium Wheels), Battery Discharge Warning on a Kia: Meaning, Causes, and Fixes, Power Window Not Working on Passenger Side (Causes and Fixes), Hyundai Elantra Car Alarm Goes Off for No Reason (Causes and Fixes). (Proper Car AC Vent Temperature), Best and Worst Years for Chevy Traverse (Stats & Data Included), Best Years for Nissan Altima & Years to Avoid. Although there was no official recall from Subaru. The Subaru engines to avoid are the 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder and the EJ25 flat-four Boxer. Do Subaru Wheels Fit Hondas? You can expect the engine to suddenly stop while the car is running, easily causing accidents on the highway. Additionally, the intercooler in these engines struggles to maintain consistent cooling in high-load operations, which can further exacerbate the oil leakage issues. This error occurs depending on the structure, especially the material of the head gaskets. The SUV also has excellent fuel consumption, which many will appreciate. My other Subarus are Subarus. This cylinder is the worst and overheats when the piston or rods start knocking. Whenever you want to change the head gasket or others, the engine must be taken out, which is complicated and time-consuming and costs you significantly. 2023 Four Wheel Trends, Remote Car Starter Wont Start? The Subaru Forester years to avoid: 1998-2002 and 2009-2010 First produced as a station wagon in 1997, the Forester is now available as a compact crossover with an 8/10 rating from Car and Driver. The single overhead camshaft (SOHC) variant experiences failures much more frequently than the dual overhead . Ives Brothers Wall of Death Also Scheduled for Veterans Park Performances. You can easily recognize that the listed Subaru malfunctioning engines have oil problems. because its internal parts get too hot and sticky. We were really surprised, our Liberty's CABIN is much quieter than than our Outback! In sum, Subaru cannot meet the customer satisfaction in the Impreza, Legacy, and Forrester models during 2017-2019. The pistons are symmetrically designed to reduce vibration, helping the engine operate more smoothly. Honda Odyssey Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) Light Comes On: Meaning, Causes and Is It Safe to Drive? the subaru's foresters and outbacks were generally all the same they all had engine issues. Many have declared this model as one of the best Forester ever made. Therefore, it is not DIY-friendly for a repair job. Boxer engines are used in the Legacy and WRX models from Subaru. Noted that I've never forced the engine and I was quite carefully with it. However, it is known to occasionally have piston-related problems. Also read: Are Subaru Parts Expensive? These flat-four boxer engines are primarily found in the performance-oriented STI and WRX versions of the Impreza. Oil and coolant mix in the engine due to poor fabrication of the internal components. This 2.5L engine is designed for the USDM 2004 Impreza WRX STI and comes with a horizontally opposed 4-cylinder configuration, which allows it to lower the center of gravity. They have identified four popular Subaru models with the potential to have this engine issue. This engine is a culprit mostly due to oil-related issues, including head gasket failure, oil combusting, and oil shortage. The Subaru EJ25 is commonly installed in Subaru Forester and Legacy lines, and it has the most errors. A number of Subaru models are affected, however the most common failures include the 2.5 Liter SOHC engine used in the late 1999-2004, Forester, Impreza, Outback and Legacy. The Subaru EJ25 was one of their vehicles most commonly used Subaru engines and came in two forms. I just liked Subaru's, but this is my last one as the serviceability is no better than the Chryslers, Chevy's and Fords and Jeeps I have had in the last 25 years. Secondly, the boxer engine is not as fuel-efficient as some of the other engine . Therefore, you need to have a wide-bay engine. Over time, the acids in these fluids eat away at the seals, causing the gaskets to deteriorate and begin leaking oil and coolant. This is most likely due to issues with its EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which will be discontinued after the 2022 model year and replaced with the same 2.4-liter engine that is in the Outback and Legacy. Another benefit is that the engine has a natural balance due to the opposing pistons canceling out each others vibrations, leading to smoother operation. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Suspension: While a bad suspension is awful, when it's coupled with gearbox issues, it's even worse. To conserve oil, its recommended to use high-quality fuel and engine oil. . Bought at 54k with no issues, drove fine until about 75k when a gastly over large Yukon lost control next to me on the freeway and overcorrected right into the passenger side of it. and if no how many miles are on it. I am the owner of a Subaru Forester 2.5l, automatic, 2008. Over the past years, Subaru engines have had many problems. In addition, it had many quality concerns. The piston rings will stop working properly while the camshafts wear off. The 2021 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Impreza, and Legacy are top picks. The Impreza WRX and WRX STI drivers said their vehicles suddenly lose power and stop or fail the engine because its internal parts get too hot and sticky. Subaru EZ36D The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The main rivals of the Subaru Legacy are the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. Subaru advised customers to use premium coolant and gasoline to lessen these concerns. It may interest you to know that over 90% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 12 years are still on the roads today. On a trip the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. I have a 2014 Forester XT 2.5 litre turbo. I have been for periods without a car for weeks and depended on favours. Can You Add a Sunroof to a Jeep Renegade? All cares are just hunks of metal and rubber designed to get you from A-B. Are you considering buying a Subaru and checking which Subaru engines to avoid? I will tell you everything about the 3 Subaru engines to avoid, the few good ones to buy, and great tips to keep your automobiles running. Facts about Subaru engine problems for used-car buyers. CR says the 2001-2009 Subaru Forester, 2001-2009 Subaru Outback, 2006-2008 Subaru Impreza, and the 2006 Subaru Baja are more likely to need the head gaskets replaced than other models.7 thg 7, 2020 We Dont Either, The Subaru Solterra EV Is Now A Best Green Choice Recommended By Consumer Reports, Subaru Recall - New Ascent SUV Tires Could Experience A Sudden Loss Of Pressure, Is Subaru Ready To Explode? However, the majority of drivers continued to have problems. Pricing starts at $24,995. They have identified four popular Subaru models with the potential to have this engine issue. This cylinder is the hottest, and cooling is very poor here. What Subaru engines to avoid? This shells adhesion is considered unstable, gradually fading after about 100,000 miles. 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