The Maintenance Costs
Are Subaru cars the cheapest to maintain over time? No chance! Working on their boxer engines can be a serious challenge, as the head gasket and spark plugs are extremely hard to reach. The labor costs will empty your wallet pretty quickly. And good luck finding alternative parts for a busted Subaru. Most of the components are brand-specific — and yes, they're expensive. Owners discover repair bills after warranty ends. Routine jobs take longer pushing labor costs higher. Dealership service is common because shops avoid these engines. Over time frustration replaces the reliability buyers expected!!
The Head Gasket
If you're on the lookout for an older Subaru model on the used market, be warned. Some of those cars are more trouble than they're worth, folks. Yep, the Imprezas, Foresters, and Outbacks of the early 2010s are known for their head gasket problems. It can cost thousands to fix the issue, but many owners have found that it's a recurring headache. Sheesh! If they could change anything, the head gasket would surely be near the top of the list.
Oil Consumption
Owning an older Crosstrek, Outback, and Forester comes with its challenges. The models from 2011 to 2014 in particular have their issues. One of the biggest is the vehicles' oil consumption. Drivers have found that they burn through the stuff at a fair rate of knots! The 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter engines are probably the worst offenders on that front.
The Fuel Economy
Hands up if you're a fan of all-wheel drive vehicles. We don't blame you — they're great for tricky conditions. But it comes at a cost. As any Ascent, Forester, or Outback owner will tell you, those cars have a pretty poor fuel economy when compared to front-wheel drive motors. The frequent trips to the gas station can feel brutal!
The Interior Materials
The Subaru brand gets a lot right with its cars. But the interiors? Oh boy. Owners have frequently flagged up the poor quality of the materials in their cabins. We're talking frail trim pieces, scratchable plastics — stuff like that. It's not uncommon for the seats to show premature wear and tear, either. Who wouldn't want to change that up?
The CVT Transmission
When it's in working order, Subaru's CVT transmission feels smooth as silk on the road. If you own a model from 2010 to 2018, though, you have our sympathies! Those cars suffer with frequent CVT problems, causing the whole system to fail. Fixing that up doesn't come cheap, folks. And as we're about to find out, our next entry is another big concern...
Rust Issues
Do your roads get salted during the winter months? If so, it might be wise to swerve Subaru! As many owners have discovered over the years, the brand's cars are very susceptible to rust in those conditions. The undercarriage, wheel arches, and rocker panels are some of the worst-affected areas here. What a pain. Speaking of annoying, that brings us on to the next entry...
The Infotainment System
If we were to ask a room full of Subaru owners what they wished to change about their cars, this would likely top many lists! Yes, the brand's infotainment systems often leave a lot to be desired. They're ponderous, prone to irritating glitches, and frequently freeze. Oof. Complete system failures aren't that uncommon, either. It's a real problem area, folks.
The Towing Capacity
It can't be denied that Subaru excels when it comes to adventure vehicles. But could those motors be better? Absolutely. To give you an example, the towing capacity is a serious bugbear for many owners. Models such as the Forester can only tow around 1,500 pounds, which pales in comparison to the competition. Both the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 can manage 3,500 pounds.
Reliability
We won't lie to you, guys — it's pretty risky buying a used Subaru from the 2010s. Some of those cars aren't as reliable as you'd hope! For instance, owners of the Legacy and the Outback from that period have experienced problems with their transmission, electronics, and engine. That's got to sting, right? And our next entry is a headache, too.
The Fuel Pump
In the not-too-distant past, Subaru faced a big problem. Models such as the Impreza, Ascent, and Crosstrek were affected by a serious fuel pump fault, causing them to stall on the road. The cars were recalled to fix the issue, but it's still an area of worry for Subaru owners. Did any of those vehicles slip through the cracks on the used market?
The Battery
We're going to be blunt here — Subaru batteries are a massive pain in the neck! So many drivers have experienced premature failure over the years due to parasitic drains. As a result, it's no surprise to hear that folks are switching to aftermarket options that offer better quality and longevity. Is our next entry a bigger worry, though? Let's find out.
The Acceleration
Could the acceleration in certain Subaru models be better? We'd say so. Owners have reported some troubling issues in recent times. They include jerkiness, hesitation, and sluggishness. Yikes! But it gets worse. Other drivers have also experienced unintended acceleration in their Subaru vehicles. To say that's dangerous is a major understatement. We don't blame anyone for complaining.
The Windshield
Are Subaru windshields weak? It sure seems so! Reports from disgruntled owners suggest that the glass cracks very easily on the road, with tiny debris causing big problems. In other cases, it's been known to spontaneously crack as well. Oh man. And here's more bad news, folks. These windshields aren't cheap to replace when something goes wrong.
The Light Switches
Similar to the fuel pump fault that we mentioned earlier, Subaru was forced to issue a major recall a few years ago due to troublesome light switches. The brake light was the biggest area of concern here — it didn't always work! On top of that, the dashboard warning lights were affected as well. If your Subaru wasn't fixed during the recall, get in touch with a dealership pronto.
The Electronics
If you ever see a Subaru owner throw their hands up in the air while sitting behind the wheel, this might explain it! Yep, the electronics in certain models can be absolutely infuriating. Sensor issues and wiring problems aren't uncommon, folks. And the EyeSight driver-assist system? It could be so much better.
The Tires
Are the tires a bone of contention for Subaru owners? You bet! The OEM options don't inspire a lot of confidence. Their grip and performance often come into question. Uneven wear is a big problem, too. When that happens, the car's handling takes a turn for the worse. Aftermarket tires are usually a much better bet here.
The Exterior Styling
Here's a question for you, folks. What do you think of Subaru's exterior styling? Are you a fan or not? Well, it's fair to say that many owners fall into the latter camp! While the cars certainly have their plus points, the plain bodies can be perceived as boring when compared to other brands.
The Brakes
Soft pedals? Check. Unusual vibrations? Check. Squealing sounds? Sadly! Yep, a bunch of Subaru owners have experienced these issues with their brakes over time. Premature wear and uneven rotors are normally blamed for the troubles. Plus, the brake actuator is known to be iffy in certain cars as well.
The Road Noise
If you don't like road noise in your cars, then you'll hate some of Subaru's offerings. They can get pretty loud! The Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek are known for their cabin noise, drowning out conversations and music. It's hard to blame anyone for wishing that could change.
