What year did Subarus have engine issues?

Subaru, the popular Japanese automaker, has faced several engine-related issues over the years. While the company is known for its reliable and durable vehicles, certain model years have been affected by engine problems that have drawn the attention of both consumers and industry experts.

The Subaru Engine Saga

Subaru's engine issues have been a topic of discussion within the automotive community for some time. The company has faced challenges in ensuring the reliability and longevity of its engines, particularly in certain model years. These issues have led to recalls, technical service bulletins, and increased scrutiny from both customers and regulatory bodies.

The Affected Model Years

According to industry reports, the Subaru engine issues have primarily affected the following model years:

• 2011-2014 Subaru Forester, Impreza, and Legacy models equipped with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine


• 2012-2015 Subaru Outback and Legacy models with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engineli>
  
• 2013-2017 Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza models with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engineli>
  

These engine problems have ranged from excessive oil consumption to premature engine failure, leading to costly repairs and customer dissatisfaction.

The Causes and Consequences

The engine issues in Subaru vehicles have been attributed to a variety of factors, including design flaws, manufacturing defects, and the use of subpar materials. In some cases, the engines have been prone to excessive oil consumption, leading to premature wear and tear. In other instances, the engines have experienced complete failure, leaving owners stranded and facing significant repair costs.

The consequences of these engine problems have been far-reaching. Subaru has faced numerous recalls, class-action lawsuits, and increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies. Customers have also expressed frustration with the company's handling of the issues, leading to a decline in brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.

Subaru's Response and Ongoing Efforts

Subaru has acknowledged the engine issues and has taken steps to address them. The company has issued technical service bulletins, extended warranties, and in some cases, offered engine replacements to affected customers. Additionally, Subaru has implemented design changes and quality control measures to prevent similar issues from occurring in future model years.

Despite these efforts, the legacy of Subaru's engine problems continues to linger, and the company's reputation for reliability has been tarnished. As Subaru moves forward, it will need to continue to prioritize engine quality and customer satisfaction to regain the trust of its loyal customer base.

What years did Subaru have engine problems?

Subaru had significant engine problems during 1996–2010 due to head gasket failures, particularly in the 2.5-liter engine. Other problematic years include 2008–2014 for certain WRX/STI models with bearing issues, and 2011–2015 for various models with excessive oil consumption due to problems with the FB engine's piston rings.
 
Head gasket failures (1996–2010)

• Models affected: Primarily the 2.5-liter engine in models like the Outback, Legacy, and Forester.
• Symptoms: White smoke, coolant leaking into oil, and fluctuating engine temperature.
• Resolution: Subaru addressed this by using multi-layer stainless steel head gaskets and larger head bolts in later models, with fixes becoming more consistent around 2012. 

Bearing and other performance issues (2008–2014)

• Models affected: The performance-oriented WRX and WRX STI. 
• Symptoms: Bearing failure in the EJ series engines, which could lead to major engine rebuilds or replacements. 
• Resolution: A class-action lawsuit alleged that insufficient oil supply to connecting rod bearings contributed to this problem. 

Excessive oil consumption (2011–2015)

• Models affected: Early FB engine models in the Forester (2011–2015), Crosstrek (2013–2015), Impreza (2012–2015), and Legacy/Outback (2013–2014). 
• Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption. 
• Resolution: This was due to a change in piston ring design to improve fuel economy, which was less effective at scraping oil. Subaru has since updated the design, with models from 2011 onwards (Forester), 2012 onwards (Impreza), and 2013 onwards (Legacy/Outback/Crosstrek) seeing improvements. 

What year to stay away from a Subaru Outback?

You should be wary of Subaru Outback years such as 2013–2014, 2017–2018, and 2020 due to common problems like excessive oil consumption, transmission issues, and electrical faults. Additionally, the 2010–2011 models may have transmission, engine, and brake line problems. Older generations, like 2005–2009, are known for head gasket issues and oil leaks.
 
2010–2014

• Excessive oil consumption: The 2013 and 2014 models are frequently cited for this issue, which was due to faulty piston rings and can lead to engine failure. 
• Transmission issues: Both the 2010 and 2012 models are reported to have transmission problems, including rough shifting and failure. The 2010 is also known for torque converter issues. 
• Electrical problems: Some models in this range have reported electrical faults. 
• Headlight issues: 2011 models, in particular, had problems with headlights that burned out or melted. 
• Brake line issues: The 2010 model had issues with faulty brake lines. 

2017–2020 

• Electrical issues: These models were plagued with electrical system problems, from the 2017 and 2020 models. 
• Weak windshields: The 2017 and 2020 models are notorious for easily cracked windshields. 
• Transmission problems: Some owners reported issues with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in the 2017 and 2020 models. 
• Fuel range display malfunction: Some 2018 models had issues with the fuel pump and the fuel range display. 

Older generations

• 2005–2009: These models are known for costly head gasket failures, engine leaks, and catalytic converter failures. 
• 1994–1999: This generation had issues with cracked cylinder heads and premature engine failure. 
• 2000–2001: This period is when Subaru was transitioning ownership, leading to transmission issues in these models. 

Modern models (2015+)

• While later models generally saw improvements, some issues persist. The 2023 Outback had problems with the infotainment system, and the 12V battery was prone to draining. 

What year did Subaru go to Timing Chain?

Subaru began transitioning to timing chains around 2001 for its six-cylinder (H6) engines, but the switch for most four-cylinder engines happened later, with the new FB engine series being introduced in 2011 for the Forester, 2012 for the Impreza, and 2013 for the Legacy/Outback. Therefore, the year Subaru fully switched to timing chains for its main four-cylinder models is approximately 2011-2013, depending on the specific model. 

• For six-cylinder (H6) engines: The switch to timing chains began around 2001. 
• For four-cylinder engines:
  • Forester: Started using the new FB engine with a timing chain in the 2011 model year. 
  • Impreza: Started using the new FB engine with a timing chain in the 2012 model year. 
  • Legacy/Outback: Started using the new FB engine with a timing chain in the 2013 model year. 
• Turbocharged engines: Some turbocharged four-cylinder engines continued to use timing belts for a few more years. For example, the EJ255 (2.5L Turbo) in the US was used from 2004 to 2013, while the newer FA20DIT (2.0L Turbo) uses a chain. 

What year did Subarus have oil consumption problems?

Subaru oil consumption issues primarily affect certain models from 2011-2014, including the Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, and Crosstrek, due to a change in piston ring design in their FB engines. Some models, such as the 2015 Forester, were also affected, and the problem can appear in later model years as well. 
Affected model years and models

• 2011-2014 Forester: Particularly with the 2.5-liter engine. 
• 2013 Legacy and Outback: Especially those with 2.5-liter engines. 
• 2012-2013 Impreza: Models with 2.0-liter engines. 
• 2013 Crosstrek: With 2.0-liter engines. 
• 2015 Forester: Specifically with the 2.5-liter engine and manual transmission. 
• 2014-2018 WRX: Some models in this range have also been reported to have this issue. 

Why the problem occurred

• Piston ring design: The issue began with the introduction of the FB engine series in 2011, which used lower-tension piston rings to improve fuel efficiency. 
• Ineffective oil scraping: This new design was less effective at scraping oil from the cylinder walls, leading to it being burned. 
• Sludge and maintenance: Neglecting oil changes can cause sludge to build up, seizing the rings and worsening the consumption problem. 

What to do if your Subaru is consuming oil

• Check your owner's manual: Follow the recommended maintenance schedule and check oil levels frequently. Use the correct type of oil as specified. 
• Monitor for symptoms: Watch for signs like blue smoke from the exhaust, a low oil warning light, or low oil levels between changes. 
• Get a professional diagnosis: If you notice excessive oil consumption, have a mechanic perform an oil consumption test to determine the severity and proper course of action. 
• Contact Subaru: If your vehicle is still under the extended powertrain warranty (8 years or 100,000 miles), a dealer may repair it free of charge.