Issues with Subaru Cars

November 2019

I took my car in for remanufactured short block work. It is the 2nd time. Fortunately, it is under warranty. I paid for the first remanufactured short block in Oregon back in 2017. Now, I am in New Mexico having it redone here.

I strongly felt that my car's catalytic converter breakdown last year has to do with my car engine so I requested Subaru of America to take responsibility for this major part as well as honoring the remanufactured short block warranty because I feel that the engine was killing it.

After not having my car for a month, I asked myself why did I get a Subaru. I reminded myself that I researched on what car I wanted to get. I got a 2008 Subaru Outback. It is a fun car. Unfortunately, it is nothing but a lemon car. Never before, I get to experience a lemon car. Everything works except for the piston rings Subaru designed. Ugh. I joined many Subaru Facebook groups so I can be better informed of what Subaru model to get next time and why they love Subaru. I enjoy Subaru because of its high ratings in accident and AWD. It does great in the snow. I could have gotten in a car accident due to icy roads and snow, but I didn't. My Outback knew what it is doing. Plus, not just the car, but also the driver. The driver has to know what to do when it comes to skidding and to maneuver the car correctly. I took defensive driving class years back and I recommend taking defensive/safe driving class anytime - no matter how old you are or how many years you have been driving. It has many good tips on how to avoid accidents. I have been in accidents - both my fault and not. I like Subaru but I am not too happy how unreliable the engine is in my 2008 Outback (EJ25). I hope the next Subaru I get would have fewer issues.

Watching posts on Facebook Subaru groups, I continue to hear issues in Subaru cars. The most current issue is the windshield. I do wonder why was it allowed to happen. I am curious about Subaru's perspective on this at their end. How we as customers view this issue? I am curious about why things like this happen. The windshield problem, the previous EJ25 piston rings design, etc.

I'd like to see customers like myself getting a Subaru confidently and knowing that they can rely on their Subarus. Unfortunately, that is not the case for me. From what I have been seeing is that people get new Subarus and having Subaru fix the issues because it is new then later the Subaru owners sell it and get a new Subaru. I think that is pretty nuts if that is the case. I am not one of them.

I bought my first Subaru used. I currently think it is a lemon. Unfortunately, I am pretty stuck with it. I am not a mechanic. I am a teacher. It would be awesome if my car could just run without any major problems for at least 100k miles. My car got issues at 60k miles and forward. It is not a fun topic to discuss in my house.

I am interested to know Subaru's perspective on their car manufacturing that currently has issues. How do they address these problems? Are they looking at them and prevent them from happening again?