2012 Subaru Forester: excessive oil consumption

Filed Sep 24, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MN

The vehicle will just stall. It has happened three times; usually at a stop sign or slowing down to turn. I have had it towed and in the shop, and they can't find anything wrong with it. No error messages. One shop cleaned the throttle body and thought that might be the problem. The vehicle has always consumed oil; at least a quart is added every 700-1000 miles. We have changed the oil regularly and don't understand why the oil consumption problem. Now the cruise light flashes off and on. The traction light and check engine light stays on all the time.

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Engine · KS

I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2012. After a few thousand miles it was brought to my attention by the service tech that there was a "small" oil leak coming from the engine. They said it was not significant. No one mentioned that SB 02-131-12R had been issued addressing these leaks because they were so prominent with the engine in my Forester. At a little over 60,000 miles all of a sudden the dealer was "concerned" about fixing it now that I would have to foot the bill. The repair was made but failed shortly thereafter. The engine started showing PO170, PO171 codes. I took the vehicle to Subaru of Loveland and was told that the camshaft carrier that was supposed to be repaired at Subaru of Pueblo was leaking oil on the O2 sensor causing the lean condition. I was told that if it was not repaired that the catalytic converter would overheat and valve damage to the engine would occur. Loveland said that the repair would cost $3,300.00 and that I probably would need a new short block shortly because of the damages caused by the leak. This is an emission problem as the engine will not meet standards. The engine in the Subaru Forester was a new design in 2011 and has suffered excessive oil consumption and camshaft carrier leaks until 2018 when the engine was replace with a new design. A search of the https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2012-cam-carrier-oil-leak.261490/ (Subaru Forum) will show many, many Subaru owner complaints on this issue. The overheating of the catalytic converter is a definite fire hazard.

Filed Jun 18, 2021 · Engine · VA

1st noticed a couple of years ago sounded like valve tapping engine noise. Took to auto shop and they stated car had virtually no oil in it. Never mentioned oil consumption issue. In March of 2020, took car into Subaru dealer for inspection and oil change. Yesterday, while driving home, noticed same noise as before. Auto shop found article about excessive oil consumption. Article stated owners were notified and advised of actions that could be taken. Mechanic stated it was a known issue, but no official recall had ever been issued. I never received any notification. Subaru offered to extend warranty period, but I may now be outside of that. Have appt at dealer tomorrow for other service work (including oil change). Car has 75k miles and is 2012. Was down over 3 quarts of oil at around 7,000 miles. No oil warning indicator ever illuminated. Was told by dealer when I called last night that they would perform "Oil Consumption Test" recommended by manufacture, "if your engine VIN meets the requirements". If the engine runs dry, good potential to seize on the spot and cause accident and injury.

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Engine · 124,000 miles · PA

Subaru has been aware of an oil consumption defect with the piston rings in this model car and never notified owners that it was present. The result can be oil pressure loss, rapid overheating, and motor seizing. The motor has been replaced for some customers for the oil consumption damages, but not for many others. The parts were defective at manufacture and a recall should be instituted.

Filed Sep 15, 2020 · Engine · 87,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact's daughter owns a 2012 subaru forester. The contact's daughter became aware of oil consumption on the vehicle. His daughter frequently had to replenish the oil due to the failure. The contact called maita subaru (2912 auburn blvd, sacramento, ca 95821) and elk grove subaru (8581 laguna grove dr, elk grove, ca 95757) where he was informed that there was a warranty extension on the vehicle for excessive oil consumption however, the warranty had expired in may of 2020. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and confirmed the dealers information. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2020 · Transmission · 129,000 miles · MA

On 12/31/18, when driving home at 11p.m.,and an hour from my home, my "oil light" came on. I stopped at a service station and had 3 quarts of oil put in my oil tank. Two days later, I took it to my mechanic who could not find a leak but over the next 9 months, at approximately every 2 week intervals, he put between 1/2-3 quarts of oil in my car. In may 2019 the north end subaru service dept. Checked over my car and could not find a oil leak either. On 9/21/19, my mechanic read an article online about the excessive oil consumption in most subaru models between 2011-15. I never received notification from subaru re: this problem. I wrote 2 letters to subaru of america (one to the president). I was notified by them that my car was "out of warranty" because it, by then, had over 100,000 miles. They offered me a $1500 "loyal customer" credit on a new subaru, which they never sent me. I have been driving subarus since 1990 and have talked my whole family and several friends into buying them. I usually drive my subarus until 250.000 miles and don't want to get a new car. This was a defect in many models and I was not notified as an owner. I take meticulous care of my cars. I continue to drive this one, having the oil levels checked every 2 weeks. The cost of a new "engine block assembly" would be $4995, which I think subaru should be responsible for. I have filed a complaint with the ma attorney general's office and they suggested I also contact you. Attached in the mentioned complaint, the 2 letters I wrote to subaru and an article re: the excessive oil consumption problem. Thank you for any assistance you can give me.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Engine · 109,250 miles · OH

Excessive oil consumption. Have to add more than a 1 quart between oil changes(every 3k miles).

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 86,000 miles · AZ

Purchased vehical 3-4 months ago w/ 86k miles. Oil leaks in head gasket ( quart every 6 weeks..researched this and turns out this is a very common problem from 1999- 2013. On all foresters. Manufacturer used more sealant and less gasket on that engine.why wasn't this recalled?? Easily verified via tube or internet.the other issue is lower control arm bushings worn out at 86k miles. Steering is very un stable.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Engine · 107,500 miles · WI

I bought this car in february. I only had it a couple days and decided I should check the oil. No oil on the dipstick!! Put 2 quarts in to bring it level. I have to check the oil every few days to make sure it does not run out. I am having to put in a quart every 500 miles! This is not normal oil consumption! The oil is changed every 3,000 miles. I bought this car because of subaru's reputation. Never again! After doing research, I found out there was a lawsuit filed. How can a dealer sell a car that is the object of a lawsuit? Subaru should be recalling this vehicle. Now I'm stuck making payments on a car that won't last.

Filed Feb 16, 2015 · Engine · 43,405 miles · NM

Oil was checked before vehicle left massachusetts for a trip to new mexico. After driving approximately 2300 miles, upon arrival at the destination no oil showed on the dipstick. Mechanic drained only 2.5 quarts from vehicle (5.5 quarts is full) so engine consumed 3.0 quarts. This is grossly excessive consumption and indicative of a serious engine/materials defect. Have since discovered this oil consumption defect is common to 2011-2014 subaru vehicles. Subaru will not fix this engine. This vehicle will cause me to incur expense because of the need to purchase and replace the entire oil volume during the recommended oil change interval and loss of value of the vehicle. Vehicle is a danger to the drivers and others on the street because the engine may catastrophically fail causing an accident. Also, the low oil level warning light on this vehicle has never illuminated indicating that it, too, is defective.

Filed Jan 14, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 29,600 miles · ME

I want to also submit a statement about the problems I have had with my brakes,I also noticed others have had the same problems,as soon as I got the car I noticed the brakes were very soft.I took the car in,I was told they were fine.a couple weeks later I was in line at starbucks and the brakes went right to the floor,I pulled the emergency up narrowly missing the person in front of me.I called the dealer again,before I got the car back in again at dunkin donuts it did the same thing.it had also started making a horrible smell and had no power.and a few other minor things.I took it in they said the brakes were fine,I argued they were not.the smell was supposedly some kind of fluid leaking on the muffler.took it home brakes still kept doing the same thing,called back went back in the car was low on oil and the brakes were still doing the non existent thing,plus it still smelled bad and I had a list for them,they gave it an oil change,and said this time the brakes were fine but may need pads in 6,000 miles or so now the smell is normal thou,plus I told them it was not getting good gas mileage and hitching,they said unless the engine light comes on they cant do anything.well now lastly the rear seat belt works only occasionally,my brake light is on all the time and they only stop about half the time my tires are all worn out,at less than 10,000 miles which they say is normal (ok) and it stalls doesn't like to start,and is under recall it still smells bad,the cruise control only works when it feels like it,it uses oil,eats gas,and stalls doesn't like to start,and the brakes act like the anti lock feature is constant even when it shouldn't be?now after an accident and my air bags don't deploy I think it seems like a real trend here and I reported my accident to subaru of america they don't seem to care.

Filed Jul 19, 2014 · Engine · 22,000 miles · WA

Engine using synthetic ow-20 oil per dealer recommendation uses oil faster than new car should. Oil changed 18,951mi. At around 22,000 oil was noted leaking around oil filter. Also dipstick showing low level. Owner had to add oil while on a trip. After 24,393mi oil filter leak reported, dealer replaced gasket 803916010 and topped off oil. At 26,312 mi, oil again changed by dealer. 3k mi later (29,000mi) oil again showed below low on dipstick requiring owner to add oil. 32,191 mi service appointment oil change by dealer states "close to full." dealer told us that cars use a quart of oil every thousand miles normally. No leak found on inspection. I always park in the same place at parking garage and there are no oil leaks on the concrete. My family has had 2 other new subaru vehicles since 2003 which also use synthetic oil and no other car has had this oil usage. I have owned 6 new cars in my lifetime. I know how to maintain an engine by frequent checks and maintenance. My concern is that owners may lose an engine due to seizure if they follow subaru recommended oil change by mileage or months. Some owners who are not diligent in checking frequently may lose an engine. My other concern is that either subaru engine design, gaskets, or other parts may be to blame in excessive oil usage. Please investigate this problem.