Subaru Impreza oil consumption problems

Filed May 29, 2025 · Engine · CO

Engine oil leak. An engine oil leak could potentially cause a fire hazard by igniting when leaking into hot components. It could cause engine damage due to inadequate lubrication leading to overheating and severe engine damage. The leak can contaminate the environment including soil and water, and it can create slippery surfaces which would be a risk to people walking in the area with leaked oil. I took my vehicle to a Subaru dealership for service, and they indicated that it was leaking oil everywhere. I looked it up and found numerous reports in online forums of others having the exact same issue. I was quoted over $5000 to repair and forums also indicate that others have been quoted multiple thousands of dollars to repair as well. I have noticed that the vehicle would always give me a low oil light approximately 3000 miles after an oil change, so I would top it off. It has been doing this since I originally purchased the vehicle with approximately 16000 miles. I took it to a Subaru dealership back then and was told by the service providers that it's normal for engines under 60,000 miles to consume more oil and dismissed it. Now it no longer falls under warranty and am expected to pony up $5000 to fix it.

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Transmission · OR

The transmission on my 2014 Subaru Impreza failed suddenly while I was driving about 70 mph in the middle lane of the interstate. My car began to decelerate rapidly, and I lost all ability to accelerate or even put my car in park. I was able to navigate to the side of the interstate and use the car's emergency brake to come to a stop. The event was extremely traumatic, and I have nightmares about losing control of my vehicle on that interstate with cars whizzing past me. I was stranded in a very remote area, barely making it onto the shoulder of the interstate, over an hour from my home and in a different state. During the three hours I waited for a tow on the side of I-5N, I discovered the many the federal safety agency bulletins issued regarding CVT transmission issues with the 2014 Impreza and the consequent extended warranty. Thus, I paid out of pocket to have my 2014 Impreza towed the thirty miles to the closest Subaru dealership, expecting the repair to be covered by the warranty. My car’s mileage is 71,612, and it is under 10 years old, falling within both requirements of the extended warranty. There had never been any indication of transmission trouble, and Subaru never contacted me to inform me of the known CVT transmission issues. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms ever appeared regarding the transmission. After inspecting my vehicle, the Subaru dealership verified a transmission issue, and claimed that the car was roughly 3 quarts low on CVT fluid. Despite the federal safety agency safety bulletins about known transmission fluid seepage issues in the 2014 Impreza, Subaru is trying to skirt responsibility for the known defect, and instead, they are claiming that it is the fault of a reputable independent mechanic stating that they *suspect* that since it was 3 quarts low because the independent shop did something wrong. However, records show otherwise. Subaru is not standing by its extended warranty and attempting to shirk responsibility for known CVT defects. Permission to inspect.

Filed Dec 20, 2022 · Engine · 119,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started smoking from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as an oil consumption and cam carriers failure. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the diagnostic result was confirmed. The contact repaired the front timing seal gasket himself; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2021 · Engine · 101,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2015 SUBARU Impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle's check engine light was illuminated and they began to notice at an oil change that their vehicle was leaking excessive oil consumption a year ago. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who informed them they needed to rebuild the engine. The repair was covered under warranty. The contact stated that about a year after the vehicle's check engine light had illuminated again. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the short block caused the failure. The vehicle had been there for approximately 4 months and had not been repaired. The contact was told the repair was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware and opened a case regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Oct 1, 2020 · Engine · 95,224 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru impreza. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the oil level warning light illuminated after the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v772000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to subaru of jacksonville (10800 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225, (904) 641-6455) and diagnosed that the timing cover needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that there were no oil leaks found. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to same dealer and the contact was informed that the timing cover needed to be adjusted. The contact stated that oil warning light was illuminated. The oil level was topped off. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where an oil consumption test was performed and it was determined that the engine consumed a quart of oil and that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 95,224.

Filed Apr 15, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · KY

The car broke down nov. 2018 while my wife was driving on interstate highway. Dealer replaced valve body. Car was using a lot of oil between changes. When asked about it, dealer service dept said "just keep adding oil." car started putting out blue cloud from exhaust when started. Asked dealer service dept, they said "subarus do that. Just keep adding oil." had recall work done march 2019: valve spring replacement. Again asked about oil consumption. Service dept. Recommended adding oil between oil changes. Labor day 2019 car broke down again with same dash indicators flashing as in nov. 2018. Car was in drive and moving forward at 35 miles per hour on a city street 150 miles from home. Dealer service dept said timing chain had jumped, engine failed. According to dealer service department, engine had excessive oil consumption, and said "engine is oil deprived." car now needs a new engine.dealer had promised to fix if issue from 2018 returned. The dealer did not honor the promise.

Filed Jan 29, 2020 · Engine · 151,050 miles · IN

At 150,000 miles I noticed that in the mornings on cold start up I will get a large cloud of bluish smoke that smells like it's burning, I understand that this is indicative of burning oil. I only knew till recently there was a campaign to fix this issue and that it is now closed but at 150,000 miles it seems like it may be pretty excessive.

Filed Dec 26, 2019 · Engine · 1,000 miles · RI

I have had a problem with the car burning oil since I bought the car. My oil light comes on after every 1000.00 miles and it is down at least a quart and a half each time . I change the oil every 3000 miles but I still have to put oil in in between. I ordered this car from a dealership rt from the factory. The oil consumption has been a problem since day one. I have brought it to the dealerships over 5-7 times. They will not acknowledge the problem .

Filed Nov 2, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · OR

There have been repeated and reoccurring issues related to oil consumption as well as a faulty CVT transmission. Subaru has issued an extended 100,000 mile warranty, but this information was not provided directly to me. I found out about the extended warranty when I took the car in to a mechanic and they had knowledge of the extended warranty. The mechanic recommended I take it to a subaru service center to try and get it covered under warranty. The car had 94,000 miles at the time I was made aware of this on 6/22/18. Since 6/22/18-11/2/19, I have repeatedly had reoccurring issues with both oil consumption and the CVT transmission. The service department has claimed to have repaired issues, but I have never had resolve of any of them. Instead I feel as though I have been told each item has been repaired. If similar issues have occurred, like the oil light illuminating after the short block replacement, I been given the explanation that it is due to software issues that need updating. These excuses have been given repeatedly until the 12 month warranty of the parts in question has then passed. This same thing has occurred with the slipping CVT transmission that I reported on 6/22/18, and now I am being told the transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $8,000 out of pocket. The car is not even valued at $8,000 anymore. I would strongly advise research into these faulty parts and the consumer deceit that has occurred to myself and millions of other subaru owners. Deceiving consumers until extended warranty periods pass, and requiring consumers to pay out of pocket should be illegal. I see now why subaru opted for this extended warranty for both of these issues rather than admitting fault and providing a recall. This allows the deceit and subaru taking financial responsibility of repairs to occur by looping in the service department into this scam. Do not buysubaru

Filed Jun 10, 2019 · Engine · 175,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and was towed to west houston subaru (17109 katy fwy, houston, tx 77094). The dealer diagnosed that the oil consumption was high and the vehicle exceeded the mileage for the extended warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.