Keep burning oil. I’m being told it’s normal and I know for sure it’s not leaking.
Subaru Legacy oil consumption problems
25 of the 3,184 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe excessive oil consumption, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical mileage
- 47,500
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20191
- 20181
- 20161
- 20152
- 20142
- 201311
- 20052
- 19983
- 19971
- 19961
Often reported together
Check engine light 3Fire or smoke 2Warning lights 1Stalling 1Lane assist 1Knocking 1Adaptive cruise 1ABS 1
What owners say
Vehicle had significant amount of oil pooled in the battery case holder back approximately Jan 2022 or earlier. Contacted Subaru of Las Vegas and they offered to clean the vehicle believing it was a careless oil change. Next oil change Subaru said I had a minor oil leak. Took it to an outside vendor to have them look at it and they said I didn't have an oil leak. Every oil change after that subaru continued to say I had a leak. But, my oil levels never changed enough to show low oil. Took it to the same vendor again and again they said no oil leak. Took it to another vendor and they changed the gasket cover and leak, but mentioned there was a leak with the cam carrier that needed to be revealed. They recommended taking it to their neighbor vendor that specializes in Subaru and they looked at it and confirmed, but mentioned to contact Subaru and that it should be a covered repair as it is a known issue with Subaru and that they were currently working on one with the same issue. While recently driving it, I noticed what smelled like burning oil. When I looked online I can see numerous years and models of owners reporting the same issue with their Subaru. Contacted my dealer and they said it wasn't covered. Contacted Subaru of America and they are currently investigating it. If your camshaft seal is leaking oil, you need to get it replaced right away. The leak can lead to a fire, and your engine could seize up. It can also damage your timing belt which can cause bent valves, cylinder head damage or camshaft damage. Prior to this, I actually have already repaired the timing belt. I want to ensure that no injury or damage comes to another Subaru vehicle owner having the same issue. I have also just had to repair both axles and my Subaru is a 2016 with 90,000 miles on it.
The contact's son owns a 2013 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. However, the failure reoccurred on two different occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that her son had added 10 quarts of oil in the vehicle within 2 weeks. The contact referenced Subaru Technical Service Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R. The contact also stated that the exhaust pipe was emitting black smoke. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle needed an engine compression test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000. The consumer stated that they no longer have the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil while driving. The engine oil warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to budd baer subaru (71 murtland ave, washington, pa 15301) and subaru of moon township (5450 university blvd, moon twp, pa 15108) and was informed that similar vehicles were known to consume excessive amounts of oil. The vehicle was not repaired after multiple visits and performance tests. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 18,000.
Periodically the car has been shutting off after I start it. When it's stationery. It will shut off two to three times before it with stay on. Also it has been consuming oil and the oil light comes on before I'm due for an oil change.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed oil too quickly. The contact had to constantly add engine oil to the vehicle between oil changes and the check oil indicator illuminated often. The vehicle was taken to liberty subaru (55 kinderkamack rd, emerson, nj 07630, (201) 261-0900) to be diagnosed, the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,922. The VIN was invalid. *dt *bf *jb consumer stated engine needs to repaired or replacement in addition, the air bag needs to be replaced. Engine oil was analyzed and found water in it.*jb*jb consumer stated dealer agrees there is a problem and engine teardown was schedule. Vin invaalid
2013 subaru legacy premium recall oil consumption light comes on after oil changes when parked and driving
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, when the oil warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle home and added a quart of oil. The contact also stated that the oil consumption on the vehicle had been an issue for approximately a year, a quart of oil had to be added every 3,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
I am on my third engine due to the oil consumption issues. I just had a the third engine put in and the light came on at 2300 miles. I also had to replace the catalytic converter and the clutch. I am still having issues with the clutch as well. It's a 2013 subaru legacy 2.5l manual transmission and subaru won't make things right. I spent 80% of my time that I owned it performing oil consumption checks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru legacy. While driving 40 MPH, the oil indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that 30 ounces of oil were added to the vehicle and the vehicle consumed 11 ounces of oil every 1,000 miles. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but was tested for an oil consumption failure at the ruge dealer. The results have not yet been determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from july 31 through december 1, 2009. A crack or split can occur in the CVT cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak.
- Risk
- If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on june 8, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-subaru3 (1‑800‑782‑2783).
Recall number 10V196000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling 16,715 my 2007-2008 legacy sedans and wagons, my 2008 impreza sedans and wagons, and my 2009 forester vehicles. Some vehicles may have the cylinder head-side oil supply pipe and turbocharger-side pipe improperly assembled.
- Risk
- Vibration would occur while driving and, over time, could eventually result in cracking the pipe which would allow oil to leak. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, an engine compartment fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for cracking or an oil leak at the oil supply pipe at the cylinder head-side. An additional bracket will be installed to increase rigidity of the pipe and the pipe assembly will be replaced with a modified part. The recall began on october 20, 2008. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 08V460000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines, the water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined.
- Risk
- In some instances, the interference fit between the inner wall of the pulley center hole and the water pump drive shaft was not as tight as specified in the drawing specification. This could result in the water pump pulley dislodging from the water pump shaft, which can cause severe engine damage/seizure during vehicle usage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the water pump. Owner notification began september 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 02V240000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, also service parts supplied to subaru dealers are involved (lot numbers f01 j21d2, f01 j30d2, f02 j09d1, f02 j09d2, and f02 j20d1). The purolator oil filter cans used on these vehicles can fracture causing a vaporized oil spray and subsequent oil leak.
- Risk
- This vaporized oil spray can result in oil vapor ignition by the hot exhaust system resulting in a possible underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace these engine oil filters.
Recall number 98V127000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Legacy oil consumption
Which Subaru Legacy years have excessive oil consumption problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (11 complaints), 1998 (3 complaints) and 2005 (2 complaints).
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