2014 Subaru Outback: excessive oil consumption

Filed Nov 22, 2022 · Engine · AZ

Suburu Outback had been showing signs of needing more oil between routine changes and frequent top-offs. When took to a Suburu Dealer in September 2021, prior to reaching 100,000 miles, Suburu said it was normal. Now at 118,000 miles as of November 2022, the engine jerks and makes noises. Upon taking to Suburu, short engine block repair was recommended, which would cost over $6,000. The issues of needing repair align with the 2016 extended warranty bulletin put out for other Suburu Outbacks, which goes through 100,000, but we were told that the VIN is outside of the extended bulletin and we are out of warranty. Being told our oil consumption is normal but suddenly experiencing a deterioration in the engine so suddenly is concerning; the jerky engine is not safe for the passengers or others on the road.

Filed Aug 31, 2020 · Engine · 90,000 miles · WI

When I purchased the vehicle new, I was told that the oil change needed to be completed every 7,500 miles. Almost immediately, the low engine oil light would come on short of 7,500 miles. Subaru changed when the oil needed to be changed from 7,500 to 6,000 miles due to the oil usage with the engine in this outback year. Recently, I cannot drive much beyond 3,000 miles without the low engine oil coming on after new oil changes by the dealership!! It appears as the vehicle ages the engine oil light is coming on sooner and sooner!! I checked the oil level and it is low when the light does come on. I feel something is very wrong and subaru needs to rectify the problem which is becoming very serious. This is my first subaru and I've not experienced these issues with any other vehicle that I've owned for the past 30+ years. Thank you for your time.

Filed Feb 9, 2020 · Engine · 49,000 miles · MI

I have a 2014 subaru outback with an excessive oil consumption issue. Subaru recently settled the class action for the same issue for several vehicle models but not my vehicle is included. My vehicle has shown the excessive oil consumption issue when I drove about 50k miles. I went to subaru dealership, subaru imports of troy in mi, for the issue but they just refilled the oil when I asked them to check it. At 61,721 miles, the dealership first tested it but I believe they overfilled the oil when testing because the issue came back after the test. Whenever I complained about the issue, the dealership just refilled the oil. But recently when I strongly complained about it by mentioning reporting to the federal safety agency, the dealership asked me to contact subaru america and to get the approval of extended warranty so that they can fix my car. I contacted subaru america but the customer service said that they can't provide me with the extended warranty because I have passed 5year/60km warranty already. I reported the issue to the subaru dealership before the warranty expired but they cheated me to overfill the engine oil and kept refilling when I went there with the low engine oil warning light on. The fact is that the issue came before the warranty but it was not taken care of in a fairway. Subaru america should take the responsibility of the defective part for my vehicle and compensate my times and stresses because I have had to go to the dealership every other month to refill the oil after 50k miles. I have had several vehicles but subaru has only this issue. And subaru america should check the defective engine parts for other vehicles, which are not included in the settlement for the safety of their customers. I am concerned that the dealership and subaru america keep cheating the customers by not taking care of customer safety. Thanks,

Filed Jan 16, 2019 · Engine · 70,000 miles · ME

At 70,000 miles (rounded) engine began leaking oil from both cam carriers and the upper oil pan. Oil leaks on exhaust system causing a burning oil smell and can see smoke emitting from under the car. Estimate to repair is $2050 from subaru dealership. Have heard rumors of other 2.5i engines having same problem. Very dangerous, can cause engine fire as oil leaks directly on exhaust pipe. Problem (burning smell) is most noticeable first thing in the morning when oil has had chance to leak overnight. More prevalent in cold weather (when metal and gaskets contract from the cold).

Filed May 3, 2018 · Engine · CA

My subaru outback 2014 has 50,000 miles, low oil light comes up about 4000 miles after oil change. Subaru manual said that is 7500 miles between oil change. Subaru dealer performs oil consumption test. Subaru dealer told me it is normal and that I have to add oil if low oil light come up. I feel like they are cheating.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Engine · 3,700 miles · FL

Tl- contact owns a 2014 subaru outback. Class action lawsuit through subaru for excessive oil consumption. Contact took vehicle to subaru and had engine checked for oil consumption and engine oil was empty. Subaru said no recall on vehicle. Contact wants engine block replaced free of charge.. Subaru stated engine block is not under recall. 0 recalls associated with this VIN.

Filed Jan 15, 2018 · Engine · 29,466 miles · MA

Vehicle began using oil after approximately 29,000 miles. Low oil pressure light was illuminated on the dashboard. Contacted the dealer and was told to bring the vehicle in immediately. The oil and filter were changed and I was instructed to bring the vehicle back after 1200 miles for a "oil consumption test" . The test was performed at the dealership, patrick subaru and the results, 1/3 qt. Of oil was consumed and the information was sent to subaru of america. My claim was denied. I have since driven the car 2789 miles and have consumed 1.1qts of oil. I contacted the dealership and was told another oil consumption test must be performed to determine if the vehicle is eligible for repair. Please note that a class action suite was awarded against subaru for 2012 to 2014 vehicles using excessive oil. This vehicle carries the "prez" emblem for particle zero emissions. Yet this vehicle emits over a quart of oil every 2790 miles.

Filed Dec 16, 2017 · 6,000 miles · OH

Burning oil. Excessive oil changes

Filed Sep 30, 2017 · Engine · 22,500 miles · VA

Outback 2.5l. We noticed oil consumption after the 3-4th oil change. All oil changes were preformed at subaru dealership ( browns manasssas or sheehy springfiield). We asked why we were having to add oil and told that this was normal. The situation has gotten worse with low oil light coming on at about 4,000 miles on the oil change. We notified subaru headquarters and they suggested an oil consumption test. That was the first time that had been suggested. The mileage was about appx 72,000 miles. We did they oil consumption test on the next oil change at appx 78,800. We brought the vehicle in after 1,200miles (80,000 miles). The vehicle used 3 oz. Of oil in 1,200 miles. We were told that was in normal limits or specs. I have never had a vehicle that used that much oil with such low mileage since I had this start to happen about 22,500 miles.

Filed Sep 1, 2017 · Engine · 38,000 miles · IL

At 38,000 miles low-oil light came on while driving. I stopped at a madison wi dealer who indicated the consumption is normal. I argued that I have never had a low-oil light come on in over forty years of driving. Was told they would be glad to conduct an oil consumption test. There is now 40,000 miles on the car and it is using a quart every 3,500 miles. There are multiple complaints. The federal safety agency needs to force subaru to replace these engines.

Filed Apr 27, 2017 · Engine · 65,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru outback. While stationary, the vehicle consumed an inordinate amount of oil. The vehicle was diagnosed as having an oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · 24,600 miles · CA

Possible oil consumption. I have it twice or third and I have noticed that oil was gone when I checked the oil leveler. Yesterday, I have talked to subaru service dept about it and he said it is ok that keep pour oil into every 1200 miles (burned some oil and between oil change). I bought oil and pour it into. I don't believe it was so normal for burned some oil like every 1200 miles. I am concerning about it.