Tell me about Subaru reliability

elmo_4_vt

Explorer
Hmmm... I'll have to check into the radiator cap on my 2008 Outback. Every so often I'll get a hint of coolant smell... and the level has dropped a little at the last oil change. I was looking at the head gasket, but I'm glad to hear that it might be something a little easier.

Thanks

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Scoob

New member
I bought my 05 WRX with 40k on it. I've owned it for 2 and a half years now and have put another 45k on it. In those 45 thousand I have modified it, raced it and I even have taken it off road a little. All that has ever gone wrong with it so far has been the front o2 sensor crapping the bed and the front rotors warped.

It has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned (knocks on wood).
 

subytoy

Observer
I had a problem with my 06 Impreza puking out it's antifreeze when it was new.
I took it back to the dealer and they replaced the radiator cap. I still had the same problem, so I bought a Stant radiator cap for it. Problem solved!
I'm now thinking about a Forester. I would buy a new radiator cap right away for it.

Craig
 
'02 Forester with 160k. Nothing but routine maintenace except for a headlight plug. I got one of those for $6. We bought it new. I feal very confident with my wife and child in this car. Probably one of my best investments. We actually got a bit of snow this year. Nothing like blowing the doors off of a bmw M5.
 

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
I had a 2004 WRX. It was an awesome car and I used it pretty hard. I put 85,000km on it, and in that time the only thing it needed was oil changes, and a spoiler mounted LED brakelight module under warranty. And the warranty experience was wonderful.

Conversely, a friend of mine bought a used Saabaru 9-2X turbo. Basically a WRX. He did a few lights mods, I think an up-pipe and a chip tune from one of the top tuners, I think Cobb. He was religious about maintenance. He used it for a few trackdays. After a handful, he suffered complete engine failure. All the bottom end bearings disintegrated, took out the cam bearings, turbo, etc. We have no idea why. He put a new engine in it and sold the car.

While some may think trackdays are "abuse", they really aren't. Or, they shouldn't be. Properly maintained, they're nothing that the cars aren't tested for by the OEM.

We don't know the root cause, but I chalk it up to it must have been something the previous owner did.
 

Elliot Press

Observer
Got a 2001 Forester with dual range manual transmission and the 2.0L EJ20 engine. In the last year and a bit I've clocked up over 60,000km and it has not had a single hiccup. I blew two clutches but they were entirely my fault and I replaced myself. Never had to take her to a mechanic. Just regular 5000km self services and she runs like a sewing machine.
 

frogstar7055

Yep,that's a scratch.
Got a 2001 Forester with dual range manual transmission and the 2.0L EJ20 engine. In the last year and a bit I've clocked up over 60,000km and it has not had a single hiccup. I blew two clutches but they were entirely my fault and I replaced myself. Never had to take her to a mechanic. Just regular 5000km self services and she runs like a sewing machine.

EJ20..............the most bulletproof motor Subaru ever made.
 

bunni

New member
I am the original owner of an 04 WRX wagon I have put 130,000 miles on. I have had three long running minor issues which seem to plague the EJ205.

1. The AC compressor has a habit of failing and the AC pulley degrades noisily.

2. The power steering pump leaks onto the uppipe and burns white smoke. Subaru, in their infinite wisdom, does not sell rebuild kits for the power steering pump. A new pump is $500 in parts alone. A rebuilt pump is $80-180.

3. The driver's seat airbag connector fails frequently and needs lots of playing with.

None of these is particularly troublesome aside from the airbags.

Its only left me on the side of the road once when the upper radiator hose split. A few thousand miles later the radiators plastic hose flange split from the metal tank and required replacement.

The most costly failure has been the front diff, which decided to lock itself at around 100k miles. Free locker baby! :sombrero: It barked around turns like a spooled pickup.
 

Elliot Press

Observer
EJ20..............the most bulletproof motor Subaru ever made.

Indeed. I'm toying with the idea of buying another ej20 and doing a complete tear down and rebuild using improved parts and doing an engine swap. Give the old girl a new lease on life...not that she needs it though.
 

dport

Adventurer
I'm thinking about going to look at a 97 outback, 2.2/5spd with 117,000 miles. It's listed for $2,500. Any advice specific for this vehicle?
 

Regcabguy

Oil eater.
Sort of looking at a used Subaru Forrester or Outback. What can you all tell me about reliability, longevity, etc?
My friend is general manager of Bob Baker VW-Subaru in Carlsbad,Ca. He's not that happy with them as they don't produce much revenue for the dealership. They just don't breakdown enough!:) Do to internet competition,the initial purchase doesn't leave him much profit. He does do well with the performance upgrade guys as Subaru offers lots of upgrades in that dept. I've driven a 2010 Forester XT and it was the first vehicle with throttle response I've been in in a long time.
 

whatcharterboat

Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Tell me about Subaru reliability


If you use genuine parts and fluids (like their own coolant even) and have them serviced at the right intervals, etc. , they are ultra reliable. The fact they use the motors in ultra light aircraft and gyrocopters says something. Bulletproof. Most mechanics I know drive Forresters here. More than anything else.
 
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refried

Adventurer
I have well over 300,000 miles on my '90 Legacy wagon, replaced the clutch at around 200,000, headgasket went at 280,000, did CV shafts once, and struts once also. Other than that I've just done basic maintenance. I'll get another when this one gets tired.
 

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