Subaru of America Reviews 112

Tried to call 2 local dealerships today to try and get information on extended warranty. Apparently Finance Managers are too busy to speak to me so l have left messages but no one has contacted me.
Tried ringing Subaru of America for support, got passed around departments before waiting on the line for customer support at which point they ended my call!
Sadly do not feel like a valued customer.

Within 3 years my 2021 Forester Sport developed clear coat degradation on the rear spoiler and on the passenger side door pillars. Several experts said the clear coat was failing. After some googling I see this isn’t uncommon for Subarus. So, I spend close to 40K for the car and within a short time the clear coat/paint is failing. Thanks Subaru. No luck from the dealership. I’m selling this POS ASAP and going back to Toyotas and Hondas.

Don’t buy a Subaru they’re a throw away car. I spent $27,000 on a 2016 Impreza Subaru Drove the car right off the show room floor Within a few years, the infotainment system went out a known issue I guess. I can no longer utilize all its features. Back up mirror radio, phone, media. One of the reasons I bought the car. They only honored fixing certain years under warranty only although all of us had the same problems. Would not fix mine. Cost 3,000 to fix and I can’t afford to fix it. Additionally, the control panel pigtail wiring burns out. I can’t use heat air or defroster!!! I’m 71 and a disabled women and it gets 110 in AZ in the summer and 20 in winter cost to fix 2,000. They do not care. I want to post pictures of the burnt out wiring that could’ve caught my car on fire, but it won’t let me hear be very, very careful.

Update customer care contacted me, but they couldn’t do anything. Talk to me about getting a new Subaru ha ha ha ha never again

I have been a loyal Subaru advocate for years, convincing friends and family to switch from Toyota, Honda, and even BMW based on Subaru's reputation for safety and reliability. This experience has made me reconsider everything.
My 2016 Outback has fewer than 89,000 miles and is experiencing screen delamination and ghost touch, the same documented defect Subaru acknowledged in multiple class action settlements for 2017-2018 and 2019-2023 models. I invested $4,600 in repairs in a single season on this vehicle and asked Subaru of America for a partial goodwill gesture toward the screen repair. I was denied twice.
What made this worse was my experience with the local dealer network. When my independent mechanic sought parts pricing for an AC repair, your dealer quoted $3,700. The actual cost was $1,900. My mechanic had to spend significant time fighting to get the pricing corrected.
Subaru's Customer Advocacy Department gave me 1 star and a 0 out of 10 on their own survey for a reason. A company that builds its brand on loyalty and longevity should be willing to stand behind a known defect on a lightly used vehicle. Mine was not. My best friend just bought her second Outback after driving her first to 280,000 miles. I had planned to do the same. I am no longer sure I will.

I’ve been a satisfied owner of my 2017 Subaru Outback and have generally appreciated the vehicle’s reliability and driving experience.

At around 90,000 miles, I noticed the leather on the driver’s seat began cracking along the side bolster. The vehicle has been well maintained, so this felt premature compared to what I would expect from normal wear.

I reached out to Subaru Customer Advocacy to ask about goodwill assistance toward repair or replacement. My request was reviewed and ultimately denied based on the vehicle being outside the warranty period.

While I understand warranty limitations, my concern was more about the nature and timing of the issue rather than coverage itself. I was hoping for a bit more flexibility given Subaru’s reputation for long-term durability and customer support.

I’m sharing this for other owners who may be experiencing similar interior wear issues on comparable model years.

I have a 2021 Outback with a DCM that is draining the battery because it is looking for 3G signal that doesn't exist anymore. Should be a simple solution, right? Not so. It's a $1300 solution after you figure out the problem on your own. Subaru was just waiting for my warranty to run out before they identified the problem. Why do I know this? There is a class action lawsuit for this same problem with Subaru's from 2015-2020. They first charged me a fee to diagnose ($255) their problem and then told me it was my battery. Really less than 3 years old? But what do I know as the stupid consumer. A year later, same problem, same fee to diagnose the problem, but wait, now I'm out of warranty, here is the real problem that we don't cover now. Anyway, I'll be into this for over $2K and lots of time at the shop and stranded with a dead battery. Consolation prize, $500 towards their problem. I'm hopeful that I can be part of the next class action lawsuit against this company with the worst customer care I have every had. If you are Subaru of America customer care reading this, my case number is 260312-1600826. Do the right thing and fix your problem on you dime not mine!

Make sure you sell these cars before the warranty is up. I have a 2018 Legacy and a known lawsuit regarding the infotainment, and they still deny my claim. I’ve had pretty good luck, but these cars will not be supported once the warranty is up. Cars are great, but support sucks. See below…

The 2018 Subaru Legacy infotainment lawsuit, Udeen et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. (Case No. 1:18-cv-17334), resulted in a over $6.25 million settlement regarding defective "Starlink" systems. The lawsuit alleged touchscreen failures, backup camera issues, and freezing. Benefits include an extended warranty, cash reimbursement for multiple repairs, and compensation for time spent without a functional system.

This company has no idea what they are doing. Unfortunately, their latest model cars are worse then previous generations. Have driven a 2022 Subaru Outback Limited for past 4 months. Here is a list of what's wrong.
Auto Start/Stop cannot be programmed off.
The transmission, featuring their latest CVT 3 fluid and 8-speed shifting pounts, actually hunts for fake gears when cruising at about 20% gas-pedal power.
Eye-Sight is connected to Cruise Control. If you pull the eye-sight 10amp fuse, you no longer have CC.
Power off your 10" screen and you can no longer gain access to Auto Start/Stop, infotainment (radio shuts off), and X-Mode.
Eye Sight is auto braking under unnecessary conditions and circumstances. When completely shutting off Eye-Sight, without pulling the fuse, it automatically turns on after every ignition sequence.
If you turn off all sounds, such as door locks and doors, it still makes sounds when opening the rear hatch.
The Headlights are illegally bright to help Eyesight function. I get regularly flashed for having bright lights on, when I don't.
I've removed the rear seats in the car to help with space, but every time you leave the car you are beeped at reminding you to check the rear seats. I have the exit reminder turned off, by the way.
The infotainment system is stupid slow and you have to use it to change A/C and heat.
When using your heater, it's actually using your A/C compressor and that's likely why these compressors are failing like crazy. Your MPG will drop using the heat when no other car does.
The electric power steering is not programmed to slow down steering when going from extreme ends of your lock-to-lock. Its virtually a 1-hp motor cranking it harder than you ever could verses a standard hydraulic-power steering system.
The rear hatch gate can only be operated via an electric motor. Unfortunately, there is only one motor and its twisting the door on the frame. If you could manually ipen it and/or assist it, it wouldn't.
The engine is Direct Injection only. After about 60,000 miles or so, the extra 3 HP it has when new, will drop down to about 5 hp less than a port injection system. It only gets worse from then on.
The cylinder wall thickness was reduced to assist in fuel economy. Therefore, there is an increasied likelihoodf for overheating failures and an addictional susceptibleness to oil-related failures.
You cannot program the computer in any way to teach it so there is, in essence, someone at a computer dating back to about 2014, who is essentially telling you the driver, who is driving in real time, that you're not doing it right... even if dodging a rock or a pedestrian.
Meanwhile, the lane assist feature, where it beeps at you, is another example of a company that hasn't even driven on the roads. EVERY SINGLE ROAD HAS BUILT IN VIBRATION cutouts to inform the driver they are just outside their lane. But, leave it up to Subaru, and they make the lane even smaller than it actually is... just a constant reminder from some idiot at a computer from years and years ago! Who cannot be taught! Who cannot listen!

I bought a 3 year old outback and have spent more than 2 weeks trying to get it registered through Subaru to use some apps, but they are unresponsive and unhelpful. Every time I call in they just pass me off from rep to rep without resolution. Each department tells me they cannot help me and sends me to the next department. I wait again and they tell me the same thing. It is beyond painful. I would not recommend any buy a Subaru simply for this reason

I have a Subaru Outback 2023 and I’m On My 3rd Drivers Seat, (leather seat) Yes I Said 3rd! This seat is tearing already as the first 2 did. Subaru has declined to replace this seat. This car is only 2 years old and to have 3 seats tear already is NOT Acceptable! My car is Very Well Taken Care Of and This Should Not Be Happening! Subaru needs to take care of this! This just shows that they don’t care about their customer. My son works for a different car dealership and they have no problem Taking care of their customers it’s what brings them back. I’m Very Disappointed and remember “Word of Mouth” Goes A Long Way. Very Sad Subaru! Very Sad! You need to fix this problem!

First subaru we ever had and will never buy another. I love so much about the car but the windshields are faulty. Replaced one for 1200 at the dealership and now have a new crack. Class action lawsuit denied us because we didn't have exact pictures of our crack. We had no idea we'd need those as we replaced ours before there was a lawsuit. Tried seeking help from Subaru customer service and very rudely told there is nothing they can do. If you buy a subaru, budget 1400 a year or so for windshield issues and don't bank on anyone at the company giving a damn.

[Case # 240108-1600736]Please write a review of my experience with Subaru vehicles. I have owned six Subarus, four brand new ones, and I felt the love. Well, until my last two brand new ones, a Forester and an Outback. Both the cars had transmissions go out around 50,000 miles. One was cracked and one just started slipping and shifting improperly. I wasn't so disappointed that the transmissions went out because many car companies have had trouble with CVTs, but Subaru didn't step up to the plate in terms of customer service. So I would advise against buying a Subaru. I attempted dozens of times to get Subaru to reach a fair resolution in my case, and after many failed attempts, decided just to take the car to CarMax and move on from the brand. If you're thinking about buying a Subaru, save your time, move on from the brand. There are other cars like Toyota and Honda that have excellent reliability, and their customer service might not be terrific, but if it's anything at all decent, it will be far superior to my experience with Subaru.

Hello, good morning. I hope my experience isn't the same as that of other customers. I bought my 2023 WRX in August 2023. For the first month, everything was a headache. I feel scammed by Subaru of America. I feel cheated. I love their cars, but I didn't have any luck. I bought a lemon.

I was taking advantage of by a Subaru dealership participating in unethical and what will soon be proven, illegal sales tactics. I brought this to Subaru of America. They were very polite and they listen to my story with sympathy and even empathy, but in the end, they said well we heard your story, case closed. Have a good day. All in all it was a very polite, go screw yourself, experience.

I I had an extremely disappointing experience at Ocean Subaru of Fullerton.

We (myself, the sale rep Benito Hernandez, and the sales manager, Mark Dodd) negotiated and agreed on a clear out-the-door price, with my trade-in value handled separately. Once I got to the finance office, the deal had sneakily changed, the OTD price had been increased without my consent, or knowledge, it was not even mentioned. We had agreed on the final price in the sale's rep office, and final numbers had been changed like the discussion never happened.

The trade-in of my previous Subaru Impreza was suddenly rolled into the pricing, and the value decreased without my consent, knowledge, or even a discussion with me, and the final numbers were nothing like what was agreed upon. No proper invoice. No feature breakdown. Just confusion and manipulation to take my money and move on.

When I raised the issue, Mr Hernandez acknowledged that indeed that's not what we had talked about and went to get Sales Manager Mark Dodd. This one was rude and dismissive, walking out mid-discussion, no apology or feeling shameful of his behavior.

Benito Hernandez, the sales rep, acted helpful until the sale went through -- then ghosted all my follow-up emails, when I realized micro scratches where all over the "new" car (I had seen the car once before the back and forth game in the sales office, which led into the night). I realized later the paint protection I was told about when presented the car was actually inexistent, and was maybe a set up to refuse the extra "paint warranty" in the finance office (as I was told the car had paint protection).

Omar Fonseca, the branch manager, never responded to an email I personally sent to him, nor did he took the time to respond to Subaru corporate (from what I was told, as I had been in touch with Subaru of America regarding this horrendous experience).

The whole experience felt like a bait-and-switch wrapped in fake politeness. I had been a Subaru customer for 10 years, my previous car was an impreza, and they used my assumed trust in Subaru to abuse me. My credit is great, I financed the car, which was an easy operation for them, I was an easy sell, and yet I felt like I bough a used stolen car. NEVER AGAIN will I purchase a Subaru.

It sucks for me, and even if I am at a small financial loss, I will survive, although every time I look at my car, I am reminded of this experience and think of carmaxing it.

But, In a political and economical context we are currently in, I can't imagine how those kind of behaviors can SERIOUSLY affect the livelihood of people that would be thrown in a bad financial situation because of personal interest from those kind of "professionals" Clearly no one is liable, not Subaru, not the dealer (the dealers are apparently privately owned, so Subaru themself has no say in how their dealers operate), and the high executive there clearly seems to vouch for such practices.

Lesson learnt.

Subaru makes great cars, but this dealership ruined my trust in the brand.

Avoid Ocean Subaru of Fullerton at all costs.

Today the Haldeman Subaru dealership unlawfully denied coverage under my car warranty, in direct violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law that makes it illegal for companies to deny coverage simply because previous repairs have been made using an aftermarket part.

I had an incredibly demoralizing experience with both my local Subaru dealership and Subaru of America.

As a woman and a minority, I felt disrespected and dismissed throughout the car-buying process. I was told my vehicle had been inspected “that day,” only to later discover that the inspection was actually completed months earlier, according to the paperwork. This misinformation made me feel misled from the beginning.

Since the purchase, the vehicle has had several serious issues—including engine stalling, rumbling, and shaking. Despite these problems happening with the original battery and at only 40,000 miles, Subaru has refused to take any responsibility.

I contacted the Customer Advocacy line and was told via email today that someone would call me to explain the lack of support. Not only did I never receive a call, but I was also told a voicemail was left—which simply isn’t true. There was no call, no voicemail. Just another example of Subaru’s lack of transparency and accountability.

At the dealership, I dealt with a manager named Patrick, who made me feel completely unheard. My concerns were brushed aside, and I was treated like a nuisance rather than a customer. It was difficult to even explain what was going on with my car, as Patrick repeatedly talked over me during the conversation. He also told me he would follow up once he looked into the issue—but just like with Subaru corporate, no call ever came.

To make matters worse, my immigrant Korean parents were with me throughout this process, and the way we were treated was noticeably different from how other customers were being helped. Hearing employees laugh or smirk at us behind hidden doors because of their broken English was incredibly painful. The entire experience felt biased and demeaning.

This was supposed to be a milestone purchase—something I was proud of. Instead, it left me feeling taken advantage of, unsupported, and disrespected at every level.

I will never return to this dealership, and after this experience, I will never buy another Subaru. I strongly urge others—especially women and people of color—to think twice before trusting this company or its so-called “customer care” systems.

Austin Subaru was so good to me when I first got my 2020 Forester. After getting it serviced recently, I was left with a terrible taste in my mouth for the dealership.
Service advisors were absolutely horrible and apathetic to me when I was quoted for my repairs. I was presented with financing options, followed by the advisor shrugging his shoulders and throwing his hands up and saying “Sorry that’s all I can do to help you man.”

Since then, I’ve attempted to get in contact with the sales department about getting a warranty on my car again. I have tried on four separate occasions, and NOTHING. LITERALLY NO ONE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH ME. I just don’t understand why I’m being treated so poorly and like I don’t even exist to them.

I wouldn’t ever recommend this dealership to anyone.

Never would recommend a Subaru no matter what kind. My computer screen has a laminate protector on inside. For what reason who knows so they know it can start bubbling and start acting like your pushing screen making everything go haywire. You know like putting screen protector on phone and it has bubbling in it. We'll these idiot put on inside to take advantage of you. Just made last payment yesterday. Only has 47000 miles on it. They want over a 1,400.00 to replace a piece of plastic. Be smart

I bought a 2019 Subaru Forester, and have 130k or 81000 miles on it in 2025. I have found the maintanance costs more than what I expected. This included, brakes and rotors, 1000$ twice covered once under warranty, AC broke still not resolved but 1000$ so far, windshield 400$ to me, insurance paid 1500$, took rust protection for 10 yrs but Subaru refused to honour the plan, so 2000$ so far, Subaru said it was a different kind of rust to the rust plan, mirror motor broke 800$, the temp control bivalve broke but was covered under warranty 1500$, the bumper chrome fell off 300$ but covered under warranty, muffler heating guard rusted 80$,

I like the visibility and the comfort of the Forester and the Service has been exceptional, it handles well in winter, Subaru Canada have been easy to deal with. However I am leaning toward Toyota or Honda for my next purchase.