This company has no idea what they are doing!
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!
AZ Camera
Awful customer service
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
greg wallace
Very Disappointed!!!
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!
Michelle Dostal
Never again
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.
Amanda H
[Case # 240108-1600736]Please write a…
[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.
John Seeley
👋 hello
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.
Sammie WRX
Subaru of America cares about their dealerships, not their customers
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.
Edward Pietrantoni
Horrendous experience at Ocean Subaru of Fullerton - This is my last Subaru purchase
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.
Paul Odeon
Haldeman Subaru in Violation of Federal Law
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.
Susan C.
Biased and Demoralizing Experience with Subaru
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.
Grace Ham
BEWARE OF AUSTIN SUBARU
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.
Jonah
Never would recommend a Subaru no…
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
Mark Roesel
I bought a 2019 Subaru Forester
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.
Wilf Pilgrim
Disappointed and Frustrated
Disappointed and Frustrated: Seeking Resolution from Subaru of OntarioI’m reaching out to share my extremely frustrating experience with Subaru of Ontario, hoping this review will finally lead to a resolution of my ongoing issue. My 2019 Subaru Crosstrek has had multiple problems with the dashboard lights turning on, and it has been nothing short of a nightmare to get it fixed.Initially, I was told by Subaru of Ontario that my car was out of warranty. After visiting a local mechanic, I was advised to contact the dealership again. This time, when I spoke to a sales rep, I was informed that my car actually had an extended warranty, which wasn’t communicated to me initially. I had my car towed in for repairs, and it stayed at the dealership for over a month.When I picked it up, I barely drove two blocks before the same dashboard lights came back on. After taking it back to the dealership, I was given a rental, but when the issue persisted and I got my car back, the rental was taken away, and no new rental was offered when I brought the car in again. To make matters worse, I ended up spending around $3,000 renting a car out of pocket while my car was still at Subaru.Throughout this process, I was repeatedly asked for service receipts, even though all my maintenance had been done on time at my uncle’s shop. The ordeal lasted over a year, with me reaching out to Subaru of America for support, but I received no meaningful help. At one point, the service manager even threatened to put a lien on my car if I didn’t pick it up, which was completely unfair given the circumstances.At this point, I have made the difficult decision to stop paying my monthly payments of $480 for a car I’m unable to rely on, after more than a year of trying to get Subaru of Ontario to properly address my concerns.It has now been over a year, and my car is still not fixed. The lack of communication, poor customer service, and complete failure to resolve this issue has been unacceptable. I am incredibly disappointed in Subaru of Ontario and feel that they have shown no regard for my time, money, or frustration.
Erica Lara
BEWARE GILLMAN SUBARU
BEWARE GILLMAN SUBARU: They botched my 30K mile transmission maintenance service by leaving the fill and drain plug loose causing a leak. Fathom that. I was left with a mess and $170. out-of-pocket for the diagnosis and repair. For over a month I have tried to get Gillman to reimburse me, but they do not even bother to return my calls. I contacted the national service line with no luck. I finally went to the Gillman Subaru dealership weeks ago. The service representative, Marissa Carreon, said the service manager told her to inform me that “the check was in the mail”. I received reimbursement after six weeks of having my telephone calls and emails ignored. It was sent to the wrong address to boot.
Frank Hatch
Buyer beware
Buyer beware! We have a Subaru Forester and really like it. However, we will never buy another Subaru because of shady practices we have experienced. The seatbelt latch stopped working (nothing we did), so we asked that they fix it according to their Seatbelt Lifetime Warranty that covers "the seatbelt and related components". The technician at Greenville Subaru told us they would not cover it because the latch wasn't covered under the warranty (the latch is certainly a related component), and gave us an estimate for what would it would cost for us to get it fixed. That didn't sit right, so we called the corporate office for assistance. They have kept stringing us along, and after months have still not helped. The last we were told is that we need to get a "formal assessment of the seatbelt latch" so that the dealership can determine if it's covered under the warranty. However, we started this process by having them assess the seatbelt, so why would we pay to have it looked at again? This is obviously one of their tactics to avoid having to honor the seatbelt warranty they advertise. Long story, short, these are not the folks you want to be doing business with.
Kendra Ratliff
Junk Cars. Terrible Corporation… Avoid at all costs
DO NOT BUY A SUBARU!Our 2025 car has been in the shop over 4 months of the 6 months of ownership! Well beyond the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act and All States Lemon Laws. Currently writing this review stranded across the country for over 4 months now!130+ days out of service *(the last dealership had our car for over 3 months claiming to be ‘fixing’ the car). Over 36 MAJOR mechanical and safety defects. 15 repair attempts. Hundreds of pictures and videos as evidence to the malfunctioning. Invoices from 3rd party repair centers showing the mechanical defects.And Subaru does nothing. No calls. No replies to emails. Nothing. Literally broken down and stranded across the country for months in the shop and these scam artists do nothing to help once they get your money of over 50k for these junk cars! And if you post a bad review or comment on social media (Instagram, Facebook, etc.), Subaru will delete your comment and block you so they can scam more people and hide facts and truth!We bought a BRAND NEW 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness in 2024. In less than 300 miles, the car STARTED LEAKING GAS! Within 1 month of ownership the car began with literally DOZENS of electronics issues, transmission issues, engine issues, and more. The car has left us STRANDED across the country 5 times now as dealerships across the country cannot fix the car because Subaru of America will not authorize the repairs to fix the car in any of its problems. Ask yourself why they would not repair a car that is brand new and pouring out gasoline or the heat and a/c doesn’t work!? Or why not fix the slipping transmission!? The dealerships are as crooked and corrupt as the manufacturer. Forging documents, Falsifying business records, failing to complete repairs and more. These dealerships are so incompetent- they do not even know how to change oil or rotate tires (Formal cases have been open with Attorney Generals in multiple states due to fraud and negligence).We are now again pursuing lemon law as Subaru of America forged documents and paperwork to falsify records so they would not have to buy-back the car… even though it has been in their possession for the last 3+ MONTHS!Take pictures and videos of everything! Print and save your emails! Record all calls (esp) Subaru Customer Advocacy as we have because they are synonymous with forgery and fraud to escape liability.Look up your local state lemon laws to protect yourself. Contact your state attorney general. Call the BBB. Contact the FTC. Contact the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Protect yourself from these criminals and avoid these cars and manufacturer at all cost. Empower yourself to be protected and educated.Do your research and notice how many lemon law claims, TSB (trouble service bulletins), manufacturer defects, recalls, mechanical defects, and more are present with these Subaru’s. If you are looking for reviews before buying! READ how many hundreds of reviews are negative about this manufacturer- and AVOID SUBARU AT ALL COSTS!
Dream Ca
Junk, Terrible, Unsafe Cars!
Junk cars. Junk dealerships. Junk Corporation.I am reaching out to convey my serious concerns and frustrations regarding the ongoing safety problems with my 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness. It is critical to highlight these issues, as they not only jeopardize my family’s safety but also indicate alarming lapses in quality control and customer service.When I purchased this vehicle, I anticipated quality, reliability, and the esteemed reputation of the Subaru brand. However, within just five months, I have encountered over 36 distinct issues, many of which pose considerable safety threats. To make matters worse, I have been stranded across the country for the last four months while my car remained in the shop for a total of 120 consecutive days. Despite five repair attempts during this time, the core problems with the vehicle remain unaddressed. I have literally had my car in my possession for 1 of 5 months of ownership.Safety Concerns:Several issues I have experienced directly impact vehicle safety and performance. These include: Gas Leaks During Refueling: Fuel leaks from the tank during filling, creating a serious fire hazard. Malfunctions in Key Driver-Assistance Systems: Problems with the Eyesight sensors, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, and Forward Collision Warning have compromised the safety features essential for safe driving. Airbag and Seatbelt Failures: Malfunctions in the airbag system and seatbelt warnings greatly reduce safety during potential accidents. Reverse Automatic Braking System Failures: This safety feature has malfunctioned multiple times, posing dangers while reversing. Sensor Malfunctions: Issues with various sensors, including obstacle detection and the Reverse Camera, have intermittently engaged or failed, further endangering safe operation.Mechanical and Manufacturing Issues:Beyond safety concerns, numerous mechanical defects raise serious alarms about the vehicle's quality: Gas/Fuel Damage to Exterior Panels: The car's exterior has suffered damage due to leaking fuel. Transmission and Differential Problems: Malfunctions in the differentials and transmission have rendered the vehicle unstable and unpredictable on the road. Rattling Noises: I have experienced unsettling rattles, clunks, and knocks during braking, reversing, and turning, indicating potential issues with the suspension, brakes, or chassis. HVAC and Radio Failures: Both the HVAC and sound systems have completely malfunctioned, adversely affecting the driving experience and underscoring poor quality control. Defective Parts: Continued issues with wheel bearings, brake pulsation, and premature tire wear signal deeper problems, such as misalignments or suspension issues.Lack of Support and Customer Service:What has been particularly disappointing is the absence of support from Subaru throughout this ordeal. Having been stranded for over four months, I have received little meaningful assistance from customer service. My attempts to communicate have gone unacknowledged, placing my family in a precarious financial and emotional situation. Furthermore, I have gathered over 600 pages of evidence, including communication logs and repair orders, that validate my claims.Throughout this process, I have faced what I believe to be dishonest and unethical practices from both Subaru and the dealerships. On multiple occasions, I have encountered falsified documentation, fraudulent repair records, and a refusal to address critical safety issues. Both the manufacturer and the dealerships all participate in a charade of creating lies and false narrative to protect their moneys as opposed to the safety of the consumer. This troubling lack of transparency and disregard for customer welfare is unacceptable.My experience with this vehicle has been nothing short of a nightmare. The persistent issues, coupled with Subaru’s inadequate response over the past three months, highlight an urgent need for improvements in both quality control and customer support.
SubaruIs Junk
Beware of the brake nightmares
I have a 2020 Subaru ascent. I have had nothing but brake problems with this car since it was brand new at 37,000 miles. I had to take the car back because the car felt like it wasn’t going to stop when you hit the brakes at highway speeds. The vibration was unbearable so I took it to the Subaru garage because they knew they had a problem with this since with the rotors and brake pads being under sized for that large vehicle. They went ahead and turn the rotors and put all new pads on it , but by about 60,000 miles. The problem was back. I took my car into the shop. They replaced all the rotors and all the brake pads all the way around the car and said that would fix the problem but charge me $1300 for the repair at a Subaru garage. I recently received a letter stating that there is a recall on the brake issue campaign going on for all ascent models starting from 2019 through I believe 2023 that guaranteed if you were experiencing these problems they would go ahead and upgrade your brakes at no charge under warranty up to 6 months from the letter date or up to 150,000 miles, or if you had this repair done submit your receipt ,bank payment statements and the invoice of the repair that you paid they would reimburse you. I said great. They finally realize that they have a major problem and went ahead yesterday and submitted a claim with everything they requested it only took them 24 hours to reject my claim because the invoice from Sheehy Subaru in Fredericksburg VA did not state that my car was making vibrations and other noises associated with the brakes that they were not going to honor the warranty and reimburse me. All I have to say is it would be a lot easier to reimburse me by $1300 then to lose a loyal customer that owns two Subaru right now .I think it’s time to go to Honda or Toyota . I am very disappointed in Subaru . I thought their customers actually mattered. Think twice before you buy a Subaru ascent because the brakes are atrocious on it.
Ken R.
Unfair business practices! Pending lawsuit!
I have a 2021 Ascent that I bought in June of 2023. It has already needed two transmission replacements, brake system replacement, and now needs the entire engine replaced. The subaru dealership says it's because my last oil change was 20k + miles ago, however, my brother is a subaru mechanic and replaced my oil just prior to the vehicle hitting 60k. (The sticker was simply the last time it was brought to a facility to be replaced.) My mechanic brother bought the parts himself and did the work so I don't have the receipt for it. He just forgot to remove the sticker. All I have is a PayPal payment made to him on 11/4/24. The dealership I brought my car to said that since it's barely past $60k miles, that I can call Corporate and they will do a goodwill repair at no cost to me. However, Corporate refuses to replace the engine because the receipt I have access to, isn't an itemized record of the work done on my specific vehicle. I would understand this if it wasnt for the fact that my brother, as a Subaru Dealership mechanic, has personally replaced a blown engine that was not only out of warranty (past 6 years/60k miles) but had modified parts installed (voids warranty altogether) under Subaru's goodwill repair policy. Other Subaru mechanics at his dealership have had to do the same despite the fact that they specifically told Subaru it shouldn't be covered. So here I am... a single mom with 4 kids, hearing over the phone that they will only cover $3500 on a $10,000 engine (not including labor). My vehicle is a lemon! 2 transmissions, brake system, and now an engine replacement and I have only owned it for 1.5 years. I am done with Subaru altogether if this is how they're doing business. It's not fair that other people get replacements under waaayyy worse circumstances than what I have. I have access to records that can prove what has been stated and I will be sure to share them with my lawyer.Looks like I'm buying a Suburban!
Damian Recine
