On July 25, 2015 after returning home from the shooting range with my youngest son, I checked all of the fluids in my Subaru and everything was just as it should be, just as it always had been. I've never had any issues with the vehicle consuming oil, loosing coolant, etc. In fact, I hadn't had any issues at all with my car until two weeks later on August 7th, 2015 when I was returning home at 11:30pm from a long day at work, and suddenly, without any warning lights, I began to experience a loud clanking sound with vibrations and a loss of power from the engine. Fortunately, I was directly next to a rest area on a highway with heavy traffic, so I did manage to pull off immediately just as the engine stalled (only after the engine stalled did any warning lights light up on the display).
After parking the vehicle, the first thing I checked was the oil, and found the dipstick was completely dry. I then called my wife, and my youngest son collected all of the tools, oil, and filter necessary to do a full oil change, and they came out to me with the supplies. As soon as I drained the remaining oil (approx. 1/2 quart), it was obvious this was a serious issue due to a large amount of metal particles visible in the remaining oil. After having it towed to a local garage, they informed me the next day that the engine was blown and cannot be repaired, and it needed to be replaced with a new, used, or rebuilt engine.
After experiencing this, I began to search the web for reasons why this would occur, and although there's a class action law suite against Subaru for all models between 2011-2015 for sudden oil consumption causing extensive engine damage, my 2009 Subaru wasn't with in this year range but the issue does fit the description of the law suite perfectly
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I've religiously performed all of the required maintenance on all of the vehicles I own, have never had any problems with any of them, and I hadn't planned on purchasing another vehicle for at least another 10 years or more. And what is obvious to me is there is no normal reason what so ever for an engine with only 120000 miles on it to consume 3.5 quarts of oil within two weeks time.
Now I have my car back with a used engine that had only 64,000 miles on it, also from a 2009 Subaru Impreza. However, now I'm experiencing issues with the catalytic converter causing computer faults. The garage informed me it may clear up, and was likely caused from the previous engine due to the rings going bad and the engine burning off all of the oil out the exhaust, but if it doesn't clear up the catalytic converter will need to be replaced which could cost upward to $1600 for this car.
Knowing what I know now about Subaru and similar complaints from others on this site, I've lost complete confidence in Subaru and they have lost my trust. I will NEVER purchase another Subaru!
Now I'm faced with the dilemma of whether to keep this car and fork out more money to continue fixing it with an ongoing concern that this issue can develop again, or trade it in while I can for a new (different brand) vehicle. Additionally, as is the case with most people, we don't necessarily have the money ready to just go out and get a new car, especially when it wasn't expected for at least another 10 years.
My hope is that people, you, will consider carefully your next purchase. If you're considering the purchase of a Subaru and have come across this complaint prior to the purchase, I pray you will seriously research Subaru complaints vs. their competition and weigh your decision very carefully. Had I know about this site prior to purchasing this Subaru and the issues Subaru has been continuously having over the years, I likely wouldn't have made the purchase. Hind sight is 20-20, but you have a chance to learn from the experiences of others.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
On July 25, 2015 after returning home from the shooting range with my youngest son, I checked all of the fluids in my Subaru and everything was just as it should be, just as it always had been. I've never had any issues with the vehicle consuming oil, loosing coolant, etc. In fact, I hadn't had any issues at all with my car until two weeks later on August 7th, 2015 when I was returning home at 11:30pm from a long day at work, and suddenly, without any warning lights, I began to experience a loud clanking sound with vibrations and a loss of power from the engine. Fortunately, I was directly next to a rest area on a highway with heavy traffic, so I did manage to pull off immediately just as the engine stalled (only after the engine stalled did any warning lights light up on the display).
After parking the vehicle, the first thing I checked was the oil, and found the dipstick was completely dry. I then called my wife, and my youngest son collected all of the tools, oil, and filter necessary to do a full oil change, and they came out to me with the supplies. As soon as I drained the remaining oil (approx. 1/2 quart), it was obvious this was a serious issue due to a large amount of metal particles visible in the remaining oil. After having it towed to a local garage, they informed me the next day that the engine was blown and cannot be repaired, and it needed to be replaced with a new, used, or rebuilt engine.
After experiencing this, I began to search the web for reasons why this would occur, and although there's a class action law suite against Subaru for all models between 2011-2015 for sudden oil consumption causing extensive engine damage, my 2009 Subaru wasn't with in this year range but the issue does fit the description of the law suite perfectly . I've religiously performed all of the required maintenance on all of the vehicles I own, have never had any problems with any of them, and I hadn't planned on purchasing another vehicle for at least another 10 years or more. And what is obvious to me is there is no normal reason what so ever for an engine with only 120000 miles on it to consume 3.5 quarts of oil within two weeks time.
Now I have my car back with a used engine that had only 64,000 miles on it, also from a 2009 Subaru Impreza. However, now I'm experiencing issues with the catalytic converter causing computer faults. The garage informed me it may clear up, and was likely caused from the previous engine due to the rings going bad and the engine burning off all of the oil out the exhaust, but if it doesn't clear up the catalytic converter will need to be replaced which could cost upward to $1600 for this car.
Knowing what I know now about Subaru and similar complaints from others on this site, I've lost complete confidence in Subaru and they have lost my trust. I will NEVER purchase another Subaru!
Now I'm faced with the dilemma of whether to keep this car and fork out more money to continue fixing it with an ongoing concern that this issue can develop again, or trade it in while I can for a new (different brand) vehicle. Additionally, as is the case with most people, we don't necessarily have the money ready to just go out and get a new car, especially when it wasn't expected for at least another 10 years.
My hope is that people, you, will consider carefully your next purchase. If you're considering the purchase of a Subaru and have come across this complaint prior to the purchase, I pray you will seriously research Subaru complaints vs. their competition and weigh your decision very carefully. Had I know about this site prior to purchasing this Subaru and the issues Subaru has been continuously having over the years, I likely wouldn't have made the purchase. Hind sight is 20-20, but you have a chance to learn from the experiences of others.
Choose carefully and wisely.
- rbuss, Bangor, PA, US