Follow us today...
If you've owned an older Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, or Impreza, you know some models burn oil between changes. Some owners report they check the vehicle's dipstick and add a quart of oil every 1000-2000 miles. While it's not normal, some older Subaru engines have had excessive oil consumption issues.
Consumer Reports has identified which automakers, engines, and model years that owners report adding at least a quart of oil between oil changes. Subaru's 2.0-liter engine in the Crosstrek and Impreza, the 2.5-liter engine in the Forester, and the 3.6-liter engine in the Outback are on the list.
Which Subaru models and years burn the most oil?
Owners report the 2013-2014 Subaru Forester model years have oil consumption issues. Some 2012-2013 Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza owners say its engine burns oil between changes.
The 2010-2012 Subaru Outback 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine is also listed as an engine that burns excessive oil. Subaru discontinued the 3.6R model in the Outback and Legacy for the 2020 model year and introduced the all-new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. There have been no problems with the new engine.
Do some Subaru vehicles have an oil consumption problem?
Torque News has documented Subaru's oil consumption problem in certain engines. The vehicles affected most seem to be 2011-2014 Forester (2.5-liter engine), 2013 Legacy (2.5-liter engine) 2013 Outback (2.5-liter engine) 2012-2013 Impreza (2.0-liter engine) and 2013 XV Crosstrek (2.0-liter engine).
Why do some older Subaru models burn oil?
The CR report says oil consumption issues surfaced after federal fuel-economy standards became more demanding. The mandates forced automakers to make trade-offs in engine design that would increase fuel efficiency but, in some cases, had an adverse effect on durability.
Using transmissions that keep the engine in the optimal higher RPM range is also a contributing factor. Subaru uses a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) that steps up engine RPMs and helps maximize fuel efficiency.
In the wake of an oil consumption class-action lawsuit, documented by Torque News, Subaru extended the factory warranty on some models (previously five years or 60,000 miles) to eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Read the full class-action lawsuit report here.
Has Subaru corrected the oil consumption issue?
According to Consumer Reports, there were significant improvements in the three Subaru engines listed above after the 2014 model year. Owners reported they were not adding oil between regular service appointments in 2015 and newer models.
Reports say the Japanese automaker redesigned the 2.5-liter engine in the Forester and Outback in 2012 and has fixed the problem. Some 2012 Subaru Forester models could still have the older engine design before the automaker changed over to the next-generation 2.5-liter Boxer engine.
In Consumer Reports annual surveys, owners now report zero problems in 2019 and newer Subaru models. New car shoppers will find the 2021 Subaru Forester and Outback 2.5-liter engine and Crosstrek and Impreza 2.0-liter engines are fuel-efficient and reliable.
You Might Also Like: The Newly-Refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester Update - 5 New Details Revealed Before The U.S. Debut
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.
Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!
Photo credit: Subaru USA
Follow us today...
Comments
My 2017 Forester needs
Permalink
My 2017 Forester needs usually 2 quarts between oil changes. This is just not acceptable. And I baby the car, fully synthetic oil, changed every 4K, high grade oil filter. No harsh climate and I live in flatland. My 2009 CRV with 305K on it burns and leaks zero oil. This issue was certainly NOT fixed as the article suggests.
Our 2012 Forrester had its
Permalink
Our 2012 Forrester had its oil consumption recall work done a year ago and it has started burning oil again.
My 2014 Forester has just
Permalink
My 2014 Forester has just started burning oil. 2 quarts down a month before oil change is due. It has 120,000 miles on it and the recall is only good up to 100,000 so I'm out of luck. Sounds like their repairs don't always solve the problem though. This is certainly making me rethink my plans to buy an Outback for my next car.
I have a 2019 Legacy Premium
Permalink
I have a 2019 Legacy Premium and after 59,000 miles started burning oil and I had to add a quart of oil and now after the 4,000 miles since the last oil change it has the low oil level light on again. I am very disappointed with Subaru, if I had known before about this I wouldn't have bought this car.
Which type of oil should I
Permalink
Which type of oil should I use at least to over come the problems
I used Shell Rotella
Permalink
In reply to Which type of oil should I by Ssuunamic (not verified)
I used Shell Rotella Synthetic 10w40 in my 2005 LGT 2.5 liter turbo wagon. It seemed to help reduce the passage of oil through the engine. The original oil spec was for 5w30 in that engine. The previous owner recommended the 10w40 Rotella to me. He found that it helped reduce the oil consumption rate. I drove the wagon for six years and found using the 10w40 worked fine in all seasons. The follow-on owner has continued using the same with good results. The engine still uses about 1 quart/1000 miles. It has since new. I knew what I was getting when I purchased the used vehicle.
For newer Subaru engines calling for the 0w20 synthetic, I would definitely not try experimenting with alternate oil weights.
I would point out to Subaru that draining endless quarts of oil through the tailpipes of your cars has to be very bad for the environment and a great inconvenience and added expense for your customers. It probably shortens the life of the catalytic converters as well. Shame on you, Subaru. This problem has gone on too long.
The environmental engineer at
Permalink
The environmental engineer at the company I just left wants to know how they got the oil burring past regulators....
I was the proud owner of a
Permalink
I was the proud owner of a 2019 Outback and it is in the shop a second time for consuming too much oil. They thought they fixed it the first time but didn't. Been over 2 weeks with a loaner and no answer. Very disappointed because I bought the car for the reliability and value of the name.
I bought my Subaru for the
Permalink
In reply to I was the proud owner of a by Amanda (not verified)
I bought my Subaru for the same reason - I am going back to Hyundai
I also bought a 2019 Outback.
Permalink
In reply to I was the proud owner of a by Amanda (not verified)
I also bought a 2019 Outback. In April of 2023 I have 13000 miles. On a recent 1200 mile trip through the AZ & UT desert my oil light came on and I ended up having to add 2.5 quarts of oil. I had service at a Subaru dealership just before our departure. Fortunately we were near Moab, UT. If it had happened in a remote location we would have been in deep trouble.
I am a principal engineer at
Permalink
I am a principal engineer at a turbine engine manufacture. I am soon to retire. I have owned over 48 cars in my life. In 2016 I bought my wife a new Forester, a car she had admired for many years. This was to be her retirement car. Life with the Subaru, our first and last, was very satisfying until the 40k mile mark. Then during a commute to the store, the low oil light came on. I was just 2000 miles out from my oil change!? To my horror I needed to add a quart. I keep meticulous records and a logbook. I do my own maintenance. I am under the hood regularly. I enjoy this activity, but this was a shock. No leakage is noted.
My contact with the dealer was very disappointing. I got lip service, "This is completely normal" Bull5h1t! Of all the cars I have owned none were this bad. My 69 beetle and microbus did not consume this much oil. The Forester is up to 1 quart every 1500 miles. We keep oil in the car, and I have taught my wife how add oil if necessary. It seems criminal that this is allowed to go on these days. This is in no way good for the environment or the engine systems. We are just waiting for the other shoe to drop and the engine fail. Never again, Subaru.
I have a 2019 Subaru outback
Permalink
I have a 2019 Subaru outback 2.5 L engine. It is using a half a quart of oil every 500 miles. My husband spoke with Subaru corporate and they scheduled it for an oil consumption test. Our mechanic warned us that it is and discovered that the Subaru technicians will overfill the engine with oil for these tests to hide the fact that the car is Burning oil. Even though they told us not to check the oil after they began the oil consumption test my husband did check the oil level and did find that they had overfilled it. The car has currently gone 800 miles without the low oil light coming on, and there’s another 400 miles before we have to take it back to be checked for it oil consumption. I expect because they added the extra oil that it will “pass“ and they will tell me that this engine is not burning oil. My husband intends to make them redo the test and make them show us the oil level before we leave the dealership lot to make sure they did not overfill it a second time.
My 2014 Subaru Outback always
Permalink
My 2014 Subaru Outback always requires a quart of oil added at 3,000 miles. I just had my oil changed and I had to add a quart of oil within 3 weeks.
I have a 2011 Subaru Forester
Permalink
I have a 2011 Subaru Forester with 95,000 miles on it. Watched the mechanic change the oil, only a quart and half came out. No low oil, check engine, or warning light came on. Car did make a ticking sound, that's the reason I took it in early for oil change. Changed the oil, ticking went away. Mechanic said to keep an eye on oil level, top off as necessary. Drove the car from cross country, put in approximately 2 quarts in about 2000 miles. Now I have over 100k miles. I guess no extended warrantee for me :(
I have a 2010 Forester. I
Permalink
I have a 2010 Forester. I bought it 4+ years ago at 92k miles. Currently at 152k, I had the head gasket replace in May ‘21. It appears to be a foolish decision. I am now burning 2-3 quarts of oil per 3-3500 miles. What recourse or plan of attack do I have.
I have 2016 Forester 2.5. I
Permalink
I have 2016 Forester 2.5. I started having consumption issues at around 50K miles. That is when I knew it started because no one ever told me my oil was low when I had my oil changed. I didn't know it was burning till the light went on one day. Since then I have to add a quart in-between changes. Now its in the shop because the valve cover gaskets are leaking. Are the two related? I have about 58 now. I wish there was something I could do cause I didn't get into the class action suite Everyone I feel you pain.
I have a 2017 Impreza that I
Permalink
I have a 2017 Impreza that I bought used, it's burning oil like mad (0.7 quarts per 1200 miles, Dealership claims anything under 1.0 quarts is fine by Subaru), I'm disgusted and done with Subaru if they won't offer a fix.
I appreciate the 3.6 R engine
Permalink
I appreciate the 3.6 R engine and many other features in my 2015 Outback. However, make sure to watch your oil levels. Since about 110,000 miles, I find I have to check oil level every 1,000 miles and add some oil. Hoping that close monitoring will get this Outback from 133,000 now to 250,000 miles in a few more years.
I am about to get a 2013
Permalink
I am about to get a 2013 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium but am getting concerned reading this article and reviews. Is the excessive oil consumption only for non turbo engines or both non and turbo?
Much appreciate your input!
It's all of them
Permalink
In reply to I am about to get a 2013 by Mihls (not verified)
It's all of them
My 2018 Forester needs a
Permalink
My 2018 Forester needs a quart every 2500 miles or so since it was new. It is a manual transmission. My fear is that it will not pass the smog test when the time comes.
I have a 2015 Legacy and I am
Permalink
I have a 2015 Legacy and I am having to put 2 containers of oil every 1000 to 1500 miles. The oil light comes on sometimes 3 wks after I had a oil change. The oil consumption in my vehicle is disappointing. I have never missed a oil change.
My 2015 Outback has this
Permalink
My 2015 Outback has this issue, and the low oil light doesn’t come on. Ugh. My dealer didn’t tell me about the class action suit. I heard about it through the grapevine only I thought it was a special type of recall. They did do an oil consumption test the first time I brought it to their attention and they said it passed. How could that be? Any ideas of how to deal with this? Try a different dealer?
I have a 2018 Legacy that
Permalink
I have a 2018 Legacy that just started burning oil, once I hit 75000 miles. Little disappointed
My 2007 Subaru Forester
Permalink
My 2007 Subaru Forester Premium, with 148K miles on it, uses a quart of oil every 100 miles of town driving! This can’t be normal! I bought the car 3 weeks ago, and have only put 150 miles on it, but when I checked the oil, it took a full quart to refill. It’s a standard shift. Looks like I bought a lemon! Suggestions?
Our 2015 Subaru had the
Permalink
Our 2015 Subaru had the engine replaced 2 times under warranty due to oil consumption. Next the catalytic converter failed under warranty. The dealer said it had nothing to do with all that oil passing through it. After only 50k on the car, engine #3 was also drinking oil like the other two and the clutch release bearing failed. We replaced the clutch, gave up, and sold the car.
My son's 2011 Outback had a head gasket go out and oil consumption issues as well. Very disappointing.
I own a 2019 Subaru Outback
Permalink
I own a 2019 Subaru Outback and I have to add around a quart of oil between oil changes. Can see no visible leaks, cannot smell oil burning and have no issues with the car. If I had been aware of this issue with my new Subaru I might of thought twice about buying it!
I also have a 3.6 OB. 2018.
Permalink
In reply to I own a 2019 Subaru Outback by Virginia (not verified)
I also have a 3.6 OB. 2018. 82k with full warranty till 100k.
In the middle of an oil consumption test. I made the mistake of not watching the amount they added.... light came on at 2000.
I have late 2013 outback, it
Permalink
I have late 2013 outback, it also uses about a litre (1 quart) every 1000-2000km. I’ve tried different oils, different mechanics and the next step is to just replace the engine for almost as much as i bought it or wait till it blows up. I can’t sell the car like this either
My 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 6
Permalink
My 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 6 speed, original owner, currently with 56,000 miles burns a quart of oil every 3000 miles. I first noticed the oil consumption at my 43000 mile oil change, it was more than a quart low. My oil and filter change interval is 5000 miles and I use Mobil One OW20 full synthetic as per the owners manual. This is my sixth new Subaru in 19 years, all with a manual transmission and I never had noticeable oil consumption until this 2019 Crosstrek.