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Subaru gets blanked from 2015 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study

The 2015 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study is announced and the Subaru brand is nowhere to be found on the list. Is it because of Subaru’s oil consumption lawsuit?
2015 Subaru Outback, 2015 Subaru Forester, 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek

The car reliability ratings are out and the Subaru brand does not have any cars in their lineup on the list. On the list of cars and SUVs, the award recipients do not include any of Subaru’s all-wheel-drive multi-purpose vehicles that have been so popular with consumers. The popular Subaru Outback wagon, Forester SUV, XV Crosstrek crossover, Legacy sedan and Impreza compact are all absent from the reliability list.

The brand seems to be doing everything right, but could the reason they are not included, be because of the Subaru oil consumption lawsuit? The 2015 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2012 model year) vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

CHECK OUT: Subaru scores hat trick in Consumer Reports Top Picks of 2015

Subaru named in a lawsuit

Last year, Subaru was named in a lawsuit claiming the automaker failed to let consumers know of the oil consumption problem in some of their vehicles. In an article in the New Jersey Law Journal, the lawsuit claims the 2011-14 Forester, 2013 Legacy and 2013 Outback, with 2.5-liter engines, and 2012-13 Impreza and 2013 Crosstrek, with 2-liter engines are the culprits. The suit claims the vehicles "prematurely burn off and/or consume abnormal and excessive amounts of engine oil."

In order to get a good rating on the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, they examine 177 specific problem symptoms, grouped into eight major vehicle categories, with Engine/Transmission issues being one of the eight categories. With Subaru having 2012 model year owners saying they are experiencing oil consumption issues with their vehicles, could this be the main reason there are no Subaru vehicles on this year’s top rated models?

What are the most dependable brands according to J.D. Power?

Among all vehicle nameplates, Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 89 PP100. Buick follows Lexus with 110 PP100, moving up three rank positions from 2014. Next are Toyota (111), Cadillac (114), and Honda and Porsche (tied at 116).

Brand loyalty tied to fewer problems

The study shows that the fewer problems owners experience with their vehicle, the greater the loyalty to the brand. Subaru has one of the most loyal fan bases in the industry, yet Subaru does not rate highest for the brand with the fewest problems. Overall, Subaru does rank just above the industry average in problems per 100 vehicles. Interestingly, in the area of powertrain dependability, Subaru ranks near the top with an industry average that is better than most brands.

MUST READ: Outback and Forester dominate Consumer Reports 2015 People’s Pick

Subaru has created a niche market with their all-wheel-drive multi-purpose vehicles like the 2015 Outback, Forester and XV Crosstrek that consumers are responding to in a big way. Could it be loyal Subaru owners overlook some of the problems because they like the vehicles safety, utility, all-weather capability and performance?

Image source: Subaru via Victor Hill

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Comments

TCR (not verified)    May 14, 2016 - 12:38PM

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Seems like any problem you bring to a Subaru dealer they will say is "normal" and blame you. When I go to the Subaru/Mazda dealer rebar shop there are always dozens of Subarus in for repair but usually only one or two Mazdas -and they sell a lot more Mazdas.

LJ (not verified)    August 11, 2016 - 7:49AM

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I was ready to buy a 2017 Forester. Did some online research. Found this and other sites. Not happening now !!!

Aaron (not verified)    October 28, 2016 - 12:57PM

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I have a 2015 Subaru Forster with ~25k on it that has started to have the low oil light come on. It happened at 6000 miles and I just went ahead and got an oil change early. Now I'm only 3000 into the new oil and it came on, dipstick showed below the low mark. Started googling and doing like what I"m reading. Haven't contacted dealer yet, but not looking forward to it. Is there even a fix for this? It sounds like people who had XYZ part replaced still have issues.

elvira pereyra (not verified)    October 31, 2016 - 11:22AM

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I just purchased a 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6 R. Certified Pre owned and I was browsing at the comments of the other Subarus . I am hoping that the model I got will not give problems that were mentioned. I had American cars before and . I was told by my mechanic that Subaru is not as problematic as other cars....

Mr White (not verified)    December 22, 2016 - 6:14AM

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320,000 miles on my 2000 Forester. Original engine and tranny, never rebuilt.

Automatic transmission almost never downshifts on uphill, so it keeps losing speed. Inadequate and flimsy radiator cannot keep engine cool when prolonged driving over 72 mph or 3200 rpm. Flimsy water pump in a position difficult to replace. Weak axles and struts. Known issue with AC clutch plate. Known issue with original GM-made head cover gasket leak. Known issue with leaky fuel filler neck and gas tank pressure release valve solenoid. Keyless door unlock system suddenly unlocks doors from random electrical noise from other car engines, or goes into flashing alarm mode from other people using keyless entry devices on other cars. Cruise control stopped working after 100k miles or so. Bits and pieces fall off or break. Must use fully synthetic engine oil to keep seals soft and reduce leaking. Oil buildup in exhaust system ruins catalytic converter. Of course, the known issues are known to me only because of the Internet.

On the plus side, Michelin 70,000-mile tires lasted 180,000 because the car holds alignment well. AWD and anti-lock brakes do work well to avoid skids and regain control in a skid. Serpentine belt is at 250,000 and only now starting to slip. Spark plugs not prone to fouling. Knocking not bad, though worse on E-85 summer gas.

John (not verified)    December 24, 2016 - 10:55AM

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I truly am empathetic with your situations and would not be surprised if my Subaru also started using oil. The other thing that I rem3mbe43d is that in order to meet CAFE requirements, manufacturers are making their engines looser and using lighter weight oils. AUDI, GM, Nissan, VW, and others are having oil consumption issues too.

As I have suggested, don't use the dealer oil. Use a 5W-20. I am looking at even a synthetic 5W-30. On Outbacks MY 2013 and newer with the four cylinder, changing your own oil is a snap. Keep every receipt and note the date and mileage on the receipt. If there is an engine problem, you are covered. There is also the Moss-Magnenson act that covers you. It falls on the dealer/manufacturer to prove that your maintenance caused a problem. Then, there is always an attorney.

Chris (not verified)    January 9, 2017 - 7:15PM

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I WAS considering a Forester after staying away from Subarus since 1994. Why so long not buying another one? The last one actually cost me more in repairs than it cost to buy the car. It had only 70,000 miles on it when I finally got rid of it at a junkyard. Every single month it seemed I was spending 500 on it.

Elwood (not verified)    March 11, 2017 - 1:25PM

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We had a 2005 Outback XT check engine light come on at 15,000 miles. The dealer said 'no problem'. Then we started getting oil puddles, and were told that the front and rear engine seals were leaking. Then smoke started entering the cabin on hills from oil leaking from the valve covers onto the exhaust manifold. Then the radiator failed. Headlight bulbs were lasting for about three months. Then the head gasket began to leak. Finally, with 70,000 miles on it, the head gasket failed in a thunderstorm, and the engine inhaled the turbocharger when it disintegrated. We were quoted $7,000 to replace the engine on a $7,000 car. Fortunately the owner of the repair shop offered us $2,500 as salvage. We took it, and bought an Explorer Sport. A year later I now need a new car to replace my 17yo Nissan. It won't be a Subaru.