Some Subaru engines use up oil faster than they should. This means you have to add oil between oil changes. The Forester, Impreza, and Crosstrek from 2011 to 2015 had this problem a lot. You might need to check your oil every few weeks and add more.
This can be annoying and expensive over time as it's not normal for a car to use this much oil. Subaru has tried to fix this in newer models, but it's still something to watch out for.
Subaru uses a special kind of transmission called a CVT in many of its cars. CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. It's supposed to make the car run smoother and save gas. However, some Subaru CVTs have had issues. They can shudder, jerk, or make some rather disconcerting noises.
Transmission issues have popped up in models like the Outback, Legacy, and Ascent. Sometimes, the transmission fails completely and needs to be replaced, which is an exceedingly expensive repair. Subaru has extended the warranty on some CVTs because of these problems.
Fixing a Subaru can cost more than fixing other cars because Subarus have a special engine called a boxer engine. It's shaped differently from engines in most other cars, which makes it harder for mechanics to work on.
Parts for Subarus can also be more expensive. For example, if you need to replace the timing belt in an Outback or Forester, it might cost more than in other cars. Even simple things like oil changes can be pricier. Before you buy a Subaru, think about whether you can afford these higher repair costs.
When you sell a used car, you want to get a good price for it. But Subarus often lose value faster than some other cars such as the Honda Civic. This is especially true for less popular models like the BRZ sports car.
If you plan to sell your car after a few years, this is something to think about. However, some Subaru models like the Outback and Forester can hold their value better in areas where all-wheel drive is popular.
Rust is a big problem for some Subaru models, especially in places where it snows a lot. The Forester and Impreza from the early 2000s had bad rust problems. Rust can show up on the body of the car, but it's even worse when it's underneath, weakening some vital parts of the car.
Subarus made after 2008 are better at fighting rust, but it's still something to watch out for. If you live where there's lots of snow and salt on the roads, you might need to wash your Subaru more often to stop rust. When buying a used Subaru, always check under the car for signs of rust.
Subarus aren't always the best when it comes to saving on gas. This is partly because most Subarus have all-wheel drive, which uses more fuel than front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. In fact, the Impreza uses more fuel than many other small cars.
With gas prices always rising, spending money on a gas-guzzler isn’t the most economically sensible choice. Some newer models, like the Crosstrek Hybrid, are better on gas, but they cost more to buy. If you want a car that uses less gas, you might want to look at other brands and reconsider if you really need all-wheel drive.
The inside of some Subaru cars can feel cheap compared to other brands, so the materials might not look or feel as nice – especially over time. Additionally, the seats in some models, like the Outback, might not be as comfortable.
Some people also say the design inside Subarus looks rather bland. Newer models like the Ascent have better interiors, but they still might not be as nice as other cars in the same price range. If having an elegant interior is important to you, you might not like how some Subarus feel inside.
Many Subaru cars are louder inside when you're driving than other cars, so you hear more noise from the road and the wind. The Impreza and Crosstrek are known for being especially noisy. This can make it hard to talk to passengers or listen to music when you're driving.
The extra noise can be tiring on long trips. Subaru has tried to make newer models quieter, but they're still not the quietest cars you can buy. If you prefer a quieter ride, you might not like driving a Subaru.
Depending on where you live, it might be hard to find a Subaru dealer near you. This can be a problem if you need to get your car fixed or serviced. For example, if you live in a small town, you might have to drive further to get to a Subaru dealer.
This is different from brands like Ford or Toyota, which have dealers almost everywhere. If there's no Subaru dealer near you, it might be harder to get parts or find mechanics who know how to work on Subarus. Before you buy a Subaru, check if there's a dealer close to where you live.
Some people find Subaru seats decidedly less comfy than seats in other cars. The Impreza and older Forester models often get complaints about this. People say the seats are too firm or don't have enough support for long drives, which can be bad for your back on road trips.
The headrests in some models, like the Legacy, stick out too far and can be annoying. Newer models like the Ascent have better seats, but they're still not the best. If you spend a lot of time in your car, you might want to test-drive a Subaru for a while to see if the seats are comfortable for you.
Older Subaru models can have tech that feels old and hard to use. The touch screens in cars like the 2015 Outback or Forester can be slow and confusing. Some models don't have features common in other cars, like wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The built-in GPS in older Subarus isn't very good. Newer models are better, but Subaru is still catching up to other car brands in this area. If having the latest tech in your car is important to you, you might find many Subaru models to be disappointing.
Some Subaru cars don't ride as smoothly as other brands, so feel more bumps and rough spots in the road. The Impreza and Crosstrek can feel bouncy on uneven roads. Even bigger cars like the Outback might not feel as smooth as similar cars from other brands.
This can make longer trips less comfortable. Subaru has made their newer cars ride better, but they're still not the smoothest.
Some drivers say Subarus don't feel as fun to steer as other cars. The steering can feel "numb," which means it's hard to tell exactly what the wheels are doing. This is especially true for cars like the Forester and Outback.
Even sportier models like the WRX have been criticized for this. A good steering feel is important for enjoying your drive and feeling safe. If you like cars that are fun to drive around corners, you might not like how some Subarus steer.
Some Subarus can cost more than insuring other cars. Models like the WRX cost a lot to insure because they're seen as sporty cars. Even family cars like the Outback or Forester might have higher insurance costs than similar cars from other brands.
Before you buy a Subaru, check how much it would cost to insure. You might be surprised at how much more it costs compared to other cars you're thinking about.
Even though Subarus are known for being practical, some models don't have as much space for stuff as you might think. The Impreza hatchback, for example, has less trunk space than some other small cars. The Crosstrek, which looks big on the outside, doesn't have as much room inside as some people expect.
Even the Forester, which is a bigger car, might not have enough space if you have a large family or need to carry lots of gear. If you need a car with lots of space for luggage or groceries, you might want to look closely at how much room Subaru models really have.
Some Subaru cars, especially the ones with three or four cylinders, can feel rather slow, making it hard to speed up quickly when getting on the highway or passing other cars.
Even the Outback, which is a bigger car, can feel sluggish with its standard engine. If you like cars that are quick and fun to drive, you might be disappointed with some Subaru models unless you choose one of their more powerful versions.
Some Subaru models have problems with seeing out of the car. The Outback and Legacy, for example, have thick pillars at the back that can make it hard to see when you're backing up or changing lanes. The BRZ sports car has big blind spots that make it hard to see cars behind you.
Even though many new Subarus have backup cameras, these visibility issues can still make driving and parking more difficult. If being able to see clearly all around your car is important to you, you might find some Subaru models frustrating.
Subaru has had to recall many of its cars in recent years, asking owners to bring their cars back to fix a safety problem prevalent during manufacturing. For example, there have been recalls for engine problems in the Ascent and brake issues in the Impreza.
These recalls can be a hassle because you have to take your car to the dealer to get fixed, meaning you could be without a car for a few days or longer. They can also make you worry about how safe your car is. While recalls happen to all car brands, Subaru has had quite a few in the past few years.
When you need to replace parts on a Subaru, it can cost more than for other cars. This is because Subaru parts are sometimes more expensive and can be harder to find. For example, if you need a new headlight for an Outback, it might cost more than a headlight for a similar car from another brand.
Even simple things like windshield wipers or air filters can be pricier for Subarus. This means that over time, owning a Subaru might cost you more money for repairs and maintenance.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a big selling point for Subarus, but it needs extra care. This system has more parts that can wear out or break. For example, you might need to replace the AWD fluid more often than in a regular car.
If you need new tires, you usually have to replace all four at once to keep the AWD working right. This can cost more than just replacing two tires on a regular car. The AWD system can also make your car use more gas. If you don't really need AWD where you live, these extra costs might not be worth it.
Subarus can be harder to work on than other cars because of their boxer engines. These engines are shaped differently and can be tricky to reach. This means even simple jobs like changing spark plugs can take longer and cost more.
Some Subaru owners find it hard to do their own repairs because of this. If you like to fix your own car, you might find a Subaru frustrating to work on. Even professional mechanics sometimes charge more to work on Subarus because the jobs can be more complex.
Some Subaru models, like the WRX and certain versions of the Outback, need premium gas. This type of gas costs more than regular gas. Over time, this can add up to a lot of extra money.
For example, if you drive a WRX, you might spend hundreds of dollars more on gas each year than if you had a car that uses regular gas. If you're trying to save money on driving, having to use premium gas in your Subaru could be a problem.
Subaru's turbocharged engines, like those in the WRX or some Ascent models, can have turbo lag. This means there's a delay between when you press the gas pedal and when the car speeds up. It can feel like the car is slow to respond.
This lag can be annoying, especially in stop-and-go traffic or when you're trying to pass another car quickly. If you're used to cars that are more responsive away when you press the gas, you might find this lag in some Subarus frustrating.
The boxer engines in Subarus can cause weird vibrations and noises. Some owners complain about a "boxer rumble" that's louder than in other cars. In some models, like older Foresters, there can be a buzzing noise at certain speeds.
These sounds and vibrations can be annoying on long drives. They can also make the car feel less smooth and refined compared to other brands. If you're sensitive to car noises and vibrations, this might bother you in a Subaru.
Subarus simply lack the cool factor of most other cars. The Impreza and Forester, for example, have a boxy shape that some find boring. Even sportier models like the WRX haven't changed much in looks over the years.
This can make Subarus seem old-fashioned compared to other brands that update their designs more often. If you care a lot about how your car looks and want something that stands out, you might not like Subaru's simple style.
While Subarus are generally safe cars, not all models get top safety scores. For instance, some older Subaru models didn't do as well in certain crash tests as other cars in their class.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) sometimes gives lower ratings to Subarus for things like headlight performance. If having the absolute highest safety ratings is super important to you, you might need to look carefully at each Subaru model's safety scores.
Some Subaru owners have had bad experiences with customer service. This can happen at dealerships or when dealing with the company directly. Many have complained about long wait times for repairs or difficulty getting warranty issues resolved.
While this doesn't happen to everyone, it's something to think about. Good customer service can make owning a car much easier, so if Subaru's service isn't great in your area, it could be a problem.
Subaru isn't seen as fancy as some other car brands. This might not matter to everyone, but some people care about the image their car gives. For example, a Subaru might not impress people as much as a luxury brand like BMW or Mercedes.
Even compared to brands like Honda or Toyota, Subarus are less prestigious. If you care about how others see your car, this might be a downside to owning a Subaru.
Getting extra features on a Subaru can cost a lot. For example, if you want leather seats or a better sound system in an Impreza or Crosstrek, you might have to buy a much more expensive version of the car. Some nice features are only available on the top models, which can be pricey.
This means it can be hard to get just the features you want without spending a lot of extra money. If you like to customize your car with specific features, you might end up paying the same price as you would for a more expensive car.
