2013 Subaru Outback Long Term Test update: No Bueno

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
11/28/2016 at 21:17 • Filed to: subaru, not headgaskets anymore

Short story: Due to excessive oil consumption my car is getting a new short block under warranty at 36,000 miles.

Long Story: In December 2012 with $10,000 burning a hole in my pocket I went down to the local Subaru Dealer and bought a brand new 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium. This was to be Mrs. Highlander’s car and the primary mode of transportation for our family for outings into the highlands of our great state, which is the 4th largest in the Union and typically requires a 3 hour drive to get anywhere you want to go.

Fresh off the lot, Outback is collecting Christmas trees

3,000 rpm=80 mph in 6 gear great for consuming highway miles.

This outback is a “rare” six speed manual model, which is fine because we are in a state with few people so you don’t have to shift much once out on the open road. I really like driving the car, it is efficient, handles well, and is overall easy to drive almost anywhere you need to go. At 20,000 miles I noticed it was using a bit of oil. Three cam seals later a small leak was finally repaired. Then we had them start an oil consumption test. It took three tries to get it right due to various other attempts to figure out why the car was using so much oil.

We finally got the results of the last oil consumption test and it’s gone through 1.4 quarts of oil over the last 3,000 miles, which is well over spec. I know there was a class action law suit against Subaru for this and I was hopping we would not have a car with this issue. However we have had every cliche issue with a subaru that there is to have. I’m done with Subaru’s for now and will probably be shopping for a Toyota, Honda, or Mazda in the next 2-3 years.

A couple of side notes:

1. Our local dealer has been fantastic, not trying to hood wink us.

2. When I bought this car I was also looking at a 4-runner with 20k on the odo. Hindsight is 20/20.

3. There is nothing else out there that compares at this price for efficiency, size, and features such as really good AWD and interior room.

DISCUSSION (41)

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:21

Sorry about your oil burning troubles! I’ve got 37k on my 2015. I’ve found that it’s very picky about the oil that I give it. I had shell OW-20 put in, and had a low oil light within 2k miles. Went back to Mobile-1 from the local Toyota dealer (yes I take my Subaru to a Toyota Dealer) and have had no more burning issues.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:22

Listen, don’t take this the wrong way, but:

Whaaaaa whaaa whaaa, :crying noises: :sad trombone:

All 2010-14ish Leggys and OBWs consume oil like it’s Powerade. Some more than others, but less than 4 qts/5000 miles is pretty normal for ANY Subie; especially for the aforementioned 10-14 ones.

I’m glad that they replaced your engine, but this really isn’t a problem.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:23

My neighbors daughter has a 2013 Forester which is currently getting a new engine as well. Seems to be an issue with the 2.5s produced around that time frame.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:24

That sucks. Under warranty or not, what a huge inconvenience.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
11/28/2016 at 21:29

Actually it is a problem.. My previous Subaru consumed no oil between 3000 mile changes. Also what is all that oil doing to the PZEV cat’s? It can’t be good for the car’s emission systems over the long term.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/28/2016 at 21:30

I have to think if they used 5/20 or 5/30 when the engine was new the rings would have set and this wouldn’t be a problem.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/28/2016 at 21:31

I know, I should have gone with the Toyota. I’ll probably get a 2017 Outback for a loaner.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/28/2016 at 21:32

Yep, I am pretty sure the Forester was part of that class action settlement. The forester was the first Subaru to get that particular 2.5L engine that is covered under the new warranty.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:34

I will have to see what my moms new 2017 Outback is like. I wonder what was changed in the EJ25 which caused it to burn tons of oil. The old EJ25s weren’t that bad about it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/28/2016 at 21:37

They went to 20w synthetic and losser ring tolerences for better fuel economy. Then the rings don’t set in the cylinder walls of the block. Eventually the car starts using more oil than a 2 stroke engine. I think the newer ones are better.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/28/2016 at 21:43

Well I’m doing oil changes from here on out and I’m a huge fan of Mobile 1. I put in all my cars and my coffee. Please confirm 0w-20 for your 2015?

The Snowman > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:47

My folks have an outback with the h6 and just got a new engine under warranty after a couple oil consumption tests. They had a great experience with the dealer in CA as well.

Boxer_4 > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/28/2016 at 21:48

The 2.0L found in the Impreza and Crosstrek was affected, too. Basically, all of the DOHC non-turbo 4 cylinders (FB engine series) from 2011-2014.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:49

Yep. Mine takes Mobile-1 0W-20 Full Synthetic. Whats weird is that the Subaru dealer specifically told me not to use Mobile-1 as thats what they’ve seen cars burning. I don’t know why, but it seems to work great for mine. I am gonna experiment my next oil change with a different brand, but I suspect that I’ll be back to Mobile-1.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > The Snowman
11/28/2016 at 21:50

Previously the H6 was the “reliable” engine. I do remember seeing the H6 on the recall.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/28/2016 at 21:52

What brand does subaru use? The oil they use comes in generic subaru branded containers. It’s got to be Mobile 1 or some other name brand synthetic.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Boxer_4
11/28/2016 at 21:54

My mom just bought a new car and was wondering if the Forester was affected. She bought a Mazda CX5, she loves it.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 21:56

:shrug: Cats are federally warrantied until 8yrs/80k. Again, it’s great that Subie replaced your engine, but don’t knock its “reliability” because of the nuances of a new engine.

bhtooefr > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:06

Looks like Subaru uses a custom Idemitsu formulation that’s similar to Mazda’s Idemitsu formulation.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:06

It might be Castrol, but I’m not positive.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:09

My 2013 2.5i CVT is not burning oil at 52,000. My 2014 Forester 6MT has been since under 40,000. My dealer says the issue is worse with the manual. It seems the issue was with a big run of 2.5's in 13-14 and has mostly been fixed. Hopefully it holds up well after the short block replacement for you, but makes sense if you just want to be done with it.

BeaterGT > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/28/2016 at 22:11

My mom just got a 2017 Outback too! Though she kept her 2005 Forester :)

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:11

I think they made the tolerances tighter by making the tolerance spec for the walls in the block a bit larger. That’s why the replacements seem to more or less be working. Not sure what effect it has on MPG’s. I suspect I’m going to have to have have the block in my Forester replaced at some point.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/28/2016 at 22:12

Oddly enough I’m putting Mobil 1 0w20 in my Forester and it’s still burning it.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:13

FWIW, I’ve been putting Mobil 1 in my Forester lately and it still seems to be burning it, though maybe at a slower pace.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
11/28/2016 at 22:13

Fingers crossed this works. Love the car, hate these stupid issues.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:15

Agreed. Keep it out of parking lots if you can too - the sheet metal dents if you look at it funny!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > BeaterGT
11/28/2016 at 22:16

A oil change for my dad’s BRZ escalated into my mom trading her 2010 Legacy 3.6R for a base 2017 Outback. I have only ridden in it once but I like it a lot better than the Legacy.

Needmoargarage > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:18

Sorry to hear the news.

I’ve had four Subarus (from 2002 - 2008) with the 2.5L engine. All four burned quite a bit of oil. Two of the four spun a bearing, necessitating short block replacements.

It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Needmoargarage
11/28/2016 at 22:20

Wow, that’s bad luck. My first 2.5L subaru was a 2002 and the engine was great. Other parts of the car were not so great.

jimz > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
11/28/2016 at 22:22

I’m glad that they replaced your engine, but this really isn’t a problem.

funny. “They all do that” used to be a running joke slamming problematic American cars. But for Subarus, it’s apparently A-OK.

4 quarts consumed in 5,000 miles is horrendously bad for a modern car. If I can have a fucking Dodge Neon with a turbo (SRT-4) which- at 170,000 miles- only would be down 1/8" on the dipstick at change time, Subaru has no excuse.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
11/28/2016 at 22:24

I might just have a weird car then. Or maybe the Mobil-1 is different. I’m pretty sure I’ve been getting the Mobil-1 0W-20 made for Toyotas, since I get my car serviced at a toyota dealership. Maybe theres something slightly different in the Oil from regular Mobil-1.

DasWauto > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/28/2016 at 22:26

I believe the affected cars use the FA25 which replaced the old EJ block in many applications after 2011. The only EJ still available is the one in the STI, iirc.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/28/2016 at 22:28

Interesting. I’m using this:

Kinja'd!!!

But they do have a few other 0w-20 bottles. Not sure if they are actually different or just the same stuff in different jugs.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
11/28/2016 at 22:32

No idea. Try a different jug and see what happens.

BeaterGT > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/28/2016 at 22:55

We spent more time on the damn infotainment screen than seeing how it drove. To me, it’s incredibly boring but hey I don’t have to drive it!

Boxer_4 > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/28/2016 at 22:57

The FB25 (and FB20) was a clean-sheet design that replaced the EJ25 starting in the 2011 Forester (the Impreza/Crosstrek and Outback/Legacy got the FB engine a few years later).

One of the main goals with the FB engines was to increase the fuel efficiency over the old EJ engines. Reducing friction from internal components was one such method used. This was mainly achieved by using low-tension piston rings and lower viscosity oil (0W-20). Low-tension piston rings have been around in the racing and performance world for awhile, but are now starting to show up in your average street car as the push for higher fuel efficiency ramps up. They have a potential for increased oil consumption if done wrong, but significantly reduce internal friction if done correctly.

The piston rings also have a low-friction surface treatment. The issue that Subaru was having was that the original surface treatment was wearing prematurely in some cars, ultimately resulting in the piston rings wearing prematurely in those cars. It occurred in enough cars to be a significant issue, but didn’t affect every single car. The piston ring surface treatment was revised, which appears to have corrected the problem.

Boxer_4 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 22:59

Glad your mom is liking the CX-5. They seem like nice cars.

Our ‘15 Forester is so far unaffected over the last 2 years (bought September 2014).

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Boxer_4
11/28/2016 at 23:06

Wow, they didn’t say that in the settlement paperwork. The Outback is getting a new short block. Hopefully it is a newer block and has the reformulated rings.

Michael Woyahn > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/28/2016 at 23:07

Sorry to hear about the problems. I’ve always liked Subarus, specifically Legacys and Outbacks from 2005-2009, but their reliability has always concerned me.

It’s sad that Subaru produced engines that burn so much oil when they’re basically new considering I drive a 2004 Lexus RX330 with 218,000 miles and it doesn’t burn any oil at all. The level on the dipstick is still at the full mark when it’s time for an oil change, and we’ve never touched any seals or rings or anything. I guess that says something about Toyota. I totally understand why they would be at the top of your future shopping list.

Anyway, I hope everything gets sorted as quickly and painlessly as possible!

Boxer_4 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/29/2016 at 19:45

It should be the updated rings; they were phased into production sometime during 2014.

There shouldn’t be any design changes to the block, since that wasn’t the issue. The reason they are using a new short block is so that they don’t need to hone the cylinder walls during the rebuild. They were initially just replacing the rings, but that didn’t fix the issue on a fair number of cars, likely due to cylinder wear caused by the worn piston rings. I’m pretty sure most (if not all) dealers do not have the capability to do engine machining work.