Subaru Of America

We own a 2019 Subaru Legacy that we purchased used with approximately 32,000 miles on it. In January 2025, Subaru issued a service bulletin regarding infotainment display failures.

In October 2025, our vehicle began experiencing the exact issues described in that bulletin, including a blank screen, loss of audio, repeated rebooting, and the inability to use CarPlay, Navigation, Bluetooth, or any touchscreen functions. These failures significantly impact the safety, usability, and value of the vehicle.

When I contacted Subaru for assistance, I was told that because the vehicle has a rebuilt title, it does not qualify for supporteven though the vehicle passed both Minnesota and Wisconsin inspections and has been fully cleared for road use. This response is extremely frustrating and feels unfair, especially given that the issue is a known Subaru defect documented in your own service bulletin.

We currently own two Subarus and had planned to purchase a third in the coming months.

However, this experience has left us feeling that we are not being treated equitably as loyal customers. We are asking Subaru to reconsider this decision and provide support for the infotainment repair consistent with the service bulletin and the known defect.

We hope Subaru will stand behind its products and its customers.

I purchased a 2025 Forester Limited in Jan 2025. Soon after, it started sporadically releasing a horrible smell.

I mentioned it to the service lady, but she told me to pay attention to details about how/when it happens. I came back to them in July, saying that it is happening every day, and it is horrendous. It is intermittent, but daily. They couldn't replicate the problem.

A manager went on a drive with me, and the problem didn't show then. It smells like a chemical, maybe a freon leak, but they said that the level of freon and AC temp were normal. I'm just about going insane every time I'm driving this car, and this horrendous stink comes on my face. I'm in FL, and it is summer.

I need the AC blasting. I'm feeling attacked by my own car every time this happens. A few weeks ago, I drove 34 miles (one way), 55 minutes, and the smell was there the entire trip. I can't turn the AC off in the middle of the Florida summer!!!

The only attempt to fix it cleaned the condenser and changed the cabin filter, but it didn't work. Then I read here that someone else is having problems with a 2025 stinky Subaru! My car is still only about 6,870 miles... I just picked it up yesterday from another dealership, where it spent almost a month.

They couldn't replicate it. This smell can be unpleasantly experienced in everyday driving. Come on Subaru, I want the car fixed!!! RUN from Subaru is my advice with my current experience.

Customer advocacy has been nice issuing service coupons for other issues I had. They issued a total of $850 in 2 service coupons for different reasons, and that was appreciated. Overall, the car drives and feels nice. I don't like the mpg, but people seem to think it is excellent.

Not fixing a stinky car, on the other hand, is not ok. Me having to drive it like this is not ok. I requested to have someone drive with me until the smell comes, but they said they already went above and beyond trying to help. They want to wait until it happens more consistently (more consistently than every day???).

I tried to trade, but to trade, my current finance balance would increase by about 8k.

Pick up the difference Subaru and put me in a car that I intended to buy, one that doesn't stink! I'm in contact with others experiencing the same.

I take good care of my 2015 Subaru Legacy. Despite being 10 years old and having 128k miles on it, it was in great shape before I brought it in for the suggested 120k mile service.

I take a small bit of pride in it, and always get oil changes and suggested services at the dealership, Bachman Subaru. This 120k service was $1,400, but I enjoyed my car and wanted to extend its life, despite that price being quite a bit of its resale value. When I get it back, I drive it for a while and notice some strange noises. I pay attention and notice it is leaking some fluid, which I mistake for motor oil, and the coolant reservoir is empty.

I call Kim Fairchild at Bachman Subaru and bring it in to check it out. It turns out they left the transmission plug loose, and I have been driving while leaking transmission fluid for 1,200 miles. They correct that mistake and add coolant to the reservoir. Then I notice it leaking fluid again.

I bring it in again, and they say it is leaking motor oil now, and it will be $3,400 to fix. The coolant reservoir is also leaking, as the reservoir is always empty. It was not leaking anything before this service. Now it is coincidentally leaking three fluids, and Kim will only take responsibility for one, despite the known error on the transmission and the fact that they said it was not leaking motor oil twice.

They also supposedly performed checks on the coolant system in the 120k service and said everything is great. I have paperwork, emails, and texts describing all of this. I understand Kim's reasoning for why she wouldn't want to take responsibility for this; she said the car is old and these things happen, but the simple fact is this is just a convenient lie. I would love to see her say that these leaks are unrelated under oath in a court of law.

The car was great before they got ahold of it. I reached out to the Customer Advocacy Department, a group that is intended to handle these types of disputes, and they have been stringing me along for nearly a month now. If you thought dealing with health insurance is difficult, you should try working with Grant or Kris Drechsel at Subaru of Americas Consumer Advocacy department. I have had to call and email them more times than I can count.

This week I emailed Kris twice and left two voicemails. No response. It has been 10 days since I have heard anything from him. Toothless, ineffective, and unresponsive.

So, to summarize, I had a perfectly fine car. No leaks or anything of the sort. Since the 120k service, I have had three leaks, and only on one has any responsibility been taken and the issue addressed. The cost of the service and the work they tried to pull on me is now more than the trade-in value of the car.

I'm going to sell it and buy a Camry. It makes me sad because, as I previously stated, the car was in great shape, I had a small bit of pride in it, and I intended to drive it for many more years. But this is a bridge too far. I'm done with Bachman and Subaru as a whole.

I would advise avoiding Bachman if you care about your vehicle at all. Go to ImportDoktor instead.

Subaru of San Bernardino & Subaru of America A Never-Ending Nightmare
If I could give negative stars, I would. Subaru of San Bernardino and Subaru of America have completely failed me, and I regret ever stepping foot in their dealership.
I traded in a Mercedes-Benz for what I thought would be a reliable, brand-new Subaru on July 19, 2023but just six months later, my vehicle began experiencing catastrophic mechanical failures.

Since October, I have been fighting with Subaru to get what I am legally owed, only to be met with delays, deception, and complete lack of accountability.
A Brand-New Car with Endless Problems
At just six months old, my Subaru started falling apart with:Multiple gasket failuresTwo transmission pump replacementsModule replacementsEven more gasket failures
Instead of resolving these issues quickly, Subaru of San Bernardino kept my car for FOUR MONTHS because they couldnt even get the parts to fix their own vehicle.
Then, the Dealership WRECKED My Car.
On top of these mechanical failures, Subaru of San Bernardino DAMAGED my car while it was in their possession.
To their credit, they did fix the damagebut they left multiple imperfections. After already being without my car for four months, I was left with a vehicle that was still not in the condition I purchased it in.
Subaru of America is EVEN WORSE Than the Dealership
If you think Subaru of America will step in and help, think again. I have been going back and forth with them since October, and they have been even WORSE than the dealership.
Rather than taking responsibility for their defective vehicle, Subaru of America refuses to help, blames the dealership, and tries to pressure me into accepting far less than I am legally owed.
Then Came the Insulting Hush Money Offers
After months of fighting, Subaru of America tried to buy my silence.First, they offered me $7,500 to keep the car and sign an NDA, forcing me to stay quiet about their failures.When I refused, they came back with $19,000, falsely claiming it would cover both my Mercedes trade-in and my paymentswhich is mathematically IMPOSSIBLE.
Instead of making things right, Subaru resorted to deception and lowball offers to avoid giving me what I am legally owed.
What Subaru Actually Owes Me Under Lemon Law
Under Lemon Law, Subaru is required to buy back the vehicle if it qualifies as a lemon. That means they must refund: The full purchase price of the vehicle The value of my Mercedes trade-in Taxes, registration fees, and other charges Any loan balance still owed on the car Any incidental costs (such as rentals, towing, etc.)
Instead of paying what they legally owe, Subaru of America is trying to cheat me out of thousands of dollars.
This is Beyond Unacceptable I Am Pursuing Lemon Law ActionAfter just six months, my brand-new Subaru suffered multiple catastrophic failures.The car spent FOUR MONTHS in the shop because Subaru didnt have the parts.The dealership wrecked my car, then left imperfections after fixing it.Subaru of America refuses to take responsibility and has been even WORSE than the dealership.They attempted to buy my silence with lowball offers instead of making things right.I have been fighting since October to get what I am legally owed.
DO NOT Buy from Subaru of San Bernardino.

DO NOT Trust Subaru of America.
I am now taking legal action under Lemon Law to hold Subaru accountable for their failures, and I encourage ANYONE ELSE facing similar issues to do the same.
Subaru does NOT stand by their vehicles, their warranties, or their customers.

Instead, they delay, deflect, and try to pressure people into accepting less than what they are owed.
DO NOT give these people your money. Subaru will leave you stranded with a defective car and refuse to take responsibility.
Save Yourself Buy ANYTHING Else.

i lost my keys. my wife called several lock smith.

They said they couldnt program key to my subaru impreza. The lock smith. Had to have my subaru impreza towed to, auto nation valley spokane washington. I had a recall on my headlights at the same time.

march 21st my wife pays 372 dollars and has the receipt. that was suppose to pay for 2 dub keys. And 50 dollars on freight. If that means shipping.

Dont cost 50 dollars to ship. Or is that mean 50 freight to program keys. They text my wife lisa smith. she dealing with it.

she gets off 12 pm. monday through thursday. i sleep 12 hours a day. they text me or call me.

there not getting a hold of me. so they text lisa. i cant remember if my wife says. They called and left a message.

And tell her the price on her voice mail. she goes down there and pays the 372. included taxes. she gets a receipt.

My wife gets a text if okay to do the programming.

she says yes. Took at least 19 days to get the key programmed and therecall on subaru 2017 impreza head lights. No charge it a recall on headlights. i go down there thursday april 10th.

They go that will be 1,512 dollars something. wait a second. my wife already paid 372 on it. That not on the receipt.

They tell me at the service department and i have your loaner car from christian. i think his name. Next they say over 4 hours to program the car keys. They say over 700 in mantanence.

370 a key. That not what the other guy told my wife lisa. So they go well taylor knows about it. it not on the computer u paid 372 dollars.

my wife lisa finds the receipt at home we paid 372 dollars on march 21st. They tries to call taylor at 6. He didnt answer the phone. They go u can take the loner car back.

That we can do 1,512 dollars interest free. For 3 months. i go i got 22k in credit card debt. i pay over 500 a month on my credit cards.

i cant afford 1,512 dollars for keys and programmed. yeah, anybody can program the keys. go back and work on another car. while the time ticking.

it dont take 4 hours to program a key. My dad mad. My dad says it takes half hour to program the keys. That give u a hour to be fair.

180 or more for labor. come on. They go your wife signed off on it. with a text.

She didnt sign off for 1,512 dollars. she would never sign off for that outrageouse much. for just keys. They should of got a hold of her on a call.

Before they did the car. explain everything. costs everything. But we already paid 372 dollars.

taylor never called monday. like they said he would. it wednessday night at 5:37 pm. they said finacial lady was on vacation.

until april 14th. were april 16th. No call to explain. This dont, give me a very good impression of subaru now.

Anything can get loused up on a text. u call until u get the person, to explain cost and everything. i wrote to u guys. what u going to have next?

A ai robot call u or text u. So u can save money and buy more toys on greed.

My complaint. lenth of time. Not calling like they said he would.

The communication sucks. I dont owe 1,512 dollars when i paid 372 dollars. We dont have that kind of money. 1,512.

i had your loner car for like 19 days. i like the outback. i will keep the new outback. u keep my subaru impreza.

straight across trade for trying to charge money i dont owe. Your service department a rip off. i told u guys. u could buy my subaru in a text at first.

unless u give me the out back for my subaru. No, extra cost. than i take my subaru impreza back. your battery on outback drains quick listening to radio in a parking lot.

That the only complaint i have on the loner outback subaru. My dad went ro spokane other subaru downtown on key programing cost. They said 80 a key. My dad told them the story.

there flaborgasted at subaru downtown spokane. On what subaru auto nation tried to pull. And make us pay. my dad pissed.

He got preleukemia. u stressed my poor dad out. When he heard from me. what subaru auto nation tried to pull.

were not paying 1,512 dollars. my dad had keyless remote made down at toyota. For his toyota venza in the past. He didnt pay nothing for programming car.

He paid for the keys that it. i talked to others didnt pau for there chip keys labor. what the *** going on here. my wife can only come down to subaru auto nation on thursday afternnon and friday and saturday with her work schedule.

If u guys try to charge me. We will put a complaint into the better bureau outfit. And the attorney state general place. on there complaint form that auto nation business.

Were planning on going to auto nation tomorrow thursday.

so u better get in this complaint quick. 509 688 ****

This is not the first time I called customer service. I asked to speak to technical support and got instead a very courteous call center employee.

Unfortunately, they could not locate the answer to my questions. Here are 3 examples, three different customer service employees:

Once my CD player was skipping and they said not to put a disk in there designed to clean it. After months of frustration I did it anyway and it helped reduce the skips.

My side view mirrors will not hold position and return to the original settings everytime I restart. Service department said they could not reproduce the problem and therefore would not be able to help.

All I think I need is to reset the settings, but no one I spoke to knew how to do that. I still don't know how to do that.

My rear seat seat belts alarm whenever I have a dog in the back seat.

The customer service rep said the alarm could not be silenced. My husband figured out that you need to fasten all the seatbelts in the rear seat (not around the dog!) and the alarm stopped.

As a long-time loyal Subaru customer, this being our third Subaru, we never imagined writing a review like this. Unfortunately, our recent experience with Subaru's warranty and customer support has been nothing short of frustrating, disappointing, and unacceptable.

At just 40,000 miles, our vehicle suffered catastrophic engine failure. The car is still under its original factory warranty, and every scheduled service was performed at an authorized Subaru dealership except the last two oil changes, which we performed ourselves. We kept detailed records, including receipts for oil and filters, along with a logbook documenting the maintenance. This is standard practice and well within the rights of any consumer under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which protects owners who maintain their vehicles properly, even if not at the dealership.

However, Subaru has refused to honor the engine warranty, citing our decision to change our own oil as the reason. This is an alarming stance, as it suggests that unless you pay Subaru for every oil change, you risk losing coverage even when you follow all recommended procedures and document everything. It's an interpretation of the warranty that feels deeply unfair and anti-consumer.

To make matters worse, Subaru Customer Advocacy has gone silent. Despite numerous calls and emails over several weeks, we've received no response. The engine repair was finally completed after eight weeks, but we are still unable to retrieve the car due to the continued lack of communication from both Subaru Service and Advocacy.

We are left feeling abandoned, unsupported, and frankly disrespected as long-time customers who chose Subaru for its reliability and brand integrity. This experience has shattered that trust.

We will never purchase another Subaru. No consumer should have to fight this hard for accountability on a warrantied repair, especially when they've followed every rule and kept meticulous records. Subaru had the chance to stand behind its product and its customers, and they failed.

Proceed with caution. If you value customer support, warranty protection, and transparency, look elsewhere.

Subaru Dealers Shady and "Customer Advocacy" is a Joke

I have a 2013 Subaru Forrester which is a defective car. In 2018 Subaru extended the warrantee because when it reaches 100,000 miles it starts burning oil like crazy.

I was never made aware of the defect by Ourisman Honda in Bethesda, MD which sold me the car with 40,000 miles on it in 2017, or was I told about the warrantee by Subaru. (They claim the information was sent to the Subaru's original owner).

I did not learn about the defect until 2023 when I ran out of oil and brought it to my mechanic because they had done an oil change before I went from MD to Canada for summer vacation. On the Jersey Turnpike I ran out of oil and the engine started knocking like crazy and I was luck Jersey is the one state that gas station attendants.

In 2019, I brought my Subaru in to Herb Gordon Subaru in Rockville, MD which replaced the Takata airbags during that recall. They asked me if I wanted to look over my car and I said yes and came back with $3600 worth of repairs that were urgently needed.

The extended warrantee was never mentioned but they could have fixed it then. Instead, I went back to my mechanic and learned that not a single repair the dealer wanted to make was legitimate and the work was never done. So Herb Gordon Subaru tried to rip me off and never told me about the big problem with the car. Subaru "Customer Advocacy" didn't care about that at all but they said if I'd bought my Forrester from an authorized dealer I would have learned about it.

But I did not.

I kept putting in oil the next year because I had cancer and could not be without a car. In late 2024, I contacted Subaru's "Customer Advocacy" department and this was my experience. The first "Customer Advocacy" person was very nice and told me to go to a dealer to have the car evaluated which I did. They charged me $200 for an oil change and said we would monitor how quickly the oil burned.

After that I had a family emergency and had to drive to Florida so I just kept putting oil in. When I got back I called the dealer and they said we would have to do the same thing again for another $200.

I called my new "Customer Advocacy" rep Arica and she never responded so I was offered escalation on my claim. The "Supervisor" Shalala said the warrantee extension was over in 2022 and they had no intention of doing anything.

I would give Subaru a zero if I could. And the thing is I loved the car - until this happened it was great.

I did research and learned that most Subaru brands from 2013 had the same engine problem.

And when I went to get oil in different service stations a couple of them told me they see these cars all the time with a similar problem. So thousands of others are in the same situation that I am.