Why Do Subarus Burn Oil? Problems and solutions new for 2022

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There are many different reasons why a car might burn oil. In this article, we will discuss why Subaru cars often burn oil. We will also provide some tips to help prevent this from happening in the future.

This amortips.com post will answer your question about “why do subarus burn oil” and provide relevant information.

Contents

Are Subaru engines oil-burning?

Some Subaru engines in older models may burn oil. Owners of certain Subaru vehicle models made between 2010 and 2014 have reported issues with burning oil. Thankfully, the issues causing the oil consumption seem to have been fixed in recent models, but there are still some concerns about excessive oil use.

If you’re experiencing burning oil on your Subaru, there are several models that may be affected. Keep reading to learn more about the signs and what you can do to prevent this from happening.

If you’re noticing a lot of oil coming out of your car’s engine, it may be time for a service visit. There are many different Subaru models that have had issues with burning oil in the past, so it’s important to check whether yours is one of them. Here are some common signs:

The engine is making strange noises; The car starts immediately when turned off; Smoke is coming from under the hood; The level of oil in the reservoir seems too high or low. If any of these apply to your vehicle, bring it into a mechanic right away!

Do Subarus Burn Oil?

Some Subaru Forester, Outback, Impreza, and Crosstrek models have had issues with oil burning.

Subaru often have small oil filters that can get clogged quickly and easily. This can cause oil leaks, which can lead to covers over gaskets, piston rings, seals, cylinders and more.

If the engine is exposed to high temperatures, like near the combustion chamber, it may start to burn oil. If this occurs, Subaru will likely recommend replacement of affected parts.

One common issue that Subaru drivers notice is that the car is using oil quickly.

It is widely known that an oil filter can cause a decrease in engine performance. This is also partially caused by clogged oil filters.

However, excessive oil consumption is often viewed as a minor issue when compared to burning oil, partially because of the signs.

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Subaru has confirmed that the burning oil issue in their vehicles is now rare.

Subaru’s new models are reported to be burning oil. This may start to raise eyebrows among Subaru owners, but time will tell if this is a common issue.

Why Do Subarus Burn Oil?

There are six common causes of Subaru oil consumption that can be addressed by wearing down the seals or gaskets, using high-quality oil, replacing worn piston rings, and keeping the engine clean.

Symptoms of an Oil-Burning Subaru Engine

If your Subaru’s engine is burning oil, you will likely notice that there isn’t any oil in the car’s tank even if you filled it relatively recently.

To determine if your car needs oil, check the level of oil with a dipstick.

If you notice an oil leak from your Subaru, but can’t find a source of the leak and have had it checked for leaks at a mechanic, your car may be burning oil.

If your car seems to be low on oil, keep some car oil on hand and fill it when it appears.

However, getting your car repaired will cost more now but will save you money in the long run.

The most common sign that your engine is burning oil is smoke coming from the engine.

Smoke may be detectable even if you can’t see it, due to the presence of tar and other components from cigarettes.

If you notice black smoke coming from your car’s engine, there is a good chance that the oil is on fire. You should try to find the source of the fire and put it out before it damages your car or yourself.

Burning oil can also cause your car’s engine to catch on fire. If you see smoke coming from under the hood or hear an alarm going off, get out of the car and call 9-1-1.

If you notice blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipe of your car, it may be that your car’s engine is burning oil.

The color of smoke from a smoker’s cigarette may initially be blue, but over time it will become darker and more pronounced.

If your car is burning more than a quart of oil per thousand miles, you should have it fixed as soon as possible.

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What is the source of excessive oil use in Subaru vehicles?

Many people have posted explanations online about the cause of oil consumption in Subaru vehicles. According to these posts, the design of the piston rings themselves is responsible. The allegation is that the piston ring tension isn’t quite right, resulting in oil slipping past the rings and getting burned up in the combustion chamber. Replacing the piston rings will fix this problem.”

Subaru claims that their oil consumption is within a normal range and no further action is necessary.

If your car has one of the model numbers listed above, it is important to check your engine oil levels frequently.

If the engine doesn’t have enough oil to lubricate it, the pistons can get damaged.

Subaru’s Reaction To The Oil Consumption Problem

Subaru has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed over the excessive oil consumption in their vehicles.

The 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty is extended to an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty on all the models listed.
If you believe that you have been harmed by a product defect, the company may be willing to reimburse you for certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the alleged defect. This includes car rentals, vehicle repairs, and even towing costs.
Subaru is offering a free oil consumption test to help all current Subaru owners and lessees keep tabs on their oil levels. This service is available through participating dealerships.If you are an owner or leaser of a 2017 or 2018 Subaru, please visit your local dealership for a complimentary oil consumption test! The purpose of this service is to help keep track of your vehicle’s oil level and make necessary repairs/adjustments as needed.
Subaru has announced that all its authorized dealers will be required to perform any relevant technical service bulletins (TSB) repairs free of charge.This is in response to a recent TSB that warned of a potential issue with some Subaru models’ transmissions.

If you own a Subaru and were affected by the recalls, you may be eligible to receive a settlement from the manufacturer.

Gibbs Law Group has compiled a list of Subaru models that are potentially covered by the settlement. If your car is on this list, please visit their website for more information.

How to Stop Your Engine from Burning Oil

To keep your engine from burning oil, regularly clean the oil filters.

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Cleaning the filters is an easy way to keep your car running smoothly, or you can have a car repair shop do it for you when they get you a new quart of oil.

If you want to install a car stereo in your Subaru, many of the manufacturers, dealers, and automakers can do it for you.

There may be times when you need to request that the filter be changed on your water bill, and this might increase the cost of the service.

Changing the oil on a vehicle can be done more often than what is recommended by the manufacturer, but this does not mean that you should.

Performing an oil change at least every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 3 months, whichever comes first is generally recommended by manufacturers. However, you do not have to adhere to these guidelines if you feel it will negatively impact your vehicle’s performance or reliability.

It is typically unnecessary and will cost you more money in the long run to fill your car with low-quality oil. Quality oils are expensive, but they will last longer and provide better performance.

Higher-quality oils will likely not become dirty as quickly, which can help keep the oil filter clean and clog-free.

Motor honey is a product designed to reduce the risk of oil burning. It is available for around $6-$20 per bottle, and will last you several oil changes.

Motor Honey is a product that can be added to the oil tank during an oil change, although it may require bringing the specific kind of Motor Honey that the repair shop uses.

Motor Honey will help you to reduce the amount of oil your car is using, which can save you money in the long run.

The cost to repair this issue will vary depending on the cause of the oil burning and the car repair shop’s rates and part prices.

If you own a Subaru model from after 2014, you likely won’t experience the issue of burning oil.

If you are considering purchasing a used Subaru, it is important to ask the dealership if they or the previous owner have noticed any issues with the car burning oil.

If you own a Subaru made in 2010-2014, you may want to avoid burning oil or experiencing excessive oil consumption.

What Subaru has to say about it

The Subaru brand logo | Uli Deck/picture alliance via Getty Images

“Subaru believes that the excessive oil burning in some of its cars is directly related to owner use and a normal side effect of vehicle ownership. Subaru is standing firm on its claim that excessive oil burning in its cars reflects owner use and a normal side effect of vehicle ownership. Subaru does not believe there are any mechanical or design issues with the car.”

“Subaru believes that the excessive oil burning in some models of its cars reflects owner use, which is a common side-effect associated with owning a car. The automaker does not believe there are any mechanical or design issues with these vehicles.”

Are Subaru vehicles gas guzzlers?

Mechanics Direct recognizes several reasons a car might consume more oil than usual. There can be a problem with gaskets and seals that lead to leaks or worn piston rings that allow excess oil to seep into the chamber, high oil pressure is another factor, flooding the engine with oil and resulting in more consumption than usual, and poor quality or synthetic oils can also trigger excessive fuel consumption.

Subaru vehicles are known for having oil-consumption issues, with dozens of complaints being filed about the engine in recent years. The 2014 model year seems to be especially troublesome, with drivers reporting that their Subarus are burning through a lot of oil.

Mechanics Direct reports that the fourth-generation Subaru Forester is the most problematic for oil consumption, but there are also complaints about the 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy, 2013-2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek, and 2003-2008 Subaru Forester. There are further complaints regarding the Outback as well.

Should you ignore oil consumption issues in the first place?

Subaru has a reputation for building long-lasting, reliable vehicles. If you’re concerned about having problems with your engine, then a Subaru might be the perfect choice for you.

Considering all of the factors, it is ultimately up to you whether or not to buy a Subaru. However, based on the value of a well-equipped vehicle with great safety ratings and AWD capability, versus potentially burning through too much oil, it may still be worth considering one. In fact, Subaru offers piston ring replacements on qualifying models.

There are other steps to reduce the risk of overconsuming oil, too. Quality engine oil is a great first step since the better formulas tend to last longer than economy blends. Your engine will thank you for the cleaner burning varieties, as well.

If you spot any signs of an oil leak, make sure you handle it quickly and schedule an appointment with a mechanic or dealership. Catching leaks early and fixing them will ensure you avoid major oil drainage complications.

Additionally, always remember to maintain regularly scheduled maintenance, especially with manufacturer recalls that notify you of needed replacements.

Subaru models have been known to experience excessive oil consumption. However, if you take care of your Subaru, you can minimize the problem and still enjoy its many benefits.

Deliberation on Specification

Subaru was accused of alarming oil consumption in their recent engines, with 1 quart for every 1-1.2k miles claimed as within the normal specification.

However, drivers were not duped – in fact, a Consumer Reports study found that four Subaru models landed themselves in the top 30 for oil consumption. The worst offender by far was the 3.6 liter six-cylinder engine

In 2014, a class-action lawsuit was brought against Subaru alleging that the company’s drivers were angry about their cars’ infotainment systems. The lawsuit is still ongoing, but given Audi’s loss in a similar case, it is probable that Subaru will be victorious.

The Affected Models

The vehicles most likely to be affected by high oil consumption are those with high engine power.

Subaru Forester 4th Gen (2014-18)
Subaru Legacy 5th Gen (2010-14)
Subaru Forester 2nd Gen (2003-08)
Subaru 6.82 4th Gen (2014-18)
Subaru XV Crosstrek 1st Gen (2013-15)

Excessive Oil Consumption Factors

There are six key factors that can contribute to your Subaru’s tendency to guzzle oil more quickly: engine wear, air leaks, a dirty engine, improper maintenance practices, and incorrect fuel/oil ratios.

Oil leaks are caused by wear to the seals or gaskets.
Poor grade oil will burn quicker than good quality oil.
Oil will escape and be consumed within the combustion chamber due to worn piston rings.
High oil pressure causes oil to overflow the engine and be burnt up.
Oil will most likely leak from small patches of natural wear and tear in an old engine.
Because synthetic oil is made differently than regular oil, it may often escape via considerably smaller pores.

Fixing Excessive Oil Consumption

There are a few things that you can do to help reduce your oil consumption, such as replacing the piston rings on qualifying vehicles.

Engine oil is a key part of maintaining your car’s engine health. It can help to avoid leaks and wear and tear, which will ultimately save you money in the long run.

Keeping up to date with routine maintenance is essential if you want your Subaru to stay leak-free and oil-efficient.

Third, respond quickly to any and all oil leaks. If you notice an oil leak in your car, you need to act fast to avoid a much more serious problem.

F.A.Q about “why do subarus burn oil”

Is it normal for Subarus to burn oil?

Subaru has stated that a quart burned every 1,000 to 1,200 miles is acceptable. It is normal for vehicles to burn a small amount of oil as they get older, like 100,000 miles and beyond. But when your car is new it should not be burning excessive amounts of oil.

Did Subaru fix the oil consumption problem?

Subaru has agreed to extend the 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty to an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty on all the models listed in the Class Action Settlement.

How bad is Subaru oil consumption?

Subaru has reiterated its claim that excessive oil burning in its cars is a direct reflection of how much the owner uses the vehicle, and is considered to be a normal side-effect of owning a car.

Is it bad to drive a car that burns oil?

If your car is burning oil, you may be able to drive it for a while as long as you keep adding engine oil when it gets low. However, if there is too much oil in the exhaust, this can cause your catalytic converter to overheat or fail. Additionally, if the engine oil level is low, this can cause a blown motor or seized engine.

Do Subaru boxer engines use oil?

According to Consumer Reports, Subaru vehicles are the best overall recreational vehicles on the planet, but some of their Boxer engine-powered vehicles are experiencing excessive oil consumption. Porsche is the only other brand that uses this design and the Boxter sports car is also on CR’s top 30 list.

Conclusion

Subaru cars are often prone to burning oil. However, there are a few things that you can do to prevent this from happening. Make sure that your engine is in good condition, use the correct oil, and take care of your car.