I discovered this five months ago. The mechanic said not to worry about it, it is common. The light came on one week before the oil change was due. He said to go back if it became consistent, and it has not happened again.
I have a 2015 Subaru Outback with less than 57,000 miles on it. I am under the $60K warranty mileage, but because I'm retired and do not drive a lot, I am over the time period of 5 years by a month!!!
The dealer said the dual cam carrier is leaking. Estimated cost to repair $3500. I can't believe Subaru has not extended the warranty on this item. It's shown up as a problem since before 2013.
Oil usage is excessive! I've never had this problem with several Hondas and Toyotas in my past. Also the requirement to use a new washer on the oil pan with each change makes me less inclined to ever buy this make again-what a gimmick! I have an extended warranty, but what ever happened to quality-Subaru seems to be perpetuating the same problem they have had in previous years leading to a class action suit-Fix it!
Twice the low oil alert light came over 2,000 miles before the vehicle was due for it's next oil change. The first time this occurred I thought Valvoline failed to put enough oil in. However, the second time I brought the vehicle in to Subaru of White Bear, MN. They explained Subaru lost a class-action law suit regarding numerous models that were burning oil excessively. They assured me Subaru of America would fix the problem if the car failed an oil consumption test. However, the vehicle failed the oil consumption test and Subaru of America refused to pay for the full cost to have the vehicle repaired as the class action lawsuit did not include 2015 models. Apparently, another class action lawsuit needs to be filed in order for Subaru of America pay for the repair on this known problem. Don't buy a Subaru as this problem still persists.
It's been more than a year since red light " low oil " keeps coming. It comes on just after 3500 ml " add quart , after 1500 - same ... And dealer service just lifting shoulders like it's normal .
- Rimas S.,
Bellingham, WA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I have noticed that the car started burning oil somewhere before 40,000 miles. Subaru of Countryside in Illinois refused to do oil consumption test at first. They stated that we were going over our Synthetic oil changes. That was not true. We never exceeded 6,000 miles. They have decided to do the test. However, we were told it is not going to be accurate. Our Outback consumed 8 ounces after 1,200 miles. We were told it had to be 10.5 to start looking for the problem. We are now at the second oil consumption test.
AT 4300 MILES I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. THEY SEEMED CONCERNED. TOOK IN AND THEY CHANGED THE OIL SENSOR. I KNEW THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE OIL WAS LOW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THEY ARE KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. I AM A ROAD WARRIOR. I HAVE 94,000 MILES NOW ON A 2015 OUTBACK. THE DEALERSHIP IS JUST WAITING FOR ME TO GET TO 100,000 SO THEY CAN STOP HEARING MY COMPLAINTS EVERY TIME I COME IN. THE DEALERSHIP IS VAN SUBARU IN NORTH KANSAS CITY. THE SERVICE WRITERS ARE NICE BUT, THEY DON'T GIVE A SH*T OR THEY WOULD OF STOOD BEHIND THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE IT RIGHT WHEN THE CAR HAD 4000 MILES ON IT. I WISH THEY STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I WILL TRY TO CALL THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR SUBARU.
2015 subaru outback is on its 3rd oil consumption test. This vehicle consumed in excess of 1.5 quarts of oil when driven approximately 3000 highway miles. The problem does not occur when driven around town. Subaru refuses to acknowledge the problem. They states that oil consumption is normal.
I have brought the car to the dealer on multiple occasions. They keep telling me that it is normal for a new (or any age) automobile to burn a quart of oil between oil changes. Hmm none of the 10 Toyota's in my fleet have burned oil - even the ones I have with over 150k miles. The problem started immediately, but in Subaru's defense I was over the 5k oil change mileage marker by 1500 miles the first time the low oil light came on. This happens repeatedly and it is now to a point that if I exceed the 5,000 mile mark by 500 miles the light comes on and it is a quart low. Since I travel quite a bit, I keep a minimum of 2 quarts of oil in my car always.
Wife has a 2015 Subaru Outback, purchased new in late 2014. It is Sep 2016. A couple months ago she mentioned the oil light came on. She added some oil. Again now, just before it's due for an oil change the oil light came on and engine was about a quart low. So between changes it burned off between 1-2 quarts. She took it to the dealer and made them note the issue on the paperwork, as it appears there has already been a class action suit over this problem on prior model years and some owners have had expensive repairs ($8K) trying to fix it.
Initial dealer response is they are paying for the oil change and will start testing oil consumption...she needs to take it back in after 1200 miles so they can check the level.
Now she feels like she needs to document the mileage and amount every time she adds any oil, and prepare for headaches, plus waste time on extra trips to the dealer to investigate this over time.
Thankfully, she has an extended waranty but what a pain on a car purchased new and still low miles. I may advise her to just trade it if it becomes a headache.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I discovered this five months ago. The mechanic said not to worry about it, it is common. The light came on one week before the oil change was due. He said to go back if it became consistent, and it has not happened again.
- Maria M T., Spring, US