Subaru is a respectable Japanese automaker that gains customers’ trust by consistently producing high-quality vehicles.
Customers have, however, frequently lamented the decline in engine performance in recent years. As a result, while making a purchase, many Subaru enthusiasts always think about which subaru engines to avoid.
We will highlight significant problems that arise in inferior engines.
In addition, we will offer some additional details regarding the Subaru Boxer engine problems. The FAQ section can provide some useful information if you go to the bottom.
Subaru Engines: Are They Reliable?
Customers are beginning to question whether the remaining Subaru products are worth purchasing due to a few subaru products in the ocean.
Subaru has a strong position in the competitive auto industry, and this is not by accident.
Subaru is currently regarded as a car manufacturer of steady and dependable quality, evident in its cozy cabin, adaptable access, and economical fuel usage.
Subaru’s boxer engines, in particular, consistently pass stringent reliability tests. Many devoted Subaru owners have complimented the engines’ continued good performance before each maintenance interval.
Based on information gathered from a 2021 Customer Report, Subaru is pleased to rank among the top 25% of the most reliable automakers.
Businesses rarely succeed in completely satisfying clients with every product they offer. Every brand offers excellent products and vice versa.
Subaru is no different. Hence, Subaru is still a car brand you can think about, excluding the ones on the list below.
which subaru engines to avoid?
Which Subaru engines should I live away from? Three engines—the Subaru 2.5-L Turbo 4-Cylinder, the Subaru EJ25, and the Subaru EJ205/EJ207/EJ20G Engine—are more inclined than the others to malfunction, mainly in terms of oil-associated troubles.
Let’s check every version.
1. Subaru 2.5-L Turbo 4 Cylinder
The Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI models from 2009 to 2014 have been designed with this engine.
Drivers said they noticed a substantial weakening of the touch factors between the piston ring and the ground on this engine gadget.
You are aware that the PCV valve is in charge of removing emissions from the crankcase. On the other hand, the cylinder’s mechanism permits the combustion chamber to be filled with vaporized crankcase oil.
This circumstance overloads the pistons, in addition to reducing the fuel mixture. The engine is close to breaking.
Inadequate operation leads to internal components overheating or sticking. The car can abruptly cut out or come to a stop while traveling.
In actuality, many owners of the vehicles above models have encountered this awkward circumstance. In addition, bearings and crankshafts indicate oil problems, which cause engines to overheat.
Fixing this engine failure is tricky and will cost the motorist a lot more money in the long run for replacement and repair.
2. The Subaru EJ25
The Subaru EJ25 has the highest number of problems and is frequently fitted in the Subaru Forester and Legacy models. Two engine types are available: a twin camshaft and a 2.5-liter boxer engine that runs naturally.
Significant problems are still associated with oil, such as head gasket failure, oil combusting, and oil scarcity.
These faults usually show up due to outside agents after extended use. It’s because of the careless engine engineering at Subaru.
Consequently, there is a low rating for quality, performance, or endurance.
3. Engine Subaru EJ205/EJ207/EJ20G
We go on to the Subaru engine stuck due to oil issues. In contrast to the previous two designations, clogged rings in the EJ205/EJ207/EJ20G Engine frequently cause engine oil leaking.
Subaru tried to reassure customers by explaining that its fuel and oil are of higher quality. Nonetheless, the majority of clients view it as a justification.
Furthermore, the air-conditioned intercooler appears erratic because it struggles to cool the engine core when running, particularly at high loads.
Sadly, if the engine overheats, it will stay that way until it sustains complete damage.
Subaru Engine Issues
The oil issues with the listed Subaru failing engines are visible. Learn more about these problems by joining us.
Oil Spills
Head gasket problems are the primary source of oil leaks. The same failure for coolant and oil results from these head gaskets leaking through the cylinder head and engine block.
An error can arise depending on the structure, particularly the head gasket material.
Cars with damaged engines have been found to have head gaskets coated in graphite. This shell’s adherence is considered fragile and fades progressively after traveling roughly 100,000 miles.
By discarding this adhesive, the head gasket becomes more susceptible.
Subaru changed the graphite head gasket for an uncoated multi-layer head gasket in response to dissatisfied consumers.
The 2.5-L engine EJ25D, a frequently seen integrated part of the Subaru Forester, Legacy, and Impreza lineup, is the engine where oil leaks most frequently.
Coolant and Oil in the Chamber.
Poorly designed cylinders can allow significant volumes of coolant, sometimes known as oil or antifreeze, to enter the combustion chamber and burn.
This might lead to rapid coolant level decline and excessive oil usage. An engine running low on coolant may overheat, cause damage, or—far more dangerously—combust.
Smoke frequently indicates this problem. The presence of black smoke indicates burning motor oil. White smoke, on the other hand, means that the coolant or any other excellent engine component is burning.
Engine Issues with the Subaru Boxer
Two well-known automakers use boxer engines: Porsche and Subaru.
Specifically, this part is installed in nearly every Subaru vehicle and is designed and developed using the company’s innovations.
An automotive engine with horizontally and symmetrically aligned pistons and cylinders is called a Boxer engine or flat internal combustion engine.
Because the pistons are positioned on the same plane, their motions resemble boxers. The engine bears its moniker as a result.
When the Boxer engine runs, the two piston sequences will produce opposing forces through the symmetrical horizontal structure, canceling each other.
This process provides a long-lasting, comfortable ride along with improved performance.
The engine’s unbalanced and uneven motion is the root of the issue.
In addition, this engine has two heads. Because two rows of cylinders are needed, the cost of manufacture will increase significantly.
Subaru used a broad spectrum when designing the Boxer Engine. The construction flattens in height but grows horizontally (like a wide rectangular block).
This architecture leads to a lot of engine layout challenges. The manufacturer had to construct its own chassis to install the Boxer engine using more intricate calculations.
It’s also important to note that small bases and short rods need help supporting big loads.
Additionally, the rod pistons have a higher chance of failing. Furthermore, installing or repairing the engine is a costly undertaking.
What Causes Subaru Engine Failure?
The 2019–2018 models’ integrated malfunctioning fuel pump exhibits performance issues.
The fuel pump is fractured, which makes it more difficult for the engine to generate electricity and causes it to come to be slow, shake violently, or produce loud noises.
It’s commonplace for the automobile’s engine to exit at the same time as it is moving, which could easily bring about site visitors’ injuries.
Many motorists are puzzled as to why their test engine mild illuminates.
That may suggest a malfunction and imply that the gas pump desires a modification.
Ascent SUV, Impreza, and Legacy models still have this issue.
The story doesn’t end there. The computer system of over 200,000 Subaru (Impreza and Subaru Crosstrek) cars has caused engine damage.
The computer component was originally programmed carelessly.
In particular, even after the motor is shut off, it continues to deliver electricity to the ignition coil.
In addition to overheating, the engine can cause electrical problems like fuse explosions, short circuits, and unexpected engine power outages.
Another cause of Subaru engines failing is PCV valves, namely cracks or separations. Oil or broken PCV valve parts may be able to enter the combustion chamber through that hole.
In addition to resulting in excessive oil use, the engine as a whole ages more rapidly.
When there is a PCV valve problem, the car’s engine shakes alot and becomes challenging to start or turn off. A stuck PCV valve is one possible cause of the Check Engine light on.
FAQs
Which model year Subaru has engine issues?
The Subaru Forester, Impreza, and Legacy are the models with the most issues between 2017 and 2019.
It is not advised to purchase the 2017 Subaru Forester due to its weak engine and electrical problems.
The car’s battery system exhibits low life, flickering even before it reaches 30,000 miles. Furthermore, the navigation and radio systems need to be fixed.
The Subaru line is not exempt from manufacturing defects between 2017 and 2019.
Not only are electrical problems and computer programs involved, but engine parts like a cracked PCV valve or an oil pump are also part of the problem.
It is common for owners of these vehicles to observe that the Check Engine light is constantly on for unclear reasons.
Which Subaru Engine Is Problematic with the Head Gasket?
The significant head gasket error in the 2.5-L SOHC and EJ engines was disappointing.
The number of Subaru cars—specifically, those from the Forrester, Impreza, and Legacy lines—that have defective head gaskets reported to auto repair shops is rising.
This mistake causes overheated engines, leaks of coolant and oil, and immoderate oil intake. Subaru made the selection to request guarantee extensions at one 100,000 miles so that you can address this hassle.
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What Drawbacks Do Subaru Boxer Engines Have?
The size of the boxer engine and its repair or replacement are the two main issues with Subaru boxer engines.
The boxer engine is large and wide, requiring a lot of room. It is, therefore, thought to be costly to produce a specific framework that fits this component.
Repairers must also invest more time and energy when fixing a boxer engine.
Because of its flat-four configuration, the boxer engine has twice the amount of engine heads, camshafts, head gaskets, and timing belts compared to a straight-four engine.
There is little room to get to the engine head.
The engine must be removed from the vehicle whenever you need to replace the head gasket or another component, which is very difficult, time-consuming, and also very expensive.
What Benefits Does a Subaru Boxer Engine Offer?
The advantages that the Boxer engine brings to your driving are something we cannot dispute. The boxer engine has the best balance compared to traditional engines like the V- or I-engine.
The pistons’ symmetrical shape helps the engine run more smoothly by reducing vibration.
Regardless of the state of the road, the boxer engine’s horizontal placement, flat construction, and low center of gravity allow for excellent handling and cornering.
Additionally, the transmission is more efficient because of the CVT automatic transmission.
You can now accelerate smoothly without difficulty. The boxer engine is, in fact, perfect for the passionate driver.
What Is The Expected Mileage of A Subaru Boxer Engine?
Fortunately, despite the drawbacks, the Subaru boxer engine has excellent strength.
The most dependable and trustable Subaru engine can run up to 300,000 miles, while the Boxer engine has an average lifespan of 250,000 miles.
This figure may rise if other parts (such as head gaskets) continue to function correctly.
In contrast to other parts (small size, ease of disassembly, etc.), the boxer engine is challenging to maintain regularly. As a result, there is also a decreased chance of corruption.
Conclusion
We hope to have satisfied you with our thorough response to your queries about which Subaru engines to stay away from.
In conclusion, Subaru will not be able to satisfy its customers with Legacy and Forrester models from 2017 to 2019.
To make up for that carelessness, the brand has also put compensation programs in place for defective cars and also extend. warranties
Additionally, Subaru has made rapid improvements to mistakes in its later automotive products after a period of declining quality.
Thankfully, the models from 2020 onward have received favorable reviews and may again be trusted. Overall, when purchasing a car, Subaru is still a worthwhile alternative.
