Subaru oil consumption

what grade oil are you running ?

0W20 synthetic, just like the manual recommends.

One third quart in 1,200 miles is correct and it reasonable. However if the light comes on then the engine is more than one quart low in which case you may need warranty service. Did they do an oil consumption test?

No, Subaru hasn't performed an oil-consumption test because the loss is expected. I consider 35% consumption unreasonable. Perhaps I'm an overzealous treehugger. I hunt and fish. I prefer my venison Valvoline-free.

I'm just disappointed that I have to haul extra oil and get premature oil changes on a new car. I'm baffled that a company would design, market, and defend lemon engines. I have a 2004 Ford Focus with 160,000 miles. If it burned a third of its oil between changes, I would tow it to the junkyard, thankful that I got rid of it before being stranded on the side of the road.

Welcome to the world of EPA engines that have to go to extremes to eke out tiny improvements in fuel economy. Subaru is not the only manufacturer to suffer oil consumption problems due to the use on low tension oil rings and zero weight oil.

And here I thought burning 1/3 quart of oil per 1,200 miles was obscene. Apparently, we're getting off lucky with our Subaru Valdeza.

I just had my engine "rebuilt" on a 2012 Imprezza which was drinking oil with the light coming on at 79 miles...I am the original owner and was NEVER told that the oil consumption for the previous years of having to top it off every few hundred miles was NOT normal. Now the rebuilt engine on its first mileage run out of the shop is no longer flagging the fill light so it was a good thing I am newly obsessed with observing its "progress" as it was already passed the midpoint and down to the lower fill level line. New engine block...touted as being effectively a new car again. SO DISAPPOINTED! I now cringe when I see those lovely ads on TV indicating that I was supposed to raise a family and see grandchildren with this same car...

My 2012 impreza was using oil and had engine job at 60,000 miles. Now at 118,000 on new motor it is using oil again. This is very disappointing. This is my second Subaru. Thinking it will be my last.

I didn't realize that this was NOT normal when I took my first east coast road trip and had to invest immediately in the 0-20 full synthetic when the oil light came on within 7 hours of highway driving. Service techs just shrugged their shoulders when I asked about it during my first oil change. Went to a different dealer for the next 2 (of the first free 4) and got the same response. Was going through 2 jugs of 5 gallon full syn every 3000 miles(figured it was because I might have over-packed the car with tools etc). As I was approaching 130,000 the light was coming on after 79 miles! A wonderful customer service agent took charge of this and managed to get me a new engine block/rebuild even though it was beyond the special "warranty" that they had NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT DURING ALL OF MY PREVIOUS VISITS. The NEW engine is not yet to its first oil change and the oil light never came on but I have been checking the dipstick on a regular basis and knew it was already past halfway. Now it is at the lower line...ironically I am still on the original brakes so they know how to do THOSE well!!!! I love the car...perfect physical design and great handling....I HATE being manipulated and lied to. Ads that convey it is a car you will love into the second and third GENERATIONS of your family. REALLY???

Subaru engine oil burning problems - they are offering an extended warranty and a free oil change! https://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=21674

Let's not pretend this is a modern car problem. I was sick of the oil consumption on my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek so I traded it for a Mazda CX-5. Aside from the Mazda being superior in every other way (including its AWD system, sorry), I also went double the distance on my last oil change for fun, to see how much oil it burned. At 20,000 km (12,000 past the manufacturer's recommended interval) the oil level was still showing on the stick about 1/4 inch. Same oil - 0W20 synthetic (which doesn't burn, by the way, as it is not flammable--it is leaked by sloppy oil control valves) Subaru's are a ridiculous scam, just like Volkswagen.

We plan to trade in our Subaru Valdeza probably for a Mazda CX-3. If Subaru ever fixes its obscene oil consumption, we happily would return.

I should add that I've owned many a Honda in my life and none of them burned oil. My most recent was a Civic and I once went over 27,000 km (roughly 16,800 miles) between oil changes. The tech at Mr. Lube told me the oil was 'quite low' and barely showed on the dipstick. In that car, as in the Subaru, if you still see a dab of oil on the stick, you're a quart from full. Heck, you wouldn't see a dry dipstick if you drove to Argentina, let alone a 7 hour road trip in the continental US or Canada. Same thin, runny 0W20 full synthetic oil, by the way, for the Subaru apologists. I don't mean to stir the pot and, in fact, I admire the faithful for sticking in there. I, however, vote with my feet. The Mazda I currently own feels three times more powerful, is quieter, gets nearly the same fuel economy, tows more and with far less perceived efforr, has more interior space, way bigger cargo area, handles in snow better, has a much better infotainment system that doesn't lag 2- 3 seconds behind, doesn't burn any oil ever, can actually thaw the windshield on an icy day, doesn't have an awkward transmission hump that intrudes into the footwell, and needs virtually no maintenance aside from very infrequent oil changes.

I have a 2014 Impreza and do less than 9 k a year. I am always putting oil in. Queried with Subaru UK and they said I shouldn't be waiting until oil light is on and should check level more regularly . What twice weekly or something. Really ? Wouldn't allow me to have it looked at . But research shows some action in USA on the same model? I think the same as you. I feel like I'm back to my old Austin in 1980 where I used to wipe the distributor cap weekly ...in fact that was easier! I was a young girl then!

2019 Crosstrek. 7 months old and burning oil. Dealer sidesteps issue and keeps saying “Subaru, the manufacturer of the car” and citing vague language from manual such as extreme weather being winter in Minnesota. Very dissatisfied with service Dept giving pat canned answers (Walser Subaru). And synthetic oil not cheap to keep adding to what I consider a new car.

Deepwater Horizon: We spilled 4 million barrels of oil. Subaru: Hold my beer.

Thank you all! I thought maybe it was just my 2017 Impreza. Guybrarian - too funny!

I have a 2017 Impreza that is also consuming oil. Low oil light three times in the first nine months of ownership, did the oil consumption test, confirmed it's burning oil, fixed something, sent me out on another test, still burning oil, replaced short block. That was October. Light just came on again. Dealership is blaming it on being a manual transmission and they burn more "because you're high revving it." I've had five other cars (including a 08 Impreza) and none of them burned oil at this rate. Car is at 16,500 miles, so at 6 trips to dealership for the same issue, it's basically an oil change every 2750 miles.

My local mechanic told me this is related to design defect which Subaru won’t acknowledge. To expect to have to replace catalytic converter at at 60,000 miles since small amount of oil leaks leaks into it due to engine design. This is on 2019 Crosstrek. I am not happy and am documenting my issue and pursuing with Subaru USA.

I have the same issue with my 2017 Subaru Imprezza. I have added 9 quarts of oil and had 2 oil consumption tests with oil changes within the first 12,000 miles. That is over 20 quarts of oil between its scheduled first oil change This is totally unacceptablel! I have owned small cars w turbo engines, w superchargers, and NEVER have I put in oil btw oil changes. And with synthetic oil, 9 qts is about $120. Think of the money you will spend in 50,000 miles! I plan to raise the Lemon Law with the dealership. I cannot keep this unreliable oil guzzling car. And when that oil light comes on, you better fill it fast - it will be down to about 1/2 quart left in the system - you need to carry 3 quarts or fill it regularly. No new car behaves like this, ever!

Buy a toyota. My Landcruiser has 175,00 miles; I change the oil every 7500 miles and have never added oil. Subaru engines are a joke. Don't accept mediocrity.

Oil consumption in new cars is directly related to the insane EPA mileage requirements. Back off on them and have sane regulations and the oil consumption issue will probably go away.

https://youtu.be/inZHYv-VHVo

This video sums it up. Serious engine problems Down the road due to the unintended consequences of burning oil!

The video was helpful. We plan to trade in our 2017 Impreza before the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty expires, even though we'll lose money on the deal. Normally, we keep cars for 15+ years. But if other carmakers are having the same oil-consumption problems, I'm not sure what to do.

2016 Impreza MT, uses about 1QT in 5k miles, since day one, 40k miles on it. I can live with that. The thing drives circles around trucks and SUV on snow covered roads and returns an honest 39MPG in the summer. Interesting that the issue seems to affect MTs more than ATs. Hate to blame the operator, but maybe the problem is magnified based on driver habits, wonder if excessive engine breaking (high revs to slow down in an attempt to save brake pads?) is partly to blame?

I've tried Amsoil it will slow down the consumption but I had no idea that my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek with consume that kind of oil so I've got about 26,000 miles on it have noticed oil consumption since day one it's pathetic and ridiculous anybody that owns a Subaru that puts up with that type of oil consumption good luck I'm going to go back and buy a Honda or Toyota my last vehicle is a Mazda3 I change the oil every 7500 had over 200,000 on it and it did not burn any oil at all Subarus suck on a fortunately cuz I kind of like my Subaru other than the oil consumption on the CVT transmission that I think it's a piece of s*** but anyway you Subaru owners rock on live on and keep wasting your money on Subaru

Experiencing the same issue. One dealership is saying the pcv valve is aluminum and to replace with cast iron fixes 90% of the issues. Another dealership claims they have never heard of it. Mentioned it to a master mechanic for Mercedes. Without mentioning the valve to him, that was his first answer.

My 2012 Impreza now has 290,000 klms under its belt and is just starting to use oil at a rate of about 1/2 litre per 2000 klms. I have serviced it myself since new, changing oil and filter every 12000 klms. I use 0w20 as well as 5w30 (decision is price-driven), synthetic or semi-synthetic. The only mod was the fitting of a K&N air filter element. The car is still on the original disc pads up front, recently replaced the rear ones. A great car, the only other thing I can think to add is the operating environment. In southern Australia where I live we enjoy moderate winters, no snow or ice, and summers are very warm.

2014 XV Crosstrek owner here. Bought it with high miles from a dealer. Doing my own plug changes and oil/filters. Driving on the highway saw oil light come on before I left town. Pulled over. Dipstick looked kinda dry. Barely a drop on it. Called a friend to get a lift to buy oil. Returned to the car, checked dipstick before adding oil and by some miracle, the stick showed good oil level! What gives! Drove 7mi home with no oil light. What just happened???

It takes at least 5 minutes for the oil to run down. My Subaru's always take quite a long time for the oil to settle.

It was more than 5min. More like 5months since oil change and the light came on while on the highway. Pulled over. Dipstick just had a few drops on it. Went to buy oil but added NONE. Stick had GOOD level and light stayed off for the drive home. Is there a clog?

What I am saying is check the oil level after 5 or 10 minutes with the engine off. Keep an eye on the oil level. Maybe the oil level sensor is at fault.

Okay. Now that my stress level has dropped (this event just happened), your answer makes sense. Dealership is 35mi away. Maybe I can drive to them today and pose the questions. And arrange a trade- in! I hate this. I’ve planned a 500mi trip in a couple weeks and need to have peace of mind for it. Thanks for the possible explanation. Someone on FB suggested a dirty head that was impeding flow, but the boxer heads are laying flat, so oil shouldn’t have flow trouble, unless I’ve got massive sludge. I’ve been changing oil at about 4k mi. Might change it tomorrow, just to see how much I really have in there.

I didn't read this whole thread, but wanted to leave this link here. There was a class action lawsuit about this sort of thing: https://jalopnik.com/subaru-settles-lawsuit-over-oil- burning-cars-1752805682

We purchased a 2014 Subaru Outback new from the dealer. Before its scheduled 3000 mile oil change, the oil light came on. I checked it and it was a quart down which surprised me due to such short mileage. When I called the dealer, they invited me to bring the car in for an "oil consumption test". I suggested to the service agent on the phone, that the shear existence of such a test is a red flag all by itself. I get the whole EPA thing about fuel consumption but at what expense? The excess oil going through the exhaust system creates maintenance headaches. Its not just the quart of oil that its costing you. What a complete joke.

What is a Subaru Valdeza? Hey tree hugger, you don't have to carry a bunch of oil around with you if you have to put some in when you stop and get gas buy it at the gas station. Don't be a doofus!

All new engines are having oil consumption issues. Thank the EPA. The solution to BMW, Audi and Mercedes is a larger oil pan. They now take 7-8 quarts and will use 2-3 between services. My Dr has a Audi and she put 4 qrts in between oil changes. She was pissed. Audi said it's normal. The new norm.

Have a 2017 Impreza stick and at 60000km just had the short block replaced after failing the oil consumption test. Dealer says they will warranty that engine 3 more years and another 60000km. Initially an oil consumption test was done early on when the oil burn to mileage calculation was 1L to 2000km or 3000km. It passed. But the calculation has now changed to 1L to 6000km - so it failed. Anyone who has oil burn in excess of this should request a current oil consumption test. If yours fails they will probably replace your short block. It took only 1 day to replace. We got our Impreza back the next day. Long story short is that not only Subaru has this problem with excessive oil burn. If you can - might as well see if a replacement short block helps to minimize this under warranty. Fingers crossed but not holding breath. Other than this and an ongoing creaking right front strut mount issue that may finally now be resolved - the Impreza does its job. Fantastic on the highway and really good traction with snow tires up mountain roads.

I am a semi-retired Subaru tech in Spokane WA. I know these engines very well. I have been overhauling them for 10 years. Every 3 to 4 years Subaru will make a design change in their engines. I know they don't test run them for any length of time or they would not keep the change. I found out what they did to the engine blocks to have head gasket issues starting in the mid-90's. When I identified the design change, the fix was simple and long lasting. then oil consumption started in in the early 2000's. Not as bad as now but it was related to a tiny PCV valve change. When they changed the piston oil control rings in 2007 I knew we were in for big time oil consumption. I was not wrong. The problem can be fixed but it takes a complete engine overhaul with aftermarket pistons and wider oil control rings. The problem can be fixed for good, but do not expect Subaru to offer it. It took a class action lawsuit for them to fix thousands of them, but I am not sure the new engines have the fix im talking about. Time will tell. In the meantime try putting in this oil additive Schaeffer's Moly EP Oil Treatment. I do not sell this I just have it on good authority (my parts supplier) that it has stopped the consumption on quite a few Subies. I love these cars and own a half dozen of them. I have fixed all of mine but still keep my Toyota 4 Runner as a keeper, LOL. BTW, don't believe You tube videos, especially the one above. What a crock. I have done hundreds of these engines. They can be fixed!

I have a 2015 Impreza , bought new, that now has 45.000 hard miles on her. Hasn't burned ANY oil in all that time. Am I lucky ... or typical?

Has the oil problem been fixed on new Imprezas? We, perhaps foolishly, are considering trading in our 2017 Impreza for a 2022 Impreza. Just wondering if oil consumption would continue to haunt us.

Subaru recommends a 1000-mile moderate engine break in period. What does this mean? Well, for the first 1000 miles no long trips, no hard driving or fast starts (don't floor it), no cruising at anyone speed for long periods, keeping engine RPM's under 4000 and varying RPM's often. And don't use the cruse control. Thus, and improper engine break in can cause oil consumption issues.