The Five Most Common Subaru Problems

5 Subaru Problems You Must Catch Early

Quick Summary
Subaurus, like many other brands, has known issues you should be aware of and address promptly to prevent more costly repairs.

1) Motor Oil consumption — All engines consume some oil. But Boxer engines consume a bit more than others. So, checking the oil level and topping it up are critical to long life.
2) Cam carrier and valve cover leaks — Failing spark plug tube seals are common across many vehicle brands. When that happens, the spark plug tube fills with oil, causing misfires. Subaru is no different in that respect. However, because of the boxer design, Subaru engines have another common valve cover issue; the oil pools at the bottom of the cover and leaks out.  Subaru’s cam carrier leak issue is a well-known problem, mostly affecting the EJ-series engines used in Outbacks, Foresters, Legacys, and Impreza/WRXs from roughly the late 1990s through the mid-2010s.
3) Neglected CVT fluid — Subaru’s stance on CVT fluid changes: Subaru has historically listed CVT fluid as “lifetime fill” or only requiring inspection rather than regular changes on many models. However, most technicians recommend changing the CVT fluid every 30,000–60,000 miles.
4) Failing wheel bearings — Subaru’s symmetrical AWD puts torque through all four wheels constantly, which means all four bearings are working harder than on a 2WD vehicle. More load = more wear over time.
5) Exhaust leaks — Commonly at the manifold or midpipe and can trigger lean codes, poor fuel economy, spark plug fouling, and even cylinder head damage if left unrepaired. Small gasket or flange failures can escalate into major repair bills.

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Common Subaru Problems

I’ve worked on Subarus long enough to tell you this: they’re fantastic vehicles when maintained properly. But the most common Subaru problems follow predictable patterns. None of them is mysterious. None of them are sudden surprises. They all give you warning signs. The trouble starts when owners ignore those warnings.

I’ll walk you through the common Subaru problems I see over and over again, why they happen, and exactly how to prevent them from turning into five-figure repair bills.

Problem #1 Oil Consumption: The Most Ignored of All Common Subaru Problems

If you own an EJ, FA, or FB engine, oil consumption is one of the most common Subaru problems you’ll face. Some oil usage is normal. Excessive oil consumption is not.

Modern Subaru engines use low-tension oil-control rings to reduce friction and improve fuel economy. The downside? If oil changes are stretched too long, sludge builds up. That sludge gums up the oil control rings. Once those rings stop scraping oil off the cylinder walls properly, oil enters the combustion chamber and gets burned.

The fix is simple. Check your oil every 1,000 miles or at every fuel fill-up. Use the correct viscosity. If your engine is consuming 0W-20 excessively, shorten your oil change intervals.

Among all common Subaru problems, oil consumption is the easiest to prevent — and the most catastrophic when ignored. I’ve seen spun rod bearings and complete engine replacements simply because someone didn’t check the dipstick.

Problem #2 Valve Cover and Cam Carrier Leaks: Small Seepage, Big Consequences: 

Another of the most common Subaru problems involves oil leaks from valve covers, cam covers, and especially cam carriers on FA/FB engines.

It always starts with a little wetness. A small seep. But here’s what happens next.

The valve cover leaks, allowing oil to eventually enter the spark plug tubes. That oil damages ignition coils and fouls plugs. What started as a gasket job becomes a valve gasket AND an ignition repair.

Problem #3 Cam carrier leaks 

Often caused by a neglected PCV valve, crankcase pressure builds up inside the engine. That pressure forces oil past seals. Suddenly, you’re looking at a VERY expensive engine-out reseal.

Problem #4 CVT Fluid Neglect: “Lifetime” Is a Marketing Word

Fluid breaks down from heat and shear. Subaru’s CVTs rely heavily on fluid condition to maintain proper belt or chain pressure. When the fluid degrades, internal wear accelerates.

One of the most expensive common Subaru problems is CVT failure. And in many cases, it traces back to fluid that was never serviced.

I recommend drain-and-fill services around 30,000–60,000 miles, depending on use. It costs a few hundred dollars. A replacement CVT can cost $8,000 to $9,000.

Problem #5 Wheel Bearings:

Wheel bearing failures are absolutely among the most common Subaru problems, especially in rust-belt states. You’ll hear a humming or roaring that changes with speed. Many owners try to stretch it another month.

When wheel bearings fail catastrophically, they can destroy CV axles, brake rotors, ABS sensors, and even allow wheel separation. What could have been a hub replacement turns into a multi-component repair.

Replace them at the first sign of noise. Don’t gamble with safety.

Exhaust Leaks: The Problem That Triggers Other Problems

Exhaust leaks — especially at the manifold or midpipe flange — are another common Subaru problem that snowballs.

A leaking manifold gasket allows exhaust gases to escape before reaching the upstream O2 sensor. The engine sees false lean readings and compensates by adding fuel. Fuel economy drops. Spark plugs foul. Cylinder walls wash down.

Ignore it long enough, and you can damage cylinder head sealing surfaces or exhaust studs.

Midpipe flange corrosion can trigger catalytic efficiency codes like P0420, leading owners to chase nonexistent converter failures.

What started as a simple gasket or flange repair becomes a diagnostic headache.

Fix exhaust leaks early. Always.