Are Subaru Boxer engines prone to head-gasket issues and high repair costs?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reliability of Subaru Boxer engines, specifically focusing on head-gasket issues and associated repair costs. Participants share personal experiences, opinions on vehicle performance, and considerations for purchasing used Subaru models.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants report personal experiences with head-gasket failures in older Subaru models, noting that earlier models had more issues, while others believe Subaru has improved reliability in later models.
  • One participant mentions the high cost of repairs, citing a specific case of over $1300 for head-gasket and catalytic converter repairs, while another suggests that catalytic converter replacements can be done for around $200.
  • There are differing opinions on the performance of Subaru vehicles in winter conditions, with some praising their handling and safety, while others express concerns about the potential for accidents with less capable vehicles.
  • Several participants discuss the importance of maintenance, particularly for turbocharged models, with advice on oil consumption and regular changes being emphasized.
  • One participant shares their experience with a specific model and year, suggesting that potential buyers should avoid certain years due to known issues with head gaskets.
  • There is a mention of the emotional attachment to Subaru vehicles, with participants expressing love for their cars despite past issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of experiences and opinions regarding Subaru's reliability, particularly concerning head-gasket issues. There is no clear consensus on the extent of the problem or the effectiveness of Subaru's improvements over the years.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions reference specific model years and their reliability, indicating that experiences may vary significantly based on individual vehicle history and maintenance practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Potential Subaru buyers, current owners considering repairs, and automotive enthusiasts interested in Subaru's performance and reliability issues may find this discussion relevant.

  • #31
Moonbear said:
Subarus are really popular around here. We have winding, mountainous roads with deep ditches instead of guard rails, so having a car that sticks to the road in snow is pretty important here. With a good set of tires, the Subarus will handle pretty much anything but a sheet of pure ice.
And with heavily studded snow tires, they will handle a sheet of pure ice, too. Then, your main concern is the OTHER guy who thinks that a big 4WD is capable of handling those conditions. Defensive driving is especially important when sharing the road with idiots.
 
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  • #32
I should mention that my wife is overjoyed at getting her '02 Legacy sedan back and healthy. She didn't like driving my old Nissan 4x4 or even my '09 Forester to work. She wanted her Legacy. I have to agree that it feels "nailed" to the road. When I was driving it back from the dealership, I took tight exit and entrance ramps at a higher rate of speed than I would have, if I had been driving the Forester. That little sedan is very solid and confidence-inspiring.
 
  • #33
I am on my 5th suby. I have had very few issues, and no major mechanical issues with any of them. Here in the mountains of Colorado there pretty much standard equipment. I have owned other AWD vehicles and they do not compare to the good ole suby in adverse weather conditions. My 2009 forester is sitting on a 30 mpg average when its advertised as 27 :). I live at 9000' with a 36 mile commute down a canyon that drops a mile vertically. I am hard on my subys.
 
  • #34
Allenspark said:
I have owned other AWD vehicles and they do not compare to the good ole suby in adverse weather conditions. My 2009 forester is sitting on a 30 mpg average when its advertised as 27 :). I live at 9000' with a 36 mile commute down a canyon that drops a mile vertically. I am hard on my subys.
The AWD thing as explained by youtube videos and Subaru salesmen is that Subaru's system is always on and it always tries to stay as symmetrical as possible. All of the wheels should be roughly the same speed, and equalizing power is more important than reducing slippage on ice.


The traction control system in my Corolla is actually similar to what those AWD Toyotas in the video are doing. Rather than focusing most of its attention on applying brakes to the tires that slip (which it does), it seems to put a lot of emphasis on cutting the throttle. While that's obviously a good feature for preventing understeer while taking corners, it's bad because cutting the throttle as much as it does means it cripples my acceleration and I'm more likely to get hit when I underestimate how much distance I need when making a turn. A lot of times I intentionally disable the traction control when making a turn because reverting back to a plain old open differential with no computers accelerates faster.

It's also worth mentioning that engine braking is a lot safer in a Subaru because all 4 tires are dragging. Engine braking down a hill in a front wheel drive car in winter is extremely dangerous because it means all of the braking force is on the two front tires. That leaves a sticky situation where you either engine brake and risk losing the ability to steer your car or ride the brakes and need to replace them every month.
 
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  • #35
ShawnD said:
The AWD thing as explained by youtube videos and Subaru salesmen is that Subaru's system is always on and it always tries to stay as symmetrical as possible. All of the wheels should be roughly the same speed, and equalizing power is more important than reducing slippage on ice.


The traction control system in my Corolla is actually similar to what those AWD Toyotas in the video are doing. Rather than focusing most of its attention on applying brakes to the tires that slip (which it does), it seems to put a lot of emphasis on cutting the throttle. While that's obviously a good feature for preventing understeer while taking corners, it's bad because cutting the throttle as much as it does means it cripples my acceleration and I'm more likely to get hit when I underestimate how much distance I need when making a turn. A lot of times I intentionally disable the traction control when making a turn because reverting back to a plain old open differential with no computers accelerates faster.

It's also worth mentioning that engine braking is a lot safer in a Subaru because all 4 tires are dragging. Engine braking down a hill in a front wheel drive car in winter is extremely dangerous because it means all of the braking force is on the two front tires. That leaves a sticky situation where you either engine brake and risk losing the ability to steer your car or ride the brakes and need to replace them every month.


The other AWD vehicles i have owned are a 2006 Rav 4 and a 2008 Volvo S40 T5. Both where nice, but as far as performance on snow and ice they where not as good as the suby. Suby's are a bit rough in the luxury department, but they make up for it in safety and handling in snowy and icy conditions. I am a huge fan of toyota. I plow my property with a tundra, but when it comes to hauling the kids up and down the hill, my suby is employed to do the job. I have had my fair share of suby problems, wheel bearings mostly, some minor electrical issues, etc but the problems have not been severe enough for me to change. My volvo was falling apart at 60k and had more shop time then i was comfortable with.
 
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