My mechanic recently diagnosed our 2019 Subaru Outback (48k miles) with an oil leak he thought had been there for at least a year (not caught by the dealership!). He told me it was beyond his scope of repair & that I would need to take it back to the dealership, and it would most likely cost 6 ~ 8 thousand dollars to repair. The dealership charged me a $285 diagnostic fee to tell me the exact same thing my mechanic told me for free, then handed me the $7k estimate! I did contact Subaru of America to file a claim. They will be covering $4k of the repairs, but I still feel like $3k is pretty outrageous.
We've taken great care of our vehicle since we purchased it in September 2019. The first 4 years at the dealership. In the past year alone... we had the battery replaced (this was after another $275 diagnostic charge from our Subaru dealership in July), all new tires, new rear brakes, new air/cabin filter, a recent oil change & tune-up, all for a total of $3k.
This was the final response I got from SOA regarding what was wrong with our vehicle...
Thank you for your thoughtful message. I completely understand your concerns, particularly in light of your past experience with your previous Subaru. It’s incredibly frustrating to encounter significant repairs after purchasing a new vehicle, and I empathize with your situation. No one expects to face these kinds of challenges, especially after making such a large investment.
In regard to the engine reseal, this type of repair, while not common, can sometimes be necessary due to a variety of factors, including natural wear and tear, environmental conditions, or even the specific design of the engine itself. Over time, as a vehicle is driven under different conditions, certain engine components, such as gaskets or seals, may begin to deteriorate. This can cause minor leaks, typically related to oil or coolant, which will require resealing to restore the engine’s optimal performance and prevent further damage.
While it may seem like an unusual or unexpected repair, it's important to note that this kind of issue can happen with any vehicle as it ages or if exposed to harsher conditions, such as extreme temperatures or frequent short trips that don’t allow the engine to fully warm up. This repair isn’t specific to Subaru, and we do not typically see it across all of our vehicles. However, it’s something that occasionally comes up as part of routine vehicle maintenance or wear.
If you're still with me, thanks so much for hearing me out
I'd appreciate any feedback from others who may have experienced anything like this.
And hope it may help others in the future!
We've taken great care of our vehicle since we purchased it in September 2019. The first 4 years at the dealership. In the past year alone... we had the battery replaced (this was after another $275 diagnostic charge from our Subaru dealership in July), all new tires, new rear brakes, new air/cabin filter, a recent oil change & tune-up, all for a total of $3k.
This was the final response I got from SOA regarding what was wrong with our vehicle...
Thank you for your thoughtful message. I completely understand your concerns, particularly in light of your past experience with your previous Subaru. It’s incredibly frustrating to encounter significant repairs after purchasing a new vehicle, and I empathize with your situation. No one expects to face these kinds of challenges, especially after making such a large investment.
In regard to the engine reseal, this type of repair, while not common, can sometimes be necessary due to a variety of factors, including natural wear and tear, environmental conditions, or even the specific design of the engine itself. Over time, as a vehicle is driven under different conditions, certain engine components, such as gaskets or seals, may begin to deteriorate. This can cause minor leaks, typically related to oil or coolant, which will require resealing to restore the engine’s optimal performance and prevent further damage.
While it may seem like an unusual or unexpected repair, it's important to note that this kind of issue can happen with any vehicle as it ages or if exposed to harsher conditions, such as extreme temperatures or frequent short trips that don’t allow the engine to fully warm up. This repair isn’t specific to Subaru, and we do not typically see it across all of our vehicles. However, it’s something that occasionally comes up as part of routine vehicle maintenance or wear.
If you're still with me, thanks so much for hearing me out
I'd appreciate any feedback from others who may have experienced anything like this.
And hope it may help others in the future!
