Oil leak from valve cover gasket on 2019 Subaru Impreza with only 19,000 km (11,800 miles)

[daveghan]

​

Hello everyone,


I'd like to share an experience I'm having with my Subaru Impreza purchased in 2019, which has only driven about 19,000 km (11,800 miles).

The issue​

During the last maintenance inspection, the mechanic found an engine oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket. This diagnosis was later confirmed by an authorized Subaru service center as well.

Important details​

• The car has always received regular maintenance at authorized centers
• It has always been kept in a garage and meticulously cared for
• It has only driven 19,000 km (11,800 miles) in over 5 years
• The extended warranty unfortunately expired on April 5, 2025 (just a few days ago)

Subaru Italy's response​

I contacted Subaru Italy both through the form on their website and via email, reporting the problem and asking if it could be a manufacturing defect. The response was rather disappointing: they simply stated that there are no "known defect indicators" and that the car is "out of warranty," inviting me to go to an authorized center for repairs at my expense.

My concerns​

I believe that an oil leak on a car with such low mileage, always kept in a garage and regularly maintained, is not acceptable. Is it normal for such a component to deteriorate after so little use? The coincidence with the warranty expiring just a few days earlier makes me even more perplexed.

My actions​

I decided to escalate the issue by contacting Subaru Corporation in Japan directly, and I'm currently awaiting their response.


Has anyone else had similar experiences with their Subaru? How did you handle it? Do you know of other cases of valve cover gasket problems on these models with low mileage?


Thank you in advance for any advice or experience you'd like to share.

 

[bmart]

In short, many cars that aren't used much, leak. The rubber bits dry out and/or take a shape, just like a tire will flat spot. Sadly, they're meant to be used and last longer when they do.

One of the first things to do if you buy an old car is replace anything rubber (tires, brake lines, hoses, etc.).

It may be an easy fix on that model and you could do it yourself. Or just monitor the oil level and drive it!

 

[daveghan]

Yes, of course it is possible. The car was purchased new, used regularly for short trips, since I also own other cars.

The tires are new, of course if after only 6 years a car wears out so much it is strange, then I thought the quality was better.

I thought something went wrong during assembly, a defect, an overheating problem, then I am not a mechanic, but those I spoke to mechanic not very happy to see the problem in my vehicle..

 

[taosmaus]

​

Hello everyone,


I'd like to share an experience I'm having with my Subaru Impreza purchased in 2019, which has only driven about 19,000 km (11,800 miles).

The issue​

During the last maintenance inspection, the mechanic found an engine oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket. This diagnosis was later confirmed by an authorized Subaru service center as well.

Important details​

• The car has always received regular maintenance at authorized centers
• It has always been kept in a garage and meticulously cared for
• It has only driven 19,000 km (11,800 miles) in over 5 years
• The extended warranty unfortunately expired on April 5, 2025 (just a few days ago)

Subaru Italy's response​

I contacted Subaru Italy both through the form on their website and via email, reporting the problem and asking if it could be a manufacturing defect. The response was rather disappointing: they simply stated that there are no "known defect indicators" and that the car is "out of warranty," inviting me to go to an authorized center for repairs at my expense.

My concerns​

I believe that an oil leak on a car with such low mileage, always kept in a garage and regularly maintained, is not acceptable. Is it normal for such a component to deteriorate after so little use? The coincidence with the warranty expiring just a few days earlier makes me even more perplexed.

My actions​

I decided to escalate the issue by contacting Subaru Corporation in Japan directly, and I'm currently awaiting their response.


Has anyone else had similar experiences with their Subaru? How did you handle it? Do you know of other cases of valve cover gasket problems on these models with low mileage?


Thank you in advance for any advice or experience you'd like to share.

 

[taosmaus]

I posted something similar a while back, titled '$7k repair!' See the original text below... you can search the forum for the replies I received. I still had to pay $2,879.39 for the repairs after placing a claim with Subaru of America. Good luck!

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!

 

[jigalow]

I posted something similar a while back, titled '$7k repair!' See the original text below... you can search the forum for the replies I received. I still had to pay $2,879.39 for the repairs after placing a claim with Subaru of America. Good luck!

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!

i have 2024 subaru forester touring the same happened to me the only difference it was still on factory warranty, the fault was one spark plug tube seal passenger side and only 15,841 km, also changed passenger side valve cover gasket they also changed out the oil pan gasket been watching carefully if the drivers side spark plug tube seal is going to start leaking keeping a eye on that, this goes to show mishaps can happen at the factory level .

 

[JustRight]

Quality is not what it used to be with any of the car manufacturers. Even Toyota is having big problems. GM has just recalled 800K trucks with their flagship LS engine. Older LS engines will go way over 300k with proper maintenance. The new ones will barely make it to 100k wihout major failure. I'm keeping all four of my older vehicles until if and when they get this sorted out. As long as people keep buying wa-a-a-y overpriced vehicles with crappy build quality, it will stay the same.