EXTERIOR PAINT

I have a 2010 Impreza. No paint issues whatsoever, with 15k miles, mixed highway and city.

Subaru is notorious for having very poor quality paint and glass. All the money you spent went into the engine and suspension. I'll take that trade-off. ;) There is something called an....invisible bra or star shield or something to that effect. It's a clear film that covers whichever part of your car you like. However, it's $$$$, so I've only heard of people with REALLY expensive cars shelling out the $.

We own a 2011 Outback in Ruby Red. While on vacation last summer, a bird left a present on the front hood. I washed it off two days later. Despite using a cleaner wax and several washings later, the mark on the paint remains. My black '97 BMW still has no blemishes from TN sun and birds...

Get paint protection film. Many cars are getting chips. It could be that the paint now has less solvents.

We are. 80,000 miles. Dealer is replacing the hood. Good thing we bought from a dealer who values customer experience.

Wow, don't know if it's the particular year you have or something went awry at the factory. Here's a picture of my 2010, paint is beautifully done.

I am having terrible issues with my 2011 Outback paint. I had rust on top ridge of my hatch and now am seeing rust on the top of my car. I have never had this issue with a car before now. I am so frustrated.

Ronda - repaint the rusty areas and in the future wax the car several times a year and wash off road salt every week.

Ronda-. Do you live in a state where they use road salts to melt snow?? I don't have this problem in Southern California.....IF I lived in an area like that..I would probably just lease a car for three years and turn them over.. By the time you go to try and sell a car that has significant rust...no one wants to purchase it... Good luck... You could just drive a beater in the winter and keep your Subaru Outback garaged for nice weather... Or get it washed every week...it's challenging...

I have numerous paint chips on both rear fenders and some on the hood. The rear fenders are especially bad...numerous small spots of paint completely gone...looks terrible on both sides of the vehicle.

If everyone knows Subarau has a paint problem why is there not a class action suite...………...to have the company repair or fix the problem.

2015 Subaru Outback that has what Subaru calls paint etching from what they determined is from bird droppings. I had dozens of vehicles in my driving life and this is the first time I’ve seen this. Yes Subaru has paint problems. They won’t acknowledge it although I’ve pressed issue to give me science behind why this paint issue exists. Disappointed

i wish I had answer, We pay a lot for our outbacks and do not expect to have the paint peeling off after 5 years. Mine is also rub red. can we all get together and sign for a class action lawsuit against the company? as much as I like my outback I would not recommend anyone to buy a car that has this issue.

Bird poop will ruin almost any paint so do not blame Subaru. This is why you garage your car and wash and wax it. With proper care the paint will look good for a decade or more. Yes the paint is thin but it will still hold up with care. I have a red 2015 Forester with 80,000 miles and there are no paint flaws.

This is my 2018 outback Subaru I notice this in March not sure how it got there I was thinking someone hit me but I’m not so sure I have been reading people are having paint chipping problems and I thinking I might to but not 100% sure, what do you think.

Yessss!! Our 2011 Subaru Outback has a bunch of nicks that are turning rusty. All over the hood. We just bought the car as 2nd owner ‘19 but we have owned Subarus in the past & this isn’t normal

That looks like you ran into something or someone ran into you. This is pretty normal, when you don't fix damage it rusts.

I have a 2000 Outback and has no dings or rust issues, though I keep a top brand polish on it, wash it with car wash and use my buffer on it. Looks brand new. You have to take care and time with it. And you’ll be surprised.

Oh yes and my Outback has 181,500 miles on it, no issues

You are correct 2011 owner. My 2012 has less than 60,00, miles and the thin coat of protector on the top of the paint is wearing off. i took it to a automotive paint shop and they agreed that the top coat was very cheap and did not hold up in certain cases, I live fairly close to the ocean.

two weeks bird poop ( i assume) on my 2018 outback hood and it has eaten thru the top coat and now Subaru tells me i need to take it somewhere and have it fixed for $150. I had a Toyota Camry for 20 years that was never in garage and never an issue. may friend has a 15 year old buick that never gets washed, ever and nothing on that car. it sits outside also. what is up with that?? i am not happy.

how do we make Subaru responsible for this severe lack of good quality paints? A new car like that? I was told the same thing by my dealership, but sent me to a paint shop for an estimate. Too expensive for a older retiree. Carol R

Ok, look. Go online and purchase a high quality power buff wax, “not made to be used by hand” you will need a high speed buffer. Squirt some of the wax on a soft pad and apply on and all around the bird poop spot. Run the buffer into the wax with side to side up n down applying little pressure and work outward till all is gone. Take lint free cloth, wipe and take carnuba wax “Mothers” brand is good. Rub a thin coat circular motion, let dry to a haze wipe off. (Now) to really make a difference take some detail spray wax, mist a little on, dry to haze and wipe off. There you have it. Thank you very much.

Worst paint job on any car I’ve owned. Dealership gave me the same crap about all the money going into the motor and 4 wheel drive. Should sell it naked with paint extra... Absolute garbage. Touted a be rally car but can’t handle regular roads and the new killer bird sh!? If anyone wants to go after Subaru I’m all for it. It is a car not a piece of porcelain.

I have a 2018 Crosstrek and a 2014 Outback. The Outback paint seems to be holding up just fine, but my Crosstrek Clearcoat is already starting to delaminate. I have started using the professional compounds, polishes and higher quality waxes. This seems to help, but I am thinking I will need to repaint and put a new layer of clearcoat on my Crosstrek. It is my understanding that vehicles coming from Japan have a thinner clearcoat, while the vehicles in the States have a thicker coat of clearcoat.

I have a 2015 Subaru Outback Pearlized Black. Recently noticed many white dots 1/16 to 1/8 inch on the front hood. White on black is very noticable. Our dealer said we must have parked under a sappy tree. However there are no trees on our property. I will pursue this with the dealer and Subaru. It certainly kills the looks and resale value of the car.

I got a 2015 Subaru Legacy, and within 2 years the (White Pearl) paint around the rear windshield started to peel off. I contacted Subaru many times, and they never took liability for the problem.