Is anyone taking Subaru to court for oil consumption issues on 2015 Subaru Foresters?

Read this, unfortunately, I don't think it's good news, http://www.carcomplaints.com/Subaru/Forester/2015/engine/high_ oil_consumption.shtml

I'm hoping that the Subaru 2017 models have fixed this problem. Cars are like fine vintage wines, some years are better than others. It's very sad to rely on a really great track record when looking to purchase a brand new car only to find that the new versions are not as good as the previous generation. That is why I really recommend purchasing a three year old lease return after you've had a chance to vette the car. Also, you'll save a lot of money buying a certified pre- owned car for 33 percent less off the original purchase price.

So you are saying in 5500 miles you used just over a quart? There is nothing wrong with that. They put a dipstick on the engine for a reason, use it and top off the oil if necessary. I would not get concerned until oil consumption is more than a quart in 2000 miles or less.

Roadrage1- I completely agree with Bob on this, IF you're saying that you went even 5,000 miles in one quart, that's fine . Boxer engines tend to use more oil by design than "Inline engines". I noticed that you mentioned that the "check engine light" came on. And, you then stated it was down "at least a quart". Exactly how much oil did you have to add to bring this back to normal?? Did you put in MORE than one quart , like 1 and 1/2 ?? Couple of other questions for you? Is your car a MANUAL Transmission?? Do you live or drive your car frequently in mountainous areas?

Much ado about nothing in this instance, as using even 2 qts of skinny 0w20 over 5-6k miles is perfectly ok. Please close thread.

I say the consumption is something over a quart. I used an entire quart to top it off. However, I have caught the dealership overfilling the car several times by a quart so I may have burned as much as 2 quarts. In the past I made them refill it properly. Unfortunately, I didn't check the last oil change. Markw asked if I have a manual transmission. I have an automatic.The vehicle is driven 80 miles a day round trip. 75% of that mileage is highway driving at 65 mph. It is not a mountainous region. Some minor gradual hills here and there. I have had very few vehicles that consumed oil. My 2000 Silverado 1500 pickup 5.3 liter engine with a 410 differential consumed oil but only a 1/2-3/4 of a quart. We are talking over a quart of oil per change and I think that is a little excessive. I realize 0W20 is almost like water but in my mind it is a poor design when I have to keep filling it up with expensive synthetic oil. I should have done my homework. If I had know it consumes oil like that I would not have purchased it.

My current direction for this scenario is to continue to use Mobil One 5w30 in all my synth apps, which include G37x, Miata NC SC and Subie FB motors. SOA would have to technically convince me that 0w is required below 0F. So far (about a couple dozen of these modern iterations) I've yet to have negative feedback re oil consumption. Roadrage's consumption scenario is indicative of this annoying scenario and its series of tipping point decision strategies. It's one thing to have a warning system that operates when capacity is down only 20% (1L), but to couple that with an extended oil change interval is an almost hopeless boobytrap with 0W synth. I'd be curious to learn what happens if the threadhead changes to 5w30 synth over several k-miles.

I think there are two class action law suits but these may be for 2014 and prior cars. I am on my third engine in my 2015 Forester and although the current one seems OK it does use a quart in 5,000 miles. Subaru's official limit is one quart in 3,600 miles. If your car uses more than that have a Subaru dealer do a oil consumption test and make sure they don't over fill it!

Your first step should be to get an oil consumption test and to pressure SOA to make it right. If you persist you should end up with a new short block.

Mark is giving the standard Subaru line. If your car is a manual transmission, drive in the mountains, it has a boxer engine etc, it uses 0W-20 oil, etc which is to say it is a Subaru and you should not have bought it unless you only drive in ideal conditions.

Mark is a shill.

FYI the 2.5 FB "fills to the dot" on its stick at 4.8qts, so putting in 5qts on a change is perfectly fine, despite that it rides a bit high on the stick. That extra 6 oz is nice to have as you'll perhaps consume it during its service interval. Subaru wisel;yinstalls a "low oil" warning light when down 1 liter, so using 5qts keeps you away from that loss mark longer. I don't know of anyone installing 6qts on a change in order to mask consumption. That would be egregious....

Please see this video...... interesting explanation..... https://youtu.be/xa1kqSo3aeM

Yeah...Cadogan's a treat. But I disagree with him re designing a more liberal sump/dipstick scenario where owners would allow level to dive low enough to compromise heat-sinking under load. Better to keep Subaru's one-liter-down warning light and get used to it. Again, using 5w instead of 0w oil helps reduce consumption, with essentially no cost in increased fuel eco. Subie did it just to minimize cold-start timing chain rattle starting in 2013.

Speaking of oil consumption.... my Mercedes Benz Sprinter hasn't registered any oil consumption either on the dipstick or electronically gauged in 3,000 miles... but, there's less than 30,000 miles on it. And, diesel engines run at a much lower RPM than the Subaru. My Subaru Outback Limited has been retired from towing, the only time I noticed that I needed to add some oil between changes.. The Sprinter has ample towing capacity.... And, the diesel engine has a much longer life span.. Oil changes on the Mercedes is once per year or every 10,000 miles..

45k miles on our 2105 forester 2.5 premium. Its "consuming" a half qt about every 3-3500 miles. I'm definitely not happy with it doing that. NEVER had a car burn one drop of oil other than this Subaru. My 2013 camry oil level is still at the top fill line 10k miles after the oil was changed. We did buy the extended warranty on the forester but we've grown out of it and will most likely sell it. Like many others are pondering on here, Im wondering how Im going to sell the forester to someone and not mention the oil consumption.

Forgot to mention above that ours is an automatic too..

Jbo78- I'm sure that you have received or were aware of this...your car is included in this group..go take care of it... you're way under 100k.... https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-s-oil-consumption-lawsuit- awards-some-owners-new-redesigned-engines

Jbo78- no reason to sell the car unless you really want to....I'm not a big fan of the Forester..drives like a truck....at least that's my opinion....a friend has a couple of these and I've driven them...

Grasshopper, there's NO WAY Jbo's going to get a new short block if "consuming" a half quart every 3k! The reference tolerance is 1 qt per 1200 mi. Further, to both of you, you just cannot compare the consumption of skinny 0w20 oil in a horizontally-opposed modern motor with "soft" rings for added fuel eco with older designs...especially diesels with their ultra-high compression and even tighter rings. Just switch to 5w30 (Subaru's INTERNATIONAL SPEC OIL!) and enjoy your wonky Forester, and ignore mark...once again.

Mark your link doesn't work FYI. We're selling bc of a few things...1) its (subaru) worth more than my 2013 camry which will be paid off this month,2) we're upsizing to a honda pilot bc the forester simply doesn't have the cabin room we need for luggage and an extra adult.3) Im not confident in the long term situation with the engine, specifcally the consumption getting worse and then Im screwed trying to sell it.

TheSubaruGuruBoston think that 5w30 is the ticket? Wont pool or negatively affect the oil pump pressure and flow?

I am using 5W-20 with no issues and will change to 5W-30 should I feel the need.

Oil pressure would probably run higher which is not bad. Pooling? I don't know what that means. All oil runs down to the oil pan regardless.

Jbo is worried that thicker oil won't circulate quickly enough or "pool". Just remember that 5w30 is the viscosity Subaru recommends internationally. With summer approaching I'd recommend upgrading from Xw20...maybe even to 15w40-50 in very hot climes.

Mine burns 0w20, 0w30, 5w20, and 5w30 equally. No difference at all.

Charles, good to know...after much internal debate and many nights laying awake, I think its best to sell the ol forester. We still owe a few grand on it anyways. My Camry is now paid off and I have a better feeling about it from a long term cost of operation perspective than I do with the Forester. Sucks because I really love the forester's practicality/versatility.

anyone interested in buying it?..lol 2.5i premium automatic 43k miles, all weather pkg, clear bra, weathertechs in front/back, reese 2" hitch, subaru aero cross bars.

I've kept the mileage on mine low. its at 62k and will be sold this summer. Good riddance! Even if it didn't burn oil I can't take more than 45 minutes in these wretched seats.

Ive never had a complaint about comfort in mine...what do you have Charles?

Seats are such a personal choice. I really can't complain about my Forester's seats, just the rest of the car ;)

Mine's a Crosstrek. The seats are ok around town but on any drive more than a half hour or so they just leave you wanting for a comfortable pair of seats. Not so uncomfortable you'd notice on a test drive, but once you drive another car you notice how much more comfy it is compared to the XV's seats. Even my 2003 Dodge cargo van has better seats.

Remember that the smaller Subaru platform used for the Impreza/Crosstrek/Forester is made in Japan for SMALLER humans. If you want a comfy, quieter experience you have to get the larger Legacy/Outback platform made in Indiana.

https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2018/03/28/subaru-wrx-sti- engine-lawsuit/461823002/ It appears that there may be a third Class Action suit.

Well our subaru is gone now..been a month and honestly we dont miss it. The new Honda pilot is working out quite well for us.

Update on the 2016 Subaru Forester excessive oil consumption – it is currently at the dealership (they asked me to come back) and apparently the service manager is trying to build a case in order to speak to Subaru of America. If this does not pan out, I am taking this to SoA in New Jersey – and I will be completely up for a second class action lawsuit. Let’s try to create a list of customers having the same problem so we have collective evidence that Subaru did NOT fix the piston ring problem. You can email me at jc.wms.69@gmail.com. Please make the subject line, “Another Unhappy Customer” so I know it is not spam. Just describe the problem you are having. These are not idle words for me. I owe $8000 grand on this car and cannot afford to just dump it and buy a new one. Subaru needs to be held accountable, apparently, again.