Car Repair > Hi - 2005 Subaru Forrester- Got into car after it sat for a ... >

Hi - 2005 Subaru Forrester- Got into car after it sat for a weekend at airport - engine making clattery noise - we are told it has an engine failure- dealer refusing to cover replacement - says we did not change oil often enough. We have changed oil 5 times since purchase (mileage is now at 49,000), about every 6-7 months. Does it make sense that an engine could totally fall apart just because oil change didn''t happen every 3500 miles (what the dealer recommends)? If so, then WOW. I don''t want another Subaru ever again. We are being told the new engine will cost $7000. The dealer is opening engine up today and will report more specifically on what he finds - should we trust him to be honest about whether or not this failure is due to defect vs poor car care (ie:our fault)? Any info you can share would be helpful. Up until now I loved this car, despite needed to repair both front and back brakes last year. Are subaru forresters, 2005, lemons??

Optional Information:
2005 Subaru forrester

Already Tried:
took it to mechanic

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

hello!

According to teh maintenance information I ahve available for your Subaru, the manufacturer recommends oil changes under normal use at 7500 mile intervals (not 3500 miles). This information will be found in the back of your owners manual, under the maintenance schedule section. Using 7500 miles as an oil change interval, you should have perfromed 6 oil changes by this mileage; you have stated that you ahve had oil changed 5 times to this point... this is very close to factory recommendations.

I would suggest that you may want to speak with the dealership's service manager or ask for the number of their factory zone rep to make an effort to get this covered under factory warranty. Consulting with your attorney may be an option also.

It is not normal for Subaru engines to fail at such a low mileage; usually these engines will run for 200,000 miles without any major problems other than possibly a head gasket replacement.

I hope this is helpful; if this answers your question then please click the ACCEPT button to close the question. Thanks!

Related Answers