[billybob]

My 2014 5spd has about 2800 miles on it. Oil light just came on yesterday. I'll check the level in the AM (Christmas).. Wonder if I am experiencing the consumption issue, and maybe other related reported issues?

You need to start documenting when you have to add oil. Do suggest to check the oil level at least once a month on a level service. Please don't rely for that yellow idiot light to come on. If you're burning a quart every 2800 miles, that's just too much.

 

[AWDfreak]

My 2014 5spd has about 2800 miles on it. Oil light just came on yesterday. I'll check the level in the AM (Christmas).. Wonder if I am experiencing the consumption issue, and maybe other related reported issues?

You need to start documenting when you have to add oil. Do suggest to check the oil level at least once a month on a level service. Please don't rely for that yellow idiot light to come on. If you're burning a quart every 2800 miles, that's just too much.

Actually, a quart every 2800 miles is within specs that Subaru set.

From my owner's manual:

If the oil consumption rate seems abnormally high after the break-in period, for example more than 1 quart per 1,200 miles or 1 liter per 2,000 kilometers, contact your SUBARU dealer.

 

[Deal Breaker]

0/20 weight synthetic oil has a lot to do with the oil consumption issue. They're using this thin water like product to comply with epa mileage requirements across there entire stable of vehicles. My Subaru salesman, service tech and service manager have suggested moving to a 10/30 weight synthetic to slow down the consumption. All three have told me it will not void the warranty. I've not experienced any oil consumption on my 14'

 

[Hacksaw]

0/20 weight synthetic oil has a lot to do with the oil consumption issue. They're using this thin water like product to comply with epa mileage requirements across there entire stable of vehicles. My Subaru salesman, service tech and service manager have suggested moving to a 10/30 weight synthetic to slow down the consumption. All three have told me it will not void the warranty. I've not experienced any oil consumption on my 14'

That is the worst advice I've ever heard; ask them if they will put that advice in writing Put 10/30 in your XV at your own risk. If you want to be certain, try contacting SOA and see what they say. Bet they tell you 10/30 is at best not advised and could very well tell you that it could indeed void the warranty.

 

[tangyxv]

Wow. I haven't driven my XV in a while and I have to check that noise on the left side of the engine. And I haven't been visiting the forum for some time now. The last time I drove my XV was just this last Christmas and the oil level light turned on. I just put more oil because I was only home for a few days. I know I have the oil consumption issue but at least I know now why it's doing it. Reading that taking care of the issue will take days I may have to take my car to a different dealership now.

 

[billybob]

Subaru dealers are telling owners that the oil consumption issue is “normal” and that normal usage is 1 quart every 1200 miles. But with a new vehicle, this kind of oil consumption is definitely not normal. Owners who are experiencing excessive oil usage can take their Forester, Outback, Legacy, XV Crosstrek and Impreza models in and ask their Subaru dealer for a "consumption test". They will then change the oil free of cost, and ask you to come back in 1200 miles. If the oil usage is over their acceptable specifications, they could replace the piston rings. http://www.torquenews.com/1084/why-subaru-s-excessive-oil-consumption-issue-could-spoil-their-party

 

[Schonuff]

Nice heads-up. This article states 2013 XV's. Did Subaru correct this on the 14+ models?

At a quart every 1200 miles wouldn't the thing dry up before the first oil change was due?

 

[Deal Breaker]

They changed the piston rings to help reduce oil consumption. About half the 2013's 4 bangers have the capability to consume oil. I switched to a 5-30 weight synthetic in my 2013 outback and it stopped the oil use immediately. 0-20 is like water, it helps with USA MPG café standard requirements that's its only benefit...

 

[Schonuff]

Good to know. I think the jury is still out on these light oils. It seems everybody is in on the 0 weight game these days. That's also what makes the 7000 mile oil change interval seem odd too. You'd think such a light oil would need more frequent changing.

 

[dlopan]

Using oil is not normal hence the lawsuits. Thats why Subaru extended the warranty to 100k miles.

 

[R P]

Using oil is not normal hence the lawsuits. Thats why Subaru extended the warranty to 100k miles.

What lawsuit? And the only 10 year warranty I have on mine is for the CVT. Nothing engine related. BTW, mine hardly used a drop of oil in 10K kms when I last changed oil. And I haven't heard of any excessive oil consumption problem in the latest gen Crosstreks.

And why would you resurrect a thread more than 5 years old? That subject is not very relevant today.

 

[dlopan]

It's always relevant. 2nd new oil consumption lawsuit suddenly filed against Subaru | Torque News
My 2014 hasn't any issues other than the valve body. Lots of people with 2013/14's have oil problems.

 

[d.r.h.]

My wife's 2013, at 110K miles has zero oil use issues between 5K mile oil change intervals.

 

[R P]

It's always relevant. 2nd new oil consumption lawsuit suddenly filed against Subaru | Torque News
My 2014 hasn't any issues other than the valve body. Lots of people with 2013/14's have oil problems.

Old, old news... That was back when Subaru and a lot of manufacturers had some trouble with new rings when switching to the thinner oils to meet the EPA standards for fuel consumption. Some engines failed to break in properly and used oil. They were covered under warranty. Not an issue today...

 

[North_Idaho1981]

I am the owner of a 2014 crosstrek and have been driving it since 2015 when I purchased it "Certified pre-owned" with 7,300 miles on it. The car was in good condition and I've driven it and maintained it regularly since then. Just before my most recent oil change was due, I was driving and my oil light came on which was concerning to me as my car only has 80,000 miles on it. I checked the oil and it was reading a little low. I took it immediately to my oil change shop, and was told it's a quart low and that he see's it a lot in these cars. He went ahead and changed the oil and just put on the sticker that I should get it changed ever 4,000 miles to make sure we stay on top of it. Needless to say, regardless of the fact that it seems common on these cars, does not give me a lot of confidence. I wouldn't have spent $25,000 on a used car if I had known that in 6 years, I would need to carry around oil just in case. That is something I would expect from one of the hoopties I drove in high school and only cost me $500.00. prior to this car, the newest car I had ever bought was a 2000 Subaru outback that had 93,000 miles on it when I bought it. I have never had a car use this much oil. It makes no sense to me at all.

 

[jondub66J-Dub]

What lawsuit? And the only 10 year warranty I have on mine is for the CVT. Nothing engine related. BTW, mine hardly used a drop of oil in 10K kms when I last changed oil. And I haven't heard of any excessive oil consumption problem in the latest gen Crosstreks.

And why would you resurrect a thread more than 5 years old? That subject is not very relevant today.

Well it's useful to Me - I have a 2016 Crosstrek w/20K miles 😁

 

[djpinkyjnr]

So Im not sure how many of you actually knew about this but figured Id pass along the word anyways. So I recently noticed that my XV had a ticking sound when it came up to temperature, at first it was off and on but then it was constant. I went in for an oil change and told them that I would not be leaving the dealership unless they either gave me a new XV or fixed the problem. So after some research on their part they discovered that there is an issue with the XV motor. From what I read the XV motor is a different 2.0L Boxer than what it is in the Impreza and other models. Apparently there was a design issue with the Left side of the motor, something concerning the lifters which causes bad MPGs and also a ticking sound. They ended up replacing the lifters, valves, cams, rocker arms, gaskets and shims on the Left side only. I questioned why they wouldnt just do the entire motor and they told me I would have to pay for the Right side since the bulletin specifies the Left side only.
Currently my car is "fixed" in the eyes of Subaru, but also there is a second bulletin stating that there is a oil burning concern with the Boxer motor. Again when confronted on this the dealership said it was my problem and I had to top off the oil every couple of thousand. I have yet to once do that, I drive my car into the service bay and tell them when the warranty expires then I will top off the oil, until that happens I am holding them to maintain my car to factory standards. So all in all Ive argued and fought with the dealer but have had my way every time mostly because I threaten to contact higher authorities regarding their poor business practice. Its sad that you have to stoop to their level in order to get what you want, but as a consumer that paid good money for a brand new car that should be free of defect, its been quite the battle.

Make them do and oil consumption test with you over the period of 3 to 4 months and take note of how many litres are used during The amount of kilometres you travel in this time!
I had my whole engine replaced doing this exact process.
I think from memory I was using about a litre every month…