A Subaru owner recently shared a frustrating experience with her service department. What should have been a simple oil change turned into a quote for more than $8,400 in repairs. The ordeal has left her done with Subaru, and she’s now looking back at Toyota.
The story started when she bought a 2016 Subaru Forester. At first, it was exciting, but a routine oil change quickly turned stressful. The dealership said she needed $909 for a 120,000-mile service, $1,521 for a left oil control valve with engine harness, and $5,307 for a cam carrier seal replacement. The total came to $8,459.
Concerned, she took her car to an independent mechanic for a second opinion. The mechanic checked the car thoroughly and found almost nothing wrong. The undercarriage was clean, and there were no leaks. The only issue was a tiny bit of oily sludge, which the mechanic said didn’t need attention unless it got worse.
For someone used to Toyotas and Hondas, this was shocking. She said her largest repair bill before this was $1,100. Understandably, she wrote that she plans to return to Toyota, calling her Corolla “the best car ever.”
However, the problem may not have been the Subaru itself. Large dealership groups sometimes run service departments for multiple brands. That means moving back to Toyota might not prevent high service quotes if the new dealership is part of the same system.
The lesson is clear: car ownership isn’t just about the model or brand. Where you take your car for service can have a huge impact on your experience. Choosing the right service center is just as important as choosing the right car.
