Purchased a 2008 Liberty GT Tuned by STi in August last year (2008). After 4 weeks of ownership the engine started making a knocking noise. Took it to the dealership and they were acting very surprised and telling me that they had never heard of this before and that Subaru Australia are shocked and sending a replacement engine immediately (the old “don’t worry sir we are REALLY looking after you”). So the engine gets replaced and when I ask what happened the service manager tells me that they drained the oil and metal flakes came out and they have found that the big end bearings were busted. Ok I think, well I have a new engine now so must have just been a one off right!

Well fast forward to yesterday and I am sitting stranded coming back from holidays still 1000km from home. Engine started making the EXACT same noise on the highway. So was left sitting on the side of the road with my wife, 2 kids and a small dog trying to find a number of anyone that could help. It was a Sunday and every 1800 number had a recorded message that they are closed on Sunday! So I had no option but to drive another 50kms to the nearest town and book accommodation for the night so I could call my dealership when they open.

Now I keep reading reports that this engine problems is very minor and only a small number of engines were affected. Well I have now had two engines with this problem so I am either the unluckiest person in the world or this problem is more widespread than Subaru want to admit.

If the impreza was too small, did you look at the forester. I am 6ft and had plenty of room in it. And normal Forester XT is about the same price I think, same engine, but with a bit more room.

yeah i know and its true what you said is customer sevice
i went any way to sit in one a few days a go to small for me im just a 6ft 2 gaint so i was not that comfortable

There are no problems with the Subaru engines. This was precautionary, and done early enough so that the problem could be dealt with promptly before it arose within some of the Turbo engines. The Naturally Aspirated engines are still working fine, and are very reliable, and so are the turbo ones. It is a pity some car companies couldn’t follow their suit and fix the problem early, or halt sales for a short period to fix the problem. Are you listening Holden and Ford. It is called customer service

And TP: as for K&N filters letting more dirt into the engine etc… then why do WRC teams use them or similar ones like BMC as well as a number V8 Supercar teams

Are you just annoyed that you can’t get K&N air filter let alone a CAI for a Camry

And actually, I would actually expect Subaru to do more recalls.. not for mistakes or “problems”

but potential problems… Toyota policies might be kicking in.

Thats why lately, a lot of recalls against Toyota’s name has been issued, a lot of them are not “real” problems or serious, but basically anything that isnt “bulletproof”…

a lot of manufacturers don’t follow the same suit… and most of the “issues”, are again supplier issues…. not by the manufacturer themselves.