What were the worst years for Subaru head gaskets?

[SubieRubyRoo]

Any fwd with snows is better for driving on moderately sloped public highways than AWD on all-seasons, especially if the all-season have any wear at all.
At low speeds in deep deep snow, climbing a moderate hill, then sure AWD with decent all seasons will probably keep going beyond what fwd with snow might do.
But on a highway with a couple inches of wet snow, a fwd with snows will stop and maneuver much better than anything with all-seasons...

Idiots on their first set of winter tires feel invincible after a couple inconsequential movements that previously caused issues. Problem is, idiots like that never experiment away from traffic and things that can be hit to learn the full performance of the tire. So, they go too fast. Or corner too fast, or don’t leave enough room between cars to allow for stopping.

It’s safer to learn the performance envelope of “inferior” all-seasons, THEN install snows but drive like you’re still on the AS’s. Otherwise, an inexperienced idiot in AWD+snows is MORE dangerous than a competent driver on AS’s. Every time.

Yes, snows can do amazing things in the right hands. No, even they can’t fix stupid!

 

[Elkins45]

I’m thinking I may just give him our dad’s 98 Chevy 4x4 and then trade one of my toasters for something AWD. When we settled the estate I took the newer truck and let him keep the more valuable tractor, but I only drive the truck 2000 miles a year and it’s rusting apart, so he might as well get some use out of it before the rear axle snaps.

I should make him pay me for the like new tires though.

 

[Glenda W.]

The Subaru head gasket problems were around 15 years ago. Anything still running from that era has been fixed with the updated gaskets. As for Subaru reliability even with the early head gasket years, getting over 200k on basic maintenance is extremely common. Subaru’s awd system is second to none. Most people only use all seasons in the North East and we get feet of snow. If you upgrade to winter tires(which I recommend here) you will get better slush and ice performance. When I go to my other home in Western NC all seasons are overkill.

 

[Silverado12]

FWIW there was a 2018 Subaru Forester (I think 2.5L) in the family and she went over 100,000 miles without any issues at all. They seem pretty solid and the Forester has decent room inside for tall people.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

According to Rock Auto:
https://www.rockauto.com/help/?page=1#WHATDOTHE
Parts purchased most frequently for your vehicle are bold
I.E.:
View attachment 258111

You will notice that Subaru head gaskets are normally bold.

Let’s ponder the lack of true data in your claim, and the ludicrousness of your statement. Say there’s 50,000 components to a vehicle. 49,998 of them are never purchased on Rock Auto, but the 2 that were purchased are the muffler bearing and the left rear driver seat bolt that holds the seat to the floor. Now, both of these are bold. Are they always going to fail on other vehicles? No. Probably not even at a level that anyone would notice.

Just for fun, I poked thru Rock Auto on a couple vehicles I’ve never personally heard of having head gasket issues:
2015 Chevy Corvette ZR-1
2007 Honda Odyssey J35
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (Hellcat)

Guess what? On every single one of those, cylinder head gaskets and/or the HG kits are bold. Some helpful stuff you’ve got there with Rock Auto

Correlation does not prove causation.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

FWIW there was a 2018 Subaru Forester (I think 2.5L) in the family and she went over 100,000 miles without any issues at all. They seem pretty solid and the Forester has decent room inside for tall people.

without any issues at all? Not even the control arms?

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

without any issues at all? Not even the control arms?

My mom's 2018 Forester, purchased new, has needed nothing but oil changes & tire rotations. On only its 2nd set of tires. She's retired now but the Forester is over 85k trouble-free miles!

 

[Glenda W.]

I have a 2018 Outback(126k) and 2013 Forester(146k). Only normal maintenance done. I’ve owned at least one since the late 70’s. Maintain 3 more for friends and family.

 

[Silverado12]

without any issues at all? Not even the control arms?

Just oil changes and brakes. It was a lot of highway miles but still it held up well.

 

[D60]

Drive the CVT models. They can be....different. If you're used to snowmobiles, you'll love it

The FBs may have traded HG problems for cam carrier leaks. The latter is less of a show-stopper but not necessarily less expensive to fix, depending on who's doing the work and quality of parts employed.

 

[Jarpin]

My 2001 Forester is still on the road after head gaskets replaced in 2013 and always starts...but is starting to have some excessive fuel economy issues and oil consumption. A random cylinder 3 misfire keeps happening in winter months in my warmer climate for reasons completely unknown. I just keep resetting the light. I want to get rid of it now.

 

[supton]

RAV4's hold their price and the 2.4's like to drink oil (as you are well aware, and probably are well equipped to deal with). To me, Subaru might have better AWD but the rest of the package... at high miles, just seems like a gamble. Which is true of all used cars. But what's a better gamble?

I guess the question is, what's the risk tolerance vs budget?

 

[Elkins45]

RAV4's hold their price and the 2.4's like to drink oil (as you are well aware, and probably are well equipped to deal with). To me, Subaru might have better AWD but the rest of the package... at high miles, just seems like a gamble. Which is true of all used cars. But what's a better gamble?

I guess the question is, what's the risk tolerance vs budget?

He’s not in the best financial shape so perhaps that does argue in favor of paying the Toyota tax. He’s also not very handy and lives far enough away that it’s an effort for me to do things for him.

One oddity I’ve noticed: AWD Highlanders from around 2008 don’t seem to be quite as pricy as other Toyota AWD models for some reason. Is the Highlander out of favor for some reason.

 

[supton]

One oddity I’ve noticed: AWD Highlanders from around 2008 don’t seem to be quite as pricy as other Toyota AWD models for some reason. Is the Highlander out of favor for some reason.

Looks like timing belt until 2007, it got the 2GR FE then. That might impact prior models.

 

[Al]

Subaru responded with an MLS gasket which helped, but the underlying weakness is the open-deck block and poor dimensional stability. The newer headgaskets started I believe in 2003 and was pretty settled by 2006. I’d have no qualms with anything EJ25 2006-2010 that wasn’t beat within an inch of its life.

If you have say a 2007 your chances of needing a HG are for sure over 50% by 150K miles. Ask me how I know.

 

[97prizm]

Now that we are buried in snow my brother wants to buy a used AWD vehicle and is considering a Subaru, among others. What years are the most problematic?

I told him to just buy an older RAV4 but apparently the prices are insane.

Apparently from many forums Subaru changed the headgasket design in 2009. From reading anything after that and you should be good.

 

[mt23]

without any issues at all? Not even the control arms?

Fyi Subaru updated the forward bushing in the front control arms mid 2018 forester. Foresters made after that date have updated bushings and any parts bought currently for replacement arms for 2014-2018 cars from subaru parts department have the updated bushing as well. The throw out bearing for 2018 forester 6mt was also updated mid 2018. After 153k mostly trouble free miles on my 2018 6mt Forester I can attest to the solidity of this vehicle. Had 2 wheel bearings under warranty and not a hiccup since

 

[GSCJR]

It was the rear control arm bushing that had failed on my '12 Legacy. I replaced the entire arm as well as the failed ball joint while restoring the vehicle to road worthy condition.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

If you have say a 2007 your chances of needing a HG are for sure over 50% by 150K miles. Ask me how I know.

I’d highly doubt it’s anywhere near 50%. I’ve had 5 Subarus with EJ25s from 2001-2008 and none of them have needed head gasket replacement.

Besides, with every passing day the risk gets smaller in every state that sees snow, since Subaru’s rustproofing was worse than their head gaskets ever were…

 

[GSCJR]

Hope to get four more years out of mine, but experiencing braking issues; it's parked at the moment. I had no idea about their rustproofing, or a lack thereof.