Subaru's FB25 2.5L boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy, Impreza, Crosstrek) burns excessive oil between changes. Owners report low-oil warnings only a few thousand miles after an oil change. The Yaeger v. Subaru of America class action ended in a settlement that extended powertrain warranty to 8 years / 100,000 miles on affected models and provided piston-ring replacement.
The Subaru settlement extends warranty for excessive oil consumption to 8 years or 100,000 miles from in-service date, including piston-ring replacement when the failure is documented at a dealer.
Subaru's FB25 second-generation 2.5L flat-four uses low-tension piston rings to cut friction and improve fuel economy. Cylinder wall finishing and ring geometry, however, leave a tendency for oil to migrate past the rings on long-stroke runs and high-rpm operation. Owners notice the issue when the engine consumes a quart or more per 1,200 miles. The dealer documents consumption with a measured oil-consumption test (drain, fill to a stamped level, drive a specified distance, re-measure). Failing the test triggers the piston-ring replacement and the warranty extension under the settlement.
| Model | Years | Engine | Class Action | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 2011-2014 | FB25 2.5L | Yaeger v. Subaru | High |
| Subaru Outback | 2013-2014 | FB25 2.5L | Yaeger v. Subaru | High |
| Subaru Legacy | 2013-2014 | FB25 2.5L | Yaeger v. Subaru | High |
| Subaru Impreza | 2012-2013 | FB20 2.0L (companion) | Yaeger v. Subaru (companion) | Medium |
| Subaru Crosstrek (XV) | 2013-2014 | FB20 2.0L (companion) | Yaeger v. Subaru (companion) | Medium |
Data sourced from NHTSA recall database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), manufacturer technical service bulletins, and publicly filed class-action documents. Always verify with your VIN before purchase or repair.
Recalls are tied to specific VINs, not just model years. Run yours through these free tools before you buy, sell, or schedule a repair:
Use our free VIN decoder to pull build info, or run a free AI diagnosis if you already have symptoms.
Yaeger v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 1:14-cv-04490 (D.N.J.) consolidated oil-consumption claims on FB-series engines. Final approval extended warranty to 8 years / 100,000 miles for excessive oil consumption (defined by Subaru's consumption test) and required Subaru to provide reimbursement for prior oil-related repairs.
If you add more than a quart between scheduled oil changes, ask the dealer for the formal oil-consumption test. Failing the test triggers the warranty extension. Keep every oil-change receipt and dealer RO. Out of the 8-year window, request goodwill with a complete documentation packet.
Run a free AI diagnosis tailored to your exact vehicle. Get the most likely cause and repair estimate in under 30 seconds.
Run a Free Diagnosis100% free · No signup · Powered by NHTSA + AI
It is more reliability than safety. If left unchecked, low oil level damages the rod bearings. Stay on top of dipstick checks.
Subaru specifies 0W-20 full synthetic. Some owners use 5W-30 in older high-mileage engines to slow consumption, but this falls outside the factory spec.
It usually does. The repair installs revised rings and refreshes the cylinder honing. Consumption typically drops back into spec.
The newer FB25 (2019+ Forester / 2020+ Outback) is a substantially revised engine and is not part of the Yaeger settlement. Reports of consumption are far less common.
Some dealers provide a loaner; the settlement does not specifically guarantee one. Confirm before the repair.
No. The earlier EJ25 has its own well-known head-gasket issue but is not part of Yaeger. EJ25 head gasket complaints were addressed by a separate, narrower extended warranty.