I just got 7000$ estimate from Subaru dealer to replace the small block and a bunch of other engine parts. The car is a 2019 Subaru Forrester with 42000 miles which I bought new. I applied to have it covered under warranty but because we only had documentation for 2 oil changes they denied the claim due to poor maintenance. First am I crazy to think its insane that a car thats barely 4 years old with 40k miles should not need a new engine under any circumstances? We actually discovered the issue when metal shavings were found during an oil change. I want to fight this but not sure how. This was my first Subaru and I have always been told they are reliable but I am so upset at having this major an issue. Do I have any chance of them standing behind their product?
only had documentation for 2 oil changes
Get the receipts / proof for the other (at least) 4 oil changes.
Go to the shops that did it, and ask if they can find recipes or write a note on what they've done.
they denied the claim due to poor maintenance.
Most warranties require performing the schedules required maintenance.
am I crazy to think its insane that a car thats barely 4 years old with 40k miles should not need a new engine under any circumstances?
Nope, you can blow any engine in 40k miles.
We actually discovered the issue when metal shavings were found during an oil change
Why didn't you go to Subaru right away?
Subaru (...) been told they are reliable (...) I am so upset at having this major an issue
They are. This does not mean they're always built correctly.
Here are Toyotas failing brand new:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/engine-knocking-in-23-tacoma-2-7l/
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/2022-highlander-harsh-shift/
A Honda failing 25k (and issues beforehand):
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/super-unreliable-2020-honda-fit-transmission-question/
Mazda at 60k:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/2019-mazda-cx9-3/
So it's not just Subbie, it's all cars - even the Japanese.
Do I have any chance of them standing behind their product?
Yes, they typically do honor warranty claims that abide by the warranty agreement.
All that you likely need is get the receipts / proof for the oil / oil changes to prove it was maintained.
You can also complain to their head-office, but you will have to present your claim well - that Subaru will believe you and will want to help. I do not know how good is Subaru service, but Hyundai would say 'no', Honda would almost always say 'yes'.
am I crazy to think its insane that a car thats barely 4 years old with 40k miles should not need a new engine under any circumstances?
going 40k (or even 20k) without an oil change can easily destroy an engine.
we only had documentation for 2 oil changes
This is almost always in the terms of the legally binding warranty contracts. We recommend that people read every word of it. Unfortunately you don't have much of a leg to stand on
I want to fight this but not sure how.
try to find any material you can. Find photos, receipts or card statements showing you bought oil and filter.
The only alternative I can think of is hiring a third party mechanic to tear apart the engine, and compose a statement, with evidence, stating that the failure was not caused by lack of maintenance. That could be challenging.
Or maybe a lawyer can find a hole in the contract that you don't see.
As @MountainmanJoe said, if you failed to demonstrate good maintenance, then it'd be grounds for Subaru to claim that you poorly maintained the vehicle.
After warranty, we occasionally had the oil changed by a local dealer, due to time/convenience. We still occasionally bring the vehicle back to Subaru for bigger jobs as they're faster than our local mechanic, albeit a bit more pricey sometimes by about 20%. Time vs Money + availability of parts with the dealership vs. the local mechanic.
Personal Experience:
I've owned a few Subaru in my time. Our most recent one, the 2008, was serviced regularly by the dealership. They've been good and honest with us. They didn't really overcharge us too much. They were about 10-20$ cheaper than doing the work myself but they were faster. They made their money off us when I had bigger things that needed fixing/replacing including a headgasket, o-rings, waterpump, radiator, struts, brakes and etc.
We were always good with our oil changes. Always about 5-6000 miles + every 6 months +/- a few weeks.
Recently had the ATF/Oil/Coolant/differential fluid changed and the car is still shifting well. No slips. Good feedback. Almost 15 years old and only has about 100,000 miles on the Subaru. 4 Cylinder, basic model. Non-turbo.
Subarus have their faults but that kind of problem is not typical of those engines.
If you have not already done so you might contact Subaru corporate to see if they'll do anything. (Probably not since legally they don't have to without proof of maintenance but it's worth a try.)
Did you actually do the scheduled maintenance and not have it documented? Or did you NOT do the maintenance?
If you didn’t do the scheduled maintenance, then it will be hard to build a case.
But if you did the the scheduled maintenance, but just didn’t document it, you may be able to build a case by finding receipts and other evidence that you did do the maintenance.
