2024 SUBARU LEGACY

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Shuddering or hesitation during acceleration from stop, Whining or grinding noises, Transmission slipping between gear ratios, Check engine light with CVT-related codes

Fix: Subaru CVTs have been problematic since the early 2010s. Fluid changes every 30k can help but won't prevent inherent design issues. When they fail, it's typically a full CVT replacement requiring 8-12 hours labor. Transmission oil cooler lines can leak and cause overheating, accelerating wear.

Estimated cost: $5,500-8,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000 miles or worse), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup, Loss of power under boost, Knocking or rattling from engine bay

Fix: The FA24 turbo has shown early oil consumption issues similar to older FB engines. Piston rings fail to seal properly, leading to oil burning. Repair requires engine removal, full teardown, piston and ring replacement, and cylinder honing. Figure 20-25 hours labor for a proper rebuild. Some cases need short block replacement.

Estimated cost: $6,000-10,000

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil seepage visible around cylinder head mating surface, Coolant smell without visible leaks, Slight overheating under load, White residue on oil cap

Fix: While improved over EJ engines, FB25 head gaskets can still weep externally. Internal failures are rare but external seepage happens. Requires engine removal in most cases for proper access. Figure 12-16 hours labor for both head gaskets with machine shop work for resurfacing.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive, Excessive engine movement felt through cabin, Vibration at idle, Transmission appears to 'drop' when stopping

Fix: The rear transmission mount wears prematurely, especially with the CVT's weight. It's a rubber component that deteriorates from heat and stress. Replacement is straightforward but requires transmission support. 2-3 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $350-600

Symptoms: EyeSight disabled warning on dash, Pre-collision braking activates randomly, Lane keep assist not functioning, System requires recalibration after windshield replacement

Fix: Stereo camera system behind windshield is sensitive to any glass work or even minor front-end impacts. Calibration requires dealer-level equipment and often reveals camera module failure. Windshield replacements require OEM glass and recalibration. Module replacement is 2-3 hours, calibration adds 1-2 hours.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Rough idle when cold, Hesitation on acceleration, Reduced fuel economy, Misfires under load

Fix: Direct injection engines skip fuel spray over intake valves, allowing carbon deposits to form. Requires walnut blasting of intake valves with engine disassembly. Not catastrophic but degrades performance. 4-6 hours labor for proper cleaning.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000