Subaru SUVs, sedans, and sports cars are generally among the best cars sold in America. Consumer Reports (CR) ranked the Subaru brand No. 1 overall among model year 2025 vehicles and says Subaru frequently ranks near the top of CR’s owner satisfaction and reliability ratings.
However, even cars with the best reputations can be lemons. Things go wrong for the Subaru Corporation of Japan and its U.S. distributor, Subaru of America, just as they do for other car manufacturers. Subaru has issued its share of recalls in recent years, and some Subaru owners and lessees have complained about serious problems with their vehicles.
When a Subaru has a significant issue covered by its original warranty that cannot be resolved after a reasonable number of attempts, it is considered a lemon under California law. If you think your Subaru is a lemon, you should contact The Barry Law Firm immediately. Our experienced California Lemon Law attorneys are ready to help you demand what you have paid for your faulty vehicle without charging you for our legal services.
Call us today or connect with us online for a FAST and FREE consultation about how the California Lemon Law protects Subaru owners and lessees and how we can help you.
The California Lemon Law for Subarus
Under the state’s Lemon Law, if Subaru cannot resolve a substantial defect in one of its vehicles that began while it was covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts, it may qualify for a Lemon Law buyback. The vehicle owner or lessee has the right to demand that the manufacturer refund the purchase price and associated taxes, fees, and other costs spent on their faulty vehicle.
What Makes Your Subaru a Lemon?
To pursue a California Lemon Law claim for a faulty Subaru, the problem with your vehicle must negatively impact its use, safety, or value. The issue must be covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty and start while the warranty is valid. You must also allow the manufacturer, through an authorized Subaru dealership or repair shop, a reasonable number of attempts to repair your vehicle’s issue.
A reasonable number of repair attempts varies for each case. Two or more attempts for a vehicle defect that poses a significant danger is usually considered reasonable. The manufacturer may be allowed more than two attempts to repair a less severe problem. In certain cases, your Subaru may automatically qualify as a lemon if it has been out of service for an inordinate amount of time.
Common Defects in Subaru Cars That Can Warrant a Lemon Law Claim
Reports, recalls, and Lemon Law claims tell us that the most common complaints about Subaru vehicles include:
- Fuel pump failure – Cracks found in low-density impellers inside Denso fuel pumps used in some Subaru models can cause the vehicle to not start or stall while running. Subaru issued two recalls for the fuel pumps, affecting nearly 200,000 2018-2020 Subaru models.
- Battery drains – Defects in the electrical system of certain Subarus were found to constantly drain the vehicles’ batteries, leading to a class action lawsuit. It has been found in Subaru Ascent, Forester, Legacy, Outback, and WRX vehicles as late as model year 2020.
- Unintended acceleration – A class action lawsuit against Subaru claimed certain Forester, Outback, and Legacy models suddenly accelerated without warning. Some drivers say their vehicle accelerated on its own, causing them to crash. Subaru has claimed driver error.
- Cracked windshields – After Subaru began using sound-dampening “acoustic glass” in its vehicles, car owners began reporting cracks at the base of their windshields forming for no apparent reason. A class action lawsuit covered all Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Legacy, and Impreza vehicles made from 2018 to 2020.
- Transmission problems – Drivers of the 2019 Ascent SUV reported the vehicles were hesitating, slowing, or nearly stalling. Subaru issued a recall citing a faulty sensor in the transmission.
- Fire hazard – Subaru said in its recall notice that there was a possible production-related defect in the positive temperature coefficient heater’s wiring connection in 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent vehicles. This defect could cause a fire while the heater is operating.
Subaru Models That Could Be Lemons
Defects that lead to successful Subaru Lemon Law claims do not have to be problems repeated in a large number of vehicles or that result in recalls. A single, unrepairable, warranty-covered defect may make your Subaru a lemon. This applies to all variations of the models sold in California by Subaru of America, which include:
-
SUVs:
- Crosstrek
- Forester
- Outback
- Ascent
- Solterra
-
Sedans:
- Impreza
- Legacy
-
Sports Cars:
- BRZ
- WRX
What to Do If Your Subaru Is a Lemon
If you have repeatedly tried to have your Subaru repaired and believe it may be a lemon, you should contact The Barry Law Firm in Los Angeles for help pursuing a Lemon Law claim.
You should also gather and compile documentation of your:
- Subaru purchase or lease
- Car loan
- Manufacturer’s warranty issued by Subaru
- Attempts to have your Subaru repaired, including work orders and invoices
- Correspondence with the Subaru dealership or Subaru of America
- Costs to register and license the vehicle
- Spending due to your vehicle’s failure, such as for towing or rental cars
As your Lemon Law attorneys, The Barry Law Firm can help you document your complaint and make sure you proceed as required by California law and your Subaru of America sales or lease contract and warranty. Our team will guide you through the Lemon Law process and take the burden of pursuing a Subaru buyback off your shoulders. We will negotiate aggressively with Subaru for full compensation to you. And if necessary, we will take a solid case to court on your behalf.
Call The Barry Law Firm Today for Help with Your Lemon
The Barry Law Firm can handle your Lemon Law claim against Subaru of America at no charge to you. When a consumer wins a Lemon Law claim in California, the manufacturer is required to pay the consumer’s attorneys’ fees. That means you won’t see a bill from us, no matter the outcome.
We’ve been exclusively practicing Lemon Law since 2010. Thousands of consumers just like you are happy they asked us to help them deal with the manufacturers of vehicles that have turned out to be lemons.
Contact The Barry Law Firm in Los Angeles, CA, at 877-LEMON-03 or reach out online today for your FAST and FREE legal consultation.
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