Any Lincoln MKC or Subaru Crosstrek owners?

[dave1068]

Happy New Year gang!

Some customer service issues with my Jeep dealer and worst case scenario Im going to see if I can do a vehicle swap. Any members here have either a Lincoln mkc SUV or the Subaru Crosstrek? If you do, tell me the good, bad and the ugly.

Thanks,
Dave

[fotoguzzi]

Not a Crosstrek owner (two Foresters) but Subaru rocks.. goes thru almost anything in winter..just do your homework about the oil consumption on some motors after they went to timing chain over belt.

[bad Chad]

They may be great cars , but their current US advertising campaign is so irritating I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to own one!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I don't have a crosstrek, but I have an 2012 impreza hatch/wagon I owned from new

I can't imagine the performance or fuel economy of my impreza would be improved with huge wheels & tires and a body lift, (which is what the crosstrek is), and my impreza is pretty anemic on power and the fuel econ isnt great.

I do love my subie tho, it goes just great in rain, ice & snow, has been utterly reliable, and it's pretty fun to drive in the mountains if you wring its neck a bit.  Only real problem I have ever had was that the driver's heated seat crapped out after about 30k miles. I am at 97,xxx now and it shows no signs of failing me yet.

[Bulldog9]

My neighbor has the little Lincoln SUV, is always at the dealer for a myriad of things, biggest was the trans. Pretty vehicle with some nice luxury features, but I would hesitate due to overall reliability.

My mother has a crosstrek and loves it. She has The limited model with all of the leather etc. When my wife traded her outback 3.0 r, we really wanted the Crosstrek, but the 2.0 liter motor with the CVT transmission didn't have enough power. We even test-drove a manual model and it wasn't enough power for us at least. if they made the cross track with the larger motor or one of the turbo motors that's what would be in our driveway right now. Subarus tend to be built like tanks very solid reliable easy to work on and extremely durable. My mom has had 4 years I've completely trouble free dealer visit free ownership. Only oil tires etc.

[pehayes]

Subaru is a good car, but not without issues.  My 98 literally exploded a rear differential due to 'torque bind' because son mis-matched tires.  My 2002 had to replace head gaskets twice.  Once on their time and once on mine.  Now have a '17 Outback.  Tap wood.  What will the long range reveal.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[fotoguzzi]

Here is a list of Subaru's with the oil consumption problem.. I'd stay clear of them unless you like having the engine block replaced, sometimes more than once..
https://www.cars.com/articles/2011-15-subaru-oil-consumption-update-1420683845519/

[Socalrob]

Wife has a 2019 Crosstrek plugin hybrid.  She loves it.  Nice driving car.  Replaced a 2016 Crosstrek, which was given to daughter.

Neither car has used a drop of oil.

Wife and daughter both happy campers.

[dave1068]

Thanks for the replies, dont really want to give up the Jeep as its the dealers mechanics that can't diagnosis minor problems. I was edging towards the 2018 Crosstrek..

[Gusable]

I say no Subaru.  I was a tech there from 2000-2005. Much better then. They still can not seam to get this boxer motor to not leak oil or coolant from heads.  Newer ones burn oil (or can). They’re not made in Japan anymore.  Everything is global now.  I really would really have to think about ANY new car.  It MUST have a “J” as the first letter in Vin.  Sorry but I’m not buying junk assembled made in Mexico or Tennessee or Canada. I’m a lifelong Toyota man and I keep my cars for 300k+ miles.  Everything is made now for you to get 100k and then trade in ( so they can make more money). I’ve been a professional Japanese tech for 25 yrs.  just my thoughts.  The Japanese Toyota workers get to work at 5am to do group calisthenics to start their day.

[Devildog]

Wife has a 2017 Crosstrek, 30 K miles. No problems at all, no warranty work, two round trips to Colorado, faultless. Handles as good as her previous X3 (which had quite a few expensive repairs). Wind noise at interstate speeds would be the only complaint.

[larrys]

Say no to Subaru. As previously mentioned, there are issues with oil consumption with the new generation of engines. Their CVT transmissions suck.
The Lincoln MK C's are based on the Ford Escape.
Larry

[tazio]

I'd love to have a Jeep one day!
Rented one in Moab and had a blast!
Could you not locate another dealer and mechanics?
What issues with the Jeep drove you (pun) to this point?

[dave1068]

The Jeep I really like, here is a list of the issues I dealt with after taking delivery

-1 visit to the dealer for the initial odometer flashing on the day I made delivery
-1 visit back to have it fixed although incorrectly
-1 visit back to have the vehicle checked again for the above service done incorrectly and diagnosed as needing a new radio
-1 visit back to have a new radio installed which hopefully is the correct fix
-1 visit back after I went to the DMV and the POA was not included
-1 visit back to pick up the corrected paperwork which turned out was still incorrect
-1 visit back after my 2nd trip to the DMV as the title was not properly documented
-1 visit to your other dealership to have a key cut but not successful
-1 trip back to Johnston to supposedly get a key cut but later turned out had to have a key fob ordered
-1 trip back to pick up the key fob

[Kev m]

The Jeep I really like, here is a list of the issues I dealt with after taking delivery

-1 visit to the dealer for the initial odometer flashing on the day I made delivery
-1 visit back to have it fixed although incorrectly
-1 visit back to have the vehicle checked again for the above service done incorrectly and diagnosed as needing a new radio
-1 visit back to have a new radio installed which hopefully is the correct fix
-1 visit back after I went to the DMV and the POA was not included
-1 visit back to pick up the corrected paperwork which turned out was still incorrect
-1 visit back after my 2nd trip to the DMV as the title was not properly documented
-1 visit to your other dealership to have a key cut but not successful
-1 trip back to Johnston to supposedly get a key cut but later turned out had to have a key fob ordered
-1 trip back to pick up the key fob

This basically has nothing to do with Jeep, everything to do with an incompetent dealer.

[Two Checks]

Stay away from the little Lincoln. As stated its based on the Escape which has had a bunch of problems from transmission to structural.
My son had one from new and after about two years it started falling apart along with the transmission started shifting funny. He traded it in.

[Cam3512]

Got my daughter a '18 Crosstrek, and the wife a '19 Forester.  We were a Toyota family, now Subaru.  Both leased, with no issues thus far.  They're one of the safest vehicles out there.   When and if they come out with a pick up truck I will get one for myself.

Only issue that irritates me is the doors don't auto lock/open. 

[Deno]

We have a 2014 Crosstrek. No issues. The gas mileage is not the best if you like to go 75 mph. The CVT always seems to be working hard especially on cold mornings on the first trip of the day. It has about 54k on it. We have had no real issues with the car. Routine maintenance by the book. The build quality is good. There are no rattles or odd noises.
We do not have oil issues but a friend at work bought bought a 14 late in the model year. She had to have the block replaced and it continues to burn about a quart/1000 miles. She wanted a manual tranny. Not many choices out there. She also had to replace a rear wheel bearing. It started to growl at around 100k miles.
My wife loves the Subaru. I prefer my Fiat Abarth.

[John Ulrich]

Any vehicle, new or used is a coin flip.  Most of the time you win. Sometimes you lose.  I count myself lucky, even when owning vehicles with "bad" records. 

You pay your money, you take your chances!  

[dave1068]

Appreciate the comments, the dealer just called me and fixed the problem. No charge due to all my documented complaints. A "goodwill repair" Lets see if the noise went away and stays away...

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Here is a list of Subaru's with the oil consumption problem.. I'd stay clear of them unless you like having the engine block replaced, sometimes more than once..
https://www.cars.com/articles/2011-15-subaru-oil-consumption-update-1420683845519/

my 2012 Impreza has a 5k oil change interval... uses the pricey 0-20 full synthetic, and I've always had to add .75qt about halfway thru the service interval... other than that, no unusual oil use

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

if they made the cross track with the larger motor or one of the turbo motors that's what would be in our driveway right now.

Absolutely! A Cross Trek with the WRX engine would be a great fire road ripper for WNC

[fotoguzzi]

Only issue that irritates me is the doors don't auto lock/open.

theres a setting for that that you can change, google Subaru auto locks.

[blackcat]

We have a 13 Outback 3.6 engine with about 70K miles and my only complaint is the occasional leaking sunroof. The engine takes 7 quarts of oil and occasionally it uses oil but only on long highway trips.

[Rich A]

theres a setting for that that you can change, google Subaru auto locks.

On the newer ones, yes. I've probably said 100 times, "I hate this!" (2014 Forester--I have to push a button to unlock all of the doors to let the dogs out).

Nearly 120K mi on mine, burns a little oil but it is a good utilitarian vehicle. One thing I especially like about the Forester is that it has good visibility.

Rich

[bratman2]

You sorted the Jeep for now so that is a good thing. Several points to iron out if you change your mind. Information from 2000-2005 would not be my source of information on a new or newer Subaru. Subaru has a factory in Indiana and it has been there since the early 1990's. Several people have gone on about head gaskets. That is not an issue since , I don't know, maybe 2005-06 models. Then it was hit or miss. Our most recent history. 1. Subaru Loyale, new when purchased and pooped the transmission out around 62k, out of warrenty. Swore Subaru off for ever, well kind of. 1997 I purchased a brand new F150. Contract crew was kind enough to paint my new truck for me, company paid to get it fixed. Shortly after that any vehicle entering our premises was at owners risk. Found a little 87 Subaru Brat for $1k a couple of cities over. 2.Subaru Brat, still drive it on a regular basis, little over 250k miles and over 22 years of ownership. The Brat got us back into Subarus. 3. New 2003 Legacy 5 speed, sold it with 93k miles and zero repairs. 4. New 2010 Forester XT Touring, sold it with 153k miles and only repair was required timing belts 105k and brakes at 120k. Wanted about a pint of oil per 3k miles but still ran awesome!!! 5. Used 2010 Subaru Impreza, purchased for my middle daughter with 65k miles, did the timing belt around 105k, brakes around 120k, A.C. compressor quit around 155k and currently at 183k last I looked a week ago. Also asks for a pint of oil every 3k, still runs awesome. 6. New 2018 Forester XT touring, just completed the 18k service on it. No issues and wife thinks it is the most awesome vehicle ever! 7. Middle daughter again, New 2019 Impreza Sport, maybe 1k miles. No issues, tremendous gas mileage so far. She is keeping the 2010 Impreza to try and reduce mileage on the new one, she drives about 25k a year.

Yes Subaru had some headgasket issues way back in 98-2001, 2002-2005 also just not as frequent as 98-01. The first version of their CVT was prone to trouble, Nissan made it so you could blame them too. Later versions have no issue. Their was some faulty oil rings out there also, mainly on the 2.0l, some lesser so on the 2.5l. None that I know of on the later models. Subaru didn't just start using timing chains, the 3.0 and 3.6r had chains already! You can get a bad vehicle in anything! My best friend bought a 2000 Tundra new that saw the inside of the Toyota repair shop more than my F150 saw the Ford dealer! Just saying!

[M0T0Geezer]

Sorry, do not have a Crosstrek.  My "Subie" is a 2017 Subaru Forester XT  (2L Turbo) which I bought new in 2016. 

Currently it has 35,000 trouble-free miles.  No hint of oil or coolant leaks or oil consumption.  The CVT has performed perfectly, even with the 250 hp turbo motor.

A friend of mine has a new 2019 Crosstreck.  So far he has had no problems at all.  Still, I much prefer riding in my larger Forester compared to the "compact" Crosstrek.

If I were buying a new Subaru today, I would have to tale a serious look at the 3-row, 8-passenger Subaru Ascent:

 https://www.motortrend.com/cars/subaru/ascent/2019/2019-subaru-ascent-first-test-review/

'Geezer

[Bulldog9]

Appreciate the comments, the dealer just called me and fixed the problem. No charge due to all my documented complaints. A "goodwill repair" Lets see if the noise went away and stays away...

Dave, what was the issue with the Jeep, and what model? Until I bought my Tundra, Had driven Jeeps exclusively since 1985 (85 Cherokee,  96 Grand Cherokee, 06 Commander, still have the commander with 175K miles) Cant help with any of the other models.  Glad to hear it worked out.

[dave1068]

Dave, what was the issue with the Jeep, and what model? Until I bought my Tundra, Had driven Jeeps exclusively since 1985 (85 Cherokee,  96 Grand Cherokee, 06 Commander, still have the commander with 175K miles) Cant help with any of the other models.  Glad to hear it worked out.

I have a 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk, really like it, rides well, sharp looking, durable, my issue was more with the dealers incompetence and concerned they couldnt fix anything right the 1st time, below is what I went through when I bought it. Most recently, with 34k miles on it was the brakes were making a moaning noise when I came to a stopped and turned the vehicle. They did fix it and sanded the front rotors down which had rust on them as well as checking all the brake parts. So far so good.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-1 visit to the dealer for the initial odometer flashing on the day I made delivery
-1 visit back to have it fixed although incorrectly
-1 visit back to have the vehicle checked again for the above service done incorrectly and diagnosed as needing a new radio
-1 visit back to have a new radio installed which hopefully is the correct fix
-1 visit back after I went to the DMV and the POA was not included
-1 visit back to pick up the corrected paperwork which turned out was still incorrect
-1 visit back after my 2nd trip to the DMV as the title was not properly documented
-1 visit to your other dealership to have a key cut but not successful
-1 trip back to Johnston to supposedly get a key cut but later turned out had to have a key fob ordered
-1 trip back to pick up the key fob

[Bulldog9]

Ugh........ I hope things get better, but as this is basically a Fiat 500X/L (Italian Content) you never know. These issues seem minor though. The radio seems the only actual issue with the car. Sound like you need a new dealer, not a new car......

I have a 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk, really like it, rides well, sharp looking, durable, my issue was more with the dealers incompetence and concerned they couldnt fix anything right the 1st time, below is what I went through when I bought it. Most recently, with 34k miles on it was the brakes were making a moaning noise when I came to a stopped and turned the vehicle. They did fix it and sanded the front rotors down which had rust on them as well as checking all the brake parts. So far so good.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-1 visit to the dealer for the initial odometer flashing on the day I made delivery
-1 visit back to have it fixed although incorrectly
-1 visit back to have the vehicle checked again for the above service done incorrectly and diagnosed as needing a new radio
-1 visit back to have a new radio installed which hopefully is the correct fix
-1 visit back after I went to the DMV and the POA was not included
-1 visit back to pick up the corrected paperwork which turned out was still incorrect
-1 visit back after my 2nd trip to the DMV as the title was not properly documented
-1 visit to your other dealership to have a key cut but not successful
-1 trip back to Johnston to supposedly get a key cut but later turned out had to have a key fob ordered
-1 trip back to pick up the key fob