2018 Forester XT making knocking sounds… dealership wants $$$

Subaru Forums Subaru Forester
1

Hey everyone,

Looking for some advice on an issue with my 2018 Forester XT. A few days ago, I was driving on the highway when I started hearing a knocking sound. It got worse, so I pulled over and had it towed to a local mechanic. He checked the oil—level was fine—but the engine sounded really bad. He suggested taking it to the dealership for a more thorough check.

The car has about 83,000 miles on it. Dealership ran diagnostics but didn’t find anything, so now they’re saying they need to tear the engine apart to figure it out. They quoted me $1,800 to take it apart and another $1,800 to put it back together—before even talking about repairs.

I’m trying to figure out my next move. We’ve got a growing family, and I was already thinking about upgrading, so maybe this is my sign to just trade it in. But I really like the car and don’t want a new car payment. Just trying to figure out if it’s worth fixing or if I should cut my losses.

Would appreciate any advice…

  1. Anyone else had this kind of issue with a Forester XT? What was the fix?
  2. Does this quote seem normal? Should I shop around?
  3. Any chance this could be something minor and not worth tearing down the engine?
  4. Should I get another opinion first? If so, what should I ask another mechanic?
  5. Any tricks to lower repair costs or see if Subaru would help cover it?
  6. If I trade it in, has anyone been in this situation? Did you get a decent offer?

Any advice or personal experience would really help. Thanks!

2

Can’t answer everything, but check if your transmission is covered by the extended warranty Subaru issued a while back. If that ends up being the issue, you might not have to pay.

Also, dealership prices are always high. A second opinion from a good local mechanic could save you a lot.

3

Anyone else had this kind of issue with a Forester XT? What was the fix?

If it’s a rod bearing knock, I’ve seen a few cases. Usually caused by oil issues, but without hearing it, it’s hard to say for sure.

Does this quote seem normal? Should I shop around?

It’s on the expensive side but not shocking, especially if you’re in a high-cost area.

Should I get another opinion first? If so, what should I ask another mechanic?

If you can tow it somewhere else, it’s worth a shot.

Any tricks to lower repair costs or see if Subaru would help cover it?

Not really. Powertrain warranty is long gone, and without knowing the exact issue, Subaru won’t likely pitch in.

If I trade it in, has anyone been in this situation? Did you get a decent offer?

Dealerships usually don’t fix major engine problems—they just send them to auction. If you trade it in, expect a lowball offer, probably around $1k.