I have a 2019 Crosstrek, and the first few years I’ve had no issues whatsoever. But this year I have had 4 broken studs so far.
A little backstory: This summer I got a flat and tried to change my tire. I couldn’t get the wheel off. Called roadside assistance, and they had to break 2 studs to remove the wheel. I took it to the dealer, since they were the last to touch the tires. After some back and forth, they replaced the studs for free.
I bought new tires from Discount and decided to have them rotated there. They broke 2 more studs (1 on each front wheel) and told me, “It’s still safe to drive.”
I’m frustrated because I suspect over-torquing, even by the dealer. I could replace the studs myself, but I’m worried this will keep happening if I keep taking my car for service. Any advice would be appreciated!
Welcome to Subaru. I’ve been working on cars for 40 years and have broken 5 studs in my life—4 of those were on my '22 Outback TXT in the last 13 months.
Discount should torque the studs to the recommended spec and hand-tighten/torque on request. Subaru specs are around 91 ft/lb. If they cross-threaded or broke a stud, they should send you to a shop to get it replaced on their dime. That’s the policy where I am.
Costco broke three studs on my last Subaru—two in one visit. They eventually covered the cost but tried to pass it off to me first. Their staff often doesn’t hand-tighten properly, which has caused other issues like broken valve stems.
If you’re stuck, consider investing in a tire machine and balancer. ARP studs might help compared to OE or Dorman studs. A lot of people using impacts lack proper throttle control, which contributes to stud breakage.
