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Biased and Demoralizing Experience with Subaru

I had an incredibly demoralizing experience with both my local Subaru dealership and Subaru of America.As a woman and a minority, I felt disrespected and dismissed throughout the car-buying process. I was told my vehicle had been inspected “that day,” only to later discover that the inspection was actually completed months earlier, according to the paperwork. This misinformation made me feel misled from the beginning.Since the purchase, the vehicle has had several serious issues—including engine stalling, rumbling, and shaking. Despite these problems happening with the original battery and at only 40,000 miles, Subaru has refused to take any responsibility.I contacted the Customer Advocacy line and was told via email today that someone would call me to explain the lack of support. Not only did I never receive a call, but I was also told a voicemail was left—which simply isn’t true. There was no call, no voicemail. Just another example of Subaru’s lack of transparency and accountability.At the dealership, I dealt with a manager named Patrick, who made me feel completely unheard. My concerns were brushed aside, and I was treated like a nuisance rather than a customer. It was difficult to even explain what was going on with my car, as Patrick repeatedly talked over me during the conversation. He also told me he would follow up once he looked into the issue—but just like with Subaru corporate, no call ever came.To make matters worse, my immigrant Korean parents were with me throughout this process, and the way we were treated was noticeably different from how other customers were being helped. Hearing employees laugh or smirk at us behind hidden doors because of their broken English was incredibly painful. The entire experience felt biased and demeaning.This was supposed to be a milestone purchase—something I was proud of. Instead, it left me feeling taken advantage of, unsupported, and disrespected at every level.I will never return to this dealership, and after this experience, I will never buy another Subaru. I strongly urge others—especially women and people of color—to think twice before trusting this company or its so-called “customer care” systems.

Date of experience: Apr 05, 2025