They managed to kill a Forester in just 5 years and probably 20k to 30k miles.
I used this shop because a friend said it is the best for Subarus in Santa Cruz. I cannot imagine how bad the others are if this is the best one.
My Forester was 12 years old when I started going there, and now it is 17 with just 120k miles. I am giving it almost for free to Carvana just to get rid of it. This shop killed it. At one point, the car leaked oil, and they asked for $2500 to change a gasket and a belt. When I picked it up, the AC did not work, so they wanted another $1000. The car also overheated, though they fixed that for free. During an oil change visit, the sunroof magically broke. They also asked for $900 for front work. This is a car on 120k miles, not 400k miles. At that point I noticed that every time I go they will find something for $800 to $1000, and I said I will think about it. I guess $800 to $1000 is the sweet spot when they will make the max possible for the average client to not say no. The amount was very consistent.
After I started "thinking" about $800 repairs, they lower the amount. On another visit, they said the battery was old and needed replacement. I agreed, and today it died. The battery is only 2 to 3 years old. I called to ask about a warranty, and they said it is only 1 year. Really? A Costco battery is cheaper and comes with a 3-year warranty. On Yelp they advertise that they refurbish batteries , so I will be not surpised if I got a refurbished one.
I spoke with Rick once, and he mentioned he was putting 0W-20 oil in all cars. I remember this because I bought some on Amazon based on what he said. Never used until last week and when I opened the hood, it is written with 1 inch letters to use 5W-30. This may explain why the leak started.
Thank you for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear about the difficulties you’re experiencing with your vehicle. We reviewed your service history and confirmed that your last visit with us was in May 2025. Please note that the shop has been under new management since July 2025.
During your last appointment, your battery tested at 100%. However, given the time that has passed, it’s possible that a new issue has developed that is causing the battery to drain. Your records also show that the battery was last replaced in November 2022. Modern car batteries typically last about 3 to 5 years unfortunately things aren't built the way they used to be. Even if the battery had been purchased at Costco, their warranty period is 36 months prorated, which means it would no longer be covered.
We also noted that 5W‑30 oil was used for all of your previous oil changes. If you would like a copy of your full service records, we would be happy to provide them.
- Rick's Auto Shop
