10/18/2026
I’ve reached my limit with these wheels
I would routinely visit my local dealership for maintenance. I broke up with them this past year because they overtightened the lug nuts on my 2019 Subaru Forester.
They replaced the studs for free after their mistake but I felt it really negligible, considering the Subaru* dealership messed this up (April 2026). I’m no expert but I learned there is a surprisingly low torque for these vehicles, and it is very specific with a low tolerance for exceeding it-hence the photos of both instances on separate dates.
It is now October 2026 and I had a flat tire. Husband and I couldn’t get the tire off. We did, but with broken studs and stripped studs just to find ourselves back with the same problem again. We’re currently limping our way home after getting married and barely changing a tire, now on 3 studs, ever so slowly to make it back (this for sure is now a weekend to remember).
Is this a Subaru issue? A knowledge gap with mechanics? A manufacturing defect with my car?
My friend has a 2017 Outback and had the same issue. Luckily, he bottomed out in a parking lot and not a major road but his wheel literally broke off.
I’m beyond frustrated, and of course the shop is closed tomorrow because of a holiday. Before I go around accusing anyone of wrong doing, I need to check myself before I wreck myself, what is really going on here??
