2003 Subaru Outback 60K Maintenance Rip-off

Actually, plugs ARE replaced at 60k in Subies. They have higher maintenance requirements, just not this high.

Based on a review of the list I don’t see any fraud there at all. Granted, the total price is high but a 115 an hour adds up quick.
Shop labor time is NOT figured on the actual time spent. It’s done with the use of a flat rate manual which specifies a certain amount of time for a certain procedure. If the books calls for an hour and the mechanic does it in .5 hours then power to him. If the mechanic has to spend 1.5 hours on that 1 hour job then he still only gets the 1 hour charge.
Almost every shop works under the flat rate system. The alternative would be to bill the customer straight time on every job with the mechanic reverting to SLO-MO mode for instance on a 3 hour job and making a 10 hour job of it with the customer getting tagged for those 10 hours.

The only 2 things standing out to me are the 60k miles maintenance charge and the 200 dollars on the rear brake pads. However, the 60k service is a major one which is apparently figured at near 4 hours and could be justifiable based on exactly what was done during this service.
The 200 on rear pads only sounds high unless there was some other procedure involved in the process such as machining rear brake rotors, etc.

At the age and mileage of the car those fluid changes or flushes are actually needed unless they were done in recent memory. Often power steering or injection flushes are not needed but that’s also a case by case basis too as it varies by car, driving habits, and enviro conditions.

To be honest, I don’t think you have a prayer at winning any kind of small claims case in this matter because there is simply no fraud involved.

I have to respectfully disagree that a torn CV boot replacement is a waste of time. Much depends on how long that boot has been torn and how much grease has been lost along the way. I’ve replaced many boots only with no problem and back in the 80s Subaru even had a campaign (basically a good will warranty) on boot replacement regarding the inside boot on the passenger side. Subaru policy was replace the boot only unless the joint was suspect and in that case Subaru paid for the new joint also.

Parts Labor Totals
60 K Maintenance $98.09 $445.95
Brake flush $23.17 $83.78
Fuel Inj. Flush $62.59 $75.67
Power steering flush $50.60 $79.95
Transmission flush $79.34 $98.50
Differential service $41.25 $214.19
Total for 60K Service $355.04 $998.04 $1,353.08

Wipers $37.85 $23.00
Battery $124.62 $34.50
CV boot $51.80 $150.00
Brake Pads Rear $84.95 $200.00
Total for Other $299.22 $407.50 $706.72

Misc $20.00
Tax $124.79
Total for Tax and Misc $144.79

Grand Total $654.26 $1,405.54 $2,204.59

All my bolded items are the rip off. $130 for fuel injection flush is wallet flush not required by Subaru.

Power Steering fluid is another waste of money.

Transmission fluid is prudent however a Subaru its a simple drain bolt and spin on oil filter. Its akin to an oil change and at best $75-$100. Not sure what happened with differentials. They take about 1qt total I think and are two drain bolts. I think $100 tops even for dealer.