This wouldn't be so bad, if american made cars weren't such shit boxes
Agreed. Is the reason engineering, American employees, or both?
I can't say for certain, but I will say this: Subaru Crosstrek was originally made in Japan. At that time, it was known as the XV Crosstrek. Those things were monsters and were made to the highest standards. Never had ANY issues. Then they moved production to mexico and indiana. It dropped the XV and just became Crosstrek. The quality went downhill, including developing engine issues that the XV never had.
Take that for what you will.