Subaru's badging may showcase a six-starred constellation, but how many stars does the brand earn when it comes to reliability? Read on to discover more.
11 minutes
01.17.2024
The first Subaru car available to American consumers, the Subaru 360 model, boasted a 66+ miles-per-gallon (MPG) rating and mirrored the styling of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle. The Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter (BRAT) was introduced in 1977, and the Justy came a decade later.
Subaru was the first automotive manufacturer to offer all-wheel drive on all models, including automatic transmissions. The Japanese automaker also ranks among the top brands for reliability based on high scores for safety, fuel efficiency, and cost of ownership.
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Many people stay loyal to the Subaru brand based on its high marks for fuel efficiency ratings, low cost of ownership, and safety features. While the brand does incur more expensive repairs based on the infamous head gasket problems the boxer engine experiences, Subarus can easily last well into the 200,000-mile mark or beyond. Used Subarus also make safe and reliable cars for new drivers.
From sharing the love to catering to cute canines, Subaru’s reputation as a family brand for durability remains strong. Yet, gaining a larger perspective on the brand’s reliability requires a close look at how Subaru performs in several other areas. The following sources can shed light on how reliable Subarus truly are:
These same resources can also inform reliability ratings for other automotive brands. For instance, if you are interested in BMW's reliability, you can extract the same information included below, but for BMW instead of Subaru. The same goes for any brand you’re interested in potentially buying.
Once you figure out whether Subarus are reliable, you may want to consider if you can buy a car with a credit card or if you’re better off financing. Until then, read on to learn how Subaru ranks in terms of cost of ownership, repair costs, dependability, and safety and fuel-efficiency ratings.
Like Volvo, Subaru has a reputation for prioritizing the safety of its occupants. The following ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS demonstrate that commitment:
As you can see, the Subaru lineup performs well in safety tests, except for the updated test the IIHS performs for side impacts. However, these models all perform well in NHTSA testing environments.
Subaru models won several awards for low cost of ownership from KBB:
On top of being safe to drive, Subarus are also easy on the wallet, which helps make them a premium choice among parents. You can also take advantage of the all-wheel drive capabilities, which is just icing on the cake.
Two Subaru models earned recognition from J.D. Power in 2022. The 2022 Subaru Impreza won the award for best resale for the compact car segment. The 2022 Subaru BRZ also won for best resale for the compact sporty car segment.
Comparing fuel-efficiency ratings for the Impreza, Legacy, Outback, Ascent, Crosstrek, Forester, and Solterra incorporates quite a few numbers. Below are the select Subaru models that perform well in fuel efficiency:
The Solterra carries the Subaru badge into the future with the brand’s first major all-electric vehicle. With over 100 MPGe combined, it’s a contender across several customer bases. An excess of 200 miles of range also helps it tackle the tame pavement of everyday life.
By the numbers, RepairPal ranks Subaru 14th out of 32 car brands, with a 3.5 out of five reliability rating. Average repair costs total $617 annually, with 0.3 visits to the shop. Subarus have a 13% chance that repairs are severe, a percentage higher than the average for all car brands.
Subaru wires suffer from rodent-attracting soy-based wiring that plagues many other brands using the same product. The following problems also haunt several Subaru models.
Besides the head gasket issues that can arise and quickly overheat an engine, Subaru engines can suffer from excessive oil consumption and cooling system issues. Oil can leak from the piston rings, camshaft, crankshaft, or other areas with poor seals. Failed knock sensors and catalytic converters can also cause check engine lights to appear.
RepairPal highlights failing oxygen sensors as a common Subaru problem. Also known as O2 sensors, oxygen sensors assist the emissions system and can be the cause of a check engine light. The Forester and Outback models have issues with the front oxygen sensor, but often, a simple replacement fixes the problem.
The NHTSA issued a massive recall for Takata airbags, and Subaru (among many other brands) was in the middle. It’s critical to replace these airbags, which can malfunction and potentially cause life-threatening issues in an accident. However, once the affected airbags have been replaced, Subaru owners shouldn’t experience any further issues.
Subarus incorporate a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has come under fire for harsh acceleration, unintended acceleration, and several other related issues. The Transmission Control Unit can throw a coding error, which forces the clutch to engage prematurely. This CVT setup also suffers from shudders, shakes, jolts, and hesitation.
Many people focus on how long it takes to buy a car, but the length of the factory and extended warranty often matters more. The Subaru factory warranty includes a bumper-to-bumper warranty for three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty good for 60,000 miles or up to five years. You can also purchase an Extended Service Agreement to offset the $617 annual repair cost (as reported by RepairPal).
As you determine how to increase your credit score to lease a car, consider the following reliable Subarus. With a FINN car subscription, you can experience how reliable these vehicles are without having to gamble your hard-earned funds—or your credit score.
Ranked first among compact SUVs, the Crosstrek earns a 4.5 out of five-star rating from RepairPal. Annual repair costs hit just under $500, about $45 monthly to budget for. The Crosstrek visits the repair shop about 0.1 times per year, with a 7% chance of a severe repair.
As cliche as it sounds, the Subaru Legacy does uphold a tradition of reliability among midsize sedans. The Legacy earns a four out of five-star rating from RepairPal and only costs about $560 annually to maintain. With only 0.3 visits to the shop and an on-par 12% chance of a severe repair, the Legacy doesn’t require more attention than necessary regarding upkeep.
In addition to the Subaru Legacy, the Outback hails from a strong heritage of reliable wagons ready for off-road and on-road fun. RepairPal ranks the model tenth among 26 midsize SUVs, with an average annual repair cost of just over $600. This Subaru model visits the shop around 0.4 times annually, with 12% of those repairs at risk of being severe.
Some of the least reliable models include Subaru nameplates like the Impreza, WRX, and Forester. The Solterra and Ascent continue to establish their reputations as the brand irons out the kinks.
The Impreza’s reliability score is ranked 33rd out of 36 compact cars by RepairPal, earning a 3.5 out of five-star rating. The average annual repair cost is $653, which isn’t terribly high, but there is a 17% chance of severe repairs. With many of the issues discussed above, including unintended acceleration, plaguing this model, it’s up to the newest model years to set the record straight.
Compared to the Impreza, the WRX receives a similar 3.5 out of five-star rating from RepairPal. However, the 14% chance of severe repairs isn’t exactly confidence-inspiring. Many WRX owners also report issues with a bad clutch plate that dances on the border of requiring a recall. Issues from previous generations of WRX models also transfer to the newer models, so it might be time for Subaru to deliver to its most loyal following with upcoming refreshes.
RepairPal ranks the Forester 21st out of 26 compact SUVs. The 13% chance of a severe repair and 0.4 visits to the repair shop don’t automatically make this model unreliable, but other Subaru models rank higher. Some of the most common problems associated with the Forester include a faulty front O2 sensor, a failed catalytic converter that illuminates the check engine dashboard light, and cooling system issues that lead to a head gasket failure.
Subarus remain strong regarding reliability from the perspective of safety, cost of ownership, and fuel efficiency. While the brand may not be as reliable as other mainstays like Honda and Toyota, the Japanese automaker holds its own. It’s also one of the select few brands consumers immediately recognize for the all-wheel drive capability that makes them favorites among drivers in wetter, colder climates.
Subaru reliability ratings can be subjective, depending on what characteristics you prioritize when searching for a new or used car. Learn more about Subaru reliability below.
According to RepairPal, Toyota wins out over Subaru regarding reliability. However, both brands visit the repair shop about 0.3 times annually. Toyotas cost less to repair, but only a percentage separates the brands regarding the severity of repairs.
The average lifespan of a Subaru lasts well beyond the 200,000-mile mark. Subaru even has a series of badges owners can place on their beloved models to indicate how many miles they’ve driven or how many Subarus they’ve owned.
Subaru remains one of the safest automotive manufacturers out there. With several models earning five-star ratings and others ranking among Top Safety Picks from the IIHS, it’s no wonder Subaru is associated with safety.
High reliability ratings often mean Subaru owners share the love in spreading the word about their favorite new models. Subarus certainly rank high in safety, cost of ownership, and dependability, with respectable fuel efficiency and average repair cost ratings as well. Whether you’ve been driving for one year or several years, a Subaru makes for a reliable vehicle.
If you’d like to experience the reliability of a Subaru, FINN car subscriptions can give you the behind-the-wheel time you need. Subscribe to a new car and pick from several Subaru models or other brands like Ford or Mazda, that you can have delivered straight to your door. FINN also offers flexible terms and a subscription payment that includes insurance, registration, maintenance, and depreciation. Find the Subaru model you’re looking for today with a FINN car subscription.
