Some car buyers were shocked — and others pleasantly surprised — when Consumer Reports awarded Subaru the number one spot in 2024 for reliability ratings. The maker of the rugged Outback and Forrester even beat longtime favorites Toyota and Lexus. But wait — aren’t Subarus expensive to fix? The answer depends on how you look at vehicle repair costs and which model year you choose.
Are Subarus Expensive To Fix?
On average, taking your Subaru to a repair shop costs more than comparative mainstream car brands like Chevrolet, Toyota, Ford, and Kia. One of the main reasons for the added cost is the unique powertrain design common to Subaru models.
Higher Labor Costs
Subaru’s famous Boxer engine uses four horizontal cylinders that sit opposite from each other, allowing for a lower engine placement and lower center of gravity. This is great for off-road performance but makes repairs more difficult. Mechanics may need to lift the engine to reach components that are easily accessible in other SUVs, which adds to the labor costs.
Average Parts Costs
A common misconception is that foreign brands like Subaru and Toyota have more expensive OEM parts. This hasn’t been true for at least a decade. These days, domestic automotive manufacturers often source parts from factories in other countries, and foreign automakers often have production plants in North America. Except for some specialized parts related to the Boxer engine, Subaru parts aren’t any harder to find than other brands.
Lower Repair Frequency
This is where Subaru repair costs get tricky to calculate. Even though repair shops often charge more to work on Subarus, you’re less likely to need to visit a mechanic in the first place because of Subaru’s exceptional reliability reputation.
According to dealer records, the Subaru Outback needs to visit a repair shop half as often as the similarly sized Mazda CX-7, and the chances of severe problems are lower than the Ford Edge and Jeep Grand Cherokee. That’s not bad considering that the purchase price of an Outback is $5,000 to $20,000 cheaper than other midsize SUVs.
The Subaru Forrester needs slightly more frequent repairs than the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It beats the Chevy Equinox and ties the Ford Escape for compact SUVs.
Are Subarus Expensive To Maintain?
Subaru SUVs are significantly more expensive to maintain than competing Toyota, Kia, and Hyundai models. Subaru maintenance costs and ownership expenses add up to about $600 a year. For comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs $515 annually, the Kia Sorento is $530, and the Toyota Venza is only $440. Buyers shopping purely on running cost often drop down a segment entirely, where cheaper alternatives to maintain like the Nissan Versa change the math considerably. For a comparison outside the SUV class, commercial van owners often ask a similar question. Our breakdown of Mercedes Sprinter repair and maintenance costs shows annual expenses ranging from $900 to $2,000.
There are two reasons Subaru owners pay more on scheduled maintenance. The first comes back to the Boxer engine and the powertrain’s lower placement on the frame. Even some general maintenance tasks like replacing the spark plugs require complex disassembly for access. The same goes for CVT transmission fluid replacement, which is recommended every 50,000 to 60,000 miles.
The other reason Subaru maintenance can be more expensive is because its bumper-to-bumper warranty is pretty basic. Subaru provides the standard three-year/36,000-mile factory and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, but no complimentary maintenance or roadside assistance. Hyundai offers three years of free maintenance visits and roadside coverage, and Toyota covers you for two years.
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What Are the Biggest Issues With Subarus?
The majority of Subaru Crosstreks, Outbacks, and Foresters don’t have outstanding failures or recalls. There are a few exceptions, however.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Subaru settled a class action lawsuit in 2016 related to issues with its third-generation FB engines. Owners complained that engines burned through excessive amounts of oil. In some cases, this led to problems with stalling on the road or damaged powertrain parts.
Some of the affected models with FB engines include:
- 2013 to 2014 Outback
- 2011 to 2014/15 Forester (CVT/manual transmission)
- 2012 to 2013 Impreza
- 2013 to 2015 Crosstrek
As part of the settlement, Subaru repaired or replaced the affected engines. Unfortunately, related powertrain issues past the warranty period (extended to 100,000 miles) were not covered, and some owners complained of needing to replace the transmission prematurely.
Dead Battery
The second-most reported issue in Subaru Outback models is repeated battery drainage. Some owners needed to buy a new battery every few years, and others had to replace the alternator. This issue primarily affects the 2015 to 2019 models, but some reports are as recent as 2022.
Some mechanics believe the problem is related to a faulty digital control module in vehicles equipped with Starlink. The DCM slowly drains the battery when vehicles are turned off, potentially leaving owners stranded in cold weather.
Engine Failure
The 2009 Subaru Forester had problems with a leaking head gasket on the engine. This critical issue caused some drivers to need a costly engine replacement at just over 100,000 miles. The average repair/replacement cost for a new engine is around $6,500. Even though this problem affects relatively few total vehicles, it’s expensive enough to watch out for.
Do Subarus Last Long?
All in all, Subaru has an excellent reputation for quality, durability, and reliability. Many drivers praise how well the brand’s CVT transmissions hold up over the years.
Subaru SUVs and crossovers rank high on “best of” lists by Motortrend, Car and Driver, and U.S. News. They also hold their value well, with J.D. Power scores for resale value averaging 81/100 (great).
Do Most Mechanics Work on Subarus?
Subarus are difficult to work on for DIY enthusiasts, but they’re nothing outside of the skillset of licensed mechanics. You can generally take a Subaru to any reputable repair shop for maintenance or repairs without problems. There are also more than 625 authorized Subaru dealerships in the United States — not as many as Toyota’s 1,500, but enough to find a location near you.
If you’re also considering a truck, our guide to Ford Ranger reliability and ownership costs provides a useful benchmark for how a domestic pickup compares on maintenance frequency and repair complexity.
Are Subarus Expensive To Fix and Maintain With a VPP?
The cost of vehicle protection plans for Subaru depends on the model, year, and vehicle condition. Reliable, long-lasting vehicles tend to have lower VPP costs, but the cost is partially determined by how expensive Subarus are to fix. Find high-quality, budget-friendly VPPs for Subaru today to help protect your Subaru from costly repairs.
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