- How reliable is Subaru?
- How reliable is the Subaru Forester?
- Is the Subaru Legacy reliable?
- Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
- How reliable is the Subaru Outback?
- Why is Subaru less reliable?
- In Conclusion: Should you purchase, lease, or finance a Subaru?
Considering a Subaru but concerned about the manufacturer’s reliability? Our article will provide you with all of the honest and unbiased information you could need.
Subaru is the car division of Subaru Corporation (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries), a Japanese transportation conglomerate.
Their cars have remained popular with a core set of buyers, with marketing targeted specifically to their niche in the automotive market. Subaru owners tend to want the cars because of their drivetrain engine, their off-road capabilities or the fact that they are affordable in the sports car market.
Despite their niche market, Subaru have had a strong presence in customer satisfaction and reliability tables for some time now. But how reliable are Subaru?
In this article, we look at how Subaru compares to its rivals and answer the question, “How Reliable is Subaru?”.
How reliable is Subaru?
Subaru has experienced a lot of ups and downs over the last decade, and in 2016 the drop in their reliability was enough that they dropped to 18th out of 36 in the dependability scale as awarded by ReliabilityIndex..
Currently, none of Subaru’s vehicles appear on the ReliabilityIndex’s Top 100 UK Cars, and the manufacturer has an average Which? score of 63%, with the Subaru XV (2012-2017) scoring the highest with 73%. Which? gives Subaru two stars out of five for 0-4-year age bracket reliability, with 14% of Subaru owners reporting that their car broke down or failed to start at least once in the year prior to the Which?’s survey.
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
Even if you have never looked at a Subaru yourself, you probably would have heard of the Forester. This compact SUV comes in about just over average for reliability (when compared to other Subaru vehicles), scoring a Which? score of 66%. However, Which? recommends other vehicles. Also, the slightly above-average score is completely overshadowed by their extortionate average repair costs at £929.63. The Forester is also off the road for quite some time, with an average time of 4.47 hours. The high fuel consumption, 2.0-litre petrol engine struggles, and the pricey parts appear to be the vehicle’s main downfalls, according to Which?.
In the 2018 Reliability survey conducted by Which? the Subaru Forester ranked rather well, with some owners of the model stating that they’d experienced no problems with their vehicles over the three years they had owned them.
At the time, the Which? report discovered the Forester was on average spending no more than 24-hours off the road.
The Subaru Complaints website listed a couple of the most common problems you may face with the Forester:
- Unintended acceleration
- Brake light switch defect
- Cracked windshields
- Infotainment problems
- Excessive oil consumption
Is the Subaru Legacy reliable?
The Subaru Legacy (2009-2013) does slightly better when it comes to dependability. The Which? score is higher than the Forester at 70%, making it the 2nd highest-ranking Subaru vehicle and it is also considered a “Best Buy”. However, the yearly repair costs are around £429.30, according to withclutch.com. It also spends less time off the road, with an average of 3.45 hours.
The main issues that Which? had with this estate were the expensive parts, the restricted child seat positioning, and the low number of engine/transmission combinations. The Subaru Complaints website listed a couple of the most common problems you may face with the Legacy:
- Denso fuel pump failure
- Unintended acceleration
- Cracked windshields
- Infotainment problems
- Subaru Eyesight problems
- Excessive oil consumption
However, the newer models are more reliable than their predecessors, earning a slightly higher than average 112 (anything higher than 118 is considered to be a poor performance) on the ReliabilityIndex.
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Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
The Subaru Impreza did not impress Which? reviewers when the 2014-17 model launched as it received a slightly below-average score of 62%. Factors such as space of the interior, cabin noise, and fuel efficiency were reviewed and the vehicle was found lacking.
The 2019 model has a larger interior, but in reviews the cost far outweighed any benefits offered by the vehicle.
Overall, the Impreza does not impress.
How reliable is the Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has been on the Subaru roster for over 25 years. With the almost traditional shape of an estate, the vehicle has high ground clearance and is, like all other Subarus, four-wheel drive.
This vehicle has a Which? score of 69%, making it the 3rd highest-ranking Subaru vehicle on Which?, According to the owners who took part in the Which? reliability survey, the most common issues experienced were with the “slow-witted” automatic gearbox and fuel efficiency. Breakdown rates are higher than usual, with 7% of owners finding it necessary to call a recovery service.
Interested in finding a vehicle that suits your needs? Get in touch with our experienced team by requesting a callback below or calling us now on 01903 538835.
Is Subaru less reliable?
So, what has happened that may have made Subaru’s less dependable than they were at the height of their popularity in the early 2010s. There are a few possible reasons that this might be the case.
One is the fact that Subaru doesn’t have as many models on its roster compared to some of its competitors. This means that if one or two models drop in reliability then it can bring the whole brand down. For example, if the Outback and Legacy experience a drop in dependability ratings, then this will affect the whole Subaru line-up and their standing in the reliability tables.
Subaru is affected differently to brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which have a much larger range of models. If one or two of the vehicles in the Mercedes or BMW ranges drop in dependability it will not have much of an impact on the brand’s reliability as a whole.
For Subaru this has definitely been the case. There have been problems with the Legacy and the Outback, which include noises, leaks and problems with in-car electronics.
Another reason they might be considered less dependable here in the UK is because when they do go wrong, they cost a lot to repair.
According to the most recent reports from ReliabilityIndex (2018), the average cost of repairs across all Subaru models is £562.37.
We cannot ignore the high repair costs with Subaru, as this is something many consumers will want to take into account. One of the reasons the repair costs are so expensive in the UK is because there aren’t many Subarus around. This makes their parts less common and therefore more expensive. This is especially true if they have to be ordered from abroad. This brings the repair prices up which, in turn, brings the reliability down. That’s why they may be considered less dependable, and more expensive to repair, in the UK. It’s simply because they are less common. Also, more recently, costs for labour have substantially increased. This contributes to the lower reliability rating for brands such as Subaru.
One of the core reasons that Subaru reliability has dropped is due to the problems that the Outback and Legacy have had with in-car technology. This is a common reason for declining dependability in several makes and models since the early 2000s.
Many cars today have a great deal of new and complex technology. While, on paper, this looks great, and is also really cool when you first get the car, you can run into problems with it further down the line. There are so many moving parts and they can affect the overall reliability of your vehicle. The technology can also prove to be expensive to repair or replace, further bringing the reliability down.
That said, Subaru are not the most unreliable brand out there by any means, and they are still producing good cars that many drivers have no issues with at all.
In conclusion: how reliable is Subaru?
So, how reliable is Subaru? While Subaru isn’t the most reliable brand on the market, some of their models are better than others (e.g. the Legacy). Overall, they are an average brand with a model or two that are better than average. But they are improving, having risen through the ranks since their drop in popularity and dependability in 2016. Since then, in July 2021, Subaru’s sales rose by 125% and it is now the fastest-growing SUV brand in the UK. The manufacturer has managed to improve the vehicles that they have available by focusing on improving existing technologies.
When it comes to their rivals, they can’t compete as many of their rivals are some of the most dependable brands on the market today.
That said, we know that Subaru targets a niche market. And this market will buy a Subaru simply because it’s a Subaru.
So, it really depends what is more important to you, the fact your car is a Subaru, or that it’s ultra-reliable. Either way, we can’t deny that Subaru make good cars that enable them to continue their loyal following. Plus, Subaru is becoming more and more successful, which shows their growth over the last couple of years.
Article information last updated in March 2022.
I have had the head gasket fail on a Subaru legacy and on a forester Twice on both cars. The engines should be recalled. They are a terrible design and difficult to work on because of the ancient Volkswagen design. Subaru are extremely poor quality in my opinion and there is a class action suit regarding their engines. Look it up…Never will buy another Subaru.
Thank you for your comments, I am sure our readers will find it of value.
Hi Darrin may I ask what year was your legacy and forester?
How about the new Subaru XV? Any comment?
We have a video on our YouTube Channel that reviews the Subaru XV: https://youtu.be/n-idYxeOMuY
Check it out and let us know what you think. You can even subscribe to our YouTube Channel to be notified of when we post new car reviews.
2014 XV Crosstrek CVT – Both rear wheel bearing hubs failed 50000 -60000 miles, AC compressor and condenser failed 65000 miles. Burns 1 quart (US) of 5000 miles (oil change) brake light switch failed, car was demobilized needing a tow. Never again will I buy a Subaru… And Subaru fanatics talk about how bad Chrysler (Jeep) products are?
Pz junk.did you buy this car new? I ask because we have a car repair shop here in west palm beach and there are many many Subarus in this area and we’ve never see them break down so soon. Asa matter of fact we’ve never replaced one wheel bearing in one of those, I tell something is missing here, Subarus don’t break down so easy, most people that buy a Subaru are almost always repeat customers.
It seems there are no significant answers to why they aren’t as reliable as they used to be….cup holders? tiny things on the interior of the car? like the little knob on the back seat release? I consider these annoying, but hardly worth deeming the car less reliable….The” heaps of technology” you talk about is included in ALL brands so, how is this unique to subarus? You may think it’s a matter of semantics only, but isn’t the real interpretation just signify that the score of the car went down, but not the dependability of a specific car? I think we need more research.
Thank you for sharing your experience, We are sure our readers will appreciate your points, the review is an overview rather than a white paper on the Manufacturer, however, the summary has been made from a number of reliable sources, such as JD Power, major fleet operators and maintenance companies covering many thousands of vehicles and driver feedback.
In the USA market, Imprezas are all imported from Japan, whereas the Outback and Legacy are made in Ind, USA. If you look at Consumer Reports reliability report, within the brand, the model imported from Japan will usually be more reliable than a model that is not. Example, most Lexus models are made in Japan (some now are made in Canada), and all of them have the best reliability ratings, whereas Toyota is a mixed bag – the USA models are hit-and-miss (some models are reliable, some not), but the models exclusively made in Japan are consistently reliable, like the Prius and Yaris. Same thing with Mitsubishi – Outlander (made in Japan) reliable, Mirage (made in Thailand) is not. Etc.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with everyone.
Subarus have two chronic and major engine problems. Since the 1970s they have been plagued by head gasket problems, due to the horizontally opposed cylinder head design. Subaru periodically claims that the problem has been solved, but owner forums on the web say otherwise. Replacing head gaskets costs $2k in the US. The more recent problem is high oil consumption, due to moving to low weight oil (0w20) and low friction piston rings that let oil through (and it gets dumped into the catalytic converter, reducing lifespan). Subaru settled class action in 2016, agreeing to fix the many affected engines. But now the policy is to ignore and refuse to answer oil consumption complaints. Caveat emptor.
Hi John,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience on this issue.
Blew a head gasket on a Outback 2012 2.5L: First indication: All of the annunciators on the instrument panel started flashing, so didn’t and couldn’t notice that the coolant temperature indication was the real one that should have been noticeable. By the time I pulled over because of losing engine power, the radiator had melted letting out steam for 15 minutes. $5000 engine change. Had 250,000km/154,000 miles, always regularly serviced. Head gasket still a problem for newer cars. Before that, had to replace the centre differential Viscous Coupler (manual xmission). Not reliable at all. Head gasket problem fixed? Wait until you get up to 150,000 miles.
HIgh cost maintenance because many parts not readily accessible: Changing head gasket means engine removal to get to it. Even changing a headlight costs 45 minutes labour because you can’t reach it from the top; have to go through the weel-well.
Meanwhile, my 2003 CRV still chugging along with 435,000km (270,000 miles) on it.
Hi Marc,
Thank you for sharing your experience of the Subaru. I am sorry that it wasn’t more positive. I am sure that our readers will find your experience useful when looking for a new vehicle.
Have had my 2007 Impreza WRX 5 years and not one problem… other than 2 failed struts. Clearly an issue on Subaru vehicles. Has covered 73.000 miles.
Hi David,
Thank you for your comments on the Subaru. It’s interesting to hear from owners of vehicles that have had good experiences and I am sure that our readers will find this information useful.
My 2014 Forrester XT just costed me AU$2500 to fix. It broke down a week after coming out of the scheduled service on a road trip far from home. Worked perfectly fine one second and then the engine just quit the next. It has been out of service for almost two months why they tried to figure out what’s wrong with it. Last they told me it’s the “crank position sensor” gone bad.
Knowing the car has single points of catastrophic failure like this in the design wipes out any reliability scores in my book. I’d be very hesitant to take this car to anywhere remote in the future.
And the interior? There is this plastic panel where the seat belt buckle rests on. Within weeks of taking delivery that panel was cracked. Cause? Mommy holding baby, slipped and sat on the buckle, cracking the panel. That was replaced under warranty but within weeks it was cracked again. Same cause. The plasticky fabric on the driver’s seat is all cracked up after only 4 years of not-so-heavy-duty use.
My 2006 Honda on the other hand? Done a few times the kilometers, never had a break down, the interior still looks fresher and more robust.
Hi Cedric,
Sorry to hear that you had a less than positive experience with your Subaru. I am sure that readers will find your comment helpful when it comes to making a decision. It’s great to hear that your Honda is a more reliable car for your purpose.
I have two perspectives on this because I own two outbacks AND my son is a Subaru tech. My newest Subaru is a 2008 Outback LL Bean. This car is just approaching 200,000 miles and runs very well and makes almost no engine noise. It’s extremely quiet, even idling with the hood opened. It doesn’t get good gas mileage. about 21.5 mgp mixed driving. I got 23 mpg with a 2018 Ford Mustang that could really move! But my Outback is a wonderful place to be when commuting or on a long trip,
The six cylinder engines I believe do not have the head gasket problems. It’s not because they are horizonatlly opposed engines because the six is too. I haven’t heard of problems with the six, and mine has had zero engine problems. I’ve had one little electrical problem, but that’s been solved by replacing the overhead console ($125). This was causing the airbag light to come on. I commute over 60 miles a day in very difficult traffic and the car gives me a great feeling of command over the road situation. The intell-drive system is intuitive and effective at getting the engine performance when I need it.
The big question is…. how do the new ones compare to this? What this generation the pinnacle and they go down from there? I really don’t know the answer, but one shop manager asked me if I wanted to sell the car!
Hi Hal,
Thank you for your comment. It sounds like you’ve had a number of very positive experiences with your Subaru and the fact that it’s still running well after 200,000 miles is a testament to the production. I am sure that any readers who are looking for information about Subaru before deciding on their new vehicle will find your comment helpful.
I just want to preface this by letting you know that I live in the states. I have been driving Subaru cars since 1985 before they became as popular as they are today. I was drawn to the Subaru because of the sturdiness of the car compared to the new tin-cans at the time that had front wheel drive. (I had a Camaro in college and although the rear wheel drive and 8-cylinder engine were great for sailing up and down the mountains, it often caused the car to fishtail in the snow). My fourth Subaru is an outback and all of them have fared well, even when they had to be repaired. The most expensive repair so far was a $2,500.00 manifold gasket replacement on my third car, but that when it was well over 100.000 miles and 10 years old. It would often cost anywhere from 3-4K for my husband to have his Volvo worked on by someone who knew how to work on Volvos on the side.
Maryann,
Thank you for your comments on the Subaru. It does seem that these vehicles are reliable and many people have had a postiive experience when driving them. I have no doubt that our readers will find your views helpful when it comes to making their decisions on a new car.
Oh, thank goodness Maryann, That make me so much better , because I just bought Subaru Forrester 2018 few days ago. As consumer I am worry when read bad news about your own car.Thank you for good reports.
I have had my Subaru Impreza R, which equates to, 1498 cc Automatic, since February 2011, I bought it it just has its original owner was part-exchanging it for Brand new Forester , my Subaru was a 2007 model with 9, 000 genuine — serviced miles, it is now April 2019, I have used this car EVERY SINGLE DAY, since acquiring it, And it has NEVER ONCE failed to Start or Let me down, It has NEVER been IN for any repairs, And has NEVER failed its annual M.O.T test, it has now covered 42,000 trouble free miles, It is ” The” Most Under-rated car on the road, It is Economical, It is Fast, It is very Comfortable & Most Important ——– My wife feels very safe when travelling in it, I have been 100 % satisfied with my 2007 Subaru Impreza R !!! —– HOW-EVER, there is Now, NO WAY WHAT- SO- EVER that I could EVER again purchase a Subaru Vehicle in ANY model , !!!!!!!!! the reason is Quite Simple, I only EVER choose to drive Automatic cars , And Subaru have chosen NOT to make Conventional Automatic Gear Boxes, Only, —- CVT automatic, And They are simply — Rubbish, AND, to make Matters EVEN Worse, Subaru NO longer give you a spare wheel OR Even an Emergency Space – Saver wheel, !!!!!!!! And, Subaru wonder WHY nobody are Rushing to buy their cars !!!!! No wonder my Local Main Subaru dealer in Ipswich , had to take down his Subaru Dealer-ship sign, and start selling other makes !!!! Its So sad that Subaru Ltd, Never Chose to Question THEIR paying Customers ——- What THEY wanted in Their cars, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your comment. It is always interesting to hear from people who have experience with a specific manufacturer. I am sorry that you feel unable to purchase another Subaru due to the changes they have made. I hope that you find another vehicle which fits your needs.
I have 2 Subarus. A 01 outback sport wagon with an ej22. It currently has 204k. No problems ever! Mechanically that is. Oem axles only! Other than regular maintenance, trans flush, cooling system flush, power steering flush and oil changes, this engine is near bullet proof. My other Subaru is an 1985 brat, with 324k. Absolutely unbreakable… I’ve been trying!!! I am ase certified mechanic and never let anyone touch my cars. I would never but a new Subaru if I wanted a new car… The 2.5 is garbage imho… That’s all I got.. Thank you.
I just purchased a 2009 Subaru Tribeca. While reading on your website I learned that they are no longer making them. Will that be a problem when taking it in for repairs or parts. Thank you for the information regarding Subaru. Linette
Hi Linette,
Hopefully you will enjoy your new Tribeca. I spoke with one of our vehicle experts and he has confirmed that while they are no longer making the vehicle, the parts will continue to be available for years, so you will not have issues in getting replacements should anything go wrong. Hopefully this information will help.
Colin 18th May 2019 09:36
I have a 2015 Outback, purchased at one year old with 1400miles on the clock.Three years on the Outback has now done 66000 miles. I have experienced no problems apart from flat battery when the dogs jump out of the back and knock the switch. Not really a Subaru problem, more of carelessness from my wife and I.Mine is a diesel and the drive is superb, both my wife and I find the fuel consumption 42 mpg overall is acceptable. Now to the downside. I would like to part exchange in 2020 for another of the same. Subaru now have stopped offering a diesel, only a 2.5 petrol engine with real time 28 mpg and lack lustre real world driving experience. Such a pity as the whole owning experience has been first class. What other choices are there for a permanent four wheel drive rugged comfortable mile eater safe as houses car ?
Hi Colin,
It is always great to hear from someone who loves their car and has experienced few (if any) issues while owning it.
If you are looking for another car with similar features and fits your requirements please contact Amanda on 01903 223391 and she will be able to pass you to one of our experienced team to talk through your options and help you to find the ideal vehicle.
Dear,
I bought LEGACY 2019 TWO DAYS BACK ON THE 17TH OF MAY!!
I moved from a H Pilot 2009 to Legacy 2019 … a big change in terms of SUV TO SEDAN.( I drove the PILOT for a good 9 year period and I love that one for my own reasons)
Thats fine with me.
Its after registering the car in my name did i bother to check on the RELIABILITY factor.
I always thought that the Subaru Legacy is one of the most reliable vehicle for a family car.
I hope this is not a wrong decision.
Look forward to your views and advises
regards,
Prem JOHN
Hi John,
Thank you for your comment. The reliability figures used on this page are up to date as of this year and use various sources in order to ensure accuracy. However, they would be on a slightly older model (late 2018) rather than 2019. If you are concerned there are many Subaru owner forums you can visit to get more information on what to expect.
I hope that you find this information helpful while running your Subaru Legacy.
Prem John, I currently own 4 Subaru cars, all of which have in excess of 200,000 miles on the clock. Aside from basic maintenance my biggest of issues has been the notorious head gasket failures, which honestly are not quite as often as some would lead you to believe (averaging 150k miles) . They are simple to repair if you are inclined to do so yourself, and permitting your local laws allow this. I have heard directly from owners of the new “FA” and”FB” series of engines, however, that they are much more reliable than the older “EJ” series of engines. To the best of my knowledge that new Legacy of yours should be the aforementioned “FA” or “FB” series depending on the engine size of course.
I do hope this somewhat eases your worries as a new Subaru owner. Subaru is the only brand I will ever purchase and for good reason, I have survived a very serious accident because of the safety of their cars.
I am interested in buying a 2019 Crosstrek Subaru, I want to know how reliable it is and the recalls it had
Hi Lydia,
Thank you for your message. The CrossTrek is called the XV in the UK. Looking at our usual reliability reports there are not enough XVs on UK roads to provide accurate information. However, when it was reviewed for reliability and safety by EuroNCAP (a European Safety board) and received 5 out of 5 stars. I hope that you find this helpful.
Owned a 2002 Impreza Outback Sport for 13 1/2 years. Sold it and got a 2016 Subaru Forester XT (Turbo). The Outback sport had many issues over the years, but I think most of it was just wear and tear. I beat the shit out of it in later years. Most fun manual transmission besides the RS, which I loved, and the WRX. I wish the Forester came with the Manual Transmission and turbo combo. The cheaper Impreza has cheaper interior and I think will have more repairs than this newer Forester. This drives like a dream, whereas the outback sport was fun to drive and hung onto the road almost as nice as the RS (re WRX). I know it is still on the road too. Such a cool car.
Hi Lainer,
We are pleased to hear that you are happy with the Subaru vehicles you have owned in the past and currently. It sounds as though you have found the brand/manufacturer who best suits your needs and meets your driving requirements.
I have a 2013 Impreza sport that I purchased new. It has 73,000 miles on it. I brought it in to have the spring valve recall replaced and since then I’ve had to have it towed three times in a short period. The dealership has finally concluded that I need a new engine harness which seems odd to me . Any thoughts on this would be helpful, thank you.
Hi Laura,
Sorry to hear that you’ve been experiencing issues with your Impreza Sport. Unfortunately, this is not something we can comment on. We would recommend you search for other Impreza owners on car forums to discover if this is an issue that regularly occurs with older models of the Subaru you own.
Looking at a 2007 outback with 130 thousand miles at 5.000 ? Owner said it’s excellent cond.? I’m a great grandma past 78 raising a 6yr old grandbaby. Don’t know about cars with not much help to get one. Please help me he texted make him an offer said they haveing a 3rf baby and need more room? Please let me know asap I have to text him back. [email protected] thanks
Hi Stella,
Thank you for your comment. Without having information about the number of owners and condition of the vehicle we are unable to offer you any constructive advice which will help you to make a decision. Does the owner have the log book? Has it got a full service history? We would recommend you ask these questions of the current owner, and if you are still unsure we would recommend you speak to someone with a mechanic background.
I just bought a Subaru 2007 Tribeca9 used from my Goodyear mechanic and have never experienced such luxury, with every detail given a great deal of thought, from its chrome handles to its leather-covered shift and steering wheel. With its way- advanced styling and low production figure, it really stands out in the look-alike crowd. I think it’s even smarter-looking than many high end imports, and it rides and handles beautifully. I expect it to reach 200,000 miles. Why did it not rec3ive the recognition it should have? D. Manus westport Ct.
Hi Dorvan,
Many thanks for your comment on the Subaru Tribeca. This was actually a model that was sold in the US, though not available in the UK so the reliability reports we used to create this article were only looking at vehicles available for purchase to UK customers.
I am sure that our US readers will find the information you provided regarding your experience with the Tribeca useful when they come to purchase their next vehicle, though the Tribeca has been discontinued as a model.
If you take care of her you can attain twice that mileage. I had a 1990 wagon bought used for $250 and had 295,000 miles on it, ran it 8 years and had the keyway on the crank wallow out on me so I let her go, with 355,000 on it. When I got her she had been badly mistreated but all I needed was new wipers and I did an oil change on her and she ran like new for all that time, I got the purchase price back from the wrecking yard when we parted. She owed me nothing. She wasn’t my first Roo and that was ten years ago, I now have my mom’s 2002 Forester with 64,000 miles on it and probably won’t need another car as long as I live hopefully another thirty plus years, I’m 68. Happy Rooing people.
How come I read in the Daily Telegraph recently that Subaru are officially the worlds most reliable manufacturer?
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your comment. We also saw this article. However, when we compiled our data for Subaru we took into account a great deal of information we had available and though this one report found them to be the most reliable, the other data found the Subaru to be reliable, but not the top of the list.
We hope you find this information helpful.
i live in canada .. my 2018 crosstrek is on its THIRD RADIO,, so far !!!!! ALSO 8 trips to the dealer for radio updates,,which have proven to be JUST A WASTE OF MY TIME !!!! SMARTEN UP subaru,, its only a radio >> figure it out ALREADY !!!
Hi Brian,
Thank you for your comment regarding the experience you have had with your Crosstrek radio system. This is something that owners in the US and Canada have been reporting. There are multiple forums about the subject and I am sure that other owners will find this interesting when they are looking to purchase their Crosstrek in the US/Canada.
I live in the US and have a 2016 Subaru Outback that needed the transmission replaced at 60K miles. Subaru covered it and extended the warranty to 100K miles, but as we near 100K we are a little worried about it it will happen again. We had a 2006 honda crv that is still in the family with one of our kids and it is nearing 250K miles with not much more than regular maintenance.
Hi Stacy,
Thank you for your comment on the reliability of the Subaru Outback. We hope that you continue to enjoy the vehicle going forward.
Subaru claim, 97% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today. is this true?
Our family wonder that the new model Outback 2020 is good to purchase?
Hi Don,
Thank you for your comment about Subaru reliability. The data we have managed to find states that 96% of Subaru vehicles over 10 years old are still on the road. The statement is connected to the Subaru warranty, which works in stages, covering elements of the vehicle for different periods of time (with the bodywork covered for a massive 12 years). The models are sturdy and built to last, but as with any vehicle on the road today, how long something lasts will depend greatly on whether it gets regular services, how it’s stored, how many miles it travels and the terrain on which it is driven.
I had a 2004 forester for 13 years. 150,000 miles. No issues. Normal maintenance. I am now leasing a 2017 imprezza. No issues. But i cant wait to get another forester in june.
My 2013 subaru outbackhss been in shop because when I turn it off the key wont come out. I have to start it back up and mess with it before it will eventually come out will call and compplain again.mechanics have to figure it out. They said they didn’t know what was wrong and gave it back to me..so dissapointed in Subaru
Hi Cathy,
We would recommend that you visit a Subaru owner forum to find out if this is an issue other owners have experienced in the past. We hope that you are able to get the issue resolved by your mechanic.
This happened to our Subaru Outback as well and we took it to the dealership. It has been classified as a known issue dealing with the transmission. They fixed the transmission at no charge.
The brand new 2020 Forester Sport lasted exactly 2 weeks. Driving to work, (the same route I take every day for 3 years), I heard beeping. Thinking it was the lane departure, I continued to drive, but the beeping did not stop. i could not look at the dashboard as I was driving onto an entrance ramp to highway, when, suddenly, the steering wheel turned left sharply and locked. i could not turn the wheel, nor could brake. Both locked. The car veered off the road to the left, onto an embankment and flipped over. I,m lucky to be alive. Although Subaru dealer and Subaru of North America claim there have never been any problems with Subaru Forester, my research shows there have been serious problems with the steering column in Foresters. In fact, the manufacturing plant in Japan was shut down in January of 2019 due to problems with defective steering. My worry is that Subaru is dragging its tail investigating whether this problem continues with the 2020 Forester. Someone could seriously get killed.
Hi Susie,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Subaru Forester in the US. There are several reports on reliability and issues people have experienced (as reported by US drivers) available via https://www.carcomplaints.com/, where many US drivers report issues and recalls are also recorded.
Subaru’s have had major engine issues since the 90s’. Countless headgasket issues, my last subaru 2011 wrx had 2 turbo failures and finally the engine let go. All within 90,000 miles. And apparently I am not alone please search used Subaru before you buy, most have had engine replacements. In my opinion Subaru’s are terrible compared to honda, nissan, Toyota or even Mitsubishi.
Hi Timmy,
Thank you for your comment on the relability of Subaru. I am sure that our US based readers will find this information helpful when they come to make their decision about a new vehicle.
I have been building Subaru’s since 1996. They are cheap and way over priced. The company itself is very poorly managed. You will be better off spending your hard earned money on a vehicle that’s worth your hard earned money. Subaru’s are poorly designed and engineered and cheap and built with real cheap generic parts. I would NEVER own a Subaru!
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your insight into the Subaru as someone who has worked with them. When we write our reviews we use multiple sources aimed at a UK audience, including consumer reports, warranty company data and information from others. We try and produce a balanced and unbiased report about the manufacturer so that our readers can make an informed decision about their next vehicle.
My family has been driving subarus for many years, my dad has a 2001 impreza it’s done over 400,000 km and although it’s now on its last legs, it has been a reliable car for over a decade. I have a 2013 Subaru liberty (Legacy if not in Australia) and a 2019 impreza both cars are fantastic, I am thinking of buying a new WRX soon. One thing that I will add is that subarus are one of the best cars here in the Australian market and have a great reputation, I must also add that since 2018, America opened its own factory and all their subarus are made in America, I’m unsure if UK subarus are made in the US or Japan but Australia only gets Japanese made.
Hi Simon,
UK supply for Subaru vehicles falls to Japan. The US plant provides only for the US market at the present time. Thank you for your comment on the reliability you have experienced from your Subaru vehicles in Australia. We write these pieces with UK market data so many of the experiences our reports have picked up will not be accurate world-wide.
I owned a 2013 Forester for 5 years with zero problems. Bought a 2018 XT Forester and I love it.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your comment. It’s always good to hear from people who have been driving the vehicles we are writing about.
I am on my third Subaru the first a 2011 diesel Forester 76000 miles one problem driver side sun-visor broke.Second car 2015 diesel Forester 46000 mile ,the exhaust manifold pipe cracked which the dealer replaced straight away, this was a problem which was found to occurred to this particular model with tune vibration cracking the manifold This was fixed by a bracket to kill the vibration That was the only problem with the Forester. My current 2019 XV Subaru 1300 miles no problems
Consumer report has rated them a lot higher for 2020 than your little company.
I think I would trust them since they are a premium automobile tester.
Hi Scott,
Thank you for your feedback. We use UK-based data as we are a UK company providing information for our UK customers. However, if you look at the date of this report it was written in 2019 with 2019 information.
I have owned four Subarus in a row since 1992 – and all have performed wonderfully, with laughably low servicing costs and zero big part failures. Petrol consumption is higher than rivals, of course. Reliability is 100%. The luxurious comfort and ride of my current Legacy 3.0 auto is far superior than Mercs and Jaguars costing four times as much. We go to Scotland annually – and leave the Jaguar behind. Comfort, great visibility, great acceleration, great storage space. Couldn’t be bettered.
Great am a new comer to subarus have been driving toyotas all along am greafiful for the information.
My wife & I have owned 4 Subarus over the past 14 years. 3 outbacks and a new Forester. Our only reason for changing the Outback’s was ergonomics. They all ran beautifully with no mechanical issues at all. We purchased the new Forester because we no longer have to haul all the grandchildren all over the country. We like the more compact size and the safety features of the newer car, also better gas mileage.
I drove Subarus since 1996 and loved them. I bought a Legacy the first year they came out and the first to be made in the USA. I only had it 1 year and had nothing but problems with it. I told my dealer I only want a Subaru made in Japan because AMC do not take pride in their workmanship!!! I bought the SVX, what an awesome car.
Our second Subaru Forester is great, so was the first but it was thirsty; a 2.5 doing 25 mpg but the 2.0i gives 40 mpg. We can relax with the ‘same car’ costing less to run. Different world feeling totally safe and reliable. Unlike all others we have owned! No point in details, it just always gets there.
Between us my wife and I have had 12 Subarus since the 1990s. 2 x Outback, 2 x Legacy, the rest Foresters. That probably speaks for itself.
I have an Outback. I purchased it because I have a mastiff that goes everywhere with us. The only downside is there is no air in the back so we have to keep the air on high so she can get air. (It gets a little chilly up front). Other than that I love my Outback.
I always wanted an Outback. So I decided to finally buy myself one 3 year’s ago. Probably a bad choice as I spent over £6000 on repairs and now it’s back at Subaru with a broken crankshaft.
I’m always in doubts when reading some statistic reports. Do they really calculate and take into account all (well, not all, but most important ones) variables.
When it comes to statistics about car reliability I think, there’s one huge concept, often overlooked and that’s how is brand corellated with types of drivers and use. In EU, where I came from, Subarus are often “heavily abused” by younger city drifters, weekend off-road warriors, or foresters who’s nature of work realy demand some serious offroad from cars. On the other hand I see Toyota cars, mainly being driven by women and older population, which usually drive more “conservative”, less agressive on throtle. Having that in mind I think comparing only numbers of failures doesn’t give the right data to compare car reliability. Has anyone similar thoughts?
Hi TL, thank you for your comment. Our data is based on official facts and figures from UK consumer reports, therefore our customers are looking to find out about reliability when it comes to repair costs and other information concerning what they will find in the UK.
No air in back….. easy fix partially roll down a back widow, this will let hot air out, and move cool air into back area, works fine for me, ac only needs to be on low
Hi. I live in the US. Ive had 4 Outbacks. Beat the stuffin out of all of them. Still managed 210k miles out of them. Wont but any other brand.
I have leased now, four Subaru’s three Foresters and one Crosstrek which is about to go off lease. All of them have given me trouble free performance over three years.
Hi Leroi, that’s fantastic to hear. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Subaru.
I had left a previous positive comment on this site about my experience with the Subaru’s I have owned or leased over the years. My current Subaru is due to go off lease in ab out there Months. I am deeply disappointed on the arrogance and could care less, attitude of many of the dealers I have encountered. I plan to lease or buy a Mazda x30 which I have researched as a better overall vehicle that I\s competitive to Subaru Crosstrek. Also I have found they are willing to neg price and give a much fairer trade in. I would suggest, anyone looking to lease or buy a new Subaru, do some research on dependability. It appears, they are not as dependable as they used to be. I am sincerely disappointed how Subaru has come down in quality. My 2021 Crosstrek has been a wonderful car, but reading the long term status on reliability, I was thinking of buying it, but am going to a Mazda instead.
Hi there Leroi, I’m sorry to hear about your disappointing experiences with Subaru dealers and concerns about quality. Researching the Mazda x30 as an alternative is a wise move. If you need assistance with your transition or financing options, please reach out. Best of luck with your Mazda x30 lease or purchase!
Is it possible the Subaru’s in the USA are more reliable than the one’s in the UK? My 2012 Subaru Forester is very reliable, but I bought it in the USA.
Hi there Bethany, interesting thought! Generally, Subaru’s reliability is consistent across regions as they use similar manufacturing processes and standards globally.
However, variations in driving conditions, maintenance practices, and even the specific models available in different countries could contribute to differences in individual experiences.