The Most Common Subaru Problems & Years to Avoid | GetJerry.com (2023)

FAQs

What years did Subaru have problems? ›

Subaru Impreza years to avoid + common problems

Avoid any 2008 - 2013 Imprezas. The Impreza's electrical issues extended from the third generation into the fourth generation with the 2012 and 2013 model years. In fact, the 2013 Impreza saw recalls for faulty brake lights and engine stalling.

Subaru owners have complained about problems with the Lineartronic CVT transmissions and Subaru extended the warranty for cars from model years 2010 to 2018. Usage: 2010–current Subaru Legacy / Outback / Exiga / Impreza / Levorg / Forester / XV and 2015 Subaru WRX Premium and Limited Editions.

The best years for the Subaru Outback were from 2005 to 2009. During this time, Subaru focused on the car's performance, bringing the turbocharge XT model and boasting 250 horsepower with its 2.5L engine.

Many Subaru owners are familiar with issues such as electrical faults, weak windshields, faulty airbags, and defective fuel pumps. Other problems plaguing the Subaru brand include CVT issues, defective light switches, sudden draining of battery, and inconsistent acceleration, among other issues.

A number of Subaru models are affected, however the most common failures include the 2.5 Liter SOHC engine used in the late 1999-2004, Forester, Impreza, Outback and Legacy. Signs and symptoms of engine head gasket failure include: Engine overheating.

Subaru is aware of the head gasket issues and in 2014 began outfitting all their models with different head gaskets that have rectified the issue. Pro-Tip: Before your factory warranty expires, it's a good idea to have your Subaru completely checked out to ensure everything is working the way it should.

Our first taste of the Subaru CVT was in 2009 with the launch of the fifth-generation Liberty and Outback models which featured a CVT on four-cylinder petrol versions of the car. The CVT has since been extended to the brand's Impreza, Forester, XV and even the sporty WRX line-up.

The 2022 Ascent, Outback, Legacy and Forester models are the only ones in which you cannot get a different kind of transmission. On the flip side, the 2023 BRZ and WRX are the only models that don't offer a CVT at all.

Subaru: The manual Impreza and the BRZ are the only non-CVT cars from Subaru.

In terms of the best time of the year, October, November and December are safe bets. Car dealerships have sales quotas, which typically break down into yearly, quarterly and monthly sales goals. All three goals begin to come together late in the year.

What is the average mileage life of a Subaru Outback? ›

All this road-tripping takes a toll, but the Outback, if properly maintained, can last drivers even up to 300,000 miles. This means that the average driver could expect to get 15 to 20 years out of their Subaru.

As for the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the 2022 Subaru Outback received the highest honor, a 5-star rating! The 2022 Subaru Outback safety ratings from the NHTSA are as follows: Overall Safety Rating: 5 Stars.

A car with many miles on it is more likely to break down badly, costing a lot of money and sometimes making it worthless. In short, between 150 and 200 thousand miles is when most Subarus reach its first mileage limit. After that, the limit can be raised to 300,000 miles with major maintenance.

While Subarus are certainly not the cheapest cars on the market, they are also far from the most expensive. In fact, the average Subaru owner spends about $617 per year on repairs and maintenance. This is actually slightly above the average for domestic makes and models.

How Long Do Head Gaskets Last? Head gaskets typically last 200,000 miles, which is considered about the lifetime of most cars. That means, if you look after your car and follow the service schedule, you should never be faced with a blown head gasket.

Change the engine oil regularly! This helps to remove any unburnt fuel that has made its way into the engine oil. Fuel is a solvent that can weaken seals and gaskets. You should also change your Subaru's coolant regularly.

The Subaru 2.5L engine can be very reliable and is very capable of outlasting the vast majority of engines with 200,000–300,000 miles being common and even higher possible. Many claim they will all blow head gaskets but this is not the case. I won't lie because it is a known problem but not every engine experiences it.

The first group is the 1st generation 2.5l engine found predominantly in the 1996 to 1999 Outback, Legacy G.T., Forrester (up to mid-year 1998) and Subaru Impreza R.S. This group usually, will develop an internal head gasket leak ultimately resulting with an overheating engine.

On average, after the Subaru head gaskets are replaced it should last somewhere between 100,000 miles to 160,000 miles.

The 2.5 Four cylinder cars had timing chains starting with the 2013 model year and newer.

How often should Subaru CVT transmission fluid be changed? ›

Subaru CVT Transmission Fluid Service Special

For instance, Transmission Fluid Services vary from make to model and driver to driver, but typically the range is once every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.

A lower engine speed means better fuel economy. And CVTs also deliver a smoother ride, as it eliminates shocks when changing gears, and allows the engine to run quieter.

Indeed, some owners who keep to the factory-specified service intervals, use the recommended lubricant(s) and avoid abusive driving habits can get up to 200,000 trouble-free miles with a CVT.

Depending on the vehicle and the driver, a CVT can provide a smoother driving experience when comparing it to a traditional automatic. According to Carfax, one of the most significant advantages to having a CVT is that they are often more fuel-efficient than a regular automatic.

CVT Problems and Model Years Affected

The extension now covers CVT transmission issues for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Sometimes, too much can be a bad thing.

Subaru uses the Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) transmission exclusively in their entire lineup of all-wheel-drive vehicles and won't be dropping it because you have issues with it.

Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.

Monday tends to be the best day of the week to purchase a vehicle. While it's good to shop for a car at the end of the month or quarter, there's an advantage to shopping at the beginning of the week. Studies have shown that car buyers get better deals shopping on Mondays than any other day of the week.

Can a Subaru last 500000 miles? ›

While results will vary and the big variable is always how well the car has been maintained, what I can tell you is a Subaru is capable of going 300,000 miles. And if you are a regular maintenance type of owner you should expect to get that type of mileage out of it.

We'd like to help you avoid this fate, so be sure to change the timing belt when the manual tells you to. Usually, that's around every 60,000 miles, but check your owner's manual or speak with one of our service advisers to be sure.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the Forester as an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ for four years running (2019-2022) and the Outback as an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ for 10 years running (2013-2022).

The 2022 APEAL study revealed that 61% of car shoppers who bought a new Subaru Outback were men, higher than the segment average of 54%. The median age of a new Outback buyer is 61, which is about the same as the segment median.

And, Toyota was awarded the most reliable brand at the 2021 Auto Trader New Car Awards. Also, Toyota's can last well past 300,000 miles (think of the million-mile Tundra), while Subaru typically lasts around 200,000 miles.

Subaru vehicles are generally quite trustworthy and handle well, but they are expensive to fix and maintain. Maintaining a low cost of ownership for your Subaru will require routine inspections, the same as with any other car model.

Overall, Subaru has been one of the most reliable car brands. The current generation 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, and other new models are among the most reliable new vehicles that will go well over 200,000 miles and, with regular maintenance, have proven to be long-lasting vehicles.

Although Subaru has been challenged with engine issues, most of the issues were isolated to a few engines, namely the EJs that were in the Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Outback and Baja models between 1996 and 2005. The latest Subaru boxer engines are part of the FB series boxer engines.

Subaru owners have complained about problems with the Lineartronic CVT transmissions and Subaru extended the warranty for cars from model years 2010 to 2018. Usage: 2010–current Subaru Legacy / Outback / Exiga / Impreza / Levorg / Forester / XV and 2015 Subaru WRX Premium and Limited Editions.

What year Subaru has CVT problems? ›

Several older models have experienced Subaru CVT problems – enough so that Subaru has offered factory warranty extensions on these vehicles. Affected models include: 2010-2015 Legacy. 2010-2015 Outback.

The average annual cost of insuring various Subaru models is below, from the cheapest to the most expensive: Subaru Forester: $1,064 per year. Subaru Outback: $1,121 per year. Subaru Impreza: $1,232 per year.

The Subaru EJ25 2.5-liter Boxer is the engine that has experienced the most problems for the Japanese automaker. The gasket material they used in this engine was unreliable and Subaru attempted to correct the issue in 1999 with an updated multilayered metal shim gasket. But some 2001-2009 engines still had the problem.

The studies below suggest new 2021 Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek models are reliable. But there are some older Subaru Boxer engines and newer engines that have had reliability problems. But first, we'll look at the new J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and iSeeCars reports and check recent model reliability scores.

These issues generally occur at 60,000 miles and are rated as a 3.3 out of 10 severity. 2006 The primary difficulties with your Subaru Forester's engine system include the head gasket failing, the car misfiring while accelerating, and the engine dying. Sudden loss of power decelerating.

The Subaru model that is the most reliable and ranks the highest in its vehicle category is the Subaru Impreza, which ranks 1 out of 5 Most Reliable Wagons. Following the Impreza is the Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid) and the Subaru Outback. You can see the rest of the Subaru vehicles and their rankings below.

More Reliable

The flat BOXER^® is a big reason that 96% of all Subaru vehicles sold over the last decade are still on the road and going strong. This unique engine is also largely behind why the American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Subaru #1 in quality and dependability in the automotive industry.

The Subaru Outback is an impressive vehicle offering more than the sum of its parts – but the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volvo V60 Cross Country, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and Audi A4 Allroad are mighty good alternatives. Each one offers the kind of utility, capability, and fun that Subaru drivers love.

2005-2009 Subaru Legacy

Most of the Legacy models for this generation are reliable. For the most reliable Subaru Legacy year in this lineup, we recommend picking up the 2006 and 2007 model years due to their excellent reliability ratings and fuel economy.

Which car is more reliable Toyota or Subaru? ›

And, Toyota was awarded the most reliable brand at the 2021 Auto Trader New Car Awards. Also, Toyota's can last well past 300,000 miles (think of the million-mile Tundra), while Subaru typically lasts around 200,000 miles.

Overall, Subaru has been one of the most reliable car brands. The current generation 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, and other new models are among the most reliable new vehicles that will go well over 200,000 miles and, with regular maintenance, have proven to be long-lasting vehicles.

The average car can last anywhere from 150,000 to 250,000 miles in its lifetime. However, there are reports of Subaru Foresters lasting up to 500,000 miles if they are specially taken care of.

Subaru has long carried a reputation for disappointing fuel economy. The 2023 Forester sticks to that tradition. Per U.S. News and World Report, the Forester manages 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway – not bad. But its aging 2.5-liter Boxer engine barely matches more modern competitors while making less power.

This could be why Subaru had to shut off new orders for the compact SUV. Some automakers have chosen to eliminate or delay some new features on their vehicles during the microchip shortages. Subaru Corporation has already stopped production of the Forester for eight days in 2022 because of supply chain issues.