The Most Common Subaru Problems
Transmission failures, electrical faults, and defective airbags are just a few of the most common Subaru problems.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Transmission issues are the most common problem in Subarus, but defective airbags, faulty fuel pumps, weak windshield, and electrical issues are also known to happen.
Subaru has long had a reputation for manufacturing extremely reliable vehicles—and that reputation is certainly well earned. That being said, every car has weak points in its engineering. If you’re a Subaru owner, you should be familiar with the common problems that you’re most likely to face.
To help you get acquainted with these issues,
Jerry
—the car insurance
comparison super app—has done a bit of research and put together this guide on the most common Subaru problems. Don't skip the part where we explain how to lower your Subaru insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat are the most common Subaru problems?
While Subarus are some of the longest-lasting cars on the road, they have their fair share of problems like any other car. Here’s a look at some of the common problems that five of their most popular models have:
- Fuel pump failure
- Battery draining rapidly
- Unintended acceleration
- Windshields cracking
- Subaru Starlink problems
- Subaru Ascent CVT issues
- Defective light switch
- Electrical failures
The 2013 iteration of the
Outback
has proven to be especially faulty. Not only does the 2013 Outback have fairly frequent engine trouble, but it is also known to experience these issues while still at pretty low mileage—and the repairs are often expensive. With a total of twelve recalls and 253 complaints to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
, the 2013 Outback is a stain on Subaru’s otherwise excellent reputation for reliability. Most Subarus, such as the Forester
and the Crosstrek
, are far more dependable. For a closer look at the most common Subaru problems, glance over the table below.
Model | Starting price | J.D. Power reliability rating | Most common problems | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Outback | $29,000 | 71/100 | Weak windshields, Cooling system failures, Shuddering during acceleration, O2 Sensor failure, Oil leaks, Faulty airbags, Transmission issues | 2013, 2014 |
Forester | $26,570 | 83/100 | Defective transmission, AC failure, Oil leaks, Airbag issues, O2 Sensor failure, Brake fluid leaks | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2010, 2011, 2014 |
Legacy | $23,990 | 76/100 | Oil leaks, Engine failure, O2 Sensor failure, Head gasket issues, Infotainment system errors | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2018 |
Impreza | $19,790 | 78/100 | Transmission failure, Engine failure, Acceleration problems, Airbag issues | 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
Crosstrek | $28,345 | 81/100 | Head Gasket issues, Transmission problems, Lower power, Oil Leaks, Rat attacks | 2018, 2014, 2016 |
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Most common Subaru Outback problems
Average annual repair cost: $607
CarComplaints.com complaints: 1258
Like a lot of Subarus, the Outback is prone to oil leaks, which can lead to rapid oil consumption. The Outback also shares in Subaru's long-running
transmission problems
resulting in squealing noises, sudden slips, and clutch damage. The Outback is also known to have weak windshields which often leads to cracking. You can try to
fix a cracked windshield with household items
, but it's not a long-term solution. On top of that, Outbacks often suffer from faulty oxygen sensors
, headlights, and airbags. Most common Subaru Forester problems
Average annual repair cost: $632
CarComplaints.com complaints: 905
If you own a Forester, get ready for a warm ride! These mostly-reliable cars are known for frequent AC failures. You may also experience issues where the
car is not shifting into “park"
properly. It’s also a good idea to keep a close eye on your brake fluid as it will sometimes leak. As with most Subarus, you may also encounter transmission failures, oil leaks, and O2/knock sensor problems.
Most common Subaru Legacy problems
Average annual repair cost: $563
CarComplaints.com complaints: 308
If you’re a Subaru owner (or are thinking of becoming one) get used to hearing it—the
Legacy
is yet another model that commonly has issues with transmission failures and defective O2 Sensors.On top of that, Legacies also often experience head gasket failures—at least, the second generation does. The first generation? Not so much.
On the less urgent side, you might notice malfunctions in the infotainment system.
Most common Subaru Impreza problems
Average annual repair cost: $653
CarComplaints.com complaints: 293
Imprezas
have a history of engine problems including excessive oil consumption, blown head gaskets, faulty piston rings, and stalling. While these issues can be serious and expensive, they have largely been resolved. Most of the trouble occurred with the 2006, 2008, and 2012 model years. Eventually, the problems were traced back to an engineering problem with the engine valve springs.
Besides engine trouble, Imprezas also commonly have transmission failure and faulty airbags. If your
airbag indicator
is already on, visit a mechanic immediately. Most common Subaru Crosstrek problems
Average annual repair cost: $492
CarComplaints.com complaints: 104
Owners of Subaru Crosstreks may experience transmission failure, excessive oil consumption, faulty
brake light switches
, head gasket problems, and low power. These issues are mostly found in older models. One issue that you might find in a new Crosstrek is a faulty positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve. This is a pretty serious issue, as it can lead to widespread engine damage. Most of the affected vehicles have already been recalled.
If your Crosstreck is affected by this, Subaru will typically pay for the repairs.
You should also brace yourself for the possibility of rodent attacks—yes, that’s right. Rodent attacks. In an effort to be more eco-friendly, many Crosstreks were designed with partially-organic wiring made from soy. Turns out, rats found that to be an irresistible snack! Some Crosstrek owners have had their car’s internal wiring chewed through.
MORE:
Subaru tune-up cost
Are Subaru cars reliable?
Most Subarus typically get a respectable reliability rating (usually between 3.5 and 4.0), and it’s true that few cars can match a Subaru for longevity. With proper repair and strict adherence to a
car maintenance schedule
, these cars can run for decades. But reliability isn’t only based on how long a car lasts—it’s also measured on the cost and frequency of required repairs.
According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost across all Subarus models is $617—which is higher than average.
The least reliable Subaru model: 2013 Outback
Most common problem: Head gasket failure due to cooling system problems
NHTSA complaints: 253
With a shocking 12 major recalls, the 2013 Outback is, by far, the worst Subaru bang for your buck. While the 2017 model year technically has more problems/complaints, the issues with the 2013 model typically occur at lower mileage and are more expensive to repair.
The most common major issues include blown head gaskets resulting from faulty/underperforming coolant systems. Besides that, the 2013 Outback suffers from a myriad of engine problems, vibration/shaking during acceleration, defective O2 sensors (leading to a recall), and oil leaks originating from the crankshaft/camshaft.
The most reliable Subaru model: 2020 Crosstrek
Most common problem: Weak windshield and transmission failure
NHTSA complaints: 38
Of course, many Subarus are extremely reliable. The 2020 Crosstrek, for instance, has an impeccable track record.
Like any Subaru, there is some possibility of transmission failure and windshield cracking—but these are far from common.
How to buy hassle-free car insurance
While Subaru has a solid reputation for reliability, its real strength is safety. Few cars can compete with Subaru for driver/passenger safety and they top the charts in most safety-related stats.
However, once you’ve survived a collision in your Subaru, you’ll still have quite a mess on your hands. You’ll need to know that you have reliable car insurance to pay for the damages—
Jerry
can help with that!Jerry is a free car insurance comparison
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that saves users an average of $800+ a year! How? Easy! Jerry pulls and compares quotes from the top insurance providers to find you the best deals in just seconds. Once you’ve found a
Subaru insurance cost
you like, just tap to choose it! Then, Jerry will handle all the boring paperwork and hassle of getting the policy set up.“After signing up withJerry, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
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How long do Subarus last?
With regular maintenance, Subarus typically can be expected to last around 13 years or for 200,000+ miles.
Why is Subaru unreliable?
Subarus often have transmission issues that can be expensive to fix—that is the leading factor that negatively impacts their reliability rating.
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