Subaru Warranty

Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.

An extended car warranty is protection from the vehicle manufacturer against mechanical breakdowns. This term is sometimes incorrectly used to describe coverage from third-party providers, which offer similar protection plans called vehicle service contracts. CARCHEX is a vehicle service contract provider.

The factory Subaru warranty is limited to three years or 36,000 miles, and its powertrain coverage lasts for five years or 60,000 miles. When your warranty expires or you purchase a used Subaru, you’ll be responsible for all repair costs.

Read on to learn what your Subaru warranty covers, how much repairs typically cost, and how getting a third-party vehicle service plan from CARCHEX could be a good alternative.

Subaru of America warranty coverage is similar to most other automakers’ plans. Below, we’ll explain exactly what parts make up the manufacturer’s warranty from Subaru.

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

Nearly everything in your new Subaru is covered by this comprehensive coverage plan, from powertrain parts to the car’s air conditioning system. Wear items such as brake pads, shoe linings, clutch linings, and wiper blades are also covered for three years or 36,000 miles.

Below are a few other parts and services found in the Subaru new vehicle limited warranty:

• Any part of your Subaru that isn’t listed as an exclusion in your warranty and maintenance booklet
• Genuine Subaru optional accessories
• One adjustment service

Powertrain Limited Warranty

On top of the basic Subaru warranty, new Subaru vehicles come with a powertrain warranty that covers your vehicle’s most important parts for the first five years or 60,000 miles. This coverage option protects the following parts:

• Engine
• Engine block and all internal parts
• Cylinder heads and valve trains
• Oil pump and oil pan
• Timing belts or gears and cover
• Water pump
• Flywheel
• Intake and exhaust manifolds
• Oil seals and gaskets

This Subaru warranty also protects against issues with your vehicle’s all-wheel drive drivetrain. This means the components below are also covered:

• Transaxle case and internal parts
• Torque converter
• Electronic transmission control unit
• Seals and gaskets
• Axle shafts and constant velocity joints (except boots)
• Propeller shaft
• Wheel bearings

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty

Your Subaru factory warranty also includes five years and unlimited miles of protection against rust perforation. Subaru rust perforation coverage only applies to perforation due to corrosion, like a rusted hole in a sheet metal panel. Cosmetic or surface corrosion, like scratches in your Subaru’s paint job, aren’t included.

Hybrid System Limited Warranty

Additionally, hybrid systems are covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle components:

• Battery control module
• High-voltage battery pack
• Transmission and electric motor assembly
• Hybrid system control module
• Hydraulic booster
• Onboard charger
• Power control unit
• Charge cable

Seat Belt Limited Warranty

New Subaru models come with a lifetime warranty on broken seat belts. Note that coverage excludes cosmetic appearances such as fading due to exposure from the sun.

Subaru Warranty Exclusions

While the phrase “bumper-to-bumper” may lead you to believe your entire vehicle is covered, that isn’t actually the case. Here are some exceptions to the Subaru warranty:

• Parts covered by other warranties—Parts like tires have their own warranties, so they’re not eligible for bumper-to-bumper coverage.
• Maintenance and certain wear-and-tear items—While some wear-and-tear items are covered by the Subaru warranty, not all are. Routine maintenance needs like oil changes and cosmetic issues also won’t be covered. 
• Improper repairs or unauthorized parts—If your Subaru wasn’t authorized for repairs or if you’ve done work not approved by the brand, the issue won’t be covered.
• Damage or malfunction due to abuse, neglect, or accidents—If the issue was out of Subaru’s control, like weather events or a mistake on your part, it’s not covered.
• Damage due to lack of maintenance—If you didn’t properly maintain your Subaru and something in your vehicle fails or malfunctions, Subaru won’t be responsible.
• Damage caused by the environment—The Subaru warranty won’t cover damages from natural factors like chemicals, tree sap, bird droppings, water, hail, and wind.
• Repairs by unauthorized dealers—Except for emergency repairs, work performed at places other than an authorized Subaru dealer aren’t covered.

The original Subaru warranty won’t last forever, so it’s important that you don’t get stuck paying for costly repairs out of pocket afterward. Here are average costs from RepairPal on some common Subaru issues:

Note that rates will be slightly different depending on where you live and which used car model you own. Prices could vary somewhat between a Forester, an Outback, and a Crosstrek.

Is a Subaru Extended Warranty Worth It?

Don’t want to get stuck paying for these repairs out of pocket? A Subaru extended warranty from the automaker or a vehicle service contract from a third-party supplier like CARCHEX leaves you with only a small deductible.

The easiest way to avoid paying for these and similar car repairs is by picking up an extended car warranty from Subaru or a vehicle service contract from an independent provider like CARCHEX. While you’ll get genuine Subaru parts and company technicians if you go with the automaker warranty, it’s generally much cheaper to choose a third-party coverage plan.

The Subaru Added Security^® plan is what the automaker calls its extended auto warranties. Drivers who purchase these contracts could end up paying more overall, but they’ll receive genuine Subaru parts when their car breaks down.

There are three extended Subaru warranties:

• Gold Plus—The highest level of extended coverage, Gold Plus covers everything under the Classic and Powertrain plans, adhering to most components in your Subaru vehicle.
• Classic—Those who select Classic receive powertrain protection on top of several other systems, such as cooling and fuel, suspension, steering, electrical systems, and air conditioning.
• Powertrain—This plan takes care of your car’s engine and transaxle—the most vital components of the car.

It’s worth considering CARCHEX as well due to our wider range of vehicle service plans and our extremely competitive pricing. Many motorists appreciate our flexibility and the quality service they receive from CARCHEX agents.

When it comes to choosing a third-party provider for Subaru coverage, you have choices. Not all vehicle service providers offer the same quality and auto warranty costs, though. Take a look at some of the benefits of working with CARCHEX:

• CARCHEX has over 20 years of experience in the auto warranty business.
• We’ve been accredited by Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have an extremely strong customer satisfaction rate on the site.
• ThoroughlyReviewed gives us a score of 10.0 for business ratings, coverage options, claims service, help and support, and repair services.
• We have endorsements and partnerships throughout the industry, including from Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, and the Vehicle Protection Association.

While you can get a Subaru warranty from one of many auto warranty providers, CARCHEX is a solid pick for those looking for affordable rates and top-notch service.

CARCHEX offers five coverage levels to fit your driving needs, with a number of protection plans within these. Each plan is backed by reliable providers who offer reasonable rates to compete for your business. Here’s a quick look at our extended vehicle protection plans:

• Titanium coverage—This CARCHEX plan covers nearly all major vehicle components with a few exceptions.
• Platinum coverage—You’ll receive our highest level of stated-component coverage with the CARCHEX Platinum plan, with conditional coverage for most vehicle systems.
• Powertrain Plus coverage—If your car has almost 100,000 miles on it, this could be the plan that best suits your Subaru warranty needs. Plans cover a large number of components in critical vehicle systems, including the powertrain and select additional systems.
• Powertrain coverage—This practical base plan was designed to handle stated essential engine and transmission repairs.
• Extra Care coverage—Designed to enhance existing powertrain protection, Extra Care adds stated-component coverage for select components in additional vehicle systems, such as the suspension and brakes. 

*Any plans offered by CARCHEX are not extended warranties, but are often referred to by consumers as such. CARCHEX vehicle service contracts (also called “protection plans”) operate similarly to extended warranties and provide repair coverage for mechanical breakdowns after factory warranties expire.

CARCHEX provides high-quality extended Subaru protection products through our vehicle service contracts. Subaru owners receive even more than that when they select our plans, however. Along with the industry’s best protection, CARCHEX comes with the following:

• Low prices every day—Instead of making you haggle to receive our best rates, we’ll give them to you from the start. CARCHEX is proud to bring financial accessibility to the extended auto coverage industry.
• Direct payments to the repair shop—Monthly payments are much easier than charging your credit card for covered repairs all at once. We’ll pay the auto shop directly.
• 30-day money-back guarantee—You have a month to change your mind about your CARCHEX vehicle service contract if you’re not sure it’s the right coverage for you.
• 24/7 roadside assistance—If you encounter trouble on the road, CARCHEX will help with 24/7 roadside assistance included at no extra cost.
• Towing services—If your car needs a tow, CARCHEX will send someone to you.
• Rental car reimbursement—CARCHEX plans can help if you need a car rental while your vehicle is in the shop for covered repairs. 
• Fuel and fluid deliveries—Emergency gas deliveries won’t be a problem for us.
• Trip interruption benefits—If your vacation was interrupted due to a mechanical breakdown, you may be eligible for reimbursement for certain meals and accommodations.
• Diagnostic fee coverage—The costs of select diagnostic services could be covered by your CARCHEX plan.
• Part repair and replacement—If your vehicle needs a repair or replacement, you can choose from more than 30,000 mechanics. The extended Subaru warranty requires you to head to an authorized Subaru dealership instead.

Some terms and conditions apply to all CARCHEX plan benefits. See your contract for more details or reach out to our team with your questions today.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Subaru warranty: 

Sources: 

Subaru: 
https://cdn.subarunet.com/stis/doc/warrantyBooklet/2024_war_and_maint_041723.pdf

RepairPal: 
https://repairpal.com/subaru

RepairPal: 
https://repairpal.com/estimator/brake-rotor-replacement-cost

RepairPal: 
https://repairpal.com/estimator/window-regulator-motor-replacement-cost

RepairPal: 
https://repairpal.com/estimator/timing-belt-replacement-cost

RepairPal: 
https://repairpal.com/estimator/head-gasket-replacement-cost

Subaru: 
https://www.subaru.com/guides/added-security/?utm_source=com&utm_medium=com&utm_term=SEC&utm_campaign=addedsecurity&utm_content=MY20#p=1

Better Business Bureau: 
https://www.bbb.org/us/md/hunt-valley/profile/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-0011-23015869