Subaru Warranty Coverage Guide [Factory & Extended Warranty]

Subaru Warranty Guide

Nobody likes reading through the fine print of contracts, so we’ve done the tedious bit for you.

We’ve highlighted all the important information related to Subaru’s factory and extended warranty programs.

There are many types of warranties to consider, including Subaru’s own warranty and third-party providers. We’ll break down and compare to see which extended warranty option is right for you.

What Is the Standard Subaru Factory Warranty?

What Is Subaru Factory Warranty

All Subarus include a standard factory warranty. Here’s a breakdown of the coverage:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty provides bumper-to-bumper coverage that handles nearly every mechanical and electrical component. Coverage lasts for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Powertrain Limited Warranty

The Powertrain Limited Warranty lasts for up to 5 years/60,000 miles. It covers the essential powertrain components: engine, flywheel, water pump, exhaust, transaxle, engine block, valve trains, timing parts, electronic transmission control unit, torque cover, axle shaft, gaskets, seals, wheel bearings, and propeller shaft.

Seat Belt Lifetime Limited Warranty

The seat belt function is covered for the life of the vehicle. Subaru repairs or replaces any seat belt that does not work correctly during normal use. Note that this coverage does not include cosmetic issues.

Wear Item Limited Warranty

The Wear Item Limited Warranty covers common wear items for 3 years/36,000 miles. Coverage includes wiper blades, brake pads, shoe linings, and clutch linings.

Hybrid System Limited Warranty

The Hybrid System Limited Warranty covers components unique to hybrid vehicles (like the battery). It lasts for 8 years/100,000 miles.

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty

The Rust Perforation Limited Warranty is good for 5 years (irrelevant of miles). It only covers perforation from corrosion that started internally. Therefore, external dents and scratches are not covered.

What Do You Do When Your Subaru Car Warranty Expires?

Subaru Warranty Expired

While you can purchase a third-party warranty at any time, you can only purchase Subaru’s coverage before your factory warranty ends. Here are the steps you should take:

  1. Start evaluating your options 3,000 miles/3 months before your factory warranty expires.
  2. Assess how long you plan to keep the vehicle.
  3. Take a look at your monthly budget and savings to determine if an extended warranty is best financially.
  4. Contact Subaru for a quote for their extended warranty plans.
  5. Obtain quotes from third-party providers.
  6. Compare cost and coverage, then choose the best provider for your needs.
  7. Set up the Subaru extended warranty before your factory warranty expires if you plan to choose this option.

What Is the Subaru Extended Warranty?

Subaru offers extended warranty coverage, which they call “Subaru Added Security.” They have two plan options for Added Security Extended Service Agreements, Classic and Gold Plus. Here’s a breakdown of each:

What Is Subaru Extended WarrantyClassic Coverage

Classic coverage includes the powertrain as well as electrical, fuel systems, and air conditioning. It’s ideal for basic coverage of some of the most expensive vehicle parts. You can choose coverage for up to 10 years/100,000 miles.

Gold Plus Coverage

The Gold Plus plan offers more comprehensive coverage. The longest term length is 10 years/100,000 miles. It covers:

  • Powertrain
  • Transmission
  • Drive axle
  • Cooling
  • Electrical
  • Steering
  • Suspension
  • Brakes
  • Air conditioning

Subaru Additional Protection Plans

Subaru Warranty Additional Plans

Subaru’s extended warranty plans do not cover wear and tear or maintenance. However, they have the Subaru Equity Shield Optimum Vehicle Protection plans available.

Tire and Wheel Protection

Tire and Wheel protection covers vehicle tires from damage due to nails, tree limbs, potholes, or debris for up to seven years. This protection plan includes additional benefits as well.

Windshield Protection

As part of the Subaru Equity Program, Windshield Protection provides coverage from sudden windshield damage. This includes chips and cracks from road debris.

Dent and Ding Protection

Protect your vehicle from dings and dents to help it maintain its appearance. With this coverage, there is no claim limit, and it covers all areas of the vehicle.

Maintenance Plans

Subaru also offers maintenance plans for new and used cars. You can roll the cost of the plan into your car financing for new vehicles. You can opt for 2-year or 24,000-mile plans and will also receive 24/7 roadside assistance.

Subaru Warranty Additional Benefits

All Subaru Added Security Extended Service Agreements include some key additional benefits such as:

Subaru Warranty Additional Benefits

Towing Allowance

Receive towing if you experience a mechanical breakdown.

Rental Car Allowance

Rental car reimbursement for up to five days if you must leave your vehicle overnight for covered repairs.

Roadside Assistance

Enjoy roadside assistance for issues like fuel help, changing a flat tire, and lockouts.

Trip Interruption Allowance

The Gold Plus Plan also includes trip interruption allowance. Receive up to $500 per incidence for hotel and meals if your vehicle breaks down at least 50 miles away from home.

How Much Does Subaru Extended Warranty Cost?

Subaru Warranty Costs

The only way to know exactly how much your plan will cost is to request a quote from the dealer for your vehicle. Several factors influence the cost of a plan, including the coverage, term length, and vehicle model.

Deductibles are $0, $50, or $100, but $100 is common. For 5 years/100,000 miles, the Classic plan is around $1,560, the Gold Plus with a $100 deductible around $2,040, and the Gold Plus with a $0 deductible is around $2,450.

You should also consider the potential savings of an Added Security Extended Service Agreement. On average, Subaru’s cost $617 per year to repair, which is slightly below the industry standard. However, there is always a potential for a major component failure that could cost thousands. Additionally, even minor repairs that cost a few hundred dollars quickly add up without warranty coverage.

What Is Not Covered by Subaru Extended Warranty?

Much like all extended warranties, Subaru’s do not cover everything. As they offer exclusionary coverage, they will list the components that your plan does not specifically cover, so be sure to carefully read the plan.

Additionally, their plans do not cover routine maintenance or tires. However, they do cover wear and tear for the covered parts, which many providers do not. Here are some common examples of components the plans do not cover:

  • Subaru Warranty What Is Not CoveredAccident damage
  • Weather damage
  • Timing belts
  • Windshields/wiper blades
  • Tires
  • Hoses
  • Wear and tear
  • Brake pads

Should I Get the Subaru Extended Warranty?

Subaru Warranty Is It Worth It

Subaru is a moderately reliable brand overall, ranked 19th out of 33 by J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Even though they are well-made vehicles, they are not problem-free.

In the past, Subaru has had to extend its factory warranty to cover oil consumption, head gasket, and CVT problems. Aside from that, any vehicle can always experience flukes that can end up costing you a lot.

If you plan to keep your vehicle past its factory warranty, then a Subaru extended warranty can help you manage repair costs. This also gives you peace of mind that an expensive repair won’t take you by surprise.

Still, you must consider several factors to determine if the Added Security Extended Service Agreement makes sense for you. Evaluate:

  • The condition of your vehicle
  • Intended ownership duration
  • Savings
  • Monthly budget

If you determine an extended warranty is a good idea for you, then the manufacturer warranty is always a strong contender. Still, you should compare coverage and quotes for multiple providers to choose the best option for you.

Subaru Extended Warranty vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty

If you're looking for an extended warranty, there are plenty of third-party options to consider outside of the manufacturer.

Endurance [Review], CarEdge [Review], and Olive.com [Review] also offer extended warranties.

SubaruEnduranceCarEdgeOlive.com
Start Date
Before Factory Warranty Expires
Anytime
Anytime
Anytime
Availability
Local Subaru Dealer
Free, Instant Online Quote
Free, Instant Online Quote
Free, Instant Online Quote
Max Coverage Length
10 Years / 100K Miles
8 Years / 250K Miles
10 Years / 100K Miles
3 Years, Up to 185K Miles
Plan Options
2 Plans
6 Plans
4 Plans
3 Plans
Transferable?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Deductible
Varies, Plans w/ $0 Available
Up to $200
$100
$100-$500
Repair Network
Subaru Dealerships
ASE-Approved Shops
ASE-Approved Shops
ASE-Approved Shops
Cancellation
Full Refund Within 30 Days
Full Refund Within 30 Days
Cancel Anytime
Cancel Anytime (Monthly Payments)

Can I Cancel Subaru Warranty?

Yes, you can cancel a Subaru extended warranty. If you cancel within the first 30 days and did not make a claim, then you will receive a full refund. You can cancel at any time for a prorated refund.

Subaru Maintenance GuideSubaru Maintenance Guide

Proper maintenance helps reduce the chances of a breakdown, and it’s also important for ensuring your coverage. The Subaru maintenance plans can help you stay on track with maintenance, but otherwise, you should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

See how Subaru compares to Honda in terms of reliability.

To find the maintenance guide for your specific vehicle, head to their website and enter your vehicle details. In general though, recommended maintenance includes:

  • Every 3,750 miles: Oil change service
  • Every 7,500 miles: Minor service
  • Every 15,000 miles: Intermediate service
  • At 30,000 and 90,000 miles: Major Service
  • At 60,000 and 120,000 miles: Major Service 2
  • At 105,000 miles: Timing Belt Service

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the basic Subaru warranty last?

The Subaru New Vehicle Limited Warranty lasts for 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

How long does the Subaru extended warranty last?

Subaru extended warranties have varying term lengths. The longest term option is 10 years/100,000 miles.

Does Subaru extended warranty cover maintenance?

No, the Subaru extended warranty does not cover routine maintenance or wear and tear.

Is the Subaru extended warranty worth it?

For some car owners, the Subaru extended warranty is worth it. You must consider your own car-ownership plans, monthly budget, savings, and more to determine if the Subaru extended service agreement makes sense for you. Additionally, you should always compare quotes and coverage from multiple providers to choose the best deal.

Can I transfer my Subaru extended warranty?

Yes, the Subaru extended warranty is transferable.

Are Subaru cars expensive to repair?

The average yearly Subaru repair cost is slightly below the industry standard at $617 per year. However, the breakdown of major components (like engine or transmission) can cost thousands of dollars.

Where can I take my Subaru for repairs under warranty?

Under warranty, you must bring your Subaru to the dealership for repairs. Taking your vehicle to a third-party repair shop may void your warranty coverage.