Subaru Warranty Coverage Guide [Factory & Extended Warranty]
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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.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Standard Subaru Factory Warranty?
- What Do You Do When Your Subaru Car Warranty Expires?
- What Is the Subaru Extended Warranty?
- Subaru Additional Protection Plans
- Subaru Warranty Additional Benefits
- How Much Does Subaru Extended Warranty Cost?
- What Is Not Covered by Subaru Extended Warranty?
- Should I Get the Subaru Extended Warranty?
- Subaru Extended Warranty vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty
- Can I Cancel Subaru Warranty?
- Subaru Maintenance Guide
- Best Car Deals by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Standard 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?
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:
- Start evaluating your options 3,000 miles/3 months before your factory warranty expires.
- Assess how long you plan to keep the vehicle.
- Take a look at your monthly budget and savings to determine if an extended warranty is best financially.
- Contact Subaru for a quote for their extended warranty plans.
- Obtain quotes from third-party providers.
- Compare cost and coverage, then choose the best provider for your needs.
- 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:
Classic 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’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:
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?
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:
Accident damage- Weather damage
- Timing belts
- Windshields/wiper blades
- Tires
- Hoses
- Wear and tear
- Brake pads
Should I Get the Subaru Extended Warranty?
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.
| Subaru | Endurance | CarEdge | Olive.com | |
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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 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
