Subaru Factory Warranty Explained

Subaru owners tend to keep their cars a long time, often through snowy winters, gravel roads and plenty of highway miles. Knowing what the factory warranty covers, and when it ends, helps you plan for the years after it expires.

The two main parts of coverage

Subaru's new-vehicle warranty has two main pieces. Terms can vary by model year, so check the warranty booklet for your car.

• Basic coverage: 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• Powertrain coverage: 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Both start on the date the vehicle is first delivered to a retail customer or put into service, not the date you bought it if you bought it used.

What basic coverage generally includes

Basic coverage, sometimes called bumper-to-bumper, generally covers defects in materials or workmanship on most parts of the car. That typically includes:

• Electrical systems and electronics.
• Air conditioning and heating.
• Infotainment and driver assistance hardware.
• Steering and suspension components.
• Power accessories like windows and locks.

Wear items, maintenance, damage from accidents or misuse, and environmental damage are generally excluded.

What powertrain coverage generally includes

Powertrain coverage focuses on the parts that make the car move. For a Subaru, that commonly includes:

• Engine internal parts, such as the block, heads and internal lubricated parts.
• Transmission, including the continuously variable transmission (CVT) used in many models, or the manual transmission where offered.
• All-wheel-drive components, such as the center differential or coupling, the front and rear differentials and the drive axles.

The exact list is in the warranty booklet. Because most Subarus have all-wheel drive, the drivetrain has more parts than a typical front-wheel-drive car.

Transfer to a new owner

Subaru's factory coverage generally stays with the car when it is sold, for the remainder of the original term. If you are buying a used Subaru, a dealer can check remaining coverage using the vehicle identification number.

Common Subaru ownership considerations

Every brand has its own patterns. For Subaru owners, a few topics come up often:

1. CVT care. Ask your dealer about recommended fluid inspection or service for your model, especially if you tow or drive in hard conditions.
2. Matching tires. All-wheel-drive systems generally work best when all four tires are the same brand, model, size and similar tread depth. Replacing one tire may require matching the others. Check your owner's manual.
3. Oil level checks. Check the oil level between changes, as with any car.
4. Winter wear. Road salt and cold weather can be hard on brakes, suspension and underbody parts.

Recalls and service bulletins. A recall repair is free regardless of warranty status. Service bulletins are different. They tell dealers how to fix known issues, and whether the repair is free depends on your coverage. Check for open recalls at least once a year.

After the factory warranty ends

At 3 years or 36,000 miles, basic coverage ends, so electrical, air conditioning and infotainment repairs become your cost. At 5 years or 60,000 miles, powertrain coverage ends too. Many Subarus are well past both milestones while still having many years of use ahead.

That is when owners often consider a service contract. Options include:

• Powertrain plans for the engine, transmission and all-wheel-drive parts.
• Mid-tier plans that add systems like air conditioning, steering and electrical.
• Exclusionary plans that cover most parts except a list of exclusions.

For an all-wheel-drive car, check that the plan specifically includes drive axle and differential parts. Our Subaru warranty page has more brand-specific details.

Keep good records

Whether you file a factory warranty claim or a service contract claim, maintenance records help. Keep receipts for oil changes, CVT services, coolant and tire purchases.

Buying a used Subaru. If you are shopping used, ask for maintenance records and confirm the in-service date to see how much factory coverage remains. Check that all four tires match and look for even wear. A pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with all-wheel-drive vehicles can catch issues early.

How Warranty Wizards can help

We help Subaru owners compare service contracts from third-party providers and explain what each plan covers before you buy. Request a free quote at /get-a-quote/.