wheel My order
Mon-Sun 9am-8pm
470 400 8880
Metro Atlanta, GA
wheel My order
Home / Insights /

Subaru: reliability & common problems

#5 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~185k
~126k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
121
Subarus inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
63/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100



Based on 121 used Subarus we inspected, they tend to be in slightly better shape than average — average condition 63/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.

What we found

Most common faults

Oil leaks · Engine
63%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
36%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
27%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
24%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
21%

Share of inspected Subarus where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 29% Good 28% Mediocre 26% Poor 17%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Subarus.

69%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
4%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
30%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%

Compare with another brand:

Cross-shopping? Subaru vs Toyota · Subaru vs Honda · Subaru vs Ford

How long does a Subaru last?

Across every Subaru body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~126k miles. It ranks Subaru #5 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~185k. Shopping a Subaru near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.



Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 20–40k mi: 86% in good shape (14 cars) 40–60k mi: 75% in good shape (16 cars) 60–80k mi: 94% in good shape (17 cars) 80–100k mi: 69% in good shape (16 cars) 100–120k mi: 54% in good shape (13 cars) 120–140k mi: 18% in good shape (17 cars) 140–160k mi: 13% in good shape (15 cars) 160–180k mi: 33% in good shape (6 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 2 years old: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 3 years old: 90% in good shape (10 cars) 4 years old: 67% in good shape (6 cars) 5 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 6 years old: 80% in good shape (10 cars) 7 years old: 60% in good shape (10 cars) 8 years old: 65% in good shape (17 cars) 9 years old: 44% in good shape (9 cars) 10 years old: 60% in good shape (10 cars) 12 years old: 43% in good shape (7 cars) 13 years old: 13% in good shape (8 cars) 16 years old: 20% in good shape (5 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of Subarus in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.



Subaru models we've inspected
Outback 40 cars · 61% good Forester 39 cars · 51% good Crosstrek 10 cars · profile soon

Recently inspected:

2013 Subaru Forester · 142k mi — flagged: abnormal noise, smoke, excessive vapor in exhaust, low coolant / cooling system issues. Inspected Aug 7.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek · 66k mi — flagged: boots. Inspected Aug 6.
The bottom line

Subarus hold up longer than most, staying decent out to around 126,000 miles, so higher-mileage examples can still make sense. The catch is engines: oil leaks hit 63% of them and coolant issues follow close behind, so start every look underneath for fresh seepage and a healthy cooling system before anything else. Cracked suspension bushings are the next weak spot—bounce the corners and check for play. Cleared codes turn up often enough that you should demand a full scan history. Walk from heavy leaks or ignored bushings; otherwise use them to negotiate hard.

FAQ
?
Is Subaru reliable?
57% of the 121 Subarus we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 63/100 — they tend to be in slightly better shape than average.
?
What are the most common problems with a used Subaru?
Across the Subarus we inspected, the items we flag most often are oil leaks (63%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (36%), low coolant / cooling system issues (27%).
Thinking of buying a Subaru? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
Book an inspection

Based on 121 inspections · updated Aug 12, 2026