Subaru Owner's Guide: Problems, Costs and Repair in Boca Raton

Subaru lands in the upper middle for reliability. RepairPal gives it 3.5 out of 5 and 14th place of 32 brands, with annual repair and maintenance costs around $617, a little under the $652 average for all brands, and a 13 percent chance that a given repair is severe. That severity figure is slightly above average and comes mostly from engines and transmissions, which is where most owner stories start.

Almost every Subaru sold here has full-time all-wheel drive and a horizontally opposed boxer engine. The boxer sits low and wide, so spark plugs, head gaskets and some sensors take more labor than on an inline engine. The AWD system is mechanically tied together, so mismatched tire sizes or tread depths make the center coupling slip constantly and wear it out. Since 2010 on the Legacy and Outback, and soon after across the line, the automatic is a Lineartronic CVT.

The engine history splits in two. The older EJ25 2.5-liter, used in non-turbo Foresters through 2010, Imprezas through 2011 and Outbacks and Legacys through 2012, is known for head gasket leaks. The FB engines that replaced it fixed that but brought oil consumption complaints in their early years. Newer FA and FB engines in 2017 and later models are generally solid, with a handful of recalls you should check by VIN.

Popular Subaru models in South Florida

• Outback (2010-2014, 2015-2019, 2020+): The best-selling Subaru here. 2010-2012 2.5i cars have the EJ25 head gasket history; 2020-2021 models are in a CVT control software recall and 2020-2022 cars in a passenger airbag sensor recall.
• Forester (2009-2013, 2014-2018, 2019+): 2011 was the first year of the FB25 engine, and early FB cars are the ones with oil consumption complaints. 2019 models have PCV valve, rear stabilizer bracket and power steering connector recalls.
• Crosstrek (2013+, sold as XV Crosstrek through 2015): A favorite small crossover with good ground clearance for flooded side streets. 2018-2019 cars have engine computer and PCV valve recalls that can cause stalling or loss of power.
• Impreza (2012-2016, 2017-2023, 2024+): The entry Subaru with the 2.0-liter FB20. 2017-2019 cars share the ignition coil software and PCV recalls with the Crosstrek, and 2018-2020 cars the low-pressure fuel pump recall.
• Ascent (2019+): Three-row SUV with a 2.4-liter turbo. The 2019 launch year had a long recall list, including missing B-pillar welds on early builds, driveshaft bolts and transmission sensors.
• WRX (2015-2021, 2022+): Turbocharged and driven hard, so oil quality and change intervals matter more than on any other Subaru. 2018-2019 cars are in the fuel pump recall.

Known Subaru problems to watch for

Maintenance schedule highlights

Typical Subaru repair costs

Dealer or independent shop?

Subaru's warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles basic and 5 years or 60,000 miles powertrain, and recall work goes through dealers at no cost. If a newer car's CVT shudders or the oil level drops inside those limits, document it with the dealer first so the complaint is on record.

Beyond that, a good independent shop that knows Subarus is usually the better value for head gaskets, wheel bearings, brakes and fluid services. Palm Beach County independents tend to charge $130-$180 an hour, while dealers run about $180-$240. Ask whether the shop uses Subaru-spec CVT fluid and can run the CVT fluid temperature and learning procedure afterward.

Windshields are the exception that trips people up. On EyeSight cars, the camera behind the glass must be calibrated after any windshield replacement, and some glass companies skip it or use aftermarket glass with optical differences. Insist on calibration in writing.

Owning a Subaru in South Florida

Subaru's AWD is fussy about tires, and Florida roads find nails and construction debris constantly. Subaru calls for all four tires to stay within about 2/32 of an inch of tread depth. If a tire is ruined at 20,000 miles, ask the shop about shaving a new tire to match the others rather than driving on a mismatched set that cooks the center differential.

The CVT runs its hottest in a Forester or Outback inching along Palmetto Park Road toward the beach on a July afternoon, with the A/C fighting a black interior. If you ever see the AT OIL TEMP light, pull over and let it idle in Park until it goes out. EyeSight may also switch itself off during the afternoon downpours or when the windshield fogs, which is normal; it comes back once visibility clears.

Garages near A1A and the Intracoastal see salt air every day, and Subaru heat shields, brake lines and exhaust clamps are not immune. A rinse of the underbody every few weeks and a look at the brake lines at each rotation is worth the five minutes.

Subaru FAQ