Are Subarus reliable?

Newer Subarus (Ascent, BRZ, Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, Solterra, WRX, and XV CrossTrek) do not share one complaint pattern. 4 of the 8 models average fewer owner complaints per year in the newer years than in the older years. Forester, Legacy, and Outback average more owner complaints per year in the newer years than in the older years. Impreza is about the same in the newer years as in the older ones. Solterra and XV CrossTrek do not cover enough model years for that comparison.

Models

10

Model years

2012–2026

Data as of 2026-10-16.

Record by model

2013 Subaru BRZ
BRZ 2013–2026
Total recalls 5
Total complaints 101
Fewest complaints 2018, 0 per year · 2019, 0 per year · 2023, 0 per year
Most complaints 2013, 4 per year
Photo: Hugh Llewelyn, CC BY-SA 2.0
2015 Subaru WRX
WRX 2015–2026
Total recalls 7
Total complaints 289
Fewest complaints 2021, 1 per year · 2023, 2 per year · 2020, 3 per year
Most complaints 2015, 7 per year
Photo: Zytonits, CC BY-SA 2.0
2012 Subaru XV CrossTrek
XV CrossTrek 2012–2015
Total recalls 3
Total complaints 303
Fewest complaints 2013, 5 per year · 2015, 6 per year · 2014, 7 per year
Most complaints 2014, 7 per year
Photo: Kk027, CC BY-SA 4.0
2023 Subaru Solterra
Solterra 2023–2026
Total recalls 5
Total complaints 43
Fewest complaints 2024, 5 per year · 2023, 8 per year
Most complaints 2023, 8 per year
Photo: TTTNIS, CC0
2012 Subaru Impreza
Impreza 2012–2026
Total recalls 23
Total complaints 1,377
Fewest complaints 2023, 1 per year · 2022, 2 per year · 2021, 4 per year
Most complaints 2019, 25 per year
Photo: TTTNIS, CC0
2012 Subaru Legacy
Legacy 2012–2025
Total recalls 36
Total complaints 1,091
Fewest complaints 2023, 3 per year · 2012, 3 per year · 2014, 5 per year
Most complaints 2020, 31 per year
Photo: IFCAR, Public domain
2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Crosstrek 2016–2026
Total recalls 13
Total complaints 1,116
Fewest complaints 2022, 6 per year · 2016, 8 per year · 2023, 9 per year
Most complaints 2019, 67 per year
Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0
2019 Subaru Ascent
Ascent 2019–2026
Total recalls 13
Total complaints 1,030
Fewest complaints 2023, 12 per year · 2022, 13 per year · 2024, 17 per year
Most complaints 2019, 94 per year
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0
2012 Subaru Forester
Forester 2012–2026
Total recalls 32
Total complaints 4,626
Fewest complaints 2013, 7 per year · 2012, 9 per year · 2024, 10 per year
Most complaints 2019, 175 per year
Photo: TTTNIS, CC0
2012 Subaru Outback
Outback 2012–2026
Total recalls 42
Total complaints 6,538
Fewest complaints 2024, 1 per year · 2012, 13 per year · 2014, 22 per year
Most complaints 2020, 240 per year
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

The table gives each model up to three years with the fewest complaints per year, and the year with the most, each counted from complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left off that list. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market cars on this page. A model with more cars on the road produces more filings. How we count.

Complaints per year

11'127'137'147'158'1611'1715'1846'1926'2021'218'228'236'24'25'26

Each bar is the median of the models with complaints on file for that year, not weighted by how many of those cars were sold. A year with no complaint file is left blank.

Recalls by model year

53'1244'1325'1417'1515'1616'1723'1833'1919'2013'2112'2216'239'246'255'26

A campaign that covers more than one model is counted on each.

What owners file about

Visibility and wipers
3,225
Electrical system
2,414
Unknown or other
1,789
Engine
877
Air bags
837
Powertrain
805
Visibility
548
Exterior lighting
315

Frequently asked questions

Are Subarus reliable?

Newer Subarus (Ascent, BRZ, Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, Solterra, WRX, and XV CrossTrek) do not share one complaint pattern. 4 of the 8 models average fewer owner complaints per year in the newer years than in the older years. Forester, Legacy, and Outback average more owner complaints per year in the newer years than in the older years. Impreza is about the same in the newer years as in the older ones. Solterra and XV CrossTrek do not cover enough model years for that comparison.