Subaru extended warranty: cost, coverage and plans
See if an Added Security plan is right for you
Many Subaru drivers seem to love their cars — but at least one authoritative study ranks the manufacturer below average in terms of reliability. An extended warranty can be a good way to protect yourself from expensive repair bills if you plan to keep your Subaru on the road for a long time.
Subaru offers proprietary extended warranties, but how do they stack up to the competition? Read on to learn what Subaru extended warranties cover, how much they cost and when a third-party warranty makes more sense.
Key insights
- Subaru provides its extended warranties through its Added Security program.
- Added Security plans come in two variations: Classic Plans for essentials and Gold Plus Plans for almost bumper-to-bumper protection.
- Both types of plans also include towing and rental car allowances, and Gold Plus coverage adds trip interruption reimbursement as an added perk.
- Subaru extended warranty prices are about average for the industry, but prices vary considerably based on the coverage and deductible you choose.
Subaru extended warranty coverage
Subaru’s official program for extended warranties (also known as vehicle service contracts) is called Added Security, but you may encounter it under other names, like Added Security Extended Coverage (ASEC) or Subaru Added Security (SAS). We’ll use Added Security throughout this article, but don’t be confused if you see other names as you shop in the real world.
All Subaru vehicles are eligible for Added Security plans as long as they’re still within the 3-year/36,000-mile factory warranty period. Terms for Added Security plans can range anywhere from 3 years/45,000 miles to 8 years/120,000 miles, and plans are available with either a $0 or $100 deductible.
» MORE: What does a car warranty cover?
Subaru extended warranty benefits
All Subaru Added Security plans also come with:
- A towing allowance of $100, which helps to cover the cost of a tow after a mechanical breakdown
- A rental car allowance of $35 per day for up to five days while your Subaru is in the shop for a covered repair
The Gold Plus plan adds a trip interruption allowance for up to $500 per occurrence to help cover meals and lodging if your Subaru breaks down more than 50 miles from your home.
It’s worth noting that Subaru’s trip interruption allowance is pretty generous; many other plans cap reimbursements at $100 per day (not $500 per occurrence) and have longer minimum distance requirements (usually 100 miles).
Subaru extended warranty plans
Subaru Added Security plans are available in two levels of coverage.
Classic coverage applies to 82 parts across critical systems in your vehicle, including your:
- Engine
- Transaxle and differential
- Transmission
- All-wheel drive system
- Cooling system
- Fuel system
- Steering
- Front suspension
- Brakes
- Electrical system
- Air conditioning
Classic Plans come with a $100 deductible and include towing and rental car reimbursement for covered repairs.
Almost no extended warranty covers problems caused by neglect, abuse, misuse or damage from an accident.
Gold Plus coverage includes everything Classic coverage does and more, like:
- Thousands of additional components across the 11 systems listed above
- Computers and infotainment systems
- STARLINK vehicle systems
- Safety equipment, such as EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert system, reverse automatic braking system and DriverFocus distraction mitigation system
You can browse the complete list of covered items for each plan and see some helpful visuals in Subaru’s official brochure.
According to multiple Subaru dealers, Gold Plus coverage is the closest equivalent to extending your 3-year/36,000-mile factory bumper-to-bumper warranty that’s available directly from Subaru. In Subaru’s own words, Gold Plus coverage covers “virtually every” part of your Subaru except routine maintenance items, window glass, belts and hoses. Gold Plus coverage also adds roadside assistance and trip reimbursement for meals and lodging if your car breaks down far from home.
» LEARN: Car warranty vs. car insurance
Subaru extended warranty cost
A 7-year/100,000-mile Gold Plus Plan tends to cost around $2,500, which puts Subaru’s extended warranty prices about even with the average cost of an extended warranty. However, we saw prices for other Added Security plans start as low as $960 and go as high as $3,240.
Unlike many extended warranty programs, which require you to go through a quote process to get pricing, we were able to find Subaru Added Security prices published online, courtesy of New Motors Subaru of Erie, Pennsylvania. We’ve included some of those prices below and confirmed that they were up to date as of Feb. 21, 2023.
| Warranty term | Classic Plan ($100 deductible) | Gold Plus Plan ($100 deductible) | Gold Plus Plan ($0 deductible) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years/45,000 miles | N/A | $960 | $1,000 |
| 4 years/60,000 miles | $980 | $1,080 | $1,320 |
| 5 years/60,000 miles | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,460 |
| 6 years/60,000 miles | $1,050 | $1,500 | $1,710 |
| 6 years/80,000 miles | $1,260 | $1,770 | $2,140 |
| 7 years/70,000 miles | $1,280 | $1,790 | $2,150 |
| 5 years/100,000 miles | $1,560 | $2,040 | $2,425 |
| 6 years/100,000 miles | $1,710 | $2,220 | $2,520 |
| 7 years/100,000 miles | $1,970 | $2,420 | $2,670 |
| 10 years/100,000 miles | $2,186 | $2,690 | $2,870 |
| 8 years/120,000 miles | $2,373 | $2,980 | $3,240 |
Because Subaru extended warranty prices are basically on par with the industry average and Subaru vehicles continue to rank below average for predicted reliability, these warranties could actually be a good deal.
However, New Motors Subaru also noted that there’s a “sports car surcharge” for plans between 70,000 and 100,000 miles on certain vehicles. Expect to pay $295 extra for a WRX vehicle. According to multiple dealerships we spoke with, this is because the turbocharged performance engines in these vehicles have higher parts and labor costs.
Subaru extended warranty terms and conditions
The sample contract behind Subaru’s Added Security plans seems to be pretty standard, with the usual exclusions and transfer terms and no obvious “gotchas” hiding in the fine print. However, the cancellation terms could be more specific.
- Maintenance
- To maintain your coverage, you have to follow the maintenance schedule in your Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, which should’ve come with your car. You’ll also want to keep all of your receipts for these services; it’s very common for warranty providers to deny claims because people can’t provide proof of regular maintenance.
- Preexisting conditions
- Any preexisting conditions won’t be covered by your Added Security plan, which is why we strongly recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection before buying any used vehicle. You may eventually want proof of what was and wasn’t an issue when you bought the car.
We’d especially recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection on a used Subaru because these vehicles tend to have transmission issues leading to extremely expensive repairs. Several reviewers on our site mention their transmissions failing within mere months of purchase, costing them $5,000 or more out of pocket.
Getting a $150 pre-purchase inspection can save you from buying a lemon and prove to your warranty company that a part failed during the warranty period.
- Transferability
- After you sell your car, you can transfer your Subaru Added Security plan to your car’s new owner within 30 days of the sale by contacting the dealer where you purchased the warranty, filing some paperwork and paying a $75 fee.
- Cancellation and refunds
- Subaru is vague on cancellation terms. We recommend getting explicit cancellation and refund terms in writing from the issuing dealership or Subaru itself.
- Exclusions
- Most standard exclusions apply. Subaru Added Security plans don’t cover weather- or accident-related damage, abuse, neglect, or damage resulting from aftermarket parts or racing. Subaru is also the first automaker we’ve encountered that specifically calls out snowplow use as an exclusion.
Is a Subaru extended warranty worth it?
Before you consider whether a Subaru Added Security plan might be worth it, it’s good to take a step back and consider whether an extended warranty is worth it at all.
Generally speaking, an extended warranty might be a good idea if any of the following are true:
- You drive a car that doesn’t have a good reputation for reliability.
- You can’t afford a significant repair bill or a new car.
- You just want some added peace of mind when the factory warranty runs out.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that you still have a factory warranty to fall back on for the first three years or 36,000 miles with your Subaru, whichever comes first. While extending that coverage to seven years or 100,000 miles may sound nice, that money could also apply to your remaining auto loan balance.
Consumer reviews of Subaru seem to indicate that the company has a mixed record for warranty work and customer service.
Bobbie, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Wisconsin, was pleasantly surprised when Subaru offered to fix the transmission on his son’s 2016 STi, despite the car having a “tune” that allegedly voided the warranty. “There are not many companies that stand behind their products these days. Thank you, Subaru!” Bobbie wrote.
However, some of our more recent reviewers have mentioned frustration with how Subaru has handled their warranty claims.
“Randy Marion Subaru technicians have been very helpful, and they are just as aggravated as I am with how Subaru is handling my situation,” wrote Chelsea, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from North Carolina. Although Chelsea’s car was under warranty, Subaru allegedly continued to delay authorization, leaving them without a car for at least two weeks.
In short, a Subaru extended warranty could be a good purchase, but it’s not a guarantee, especially when you may find lower prices and more consistent customer care with a third-party warranty provider.
Subaru extended warranty alternatives
Subaru’s proprietary extended warranties can last up to 10 years or 120,000 miles, but many Subaru owners plan to drive their cars much farther. One Subaru Forester owner reportedly even maxed out their odometer back in 2018. If you plan to show your Subaru love for years to come, you might consider a third-party warranty instead of an Added Security plan.
Third-party warranty coverage can stretch all the way to 300,000 miles, and many of these plans are also more cost-effective than Subaru’s plans. Generally speaking, there aren’t blanket surcharges just for driving a sports car, either.
We recommend checking out a few other warranty companies and getting various quotes before you make a decision. This will help you comparison shop and make an educated decision about which option is best for you.
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- Article sources
- ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Dependability Improves Despite Continued Problems with Technology, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed Feb. 20, 2023.
- PR Newswire, “Subaru Forester Driver Maxes Out Odometer at 1 Million Kilometres.” Accessed March 1, 2023.
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