Subaru Outback extended warranty: cost, coverage and plans
Why an extended warranty could make sense
+2 more
Subaru Outbacks are known to have average reliability, so extended warranty options could offer extra protection against unexpected repairs as the vehicle ages.
We’ll break down what a Subaru Outback warranty covers, how much it costs, what your options are and whether a warranty is worth it in the long run.
All new Subaru Outbacks come with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty from the factory.
Jump to insightQuotes we received for an extended auto warranty on a 2021 Outback ranged from $1,039.80 to $1,701.94 a year. That’s more expensive than the average cost of an extended warranty.
Jump to insightSubaru has average reliability compared with other vehicles.
Jump to insightGetting an extended warranty on an Outback gives you peace of mind and protection against repair bills once the factory warranty expires.
Jump to insightSubaru Outback extended warranty coverage
An extended auto warranty is an optional, paid extension of the factory warranty your Outback comes with. For context, Subaru Outbacks come with the following warranties from the factory:
- A three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
- A five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
Factory warranties follow the vehicle, not the owner. So if you buy a 2-year-old SUV with 20,000 miles on it, you still have one year or 16,000 miles worth of factory bumper-to-bumper warranty remaining.
For an extended warranty on your Subaru Outback, you have two options:
- Buy the official Subaru extended warranty, called Subaru Added Security plan.
- Buy a plan from a third-party extended warranty company, which allows you to take your vehicle to any ASE-certified mechanic for repairs.
A ConsumerAffairs investigation found most drivers couldn't afford to cover a $1,000 repair bill with cash, and 13% had no way to pay a bill that large, even with credit.
Regardless of whether you go with an extended warranty from a dealer or a third-party provider, you’ll typically get the most value by purchasing whichever plan offers comprehensive, exclusionary protection (often called bumper-to-bumper or Platinum). These plans cover 90% or more of the parts on your vehicle. Less comprehensive Gold, Silver and powertrain plans are less expensive, but the coverage they provide may leave you no option but to pay out of pocket for pricey repairs.
Auto warranties only pay for repairs and replacements of specifically covered parts that fail from normal wear and tear, not from damage or accidents. Repairs generally aren’t covered under warranty if you don’t properly maintain the vehicle or you make aftermarket modifications.
In general, here are the differences between what a bumper-to-bumper warranty and a powertrain warranty cover:
| Warranty type | Typical coverage | Not covered |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper | ||
| Powertrain | Parts that create power and deliver it to the wheels | Parts not related to the engine, transmission or drive axle |
Note that some extended auto warranty plans fall somewhere between bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage.
» LEARN: What to know about manufacturers’ extended warranties
How much does a Subaru Outback extended warranty cost?
We were quoted $1,701.94 a year from olive for three years of bumper-to-bumper coverage for a 2021 Subaru Outback registered in Austin, Texas, with 40,000 miles. From Endurance, the quote for similar coverage was $1,039.80 annually for 30 months of coverage for the same vehicle with the same mileage. Both quotes assumed a $100 deductible. Note that both of these are third-party extended auto warranty companies.
The “official” Subaru extended warranty is called Subaru Added Security plan, and it may cost less than a third-party option. Be sure to get a quote from your local Subaru dealer to compare your options.
In general, quotes for extended auto warranties vary based on coverage, vehicle, deductible, location and other factors. A 2022 Outback with zero miles typically has cheaper extended warranty options than a 2020 model with 50,000 miles, for example.
Extended warranty pricing varies significantly among providers. Compare quotes from multiple companies to ensure you're getting a good deal.
For context, the average cost of an extended warranty is around $1,000 per year of coverage. The quotes we collected for our hypothetical 2021 Subaru Outback were more expensive by comparison.
Note that the quotes above were for comprehensive coverage and therefore more expensive. If you just need a powertrain warranty, the annual price will be lower.
Keep in mind that some extended auto warranties start from the original owner's purchase date of the vehicle. So if the factory warranty lasts for four years and 50,000 miles, a six-year/100,000-mile plan may only provide two additional years or 50,000 additional miles of coverage.
Is a Subaru Outback extended warranty worth it?
Yes, a Subaru Outback extended warranty is worth it. In general, an extended auto warranty is worth it if any of the following are true:
- Your vehicle has a bad reputation for reliability.
- The warranty costs less than you expect to spend on repairs.
- A big repair bill could hurt you financially.
- You don’t mind paying for peace of mind.
Subaru as a brand has average reliability, with J.D. Power ranking Subaru 14th out of 29 car brands for overall dependability. As for the Outback specifically, RepairPal gave it a 3.5 out of 5.
Many ConsumerAffairs reviewers reported issues with their Subaru Outbacks.
Tim in Halifax noted issues with the brakes: “After about 33,000 km the car started to shake at braking. Their own service people said that the rotors were warped and needed replacement. However, since it was 'more than 1 year old' they refused to replace the defective parts, and quoted me over $700 for parts and labour."
It should be noted that damage to rotors and pads comes down to normal wear and tear, so it’s doubtful that you would get most dealers to replace them under warranty.
After driving the car 500 miles I learned of a nasty OIL consumption issue with this model.”
—J., A CONSUMERAFFAIRS REVIEWER FROM COLORADO
“At only 50,000 miles, had to replace two front wheel bearings,” said Randall in Tennessee. “At 105,000 miles, just out of warranty, had to replace the catalytic converter and the $8,000 CVT Transmission! Then, just a bit later at 115,000 miles, another wheel bearing went bad.”
Oil consumption is also a commonly reported issue with Outbacks, as J. in Colorado experienced: “After driving the car 500 miles I learned of a nasty OIL consumption issue with this model. Subaru claimed the only repair was $5,500 short block replacement. This was an official recall however my mileage was just over the 125K thresh-hold. Subaru would not work with us.... not half price. Nothing. I did replace the short block issue on my own ($5,000).”
This is a common issue with 2011-2018 Subaru 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engines due to the horizontal cylinder layout, which keeps piston rings constantly exposed to oil. Subaru’s oil consumption threshold, like other manufacturers, sets a standard for "excessive" oil use — meaning it must exceed their limit to qualify as a warranty issue.
Many engines consume some oil without being faulty, so only significant consumption beyond the manufacturer’s standard would be covered by warranty.
Subarus are generally reliable up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles but are prone to issues with CV axles, transmissions, transfer cases, starters and head gaskets, especially in certain Outback V6 models. Regular maintenance, including timing belt replacements, is essential, as neglecting this can lead to severe engine damage.
These stories from real customers mentioning issues with Subaru Outback maintenance suggest that an extended warranty is a good idea. The likelihood of needing repairs and the prices we found for Subaru Outback extended warranties means you’re likely to come out ahead by purchasing a protection plan.
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 Slumps as Rate of Deterioration Increases, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed Aug. 14, 2024.
- RepairPal, “Subaru Outback Reliability Rating.” Accessed Aug. 14, 2024.
