Subaru 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 3-year/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
- A 5-year/60,000 miles powertrain warranty
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.
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. Subaru offers two plan tiers: Classic and Gold Plus.
- Buy a plan from a third-party extended warranty company, which allows you to take your vehicle to any ASE-certified mechanic for repairs.
Subaru Classic plan coverage
The Classic plan covers nearly 1,000 parts across all major systems, making it ideal for drivers seeking essential protection at a lower cost than comprehensive coverage.
Here’s what’s covered:
- Engine and transmission
- Drivetrain and front suspension
- Steering and brakes
- Electrical systems
- Cooling and fuel systems
- Air conditioning
- EyeSight driver assist technology
- DriverFocus distraction mitigation
- Blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert
- STARLINK multimedia and safety systems
- Reverse automatic braking
Additional benefits include:
- Towing and rental car reimbursement for covered repairs
- $100 deductible per visit ($0 and $50 options available)
Subaru Gold Plus plan coverage
The Gold Plus plan includes all Classic coverage plus hundreds more parts, providing bumper-to-bumper protection comparable to your Outback's original factory warranty. This is Subaru's most comprehensive extended warranty option.
Here’s what’s covered:
- Everything in the Classic plan
- Additional air conditioning components
- Expanded electrical systems
- Extra steering components
- More front suspension parts
- Additional brake systems
- Wear-and-tear issues on covered components
Additional benefits include:
- Trip interruption reimbursement up to $500 for meals and lodging when breakdowns occur more than 50 miles from home
- 24-hour emergency roadside assistance
- $100 allowance for "Sign & Drive" dispatched towing
- Jump-start service
- Tire change assistance
- Gasoline delivery
- Locksmith service
- Computerized trip routing
- Dealer locator service
- Travel assistance
- Towing and rental car reimbursement for covered repairs
- $100 deductible per visit ($0 and $50 options available)
Bumper-to-bumper vs. powertrain plans
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. For Subaru, that’s the Gold Plus plan. For third-party warranty providers, it’s often called bumper-to-bumper or Platinum.
These plans cover 90% or more of the parts on your vehicle. Less comprehensive midlevel and powertrain-only 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.
Bumper-to-bumper coverage and exclusions
In general, here’s what’s covered under a bumper-to-bumper warranty:
- Engine
- Drive axle
- Differential assembly
- Transmission and transfer case
- Steering
- Seals and gaskets
- Air conditioning/heating
- Core electrical components
- Front and rear suspension
- Brakes
- Cooling system
- Fuel delivery system
And here’s what’s excluded:
- Spark plugs
- Battery cables
- Tires
- Fluids and lubricants
- Upholstery
- Paint
- Handles
Powertrain coverage and exclusions
For a powertrain plan, coverage is pretty simply. Parts that create power and deliver it to the wheels are covered. Parts not related to the engine, transmission or drive axle aren’t.
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?
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.
When evaluating costs, keep in mind that some extended auto warranties start from the original owner's purchase date of the vehicle. For instance, Subaru’s factory warranty lasts for 3 years/36,000 miles, so a 6-year/80,000 miles extended plan only provides 3 years/44,000 miles of additional coverage.
We got pricing for Subaru’s Added Security plans and third-party extended warranties. Let’s see how the cost and coverage stacks up.
Subaru Added Security costs
The in-house Subaru extended warranty is called Subaru Added Security, and it may cost less than a third-party option. Both plan types cost less than the $1,000-per-year industry average cost for extended warranties. Be sure to get a quote from your local Subaru dealer to compare your options, as dealership pricing varies.
We saw plans as low as $1,165 for a 4-year/60,000 miles Classic plan with a $100 deductible and as high as $4,080 for an 8-year/120,000 miles Gold Plus plan with a $0 deductible.
Here’s some example pricing for a 7-year/100,000 miles extended plan with a $100 deductible in the Classic and Gold Plus plan tiers.
Classic plan pricing
- Plans typically cost around $2,265
- Approximately $570 per year of added coverage
- $0, $50 or $100 deductible options (higher deductibles lower the total cost)
Gold Plus plan pricing
- Plans typically cost around $2,900
- Approximately $725 per year of added coverage
- The $0 deductible option adds roughly $500 to the total cost
Third-party extended warranty costs
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.
Extended warranty pricing varies significantly among providers. Compare quotes from multiple companies to ensure you're getting a good deal.
The quotes we collected for our hypothetical 2021 Subaru Outback were more expensive than the industry average — but they were for comprehensive coverage. If you just need a powertrain warranty, the annual price will be lower.
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.
ConsumerAffairs reviews 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.
Subaru Outback reliability
Subaru as a brand has average reliability, with J.D. Power ranking Subaru No. 16 out of 30 car brands for overall dependability in its 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The study found that Subarus experienced 212 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) after three years of ownership, compared to the study average of 202 PP100.
As for the Outback specifically, RepairPal gave it a 3.5 out of 5 for reliability, which is considered above average. Of 26 midsize SUVs, RepairPal ranks Subaru Outback at No. 10. The average annual repair cost is $607, which is about average — compare it to $573 per year for midsize SUVs and $652 per year for all vehicle models.
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.
What Subaru Outback drivers say
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."
Note 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.
“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.”
At 105,000 miles, just out of warranty, had to replace the catalytic converter and the $8,000 CVT Transmission!”
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.
FAQ
Can I buy an extended warranty after purchase?
Yes, you can buy an extended warranty after purchase, but only while your Outback is still covered by the original 3-year/36,000 miles factory warranty. Once that expires, you can no longer purchase a Subaru Added Security plan. However, third-party extended warranty companies allow you to buy coverage for older vehicles well past the factory warranty period.
Is Subaru extended warranty transferable?
You can transfer your Subaru Added Security plan to a new owner within 30 days of selling your vehicle by contacting the dealer where you purchased the warranty, completing the required paperwork and paying a $75 transfer fee. This can increase your Outback's resale value. The warranty follows the vehicle, not the owner.
What's the difference between Classic and Gold Plus?
The Classic plan covers nearly 1,000 parts across major systems including engine, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, steering, brakes, electrical, cooling, fuel systems and air conditioning. It typically costs $1,560 to $2,360 for 7 years/100,000 miles.
The Gold Plus plan includes everything in Classic plus hundreds more parts, providing bumper-to-bumper coverage similar to your factory warranty. Gold Plus also includes trip interruption reimbursement up to $500 when breakdowns occur 50-plus miles from home. It typically costs around $2,900 for 7 years/100,000 miles.
How do I file a warranty claim?
To file a warranty claim, take your Outback to any authorized Subaru dealer during normal business hours. If further driving would cause damage, call the toll-free claims assistance number provided with your warranty.
For emergency repairs more than 75 miles from an authorized dealer, you can use any service facility, then submit your claim for reimbursement within 15 days. You'll need the repair receipt, replaced parts and a written description of the emergency. Subaru will reimburse up to $500 for eligible emergency repairs.
Can I cancel my extended warranty?
Yes, you can cancel your extended warranty. Contact the dealership where you purchased your warranty to cancel and receive a prorated refund. Subaru doesn't publicly detail its cancellation terms, so get the policy in writing before you sign up. The refund amount depends on how much coverage time remains and whether you've filed any claims.
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 Still Suffering Due to Pandemic Aftershocks, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed Oct. 20, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Subaru Outback Reliability Rating.” Accessed Oct. 20, 2025.
- Subaru of America, “Added Security® Extended Service Agreements.” Accessed Oct. 20, 2025.
