A Subaru extended warranty, called Added Security®, extends the 3 year/36,000 mile new car factory warranty by up to 120,000 miles for covered repairs.
We’ll dive into the specific coverage and limitations of this plan and compare it to third-party options. While Subaru’s extended warranty is thorough, it doesn’t offer much freedom. We’ve reviewed a number of the best extended car warranty companies to help you make sense of the market. If you’re shopping for an extended warranty, take a look at our recommendations and get quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal.
Subaru Extended Warranty Coverage
The Subaru extended warranty covers vehicles after mechanical breakdowns for up to 10 years or 120,000 miles. The Added Security® program is available for any Subaru vehicle, but there’s one main requirement. Your car needs to be within Subaru’s factory warranty period of 3 years/36,000 miles.
Remember, the warranty expires when your car has reached either the time or mileage limit. After that, you can’t get an Added Security plan.
Subaru extended warranties use genuine Subaru parts for repairs. That also means you have to visit a dealership for repairs. Because of this, you might end up paying a bit more for non-covered parts that need to be replaced in conjunction with a covered repair.
Within each coverage option, you can choose between a range of years and mileage limits. You can also customize the mileage to match your driving style to reflect whether you drive a lot or a little. For example, with a six-year plan you could choose between 60,000, 80,000 or 100,000 miles.
You can cancel your Subaru service contract for a prorated refund. Coverage can be transferred if your vehicle is sold, as well.
Subaru Warranty Plans
There are three levels of coverage for the Subaru extended warranty: Powertrain, Classic and Gold Plus. Below are descriptions of the coverage provided in each plan:
Subaru Powertrain Extended Warranty
The powertrain plan covers the main components needed to make a vehicle run. This is Subaru’s base-level program and is designed to provide basic coverage for some of the most expensive repairs.
Items covered in the classic plan include: Engine, transmission, drive systems, transaxle
Subaru Classic Extended Warranty
As the mid-tier package, the classic plan provides much more coverage than the basic powertrain option, encompassing a wide variety of parts in several component areas, depending on the contract. Along with protecting the most critical powertrain parts in your Subaru, the classic plan covers around 1,000 additional Subaru parts, including additional systems that include fuel, electrical, air conditioning, front suspension, and more.
Items covered in the classic plan include: engine, transmission, drivetrain, steering, suspension, brakes, electrical, fuel systems, cooling, and air conditioning.
Subaru Gold Plus Extended Warranty
The Gold plus plan provides the highest level coverage of all Subaru extended warranty options, providing comprehensive bumper to bumper protection similar to what is provided in a new car limited warranty. This includes everything provided in the Classic plan plus hundreds more parts, encompassing the majority of your vehicle’s components. According to the automaker, this top-tier package covers “virtually every part of your Subaru”. However, it won’t match up exactly with Subaru’s factory warranty. Since coverage can last for many more years, there are a few more excluded items.Exceptions include some maintenance items and body parts.
Items covered in the classic plan include: engine, transmission, drivetrain, steering, suspension, brakes, electrical, fuel systems, cooling, air conditioning, complex electronics (EyeSight® driver assist technology, blind-spot detection, Rear-Cross traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, DriverFocus™ distraction mitigation system, STARLINK® multimedia system, STARLINK® safety and security.) , and hundreds of other components.
Subaru Extended Warranty Plans
The table below contains a comparison of Subaru’s extended warranty plans:
Powertrain | Subaru Added Security Classic | Subaru Added Security Gold Plus | |
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Description | Basic coverage for critical components needed to make the vehicle run. | Provides a powertrain plus level of protection that covers most major components with some added benefits. | Comprehensive bumper to bumper protection that covers any mechanical breakdown except for a list of exclusions. |
Max Time/Mileage | Up to 10 years/100,000 miles or 8 years/120,000 miles | Up to 10 years/100,000 miles or 8 years/120,000 miles | Up to 10 years/100,000 miles or 8 years/120,000 miles |
Coverage Eligibility | Prior to 3 years/36,000 miles | Prior to 3 years/36,000 miles | Prior to 3 years/36,000 miles |
Deductible | $0 or $100 | $0 or $100 | $0 or $100 |
Coverage | Major engine, transaxle and differential components. | Powertrain coverage plus coverage for major systems, including the air conditioning, electrical, brakes, steering, suspension, cooling and fuel. | Powertrain and Classic coverage plus almost every other part of your Subaru. |
Perks | Rental car reimbursement and towing coverage. | Rental car reimbursement and towing coverage. | Rental car reimbursement, towing coverage, trip interruption allowance and roadside assistance. |
If you’d like to learn the specifics on every coverage term and protected component in Subaru extended warranty plans, check out the component coverage brochure on the company website.
Subaru’s Extended Warranty Exclusions
Even if you get the Gold Plus exclusionary plan, there are a number of things that even Subaru’s bumper to bumper extended warranty won’t cover. While Subaru’s warranties are extensive, they don’t cover everything. Here are a few examples:
- Items covered by specialized warranties (tires)
- Damage from misuse, abuse or lack of maintenance
- Damage from environmental events
- Damage from accidents
- Improper repairs or use of unauthorized parts
- Cosmetic items (exterior trim, glass, upholstery)
- Regular maintenance items (oil changes, belts, brake pads, hoses, wiper blades)
*Subaru offers maintenance plans including dent and ding protection, windshield coverage, and tire and wheel coverage. (See Below)
Added Perks
Here are the details on the extra benefits that come with Subaru’s extended warranty:
- Rental reimbursement: Subaru will reimburse up to $40 per day for a maximum of five days.
- Towing reimbursement: Subaru will reimburse up to $100 per day/occurrence for towing to a dealership.
- Trip interruption (Gold Plus only): Subaru will reimburse a maximum of $500 to you for lodging and food if a covered repair happens more than 50 miles from home. This is a generous allowance, since most warranties only provide trip interruption when the breakdown happens more than 100 miles from home.
- Roadside assistance (Gold Plus only): This benefit covers towing, spare tire installation, jump-starts, lockout services, fuel delivery and concierge services.
Subaru provides good trip interruption and roadside assistance coverage, so it’s a shame those are only available on the Gold Plus plan.
Subaru Prepaid Maintenance Plan
Along with its extended warranty offering, Subaru owners can purchase a pre-paid maintenance plan for up to 3 years/45,000 miles. The Subaru pre-paid maintenance plan covers regular maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations.
What Makes Subaru’s Extended Warranty Stand Out?
There are a few unique coverage items under the Subaru extended warranty that you don’t see very often. These include:
- Wear and tear: Subaru’s Added Security plans cover the gradual reduction in performance of some parts. Other extended auto warranties don’t necessarily cover this type of degradation over time.
- Cause and effect: The Subaru extended warranty will pay for repairs to non-covered parts if the damage was caused by a covered part.
- Special items: Seals and gaskets, onboard computers, and other high-tech items are included.
Warranty Limitations
We already talked a little bit about the limitation of only being allowed to go to a Subaru dealership. In contrast, most third-party providers allow drivers to visit any mechanic who’s certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Another imitation is the fact that you have to purchase a Subaru extended warranty before your basic factory warranty coverage has expired. Compared to other manufacturers, Subaru’s factory warranty period is on the short end of the spectrum.
You don’t have much time to decide whether or not you want to get an extended warranty. On the other hand, third-party providers let you add coverage many years or miles past the factory warranty.
Subaru Extended Warranty Cost
The costs of a Subaru extended warranty varies depending on factors like your location, mileage, coverage level, coverage length, deductible and Subaru model. Final pricing is determined by local Subaru dealers and may be negotiable so it’s always a good idea to shop around.
While Subaru doesn’t share the prices of its extended warranty coverage online, our researchers have found numerous instances where Subaru owners have divulged how much they paid for a Subaru extended warranty online. Depending on your specific coverage terms, the price of a Subaru extended warranty ranges from $1500 to $3000. On average, a Subaru extended warranty costs around $2,600 in total. Annually, this means you can expect to pay around $640 per year of coverage.
There are $0 and $100 deductible options. Subaru owners can choose to either pay a $100 dollar deductible every time you bring the car to the dealership with a lower monthly payment or no deductible with higher monthly rates.
Subaru extended warranty prices are somewhat standardized. We noticed a few dealers let drivers buy these plans online. Here are a few prices listed on the New Motors Subaru dealership website: Overall, these prices are average and are close to the standard cost for extended warranties of this length and coverage level.
Below are very specific prices for Subaru extended warranties taken from the New Motors Subaru of Pennsylvania’s webpage. While these prices are the most specific that can currently be found on the internet and can be helpful in giving you a better idea of what your price may be for a particular coverage option, keep in mind that your local dealer may charge a different amount for the same coverage.
Coverage Period | Gold Plus ($0 Deductible) | Gold Plus ($100 Deductible) | Classic ($100 Deductible) |
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3 Years/45,000 miles | $1,000 | $960 | N/A |
4 Years/60,000 miles | $1,320 | $1,080 | $980 |
5 Years/60,000 miles | $1,460 | $1,260 | $1,010 |
6 Years/60,000 miles | $1,710 | $1,500 | $1,050 |
6 Years/80,000 miles | $2,140 | $1,770 | $1,260 |
7 Years/70,000 miles | $2,150 | $1,790 | $1,280 |
5 Years/100,000 miles | $2,425 | $2,040 | $1,560 |
6 Years/100,000 miles | $2,520 | $2,220 | $1,710 |
7 Years/100,000 miles | $2,670 | $2,420 | $1,970 |
10 Years/100,000 miles | $2,870 | $2,690 | $2,186 |
8 Years/120,000 miles | $3,240 | $2,980 | $2,373 |
Subaru Extended Warranty Options
On the other hand, there are some reasons you might want to look at third-party options. You might be able to find a lower price from a third-party company since they have to compete on price to gain customers. Subaru doesn’t.
Subaru Dealerships vs. Third-Party Providers
Looking around, you’ll also see that third-party companies offer more options for coverage. For example, CarShield offers six main warranty plans with a few different contracts in each category. Plans range from bumper-to-bumper coverage to basic powertrain coverage.
Also, third-party providers usually offer coverage for longer terms than manufacturer extended warranties. Remember, the longest term for a Subaru extended warranty is 120,000 miles. Another popular provider, CARCHEX, can cover vehicles up to 250,000 odometer miles.
Lastly, with a third-party plan, you probably won’t have to get the highest tier plan to get roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits. Endurance in particular has excellent benefits for the first year of coverage.
The chart below compares the Subaru extended warranties sold by dealerships vs. the top 4 manufacturer-backed extended warranties from our comprehensive reviews of the best extended car warranties:
Feature | Subaru | Endurance | CARCHEX | CarShield | Protect My Car |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start Date | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime |
# of Plans | 2 | 6 | 5 (16 options) | 6 | 3 |
Max. Coverage Period | 10years/120k miles | 8 years/200,000+ miles | 10 years/250,000 miles | 300,000 miles | 10 years/125,000 miles |
Repair Network | Subaru Dealerships | ASE® certified repair facilities. | Over 30k facilities nationwide | ASE® certified repair facilities. | ASE® certified repair facilities. |
Deductible | $0-$100 | $0+ | $0+ | $0+ | $0+ |
Cancelation Policy | Prorated Refund Anytime | Full Refund within 30 days | Full Refund within 30 days | Full Refund within 30 days | Full Refund within 30 days |
Transferable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Trip Interruption | Yes* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Roadside Assistance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Availability | Contact Subaru Dealership For Quotes | Get Free, instant quote | Get Free, instant quote | Get Free, instant quote | Get Free, instant quote |
Comparison of Manufacturer-Backed and Aftermarket Subaru Extended Warranties
The two tables below contain pros and cons for both manufacturer-backed and third party extended warranties for your Subaru.
Pros and Cons of Subaru Extended Warranty
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Guaranteed original manufacturer parts.
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The guaranteed quality of having your vehicle worked on by a factory-trained technician.
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Because you are dealing with an automaker brand, there is a higher chance of a smooth claims process and honesty.
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Higher costs and fewer coverage options/added benefits.
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You can only get your vehicle worked on at a dealership, which restricts many from using their preferred repair facility.
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Covered repairs are more limited because they are geared toward poor workmanship and faulty factory components.
Pros and Cons Of Aftermarket Extended Warranties
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Can purchase coverage at any time, even after the factory warranty expires.
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Can choose from any ASE certified shop in the US.
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More coverage options and flexibility.
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A waiting period of 30-days after purchase and vehicle inspection required for coverage.
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No guarantee your technician will specialize in your vehicle model.
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Plan not specific to your vehicle, so coverage may be too much or not enough in specific cases.
Subaru Factory Warranty Recap
All new Subarus include a 3 year/36,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty, which is offered at the time of purchase. This plan is a bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers most of your vehicle’s components.
New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
Coverage for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty Includes:
- Manufacturer Parts and Accessories Used For Repairs
- Wear Items like wiper blades, clutch and shoe linings, and brake pads.
- Defects in Subaru Provided Parts and workman ship
Factory Warranty Exclusions
The following items aren’t covered in a Subaru New Vehicle Limited Warranty:
- Damage From an Accident or Collision
- Aftermarket Accessories
- Any component listed as an exclusion in your Subaru contract.
Factory Warranty Recap
Subaru’s factory warranty is made up of a few different parts:
Subaru Warranty Coverage | Term Length |
---|---|
New Vehicle Limited Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Wear Item Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Powertrain warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Rust perforation limited warranty | 5 years/unlimited miles |
Hybrid system limited warranty | 8 years/100,000 miles |
Seat belt warranty | Lifetime |
The most important warranty to consider is the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which is also called bumper-to-bumper coverage. This warranty covers almost any mechanical or electrical part on your Subaru. When it expires, an extended warranty can step in and provide similar coverage.
Why Would You Want a Subaru extended warranty?
First of all, Subaru’s factory warranty is one of the shortest in the industry. A number of brands share the same coverage terms, but that doesn’t make the situation any better for new Subaru owners. The bottom line is you’ll have to cover repairs for most items not included in the powertrain warranty after 3 years/36,000 miles.
The powertrain warranty covers parts in the engine, drive axle and transmission. So, electrical, steering, air conditioning and high-tech components aren’t covered after the factory warranty expires.
Subaru vehicles generally have a good reputation for longevity, so you’ll probably want to drive your Subaru for a long time. But as the mileage increases, the likelihood of repairs does as well. An extended auto warranty can help even out your monthly budget, so you don’t have to pay for a $1,000 or $2,000 repair out of pocket.
Subaru Repair Costs
Subarus tend to have low repair costs. According to RepairPal, Subaru drivers pay $617 per year for maintenance and repairs on average. That number is lower than the industry average of $652. Since costs are low, you can expect to find better prices on extended warranties, as well. A warranty for a Subaru Outback will likely cost less than a warranty for a Ford F-150 or an Audi A5, for example.
The chart below contains price ranges for common repairs for Subaru vehicles. Please keep in mind that the specific price you pay depends on your vehicle make and model and the labor costs at the shop you purchased the vehicle.
Subaru Repair | Price Range |
---|---|
Lower Ball Joint Replacement | $91 to $633 |
Timing Belt Replacement | $238 to $729 |
Door Window Motor Replacement | $324-$379 |
Starter Replacement | $340-$573 |
Water Pump Replacement | $367-$530 |
Alternator Replacement | $432-$598 |
Oil Pump Replacement | $439-$749 |
Power Steering Pump Replacement | $537-$629 |
Heater Core Replacement | $595-$851 |
Clutch Replacement | $676 to $2,281 |
AC Compressor Replacement | $803-$1282 |
Head Gasket Replacement | $927-$2,803 |
Subaru parts are also easy to source, and tens of thousands of mechanics around the U.S. can work on the cars. That’s not true of many other brands.
Subaru Repair Prices
The chart below provides a more granular view of prices for specific repairs on various Subaru models. The data for these prices was taken from multiple reputable sites. Please note that repairs with the mileage included and a single dollar ammount reflect user-reported problems on CarComplaints.com and repairs with no mileage and a price range are aggregate repair ranges taken from RepairPal.com.
Make | Repair | Cost |
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B9 Tribeca | Brake Bleed | $123-155 |
BRZ | Anti-Lock Brake System Diagnosis | $88-111 |
Forester | Transmission Fluid Change | $124-$141 |
Forester | Broken coil spring (58,700 miles) | $1,060 |
Forester | Excessive Oil Consumption (26,150 miles) | $2,000* |
Impreza | No Start Diagnosis | $68-85 |
Impreza | Head Gasket Leak (82,600 miles) | $1,000 |
Justy | Air Conditioning System Leak Inspection | $53-67 |
Justy | Tire & Wheel Assembly Rotate & Balance | $79-100 |
Legacy | Wheel Alignment | $143-$180 |
Legacy | Repeated Headlight failure (53,450 miles) | $180 |
Outback | Excessive Oil Consumption (45,800 miles) | $1,590* |
SVX | Emission Control System Inspect | $44-56 |
XV Crosstrek | Air Conditioning Leak Inspection | $53-67 |
XV Crosstrek | Suspension System Inspection | $70-89 |
Subaru Reliability
The chart below contains the RepairPal reliability scores and average repair costs for 6 Subaru models:
Model | Reliability Score (RepairPal.com) | Average Annual Repair Cost |
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Crosstrek | 4.5 out of 5.0 | $492 |
Outback | 3.5 out of 5.0 | $607 |
Impreza | 3.5 out of 5.0 | $653 |
Legacy | 4.0 out of 5.0 | $563 |
Tribeca | 3.5 out of 5.0 | $563 |
WRX | 3.5 out of 5.0 | $682 |
If you’re considering an extended warranty for your Subaru, time isn’t exactly on your side. However, it pays to take a minute and get quotes from a few different providers. Call around and get quotes to compare the Subaru extended warranty side-by-side with options from leading third-party companies to find the plan with the best value.
Conclusion: Is the Subaru Extended Warranty Worth It?
If it’s important for you to get genuine Subaru parts through a dealership, Subaru’s extended warranty could be a good idea. The plan includes coverage for some unconventional items, too. We’d definitely recommend going for the Gold Plus plan if you have the choice, since you get more added benefits.
Read our other guides for more information:
- Mercedes Extended Warranty
- Volkswagen Extended Warranty
- BMW Extended Warranty
- Nissan Extended Warranty
- Lexus Extended Warranty
FAQ: Subaru Extended Warranty
Does Subaru offer an extended car warranty?
Yes, Subaru offers two extended vehicle service agreements: Gold and Classic. Terms for both plans can last as long as 10 years or 100,000 miles with all repairs being made using all Subaru parts. The classic plan covers parts for all major systems, including the engine, transmission, drivetrain, steering, brakes, suspension, electrical, cooling, air conditioning, and fuel systems. The Gold plan provides bumper to bumper coverage similar to that provided by a factory Subaru warranty. Exclusions for the Gold plan include the batteries, glass, upholstery, and trim.
How much does a Subaru extended warranty cost?
While Subaru doesn’t provide pricing information for extended warranties on its website, you can generally expect to pay somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000 dollars for your Subaru extended warranty. In general, an extended bumper to bumper warranty from an automaker like Subaru costs an average of around $125 per month over the course of several years. Subaru costs depend on a few factors like where you purchase your coverage, your deductible, and what plan you choose, as the varying payment plans and deductible options available could alter your monthly rate. Ultimately, the final price of your Subaru extended warranty will be determined by your dealership and is negotiable.
Is a Subaru extended warranty worth it?
Whether a Subaru extended warranty is worth it or not largely depends on whether or not you have enough money to cove a large repair. For example, if an expensive part like the transmission fails after your factory warranty expires, you may wish you’d purchased extended protection. If not, you may have paid thousands of dollars for an extended warranty that you never used. Overall, Subaru extended warranties aren’t extremely expensive and offer more coverage than most of the other manufacturers and third party providers. Even though Subarus are known for their reliability, the peace of mind that an extended warranty provides can be well worth it. In general, if you have and older model vehicle that is starting to show its age or you are concerned about major out-of-pocket repair costs and prefer knowing you have guaranteed coverage in the event of a mechanical breakdown, it’s highly likely that a Subaru extended car warranty will be worth it for you. For most owners, it makes sense to have a Subaru extended warranty, as extended warranties take the suprise out of repair bills and help keep your budget in line. In particular, third party extended warranties usually offer reduce costs, lower financial stress, and add value to your vehicle.
Can you transfer a Subaru extended warranty?
Yes. While a Subaru factory warranty is completely transferrable, you must check your contract terms depending on your provider to know for sure whether you can transfer an extended warranty. Generally, as is the case with both Subaru manufacturer-backed extended warranties and third party extended warranties, you can transfer your Subaru extended warranty coverage to a new owner, with a small transfer fee. Selling your vehicle along with an extended service contract can be attractive to the potential buyer. If you don’t want to transfer your coverage, you can also get a prorated refund. In either case, you will have to pay a small transaction fee.
What is the difference between a Subaru manufacturer-backed extended warranty and a third party extended warranty for my Subaru?
Generally, aftermarket extended warranties have more flexible plan options and more extensive offerings of added benefits like 24/7 roadside assistance, trip interruption, and rental car benefits. With third party extended warranties, you can also choose from any ASC certified repair shop nationwide and have access to convenient features like online apps to make payments, claims, and assistance easier. Also, some reputable third party extended warranty companies like Endurance are direct providers. On the other hand, a manufacturer-backed extended warranty from Subaru has comes with the quality of repairs done by manufacturer-trained technicians and the extensive use of factory parts. There are pros and cons to both options.
What factors determine the cost of an extended warranty for a Subaru?
Subaru extended warranty prices are based on the provider, contract length, coverage level, deductible, and your Subaru’s make, model, and mileage. According to our experts, the best way to get the lowest price on an extended warranty is to reach out to multiple companies and do some shopping.
Can I purchase an extended warranty after buying my Subaru?
Yes. Subaru offers extended protection for anyone that owns a Subaru as long as you purchase the extended warranty within the 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty period before your factory warranty expires.
Are there any alternatives to Subaru extended warranties?
Yes. There are many third party extended warranty companies that will cover your Subaru. Based on our extended warranty reviews, we’ve found that Endurance and CARCHEX have the best coverage for the price.
Does Subaru have a warranty that lasts up to 100,000 miles?
Yes. Subaru’s “Added Security” plans will cover your vehicle for up to 10 years and 100,000 miles.
Is the Subaru Gold Plus plan worth it?
For many, the Subaru Gold plus plan is well worth the price, as it covers a large number of components and provides numerous additional benefits like trip interruption insurance.
Can you cancel a Subaru extended warranty?
Yes. You can cancel your Subaru extended warranty at any time. in exchange for a prorated refund.
How do I cancel the extended warranty I purchased for my Subaru?
Each provider (often dealerships) have different cancellation policies and procedures. Therefore, you much check the terms in your contract and/or speak with your provider.
How long is a Subaru warranty?
New Subarus come with a basic warranty and wear item protection of 3 years/36,000 miles and a powertrain limited warranty for up to 3 years/36,000 miles. Subaru warranties also come with seat belt and rust peroration coverage. Warranties from third party extended warranties are available with terms that last up to 250,000 miles.
What does an extended warranty cover?
What is covered in your contract ultimately depends on what specific coverage option you choose. While the specific parts covered in an extended warranty vary wildly, extended car warranties can cover everything from the engine, transmission, drve axles, transmission, electrical, cooling system, and more.
How do I get a quote for a Subaru extended warranty?
For a quote for a Subaru manufacturer-backed extended warranty, you should reach out to the Subaru dealership you purchased the vehicle from. To get a quote from a third party provider, you can usually fill out an online form or use the contact number listed on the particular company’s website to speak with a representative directly.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.