Are Subarus Reliable? Subaru Reliability by Model
Across the 4 most-documented Subaru models, CarWhere's analysis of 8,511 NHTSA complaints finds 4 carry at least one model year to avoid; none is entirely free of a flagged year, with the Crosstrek carrying the fewest. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
8,511 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
every model carries at least one
What Subaru owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 4 Subaru models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Subaru reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 5,201 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 | 2008 | 4.6× |
| Subaru Impreza | 1,788 | 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2019 | — | 2.7× |
| Subaru WRX | 413 | 2008 | 2020 | 1.8× |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 1,109 | 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024 | 2013 and 2022 | 3.8× |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Subaru owners report the most trouble
Subaru Forester: 7 model years flagged to avoid (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) — the worst logged up to 4.6× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Subaru Crosstrek: 4 model years flagged to avoid (2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024) — the worst logged up to 3.8× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Subaru Impreza: 6 model years flagged to avoid (2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2019) — the worst logged up to 2.7× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
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FAQ
Are Subarus reliable?
Subaru reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 4 most-documented Subaru models, 4 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. No Subaru model is entirely free of a flagged year; the Crosstrek carries the fewest. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Subaru sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Subaru?
Every Subaru model we analyze carries at least one flagged year, but the Crosstrek has the fewest — the most best-rated years and lowest severity-weighted complaint rate in the lineup. Reliability comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Subaru models have the most years to avoid?
The Subaru models carrying the most flagged years are the Forester (7 years flagged, worst up to 4.6× its own average), the Crosstrek (4 years flagged, worst up to 3.8× its own average), the Impreza (6 years flagged, worst up to 2.7× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Subaru before buying?
Start with the free Subaru window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/subaru to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 4 most-documented Subaru models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.