Is a Used Subaru Worth Buying?
Subaru has below-average reliability — budget carefully and inspect thoroughly.
A quality index of 48/100 reflects elevated recall rates or complaint volumes across the Subaru lineup. That doesn't mean every used Subaru is a bad buy — some models outperform the brand average — but you should factor higher maintenance risk into your budget and always get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic.
✓ Most Reliable Subaru Models
⚠ Lower-Reliability Subaru Models
Enter the year, mileage, and asking price to get a personalised BUY, NEGOTIATE, or WALK verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a used Subaru a good buy?▾
A quality index of 48/100 reflects elevated recall rates or complaint volumes across the Subaru lineup. That doesn't mean every used Subaru is a bad buy — some models outperform the brand average — but you should factor higher maintenance risk into your budget and always get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic.
Which Subaru model is most reliable?▾
Based on our NHTSA data analysis, the Subaru WRX scores highest in the Subaru lineup with a quality index of 68/100. The Subaru Legacy (57/100) is also a strong choice.
How is the Subaru quality index calculated?▾
The DBB quality index is a composite score built from NHTSA recall counts and severity (critical, high, medium, low), NHTSA owner complaint counts, crash test ratings, and brand-tier reliability adjustments based on historical data. It is updated weekly as NHTSA releases new recall and complaint data. Higher scores indicate fewer safety issues and more consistent reliability across model years.
What Subaru years should I avoid?▾
Year-by-year reliability varies significantly even within a model. Check the specific model's years-to-avoid page for detailed year-by-year recall and complaint breakdowns.