Subaru Warranty
Is your Subaru warranty about to expire? Didn't buy the extended protection when you made the original purchase? Hello, my name is Kirk Steele and I will try to help you answer the question "Do I need to purchase a Subaru extended warranty or mechanical breakdown protection? Here is what I will cover in this short article:
- Subaru History
- Original Subaru Warranty
- Subaru Reliability
- Do I Need Subaru Extended Warranty Protection?
- Options for Extended Protection
Subaru History
Subaru was first established in the U.S. in the late 1960's. In 1989 they paired with another automaker and opened a factory known as Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc.
From that point in time forward, Subaru became a major seller of light-duty four-wheel drive vehicles, offering a few alternatives to the typical SUVs.
Subaru is also known for being one of the top vehicles in the rally racing community. The use of its exclusive symmetrical all-wheel drive system and powerful boxer engine has made Subaru one of the most formidable names in racing.
Subaru Warranties
Before considering a Subaru extended warranty, it is important to know the original Subaru warranty. Every new Subaru comes with these standard warranties:
- Limited Basic
- Powertrain warranty
Subaru offers a 3 year/ 36,000 mile limited basic warranty. Subject to the exclusions listed in this warranty, it covers the entire car.
Powertrain coverage for all models is 5 year/60,000 miles. Subject to the exclusions listed in this warranty, it covers the major powertrain components.
You will want to consider the remaining time and mileage on the Subaru warranty to determine your need for extended protection. Remember, the manufacturer's warranty will expire whenever time (months) or mileage (whichever comes first) reach the thresholds described above.
For complete warranty information see www.subaru.com
Subaru Reliability
Here are a few examples of the recalls Subaru drivers have had to deal with during the past few years:
- 07/08 Legacy, WRX, Outback turbocharger oil supply issues
- 05/06 Legacy, Outback rear wheel-bearing noise
- 00-03 Legacy, Outback, Baja rear suspension corrosion issues
- 05 Legacy, Outback side airbag replacement
Before making any decision, research your specific model and year to ensure reliability. Certain cars are known to be unreliable, making the extended protection decision a no-brainer. Check out the the U.S News and World Report. for current reliability ratings.
Another easy to find out about a product's reliability in the age of the Internet is to check with a community of people that have the same product. People in these groups tend to be very outspoken. In the case of automobiles one such community is Edmunds.com.
Use the links below to research your specific model for known problems.
Here's another great resource to check the reliability record of your used vehicle.
Do I Need Subaru Extended Warranty Protection?
Choosing to purchase extended protection for your Subaru is ultimately a personal decision. However, here are some things to consider:
- The manufacturer's original warranties
- The age and mileage of your Subaru
- The reliability record of your particular Subaru model
- How many miles you drive
- How long you plan to own your Subaru
- Your risk tolerance
- Your financial ability to pay for unexpected repairs
Here are two additional resources to help determine if mechanical breakdown protection is right for you:
- POMCalc! Check your peace of mind
- How to determine if a vehicle extended warranty is right for you.
If you decide that extended protection is a good “bet” for you then be sure to purchase it before the original Subaru warranty expires. The sooner you do the less it will cost you. If the Subaru warranty expires, your options may be limited. However, you don't have to purchase a Subaru extended warranty – there is another option: Mechanical Breakdown Protection.
Options for Extended Protection
The Subaru warranty is good for the 5-year/60K miles term. Afterwards Subaru offers a Subaru Added Security program that will cover roughly 1000 different parts on your vehicle. However, there are several reasons to also look elsewhere for extended protection for your Subaru.
Let's say for instance, you use your Subaru commercially and need the freedom to have your vehicle serviced at a wide range of facilities; you would seek a protection plan that will cover you anywhere.
You have two basic options when it comes to extended protection for your Subaru
- Subaru Extended Warranty
- Third Party Mechanical Breakdown Protection Plan
The extended Subaru warranty is only offered by the manufacturer and is usually sold through the dealership. Mechanical breakdown protection may be purchased from a third party company. Coverage between the two options is usually comparable. But read the actual contract to be sure.
The main difference between the options is the price and the fact that mechanical breakdown protection lets you have your service done at any repair facility. The Subaru extended warranty requires that you service your vehicle at the dealership or other Subaru authorized repair facilities. This tends to limit your options since there is not a large Subaru dealer network in the United States.
Third party mechanical breakdown protection plans tend to offer more value and can often be found at a lower price with similar coverage. However, it is important to purchase coverage from a reputable company.
The Subaru extended warranty is a solid choice but mechanical breakdown protection from a reputable third party may serve you best if you need the flexibility of choosing your own service location or personal mechanic, and are concerned about price.
For additional information on determining your need for extended warranty protection please review the following pages:
If you decide that a vehicle service contract is right for you, I hope that you will consider autoPOM!
autoPOM! backed and administered by Mercury can provide you with repair service comparable to the manufacturer's extended warranty. Not surprising, autoPOM! pricing is far less than dealer pricing and offers the flexibility of allowing you to choose the repair facility that you're most comfortable with.
autoPOM! has an A+ rating from the BBB and Mercury has a A+ rating from A.M. Best.See 10 Reasons To Choose autoPOM! and Mercury.
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