Subaru Safe & Reliable

14 Jun, 2006 12 Comments

Subaru Logo You might or might not have noticed that I am a Subaru fan boy. I have dropped little hints here and there in support of Subaru mainly due to the fact that a WRX will be in my garage before the end of the year (don’t worry you will hear all about my adventures in finding one) but no matter how hard I try, no one seems to bad mouth Subarus! Its always “Oh its soo reliable” or “its been so good” (please do tell me otherwise if you have had bad experiences). However Subaru reliability has so far been just a word of mouth from lucky Subaru owners to other ‘to-be Subaru owners’ but now there is proof!

A survey in Germany has found Subarus are the least likely vehicles to break down. Subaru placed top, ahead of Mini, Mazda, Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi in Germany’s ADAC AutoMarxX survey, in which long-term quality was the key focus. In 2005 Subaru drivers had the lowest number of breakdowns among all brands, with an average figure of 7.12 per 1000 vehicles.

Not bad! Given that it was in Germany and Subaru is going up against the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes and the like! Says a lot about the Japanese brand that reinvented it self with the All Wheel Drive (AWD) Impreza and Liberty. So what about safety? Well, apart from the AWD system (more information about Subaru AWD at the end of the article), seems like the ring-shaped reinforcements around the passenger cabin of Subarus has proven it self in real life test crashes:

According to witnesses, Shona’s Impreza was hit with such force it spun full circle, was rammed into the concrete central reservation then rolled three and-a-half times, ending up on its roof. Police and Ambulance officers were amazed when they opened the driver’s door to hear Shona urging: “I can’t undo the seatbelt upside down. Can you let me out?”

Subaru Impreza Crash Picture I’d like to see that happen to a Toyota Yaris (or echo) or the new Holden Barina with its 2 star safety rating, I reckon the Barina would have exploded on the spot!

12 Responses to “Subaru Safe & Reliable”

amanda Says:
June 14th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
my brothers subaru isn’t reliable :)
(Report)
ebony Says:
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
My partner and I are currently looking to buy a used Subaru Forester 2.5L manual no older than 2003. I want to be as best informed of the pros and cons of buying this particular car, and wonder if you might be able to help with this process. After having driven one yesterday at Docklands, I am sold on the performance, comfort, and all round features of the car from what I can tell. Though I wonder of running costs and maintenance costs of the vehicle in respect of 100,000 km service, general service, tyres, etc. I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding the Subaru Forester 2.5 manual, and the above questions. We are certainly looking to buy a used forester with low km’s, manual, and no older than 2002/3 before the end of financial year. I have done some internet based research and spoken to others who have owned Subaru’s however I would like your opinion also.
Thank you kindly, ebony
(Report)
Paul Says:
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Not sure about reliablity… first time Ive seen it top a survey, in other ones it was Mazda - Honda - Toyota top 3. And from the stories I hear albeit about older WRXs, they dont seen overly reliable… in their defence its because tools have thrashed them, but thrashing or no thrashing that figure should be represented.

As for safety, that example wasnt safety… like it contributed but it was pure LUCK. Ive heard of stories where people with cars that when they were built the word crumple zone, abs or airbag werent even invented get out of crazy situations… alot of the time its just a fluke.
(Report)
Nick Says:
November 20th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
My Subaru Liberty 2.0R has not impressed in terms of quality and reliability. The issues have been:
1. ECU being sesntive to petrol quality and retarding of timing, this involved a revised version of the ECU software being loaded and running on 98 octane.

2. Assorted squeeks and rattles in the cabin (Subaru only warrents this stuff for 12 months!)

3. Battery is marginal resulting in not being able to start in cold weather sometimes. I had to replace the battery with a one with a higer CCA after wasting my time with Subaru.

4. Very think sheet metal that dents far too easily.

5. Expensive and very frequent servicing (mine must use fully synethic oil every 6 months!) 4 cyl Engine uses timing belt (not a chain) and diff oils need changing, etc.

6. Boxer engine and AWD means poor fuel consumption around town even for a 2 litre 4, when I factor in the cost of 98 octane fuel and the service costs my AU Falcon is very cheap to run in comparison even in terms of direct fuel costs.

All in all my Subaru has been a big dissapointment, the only saving grace was its purchase price ($34K) I can live with the issues and the fact it has good safety and handling. If I had paid 40K to 50K for a more upscale one I would be very angry. Bottom line is that I would not buy another one.
(Report)
Tom Says:
November 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
So far I’ve had no issues at all with my MY05 Liberty 2.5i Luxury, so I’m surprised you’ve had so many problems nick. I admit that the boxer engine isn’t particularly efficient, I usually clock around 10L/100 K in the city, and around 7L/100km on the highway. Also how come Nick you are running 98 octane in your car, was that to fix the ECU issues? Mine runs pretty much the same whether i give it 91, 95 or 98, no noticable shift in fuel efficiency or power output. Still, I can see why your annoyed with subaru, the dealership should look into those problems and fix them, and subaru servicing is expensive, but subaru excellent resale makes it worth while I reckon.
(Report)
Nick Says:
November 20th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Tom,

The 2.5L is designed to run on 91 octane fuel, not so the 2.0 in the 2.0R, the 2.0 needs a minimum of 95RON. The current 2.5 has more power but also needs a minimum of 95RON. Subaru have flashed the ECU with a software revsion and insist as per the service bulletin that I run 98RON fuel and fully synthetic Subaru oil to avoid retared timing in the future. Once the timing is retarted by the ECU the car is undriveable its that bad.

I’m glad you have had a better experience with yours.

My theory on the frequent servicing is that Subaru is under-capitalised and is making do with a decade plus old drive train, hence the service needs. I also believe that the joint venture between Inchcape and Subaru means that Inchcape wants a good income stream for its dealers, so 12.5K or 6 months stays,when a 12 month 15K interval would be fine. This is also evidenced by the ‘mean’ warranty that only warrants ratttles for 12 months and does not offer roadside assist… Nick Senior’s operation is greedy.
(Report)
Gavin Says:
December 1st, 2007 at 8:56 am
Hi

I have owned my 03 RX liberty 2.5 for 5 months now. I had a Vectra 2.5 QUAD CAM 24valve v6 for that a sold it after a year because it spent more time going wrong and in the shop that it did working(4k on repairs), I reckon too much tech.My Subaru on the other hand has been super reliable. In the 5 months that i have owned it I have done 12000km’s. It is booked it for its 1st service(112500) with me monday and Subaru Doncaster.

I will admit the fuel consumption is not great my v6 vectra was better, im happy if i get just less that 10L\100km city driving which I mostly do.About 6\7 on highway. Who cares about old technology. It works and its reliable. The car also handles better that any car I’ve ever driven, bar my mates MY02WRX, which out powered obviously. Prefer the Liberty for luxury and ride quality.

Well on a last note i could never knock a Subi, not at the moment.
(Report)
Carl Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I imported a WRX 1996 model last year and on the last day of 2007 i crashed it (was a wet and crap tyre thing at some speed) thing is i was on a dual carriage way left lane, slid to the right lane, banged against central reservation for 150yrds, started spinning, went through a turning gap in the central reservation hitting the posts on both sides of the opening (still spinning) across onto the other side of the carriageway, over the pavement, down and embankment and smashed into a golf course fence. 450 yards from start to finish.
My Point…. both me and my mrs when it stopped looked at each other said r u ok then said “that was like a crazy fair ground ride” we got out without a bump, scratch or ache. so you work out safety. but then again i suppose the struts bars on front and back along with it being a wrx model may of helped but i’ve already found a few others im interested in from Japan again.

http://www.solveit-uk.com/impo.....scooby.jpg
(Report)
Sheila Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Very safe car, according to my experience. I owned an ‘05 Impreza 2.5RS and last year, some guy ran a red light and T-boned me on the passenger side at an estimated 60mph on a 25mph zone! My car got turned around 180 degrees and got pushed to the sidewalk. To make a long story short, my passenger and I walked away without a scratch. Even the attending officers and fire crew were amazed. The only problem we ran into was the passenger side door was stuck shut and had to be removed to let my passenger out.

When everything was settled w/ the insurance company, I went out and bought another Subaru (an ‘08 model).
(Report)
perry Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Hi,
We have a Myo2 Liberty Heritage. My daughter has the same, my sister has the wagon (which was mum & dads) & my niece has an Impreza. So reliable, may not be the most feul efficient or pwerful, but compared to the Holden Astra we had, super cheap on servicing. My sisters car has 250,000kms on the clock has been around Australia & from the Gold Coast to Perth. Never missed a beat & still running strong. Handling is fantastic in all conditions. Great to pull up next to those UTES at the lights in the wet & watch them slip & slide when the Subi just leaves them. Yeah they catch up but your doing the limit & they have to be speeding. I’ve had a lot of cars over the years, Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, holdens & the Subi would rate the best. The Mitsubishi Callenger was the most comfortable & cheapest of all for servicing but way too plastic.
(Report)
Wheelnut Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I own a White MY02 Subaru Impreza 2.5 Litre Automatic RS Sedan [which I believe is the best looking model to date] and so far I have had approximately 90;000 absolute trouble free kilometres with my “non-turbo” WRX.

I have however; made a few enhancements such as adding a K&N performance air filter etc which has increased the power to almost the same as a rex.

Mind you reliability of a car depends on how you treat it.. if you regularly maintain and service it you should expect it to start every time and perform as usual - yet if you neglect it and thrash the c–p out of it in traffic light drags for example well then; of course you’re going to have problems.
(Report)
Wheelnut Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Tom - I also average 10L/100Km city and 7L/100Km on the highway.. and when you consider that my subie weighs 1400kg I think that the 2.5 litre boxer does a pretty good job at getting all that weight moving

Part of that reason I believe is due to the fact that a couple of years ago I switched over and I now use premium in my car and have noticed that I am [or I appear to be] getting more k’s out of each tank as the car runs smoother - although that depends upon how you drive it and what speeds you cruise at etc
(Report)