Subaru CPO Warranty Overview
Every certified pre-owned Subaru comes with 7 years/100,000 miles of powertrain warranty coverage.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The Subaru CPO warranty is essentially a powertrain warranty that lasts for up to 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. There is no comprehensive coverage included with Subaru CPO vehicles.
- One significant benefit of the Subaru CPO warranty is that there’s no deductible.
- You can add coverage to your Subaru CPO warranty through the automaker’s Added Security® extended service agreements.
Every certified pre-owned (CPO) Subaru comes with a Subaru CPO warranty. This warranty acts as a promise that your CPO Subaru is free from defects in materials or workmanship. Should your car break down, the warranty can cover the cost of repairs. However, not every repair will be covered.
In this article, we’ll explain the ins and outs of the Subaru CPO warranty as well as added benefits that are included with coverage. We’ll also go over ways to extend your Subaru CPO warranty either through a manufacturer-backed protection plan or a vehicle service contract (VSC) from one of the best extended car warranty companies on the market.
What Is a Certified Pre-Owned Subaru?
When Subarus are traded in to the Subaru dealership, some are eligible to be resold under the title “certified pre-owned.” To be eligible for CPO status, vehicles must be newer than 5 model years old and have fewer than 80,000 miles on the odometer.
If a Subaru meets these criteria, it undergoes a 152-point safety inspection. Any part or component that doesn’t meet rigorous safety standards is repaired or replaced. Subaru then includes a warranty that guarantees these vehicles meet the Subaru workmanship standards.
Subaru CPO Warranty Coverage
The Subaru certified pre-owned warranty does not quite offer the same level of coverage as the Subaru new vehicle warranty. The CPO warranty only covers the powertrain components such as the engine and transfer case and lasts for 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty is transferable with a $35 fee, has a $0 deductible, and includes 24/7 roadside assistance.
In addition to warranty coverage, all certified pre-owned Subarus come with:
- A $500 loyalty coupon
- Carfax Vehicle History Report
- One-year trial subscription to Starlink in-vehicle multimedia services
- Three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM®
Extending Subaru CPO Warranty Coverage
Any Subaru still covered by the basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is eligible for the Subaru Added Security® extended service agreement, which has plan options up to 10 years/100,000 miles. These plans provide comprehensive coverage after your Subaru CPO warranty expires and include towing and rental benefits. Drivers can choose between three plans and a $0 or $100 deductible. The plan options are:
- Powertrain: Basic coverage that includes major engine, transaxle, and differential components.
- Classic: An enhanced powertrain warranty that covers major parts including the engine, all-wheel drive, and transmission, along with the cooling system, suspension, steering, air conditioning, and various electrical components.
- Gold Plus: A more comprehensive policy that covers everything in the Classic and Powertrain plans, plus advanced technology like blind-spot detection, reverse automatic braking, and other driver-assist functions.
In December 2023, we polled 1,000 drivers from across the country with manufacturer extended warranty plans. Out of the total, 21 respondents had purchased a vehicle service contract from Subaru. Here’s what they had to say:
- “I’m extremely satisfied. It has saved me thousands.”
- “I’m pretty satisfied actually. They contacted me for maintenance and fixed things without me even knowing the light was out or I needed to have wiper blades. They just proactively put new ones on and when they were done they washed the car and made it look fresh from the dealer.”
- “I am completely satisfied with my warranty coverage. I just so happened to need it.”
Another option for extending coverage for Subaru certified pre-owned vehicles is to purchase an extended warranty from a third-party provider.
Third-party warranties are often less expensive than manufacturer-backed plans and offer a broader range of coverage options. You can purchase a third-party warranty at any time, so if your Subaru’s original warranty has already expired, you can still get extended coverage.
Top Recommendations for Subaru CPO Warranty Coverage
If you purchase a CPO Subaru, there is a chance that you are no longer eligible to purchase extended warranty coverage from the manufacturer. While your Subaru CPO warranty will include powertrain coverage, you may want to add protection for more vehicle components or for a longer period of time.
To fully cover your vehicle, consider third-party extended warranty options. Our review team has taken a close look at the best extended car warranty companies, comparing factors like cost, customer service, and more. Based on our research, two companies we highly recommend are Endurance and Carchex.
Endurance
Endurance opened its doors in 2006 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. It has grown into one of the largest extended auto warranty providers in the country, offering a wide range of coverage options and exceptional benefits. Coverage levels offered by Endurance include:
- Secure: Offers affordable coverage for powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, and transaxle.
- Secure Plus: Offers the shortest waiting period, powertrain coverage, and protection for certain electrical components.
- Select Premier: Designed for high-mileage vehicles (up to 150,000 miles) and covers everything included in the Secure plan, as well as the electrical, cooling, air conditioning, and fuel systems.
- Superior: Provides the highest level of stated-component coverage and protects most vehicle systems and components.
- Supreme: An exclusionary coverage plan that includes nearly all vehicle components, minus select exclusions.
- EnduranceAdvantage™: Covers both mechanical breakdowns and maintenance services including oil changes, engine diagnostics, brake pad replacements, and more (you can choose from three levels: Prime, Plus, or Preferred).
Learn more about this provider by reading our full Endurance review, and see how much an Endurance warranty would cost for your Subaru by getting a free, personalized quote below.
Carchex
Since 1999, Carchex has been offering customers extended warranties for their vehicles. The provider offers five warranty plans, the details of which you can find below:
- Titanium: Titanium provides exclusionary coverage for most vehicle components, offering protection similar to a manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty.
- Platinum: The Platinum plan delivers the highest level of stated-component protection, covering hundreds of parts across all major systems of the vehicle.
- Powertrain Plus: Powertrain Plus offers extensive powertrain coverage and additional protection for essential components, including the air conditioning, electrical system, and fuel system.
- Powertrain: The Powertrain plan offers basic coverage for key powertrain components, including the engine, transmission, and drive axle.
- Extra Care: Extra Care extends protection beyond the powertrain to include components such as the electrical system, steering, suspension, and braking system, and can also complement an existing powertrain plan.
Learn more about Carchex in our full Carchex review.
Subaru CPO Warranty: Bottom Line
The Subaru CPO warranty is effectively a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. There’s no deductible, and you get benefits like 24-hour roadside assistance. Subaru also gives you the option to extend this coverage through its Added Security protection plans, although we recommend getting quotes from third-party extended warranty providers to make sure you get the best deal.
FAQ: Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
Here are some common questions about Subaru CPO warranties:
What is the Subaru certified pre-owned warranty?
The Subaru CPO warranty covers powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, and transfer case. It lasts for 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty has a $0 deductible, can be transferred with a $35 fee, and includes 24/7 roadside assistance.
Who has the best certified pre-owned warranty?
Some of the longest certified pre-owned (CPO) warranties are offered by Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Land Rover.
Do certified pre-owned cars come with a warranty?
Most certified pre-owned cars include a warranty. The warranty specifics vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they typically include the remainder of the new vehicle limited warranty plus an additional year of coverage.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
