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Subaru CPO Warranty Overview

Every certified pre-owned Subaru comes with 7 years/100,000 miles of powertrain warranty coverage.

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By:
Brogan Woodburn
By: Brogan Woodburn Senior Writer

Brogan is a Motor1.com Senior Writer based in Central Oregon. He produces in-depth auto product guides on topics spanning from auto warranties and insurance to tips on how to sell a car.

Last Updated 01/17/2024

Motor1 Reviews Team Take:

  • The Subaru CPO warranty is essentially a powertrain warranty that lasts for up to seven 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.
Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.3/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Cost: 4.6/5.0
Transparency: 4.8/5.0
Customer Service: 4.3/5.0
idée Endurance is our top pick for extended warranties.
  • Best Coverage
  • Maximum Mileage: Up to 200,000 miles
  • Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days for full refund
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Coverage Options: 6 plans including maintenance option
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Exclusionary plan One-year membership for free
Powertrain plan Tire repair and replacement
Maintenance coverage with Endurance Advantage Key fob replacement
Roadside assistance Total loss protection
Towing Collision discount
Rental car $250 rewards voucher
Trip interruption coverage Endurance Protect app

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 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 offer quite the same level of coverage as the Subaru new vehicle warranty. The CPO warranty only covers the powertrain components like 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 CarShield.

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.

CarShield

CarShield is a reputable provider that has been around since 2005 and provides a wide range of coverage options for Subarus. CarShield coverages are listed below:

  • Diamond: This plan is comparable to a manufacturer’s warranty. It is exclusionary, and the contract lists only parts not covered.
  • Platinum: The Platinum plan is the highest level of inclusionary coverage. It covers items that are part of the engine, transmission, cooling system, electrical system, steering, air conditioning, brake system, and more.
  • Gold: This plan offers enhanced powertrain coverage. In addition to the engine, transmission, and drive axle, it covers the alternator, starter, power window motor, and more.
  • Silver: This is CarShield’s basic powertrain plan. It covers all lubricated engine parts and the drive axle, transmission, and water pump.
  • Aluminum: This plan is designed for luxury vehicles and vehicles with complex electronic systems.

Learn more about CarShield in our full CarShield review.

Subaru CPO Warranty: Conclusion

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.

Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.3/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Cost: 4.6/5.0
Transparency: 4.8/5.0
Customer Service: 4.3/5.0
idée Endurance is our top pick for extended warranties.
  • Best Coverage
  • Maximum Mileage: Up to 200,000 miles
  • Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days for full refund
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Coverage Options: 6 plans including maintenance option
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Exclusionary plan One-year membership for free
Powertrain plan Tire repair and replacement
Maintenance coverage with Endurance Advantage Key fob replacement
Roadside assistance Total loss protection
Towing Collision discount
Rental car $250 rewards voucher
Trip interruption coverage Endurance Protect app

Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Plans: FAQ

Here are some commonly asked 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.