A Look at Subaru’s CPO Warranty Policies

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.

All certified pre-owned passenger cars, SUVs, and crossovers from Subaru must meet stringent guidelines before they're approved for sale. These vehicles must have fewer than 80,000 miles on the odometer and must be a maximum of five years old. In addition, the automaker puts each CPO vehicle through a 152-point inspection process to ensure that it meets the company's highest standards.

Subaru is unusual in that it doesn’t provide any bumper-to-bumper coverage for its pre-owned vehicles. Most automakers provide some sort of coverage once the original bumper-to-bumper warranty expires. The duration can be as little as three months and/or 3,000 miles, which is better than nothing.

Subaru's limited warranty for new vehicles is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and it's available from the date of the vehicle’s original sale. So if you buy a certified pre-owned Subaru within these parameters, you’ll be covered until the basic warranty expires. However, you won't receive any additional bumper-to-bumper coverage through the CPO warranty.

That means if something goes wrong with the electrical system or you have problems with the seats or other non-powertrain-related items, you’re stuck with the repair costs.

Subaru's CPO factory-backed powertrain warranty has a duration of seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This coverage begins on the original warranty start date. Powertrain coverage on a new Subaru is five years/60,000 miles, so you get quite an extension when you purchase a CPO vehicle.

The powertrain warranty covers major powertrain components, including the engine, engine block, cylinder heads, valve trains, oil pump and pan, timing belts and gears, water pump, flywheel, intake and exhaust manifolds, and oil seals and gaskets. Should anything go wrong with any of these components, you won’t be responsible for the repair bill. In addition, there is zero deductible for warranted repairs. 

All of Subaru's certified vehicles come with 24-hour roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, get a flat tire, or need help with minor roadside repairs, the automaker will dispatch a crew to get you operational again. This is helpful if you're not mechanically inclined or unexpectedly stranded.

Other perks include three free months of SiriusXM satellite radio as well as a one-year subscription to the STARLINK Safety Plus Package with Automatic Collision Notification. You also get a CARFAX vehicle history report, so you know if the vehicle has been subjected to any recalls or has been involved in any accidents. Finally, you receive a $500 Owner Loyalty Coupon that you can use toward a brand new Subaru if you decide to trade in your CPO model.

If that's not enough, you can upgrade your coverage by purchasing one of two additional plans. The Classic Wrap-Around Plan covers nearly 1,000 parts, such as the air-conditioning and electrical systems. It also includes towing, rental car service, and reimbursement for certain repairs. The Gold Wrap-Around Plan includes all that plus hundreds of additional components. It also provides out-of-town breakdown coverage and meal and lodging reimbursement.

One of the great things about the CPO warranty is that each vehicle must pass a rigorous inspection before it's approved for sale. That provides some peace of mind because you know you're getting a vehicle that's in good operating condition. You don't get this guarantee if you buy a used vehicle from a private party.

In addition, the powertrain coverage is fairly comprehensive. If any major component fails unexpectedly, the automaker will take care of the parts and labor and won't charge you a cent. Plus there's no deductible. Some competing brands may charge as much as $100 a visit for repairs, even if it's for a warranted issue.

Other benefits include roadside assistance, which can be very convenient, particularly if you get stuck on a road trip or even during your work commute. We also like the inclusion of a CARFAX history report because you get the lowdown on the vehicle's history of repairs and/or accidents.

Finally, we like that you can transfer the coverage to a subsequent owner. This can potentially increase the vehicle’s resale value.

By far, the biggest drawback with Subaru's CPO warranty is its complete lack of bumper-to-bumper coverage. Once the basic warranty expires at three years/36,000 miles, if anything happens inside or outside the vehicle (excluding powertrain components) you must pay for the repairs. Depending on what fails, this can be potentially costly, particularly if it involves something like the electrical system.

Most issues related to materials or workmanship typically manifest within the first couple of years of a vehicle's service life. Still, the majority of automakers provide some sort of bumper-to-bumper coverage on their pre-owned cars, so Subaru truly stands out, in a bad way, in this regard.

And while the warranty coverage Subaru does provide is fairly comprehensive, there are some limitations. It won't cover normal wear and tear, and it doesn't cover all parts of the vehicle. You must pay for new tires, windshield wipers, brake pads, etc. This, however, is common among most automakers.

Some of the most common issues and repair costs with (company or typical) vehicles:

It can be stressful to purchase a used vehicle because there are a lot of uncertainties about the quality of the car, SUV, or truck. That's why many people opt to buy certified pre-owned Subarus. We answer some commonly asked questions about the coverage below to set your mind at ease.

The CPO warranty is included in the sale of the vehicle and is not something you can cancel.

Yes. Should you decide to sell your vehicle while it’s still under warranty, the coverage is transferable to another owner.

Subaru's CPO warranty is advantageous because it features comprehensive coverage on major components, including the engine and transmission. These parts can be costly to repair, so it's good to have this type of backup. There’s no bumper-to-bumper coverage, which is disappointing, but it's better to have some coverage than none at all. Plus, added benefits such as roadside assistance are very convenient. Overall, it provides some peace of mind you won’t get if you buy a vehicle without CPO protection.

Here are a few more resources you can use:

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.