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The Subaru Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek do not get any individual awards, and Subaru scores poorly again in the 2020 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. But that’s not anything new because the Japanese automaker has not scored well the past four years and now this makes five years in-a-row. Why does Subaru always score well below the industry average in this study?
The study measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of their three-year-old vehicles. The 2020 study measures problems in 2017 model-year vehicles.
The Subaru brand scores low the last 5 years in J.D. Power study
In 2016, Subaru scored a total VDS ranking of 166 (Problems per 100 Vehicles), in 2017, the Japanese automaker ranked 164 PP100 well below the industry average of 156. In 2018, Subaru slipped into the bottom quarter of all automakers with a 167 PP100 while the overall industry average improved 9 percent to 142.
This year, Subaru improves with a score of PP154 but is number 10 from the bottom. The industry average improves from 2018 and is PP134 (problems per 100), but no Subaru vehicles were in the top three models in their individual segments. Subaru does seem to improve according to the study but why are they ranked in the bottom 10?
Watch this video report discussing the benefits of keeping your old Subaru Outback vs buying the 2020 model and click to subscribe to Torque News for daily automotive news analysis.
Top-selling Subaru Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek score poorly according to Power
Keep in mind you’re getting information on things that were true with cars people bought new in 2017. Since then the Subaru Outback, Forester and Crosstrek have all received major makeovers. But it still doesn’t make sense that Subaru continually scores low (23rd) in this study and high in other studies like Consumer Reports (subscription required) where they rank number 7 among all automakers. CR singles out the all-new Ascent family hauler as a car with some new-model problems or Subaru would have scored higher.
The groups of owners of those surveyed are very different between J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. J.D. Power surveys those who've owned a vehicle for three years, while CR's survey of 400,000 owners of 640,000 vehicles places no restriction on the length of ownership. Those surveyed are CR subscribers, who are likely even pickier and discriminating regarding consumer goods.
Is the J.D. Power VDS study showing the correct picture?
A report a few years ago from Autoblog’s Consumer Editor, Jeremy Korzeniewski may help shed more light on it. The problem, as Jeremy pointed out, is one of methodology: When he wrote his article, there was no weighting assigned to the problems reported in the survey, and this still appears to be the case.
Therefore, a problem with in-vehicle technology (infotainment) or a loose piece of trim is deemed as serious as a blown engine or leaky transmission (infotainment still accounts for more problems than any other category in the 2020 study). Jeremy's point is, if the categories of problems were weighted, you'd see a different picture with Subaru’s J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study score.
What are the most dependable brands according to J.D. Power?
Among all vehicle nameplates, Genesis ranks highest in overall vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 89 PP100. Lexus ranks second in vehicle dependability with a score of 100 PP100. Buick follows Lexus with 103 PP100, Porsche (104 PP100) ranks fourth.
Three of the top four automakers are all luxury brands and Buick is marketed as a premium automobile brand, selling luxury vehicles positioned above GM’s mainstream models. There are likely human feelings and biases that are in play in surveys like J.D. Power’s VDS. If you bought an expensive Genesis, Lexus or Porsche you're probably going to say, and believe, that the car you paid dearly for is worth every penny.
There are many sources for automotive information, so do your homework and cross-reference your information. This annual study hasn’t hurt sales of the popular 2020 Outback wagon, Forester SUV and Crosstrek subcompact SUV all-wheel-drive vehicles. The Subaru brand scores high in brand loyalty, and they’ve also been rated with the highest residual values in the industry.
You Might Also Like: Subaru Officially Joins Toyota Group, What It Means For New Outback And Forester Models
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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Comments
I have had a Subaru Outback,
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I have had a Subaru Outback, 2015, 2017, 2 2018's, and a 2019. None has ever been anywhere near a service department except for scheduled routine service. I drive approximately 45K miles a year. I've never driven more reliable vehicles--5 in a row, and unless something changes markedly, I can't imagine even trialling any other manufacturer's vehicle.
You are the exception NOT the
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In reply to I have had a Subaru Outback, by Jeff Beck (not verified)
You are the exception NOT the norm by any means.
JD power has also been known
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JD power has also been known to be able to be bought, as in manufacturers can artificially by up their rating this has been well publicized by numerous articles.
I don't care what JD Power
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I don't care what JD Power says, but I do know my own Subaru situation. My wife and I now drive our 3rd and 4th Subarus, a 2010 Outback and a 2017 Outback. I love the way they drive. But I've been very disappointed with the 2010, which has always been dealer-serviced and now has 129k miles. In 2019 I paid $2k for a new head gasket (dealer said it was leaking oil) and another $2k for some exhaust-sensor issue. That's on top of the $1k I paid a couple of years ago to have the rear-wheel bearings replaced. So $5k -- to date -- for things that should not have gone wrong on a car brand that is supposed to be the kind you drive for 300k+ miles.
When I told my dealer's lead mechanic that I was surprised to have to be replacing the head gasket, he said "But now the car will go forever!", to which I replied "ANY car will last forever if you keep throwing enough money at it."
So while we've been loyal Subaru customers for years, I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it. And should the CVT go and leave me with another massive repair bill...this relationship will be over.
You should end your
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In reply to I don't care what JD Power by EricinKY (not verified)
You should end your relationship as soon as possible. These cars are money pits that will continue to drain your wallet mercilessly. Subaru mechanic here.
Just look at how many Subaru
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Just look at how many Subaru products are still running strong after a decade or two compared to other makes. I spent 40+ years in Alaska and Subaru has no equal for daily and dependable use in adverse driving conditions.
JD Powers is financed by GM
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JD Powers is financed by GM and affiliates. So of course Subaru will never win, because GM doesn’t have anything to compare it with!!
I Purchased a 2015 Subaru
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I Purchased a 2015 Subaru cross track XV for my company. This is the last Subaru I will ever own. Keep in mind that we always do recommend service, regular oil changes, regular tire rotations everything. The car has just now turned over 100,000 miles and it has had both rear wheel bearings replaced, blower motor resistor replaced, tons of rattles and squeaks and groans. It’s a real piece!
My wife has a 2009 Forrester
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My wife has a 2009 Forrester XT 2.5 turbo.ahe loves that car, but it hasn't been trouble free. The cost of maintenance and repairs had far exceeded what I've encountered with my Kia soul that I purchased a few years later. What the numbers tell me is simple, Subaru's aren't reliable, but rather Subaru owners are far more willing to she'll out cash to keep the cars on the road.
Bought a new 2013 Outback 2.5
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Bought a new 2013 Outback 2.5 premium. We are now on our 3rd engine and our 2nd CVT! Took a 1,300 mile trip to Florida with around 20,000 miles on it. It burned over a quart of oil going down and then over another quart coming back. Subaru corporate said that it was normal oil consumption! Well, shortly after I found the class action lawsuit against them for oil consumption. Twice the Subaru dealer over filled the oil before the oil consumption test! Why? Not to hard to measure oil. The 3rd engine does use less oil and I hope it lasts. Also, around 100,000 miles a bearing went on the CVT! Those were made as throw-away transmissions with no fluid changes originally recommended in the service books. Fortunately, all covered under warranties even though I had to fight for the new engines. Will not buy another Subaru unless Toyota, which now owns 20%, can turn the quality around.
I have a 2018 WRX. It is
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I have a 2018 WRX. It is amazing to drive. The power and performance from the AWD system is amazing. I am also aware the Subarus notorious for having mechanical issues, even on newer ones. Sure there are a lot that don't have issues, but there a lot that do.... Definitely way more than any Honda or Toyota....and Subaru have higher cost of ownership. As for most owners, Subie owners tend to be some of the most forgiving people. Talk to high mileage owners. They will say they have 2-300k miles and tell you how great their cars are. Then when you ask about head gasket replacement, they'll usually say they had to replace once or twice, but make it sound like it isn't that big of a deal. If the Camry or RAV4 had that issue, they would be considered garbage. A Legacy or Forester are still considered reliable for some reason. I guess quirky outweighs quality.
Had my 17' wrx in at 3200
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Had my 17' wrx in at 3200 miles and needed a new short block. Was told the pistons were lucky to get 5k miles out of them in the new FA engines.they replaced them with the same oem pistons but now I'm just shy of 20k miles and cars been running well for 3 years. I've never race it or got on it hard. Probably just a mass produced car with a flaw. Also had a loaner car while mine was being fixed and the window shared on the passenger side with my kid in the backseat. Requiring me to go back to the dealership for a 2nd loaner car. They just dont make their cars like they use to.
Here is a test for CVT
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Here is a test for CVT shutter/bucking/surging/stalling. Drive the car to 28 MPH then let go of the accelerator (gas peddle) no brake,instead of smooth coasting at 25 MPH you will begin to feel some bucking and shudder that Subaru says it's normal (engine braking) at about 12 MPH the torque converter finally unlocks and the car will surge while the RPM rises..If you have a scan tool that reads CVT temp the CVT will show a rise in temperature. This is a common scenario in highway traffic and eventually the CVT get near overheat and begins to stall.
Try this on a test drive a few times before you invest in Subaru's CVT experiment.
Dont be confused with what
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Dont be confused with what warranty cover and does not. Know that only oem parts must be used and there is a very long list warranty does not cover. There is a lot of misleading information out there. I specifically asked about a problem for vehicles in my area and was told it was covered. Less than 3000 miles on a new 2020 Outback and the car is going to the shop. Takes weeks to get a appointment, as shop must be very busy.
I am on my 4th Subaru and I
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I am on my 4th Subaru and I will own them for life. I have been through models with head gasket replacements and I still stick by this company. I have never been stranded by a Subaru which I cannot say for other vehicles. I knew the issues going in, did regular maintenance, and replaced as necessary. I sold one at 125K miles and another at 150K, both to friends who loved them to death.
Has Subaru finally fixed head
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Has Subaru finally fixed head gasket problem???
If you insist on rating a
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If you insist on rating a problem someone reports with the infotainment system at the same weight that an engine blowing up, then that's why people really care less about JD Power ratings at all. Consumer Reports with it's age-skewed readers are the only ones they poll on problems and age does not suggest Subaru's are highly owned, in which case they go with comparable vehicles to guess at it. Again, predicted reliability is utter nonsense. US News dings the Ascent for one and only one reason: predicted reliability. But let's put numbers in focus: There are 3000 Ford Dealerships and 600 Subaru dealerships so don't expect Subies to be more then 1/5 the sale of Fords. Subaru also has less vehicles that they make than Ford does too. All in all, I do own a 2021 Subaru Ascent and am quite happy with it.
I'm a retired parts & service
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I'm a retired parts & service manager with VW & Honda. At 250,000 km, my 2010 Forester is my best Subie ever. The family has owed 7 Subies with minimal problems. Consumers Reports has it right.
I own a Forester 2003, that I
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I own a Forester 2003, that I bought used with 93k miles. I have to say, it runs today the same as it did when I bought it. Had no issues with it, even though I drive it rough on dirt forest roads. Now I'm kind of worried to buy a new one, since everybody is talking about having so many issues with newer models. And replacing CVT at 100k miles costs as much as the car at that mileage. That scares me. Any tips?
My 2015 Forester has more
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My 2015 Forester has more problems than you can imagine. Not good when its your retirement car & you are 4-sure you will outlive the car!
I have had lots of problems
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I have had lots of problems with my family's Subaru vehicles in recent years. (2012, 2015 and 2016) They have indeed been extremely unreliable. All three have suffered from excessive oil consumption (Impreza and Foresters) requiring full engine replacement early in the vehicles'lives. Battery problems. Climate control system failure. Radio/bluetooth problems. Electrical issues. Completely unacceptable. The positive has been that Subaru has stood by their vehicles and extended the warranty. I would never own a Subaru without the extended warranty given what I know now.